You might have heard recently that you need a chimney inspection for one reason or another, perhaps because you are making renovations, leaving a home, or purchasing a home. This will be an involved inspection that may even involve the use of video cameras. But it’s also important to get a routine inspection each year in order to prevent major repairs and, most importantly, potential fire hazards.
What Can Go Wrong?
There’s a lot that can go wrong on the inside of a chimney. If you are a new home buyer, you want to make sure that the chimney is not putting your new home and your family members at risk. And there are risks for every home with a chimney, no matter how old, which is why we recommend service each and every year.
So what can go wrong inside of your chimney? More than you may think.
- Creosote Buildup – An excessive buildup of creosote, a byproduct of incomplete combustion, is something commonly found in chimneys that’s a lot worse than homeowners may think. This black, tarlike substance is highly flammable, so a chimney fire could ignite somewhat easily.
- Structural Damage – Any structural issues on the inside of the chimney flue or on the masonry may allow fire to spread to the outside of the home.
- Water Leaks – You deserve to know if there is water damage or mold growing in your home.
- Debris – Anything else in your chimney, including dead animals, will be removed and reported to you.
There are three levels of inspection (titled simply levels 1, 2, and 3). Which level your tech performs and how invasive the inspection is will depend on whether a major problem is suspected. A level 1 inspection is routine, whereas a level 3 inspection involves dismantling parts of the chimney.
After an inspection, your technician will report any problems and work with you to remediate the issue.
2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. offers chimney inspection and cleaning in Minneapolis, MN. Call us today!