Chimney Inspection – Be Very Careful With The Fire Hazard

Chimney inspection by a chimney technician is necessary to figure out the presence of any flue. This would help in ensuring the safety of the home as well the ones living in there. Remember, it would be really dangerous affair in case the chimney becomes clogged or there happens to be some kind of crack. It would result in poisoning of carbon monoxide, leading to hazardous situation. It is absolutely necessary to examine the chimney flue thoroughly (from top to bottom). It would require certain specialized equipment and tools to get the chimney cleaned properly. It is recommended to hire CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified contractors to get the job done. They would safely carry out the inspection along with repairing (if any) without causing any potential safety threats.

Regular chimney inspection is necessary

It is necessary to inspect the chimney flue prior to the start of the fireplace session as well as after the burning concludes. Carrying out periodic inspection would help to uncover minor problems before they transform into something bigger and better. Repairing the crack or cleaning out the creosote build-up would always be much easier than to get the entire chimney rebuilt after some serious hazardous situation takes place.

Understanding the scenario of chimney inspection

The flue liner may be made from metal sheet, cast-in-place concrete, or clay tiles. If the liner is made from concrete or clay, it is necessary to check for any kind of cracks at the surface. Because of these cracks that the exhaust gases or fire sparks would escape into the building, thus causing fire hazards. If liner is made from metal, then try to figure out any sing of warping.

You need to look for signs through liners or joints that would let the smoke escape. In spite of the material being used, creosote disposition would definitely happen within the chimney interior. This creosote is considered to be highly inflammable. It is basically a condensate byproduct of volatile products formed as a result of incomplete combustion. If left accumulated, it would result in causing serious chimney fire. Black, smooth creosotes are considered to be more dangerous than the flaky brown stuffs so it is essential to clean them properly. In case you come in contact with rainbow-streaked or puffy creosote, precautions need to be taken with immediate effect. Such creosote would only occur if fire has already occurred within the chimney. Contact a certified chimney company for proper inspection and preventive measures.

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