The chimney is an important part of your home and should be inspected at least once a year. Chimneys can become dirty and clogged with debris from the fire, which can cause severe problems for homeowners. If you are not sure how to inspect or repair your chimney yourself, it is best to call in a professional who will know what they are doing. This blog post will give you some tips that will help keep your chimney clean and safe. Also contact us for any need of basement renovators.
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Inspection Time
In order to function efficiently, chimneys need to be free of blockages, soot, and creosote. You can keep it clean so that it works properly and efficiently. It does not matter how small the amount of creosote buildup is—it can trigger an explosion.
We recommend that you have your chimney inspected at least once a year, regardless of how often you use it. It is never wise to try and save money on inspection costs.Â
Chimney repair Fredericton recommends having regular inspections to prevent things from blowing up too much and costing you more than what is required for an inspection.
Things that need your attention during inspections are
Firebox Inspection
The first step in chimney inspection is to check the firebox. The fireplace should be swept and vacuumed at least once a day, but it needs more attention if ash or embers have landed on walls or flooring inside the house. You will need to inspect for cracks and gaps around the sides of doors, as well as gaps between bricks that may provide an entry point for sparks from your wood-burning stove.
Damper Inspection
The damper is the metal plate that controls airflow in your chimney. The damper should be inspected for corrosion and ensure it is securely fastened to prevent wind from opening or closing it.
The Flue inspection
The chimney flue is the passage where smoke from your fireplace or wood-burning stove rises and exits outside. The inspection of this area will reveal any cracks, gaps, or damage that may need to be repaired before it becomes a danger. As a result of blocked flues, dangerous gases and smoke can seep into your home, and cracks can pose fire hazards to your entire house.
Chimney Masonry Inspection
The masonry of your chimney should be inspected for cracks, gaps, and loose or broken bricks that may need to be repaired before they become a danger. A quick visual inspection can reveal many masonry defects that can be fixed immediately to avoid further damage.
Smoke Alarms
The end of the year is a good time to double-check the batteries in these items. Having these two pieces, in particular, saved many lives throughout the years has been very rewarding for many people. Make sure the batteries are working by pressing the test button.
Fire extinguisher
The property should have a fire extinguisher near the chimney that is easily accessible in case of an emergency. Because in case of an accident the things can be controlled and avoid further damage to your home.