Is it time to have your fireplace cleaned and inspected? In general, the answer is yes.
To ensure proper operational efficiency and inspect for safety, fireplaces or inserts should be cleaned annually. Even though you may not see it, your fireplace is put under stress during each use — managing heat output, drafting exhaust up and out of the house, and more. An annual inspection helps keep your fireplace working properly and keeps your family safe.
During an inspection, a fireplace contractor will look for the following:
- Buildup. Both gas and wood-burning fireplaces can have a buildup of debris. This can happen from ceramic logs that can deteriorate and clog vents, and from ash generated from a wood-burning fireplace.
- Cracks. If the chimney exterior has a crack, moisture can enter the chimney. This can result in tiles inside the chimney falling off and breaking. Don’t assume that if you can’t see a crack, there isn’t moisture damage – the same happens as a chimney ages and mortar deteriorates.
- Functional integrity. Over time, equipment in a gas fireplace ages and begins to wear out. This can affect how well and how safely your gas fireplace operates. Worn pieces have been known to cause injuries due to mechanical malfunction.
- Ventilation. Making sure your chimney system is working properly and venting exhaust out of the home is critical. Carbon monoxide can back up into the home if the chimney isn’t properly ventilating. This can be a result of structural issues, cracks, animals that have nested or are nesting in the chimney and more.
It’s important to take your fireplace and chimney seriously to help ensure the safety of your home and family. Don’t wait until the last minute to have your fireplace inspected. Contact us right now to schedule your fireplace inspection.
