The chimney isn’t a build-it-and-leave-it piece of the structure of your home. It must be maintained and repaired just like any other appliance. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that you have the chimney cleaned and inspected at least once per year if you just use the fireplace casually. The more it is used, the more often it needs to be cleaned. Let’s take a look at four ways a chimney inspection can save your life.
- Prevents Chimney Fires: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the CSIA recommend at least yearly inspections and cleanings. They do not benefit from the inspection or the cleaning, so why should they recommend it? They do it to protect you. We perform chimney inspections and cleanings to protect you from the risk of chimney fire. Chimney fires burn with explosive force and often cause entire house fires, leaving nothing in their wake.
- Prevents Chimney Damage: The chimney takes a lot of damage from the elements. Water is the number-one enemy of the chimney because too much water causes spalling in the bricks and weakness in the mortar. The same water freezes during winter and creates cracks in the masonry as the freeze-thaw process repeats throughout the winter months. Waterproofing the chimney helps protect it from water damage.
- Prevents Chimney Collapse: A damaged chimney can be repaired as long as you know there’s damage. A yearly inspection will reveal potential damage and give you a good starting point for repairs. Chimney repairs aren’t nearly as expensive when you properly maintain the chimney over time and catch small issues before they become large problems.
- Prevents Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Many chimney problems can lead to carbon monoxide issues within the home. Make sure to install a reliable carbon monoxide sensor and change the batteries once per year. Schedule your chimney cleaning and inspection for the same date so everything is taken care of simultaneously.
Those are the four primary reasons you should budget for a chimney cleaning and inspection at least once per year. Consider scheduling two or three cleanings and inspections if you use your fireplace and chimney on a regular basis. Keep an eye out on special pricing with local chimney inspectors and sweeps so you can always get the most for your money.
Many homeowners don’t really think about the chimney, flue, or fireplace until they begin having problems; they are out of sight, out of mind, after all. You can rely on the services of Lou Curley’s Chimney Service for all of your chimney and dryer vent cleaning needs in Drexel Hill and the surrounding areas. We’re a locally owned and operated business, and we pride ourselves in providing top notch chimney services in Delaware County and the Springfield area. Call us at 610-626-2439 to schedule an appointment with one of our CSIA certified technicians.