Many national fire safety organizations like the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend that homeowners have their chimneys professionally inspected. The most important reason for this recommendation has to do with your safety. For over 15 years, Aelite Chimney Specialties has provided professional chimney inspection services to residents in the Chicago area. We follow the guidelines set by the NFPA in their three levels of chimney inspections when performing this service. You can trust us to look for anything that could cause your chimney to be unsafe. We would like to tell you more about some of the things we check for in a chimney inspection.
Water Damage
Masonry chimneys are tough and durable, but they can suffer extensive and expensive damage from water penetration. One example of water damage that we look for in a chimney inspection is deteriorating or missing bricks and mortar joints. Cracks and gaps in the masonry work of a chimney allow even more water to get into the chimney, and if neglected, the entire structure of your chimney could be in serious jeopardy.
Carbon Monoxide Risks
During a chimney inspection, our CSIA-certified chimney technicians will carefully check to be sure there is nothing present in your chimney that could possibly lead to the toxic gas, carbon monoxide, leaking into your home. We will look to see that nothing is blocking the flue that could force carbon monoxide back into your living spaces. We will also take a close look at the chimney liner to see if there are any cracks, gaps, or other damage that could allow this poisonous gas to get into your home.
Chimney Fire Risks
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, your chimney most likely has creosote deposits stuck to the inner walls. Creosote develops naturally during the combustion process of burning wood, and it is so flammable that the CSIA has named it as a leading cause of chimney fires. During our inspection process, we will look for any excessive creosote buildup that could cause your chimney to have a dangerous fire hazard present. We will also look for signs of any chimney fires that may have previously occurred.
If we do find any type of damage during our chimney inspection, we will provide you with photos of the damage and a written estimate of the necessary repairs to make your chimney safe again. Beat the fall rush, and contact us today at Aelite Chimney Specialties to schedule an appointment for our professional chimney inspection services.