When fall’s chilly weather starts, there’s nothing as enjoyable as curling up in front of a warm fire. But if your chimney isn’t in good shape, your fire may not be as enjoyable, with water damage, smoke, fumes, and even a chimney or house fire resulting from the oversight. Fortunately, it’s easy to schedule an annual chimney and fireplace inspection for your Indianapolis home, and maintain the condition of your chimney system.
Have You Scheduled Your Annual Chimney Inspection Yet?
An annual chimney inspection can catch a wide range of issues and is a standard part of your home maintenance calendar. If you’ve not made any changes to your flue’s shape or material, no damage to the chimney’s structure, and no change in fuel type or expected usage, an annual chimney inspection may be all that you need beyond occasional cleaning and repairs to keep your system operating properly.
However, if you have made some of these changes, if there’s been an incident that could have damaged the chimney such as a tree falling on it, an earthquake, or a chimney fire, or if you’re considering selling your home, you may want to step your annual inspection up to include a video scan of the chimney’s internal surfaces. This can check for a wide range of more advanced issues that could be missed during a standard annual inspection.
But why do you need to have an annual chimney and fireplace inspection for your Indianapolis home anyway? Here are a few reasons:
- Creosote buildup can lead to a fire: Creosote is a flammable compound that can build up excessively on the chimney’s interior, leading to a chimney and possibly a house fire.
- Obstructions can block ventilation: Whether it’s a bird’s nest, debris from a storm, or other material, a chimney obstruction causes smoke and dangerous vapors to enter your home.
- Parts may be damaged you can’t easily see: With proper tools and training, a chimney technician can spot damage to your chimney’s crown, masonry, or flue liner.
- Bought a home with an unknown history: If you’ve bought or had ownership of a home transferred to you but don’t know the chimney history, you need a video-scan inspection.
- Homeowner’s Insurance requires it: As a part of your homeowner’s insurance, you may be required to have regular chimney inspections if there is damage from fire.
By taking the time to schedule an annual chimney inspection before the heating season starts, you can rest assured that your chimney is in great shape and ready to use whenever a surprise cold snap strikes. If you need to schedule an annual chimney or fireplace inspection for your Indianapolis home, the experienced chimney technicians at Clean Sweep 317 are ready to help. Reach out today to schedule!