Importance Of Inspections Before Your First Fire
Are you getting eager to start using your fireplace system once again? Soon, it’ll be time to sit cuddled up under a blanket, drinking your favorite beverage, and reading a good book while your fire burns brightly and warmly. However, before you get too caught up in the joys of fall, there are a few things you need to do first. We’re talking about the importance of inspections before lighting your first fire of the season.
Here are five reasons why inspections are critically important to keeping your home safe this season.
Removing creosote
One of the byproducts of burning wood is that, over time, it can lead to creosote build-up. This is a sticky, tar-like substance that is not only toxic but can also lead to obstructions within your flue. This may be one of the biggest reasons why inspections are so important, as excessive creosote can also lead to a chimney fire.
When you schedule an inspection with Advance Chimney Sweeps, our trained team members will remove any creosote they find.
Identifying structural problems
If your chimney has any structural problems, those are most easily identified during an annual inspection. From spalling brick to a leaning structure to damaged tile, we’ll let you know if we find anything along these lines when visiting your home.
Keeping water at bay
Two main components help to keep water away from your masonry. Those are your cap and crown. Both divert water away from your chimney, with the former working to keep it out of your flue and the latter away from your brick-and-mortar. During an inspection, we’ll inspect both of these components while looking for signs that there may be an underlying issue with them.
Using the right fuel source
Our comments a few moments ago surrounding creosote can also reveal another cause for concern. If during an inspection we find excessive build-up, and we can verify that the homeowner had an annual sweep before the start of the previous season, it points to a problem with their choice of fuel.
Most likely, the homeowner hasn’t been burning the right type of wood. Wood needs to dry out fully before being burned, as freshly cut wood contains a higher moisture count. This, in turn, can cause creosote to build up much faster than anticipated. The importance of inspections here is that with an annual review, we can identify problems like this.
Burner inspections for gas fireplaces
One quick note for those who own gas fireplaces. Inspections are important for these homeowners as well. During our visit, we’ll ensure that your burners function as intended.
The importance of inspections performed by a CSIA-certified professional
Our family-owned company is here to make certain that your fireplace is safe to use before you light your first fire of the season. Our thorough chimney sweep and inspection process will ensure that there is no cause for concern and can take care of any needed repairs before the temperature begins to drop.
Would you like to get in touch with our team? Then contact Advance Chimney Sweeps by calling us at 412-729-2446 or send our office a message here requesting a callback.
