The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) says that a certified technician should be looking your chimney over on an annual basis. This is especially true before the burning season begins. It’s essential for the health of your system. In addition, it will provide you with the best results in the long run.
If you’ve been putting this into practice, great! The staff at Lords Chimney strongly encourages all of their customers to invest in yearly inspections. Why? Well, it’s one of the best ways to safeguard your chimney – and ensure your family stays safer every single year. That being said, we would also like to educate you on WHY this is so important, so you know just how valuable this yearly investment truly is.
Avoiding Creosote Buildup
One of the main things we check for in our inspections is creosote accumulation. Too much creosote is a major cause of chimney fires, which put your home and family at great risk. This flammable substance is known for spreading flames throughout your system, thus exposing your brick and mortar to extremely high temperatures. Chimney fires can make a good, sound structure deteriorate fast, so doing anything you can to avoid them is important!
The scariest part about chimney fires is that they often occur undetected. This means your chimney could be greatly damaged without you even realizing it! As your lining breaks down and decays, your home will become more vulnerable to stray flames and intense heat. The a broken down liner, this heat can now easily escape the chimney and catch your woodwork on fire. It’s not worth the risk. Invest in an inspection today, so you know you’re good to go this holiday season.
Checking For Repairs
Necessary repairs are another thing that sweeps look for while inspecting your chimney system. It may seem that any needed repair jobs would be obvious to spot, but this unfortunately is not the case! Our technicians will be able to take note of any minor damages and patch them up at an affordable rate, before they turn into expensive and stressful repair jobs. You’re much better off finding these issues before they grow worse, which is why scheduling regular chimney inspections is the way to go.
Are You Moving?
If you are moving out of a house with a chimney, moving into one with a chimney, or both, scheduling a level 2 inspection is necessary before any final decisions are made. This more in-depth look into your chimney will ensure all parts are working properly. Also, that no extra repairs are needed before the buying or selling process begins. We want to help all of your major life transactions go as smoothly as possible. Invest in an inspection from us and get the guidance and reassurance you deserve!
Call On Us Anytime!
No matter where you are in life, we have got you covered. Our team is dedicated to providing the area with reliable, dependable care at all times. Call us at Lords Chimney today to learn more!
If you are buying a home, scheduling a home inspection is a necessary step in the process. Yet, many home buyers mistakenly believe a home inspection includes a thorough and in-depth look at the fireplace and chimney. This is not the case! Home inspectors are not actually required to inspect various parts of your chimney. This means you could be missing out on important information regarding your potential home purchase.
What’s Not Included?
Some of things home inspectors are not required to inspect are seals, gaskets, doors, vents, and any interiors that are not easy to access. Their standard of practice states that anything not “readily accessible” does not need to be inspected. That means the interior of the chimney itself was likely not even looked at!
While home inspections are beneficial in many ways, hiring a certified chimney tech to inspect your fireplace and determine whether or not it is safe for regular use is necessary for making a smart decision when seeking out your new home.
Level I, II, & III Chimney Inspections
At Lords Chimney, we are CSIA certified, which means we can perform top quality inspections, no matter what your fireplace needs. When the technician comes to your home, they will perform either a level I, a level II, or a level III inspection. Learn more about these below!
Level One – A level one inspection occurs when you have had no major issues or changes with your fireplace throughout the past year. This inspection is a basic overview of all the parts. We check to ensure everything is running smoothly and that no obvious repairs are necessary. Also, we will determine whether or not a sweeping is in order and will make sure the venting systems are clear.
Level Two – Level two inspections are a bit more extensive. A camera will be used to check the interior systems. We will check for water damage, correct measurements, chimney caps, and more. These types of inspections are for buying and selling homes or for when a chimney has faced damage or recent renovations.
Level Three – Level three inspections are less common and are done when more widespread damage is discovered. Certain parts of the chimney may need to be removed for us to discover the issue and resolve it.
Any Questions?
Knowing what to expect from your chimney company can be tricky. If you have any questions at all, feel free to give the staff at Lords Chimney a call 281-497-4000. We will be more than happy to assist you. We will provide you with all of the answers and advice you are looking for.
As the temperatures outside continue to rise, most homeowners have stopped using their fireplaces until the fall. Even though you may not be using it, don’t let your fireplace sit idle until the temperatures drop! Instead, use the summer as a time to have chimney maintenance done.
Summer is a great time to have annual chimney maintenance – including a chimney inspection – completed. By having work done now, you can start using your fireplace again in the fall with the knowledge that it is in good condition and safe to use!
Why have chimney maintenance done in the summer
Because most homeowners do not use their fireplaces during the summer, it is the perfect time of year to have chimney maintenance done. As the summer is traditionally a “slow season” due to the lack of a need for fireplace use, it is much easier to get an appointment at a convenient time with a minimal wait time. Likewise, as some masonry repairs cannot be made in cold weather have summer repairs done ensures your chimney will be ready to use all winter long.
Importance of chimney inspections
“A chimney inspection is like an annual dental check-up,” says Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the CSIA. “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards.” A chimney inspection should be a part of your yearly fireplace maintenance. Unlike a chimney sweeping which focuses on the removal of soot, ash, and creosote, a chimney inspection focuses on the condition of your fireplace and chimney.
Levels of chimney inspection
There are three different levels of chimney inspection designated by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. A CSIA-certified chimney sweep can help advise you on what level of chimney inspection your home needs.
- Level I: A Level I chimney inspection is the simplest kind of chimney inspection and is all that is needed for most homes that receive regular fireplace and chimney maintenance. During a Level I inspection, the certified chimney sweep will visually inspect all accessible portions of the interior and exterior of the chimney for signs of deterioration or damage. If any problems are found, repairs or a more intensive inspection can be recommended.
- Level II: Level II chimney inspections are used if there has been a major change to the fireplace system, such as installing a new insert or changing fuel sources. Likewise, a Level II inspection may be recommended if you are preparing to sell your home or recently purchased a new home. This kind of chimney inspection often involves the use of technology such as closed-circuit cameras as well as accessing areas of your home such as attics, basements, or crawl spaces.
- Level III: A Level III chimney inspection is the most in-depth – and most invasive – type of chimney inspection. For this reason they are only recommended in cases where serious structural damage is suspected, such as after an earthquake, chimney fire, or other natural disaster. During a Level III chimney inspection, portions of the chimney structure may need to be removed in order to better access areas of damage.
This year, don’t wait until fall to schedule your chimney inspection. Instead, have your chimney maintenance done during your fireplace’s summer downtime! Call Lord’s Chimney today to schedule your summer chimney inspection and help your fireplace be ready for fall!
