The most critical measure you can take to ensure your fireplace is safe is to schedule your annual chimney inspection and expert cleaning before you start the season’s first fire. Hiring a Certified chimney sweep ensures that your chimney, vents, and related heating appliances will be examined and cleaned according to NFPA industry standards.

It’s always wise that you hire a contractor, but if you have the skills, you can go ahead and inspect your chimney by yourself. When doing the inspection, you should focus on these:

Check the firebox

Look for cracks, gaps, or signs of wear in the firebox lining.

If the lining has deteriorated to the point where the steel body beneath it is visible, you must get it professionally repaired.

You should note that if you don’t do the replacement. the extra heat might accumulate inside your fireplace, causing lasting damage. You don’t want this, do you?

Inspect for masonry cracks.

Winter precipitation and temperatures below freezing can be severe on masonry chimneys. When the absorbed moisture in the bricks and mortar freezes, the solid ice crystals grow, causing the bricks to fracture, chip, crumble, and finally fall from the chimney.

As temperatures rise and the masonry thaws, more moisture fills the widening spaces. This freeze-thaw cycle occurs periodically during the winter season.

Because masonry damage increases the risk of fire and carbon monoxide exposure, it is critical to inspect the outside masonry on a regular basis for cracks, missing bricks, or gaps in the mortar joints. If you notice a problem, you should fix it before the next heating season.

Lookout for smoke stains

Smoke stains can indicate that your fireplace is not working properly. Stains on the ceiling could indicate smoke leaking from a breach between the hearth and the firebox. This is most likely due to the hearth settling, which is common in older homes.

When this settling occurs, sparks that fall into the gap can produce smoke, essentially acting as a secondary chimney. You’ll need a mason, a trained handyman, or a fireplace professional to repair this.

You may also see smoke stains above the fireplace opening. In this situation, the problem could be the flue damper, which is a mechanism with a hand-operated lever that allows you to control the airflow into the fireplace.

If the lever is damaged or caked with gunk, you may be unable to fully open or close the damper, allowing smoke to escape out of the fireplace. Again, a specialist can help you decide whether the mechanism is repairable or requires replacement.

Inspect the firebox

Using a flashlight, look into the fireplace and inspect the firebox for cracks, burning, or stains on the bricks. You also should examine for any moisture, clay, or masonry material on the firebox floor.

Then, with the damper open, direct your flashlight upward to inspect the flue liner for cracks, gaps, or dampness.

If you notice any moisture, cracks, stains, a white powdery substance or dark, tarry material (creosote), or a strong odor in the firebox or on the flue liner, schedule a professional chimney inspection before using the fireplace.

Ensure the grate is the right size.

When it comes to fireplace grates, bigger isn’t always better. According to the CSIA, a metal grate used to hold burning fuel should be no more than two-thirds the size of the fireplace aperture.

A large grate may tempt you to pile on too much wood, resulting in dangerously hot flames in your fireplace. If your grate is too huge, replace it with a smaller one that better suits your needs.

Confirm the chimney cap is secure.

A chimney cap is placed on top of a brick chimney to protect the flue from outside elements while releasing smoke and pollutants. If the chimney cap is damaged or missing, rainwater can enter the chimney and cause damage to the flue liner, firebox, and other components.

It can also let wildlife and debris into the chimney, causing a flue obstruction that pushes smoke, soot, and carbon monoxide gas out of the fireplace and into the living space.

You should confirm whether it’s present and secure. If not there, replace it. You should also tighten it if it is not safe enough.

Double-check the fire extinguisher.

Always keep track of where your fire extinguisher is and ensure that it is properly charged and ready to use.

It’s always wise to test the fire extinguisher and confirm that it’s in good working order. The last thing you want is to want to put off a fire and only realize that you can’t use it because it’s not working.

If you have never used a fire extinguisher, this is a good time to practice using it. You don’t want to fail to put off a fire because you don’t know how to use the extinguisher.

Test the damper

A properly functioning damper is required for a safe fireplace. When open, it permits smoke and dangerous gases to flow up the chimney and out of your home.

After the fire is completely out, close the damper to keep the colder outside air from mingling with the warmer indoor air.

The damper should open and close easily. If the damper isn’t working properly, makes noises, or there is any warping, cracking, or breaches in the airtight seal, contact a skilled chimney technician for repairs.

Parting shot

These are some of the areas you should focus on to confirm that your chimney is safe and in good working condition.

You don’t want to crawl onto your roof to see into the chimney. However, this does not mean you should ignore it. Getting your chimney inspected is one of the most critical things you can do before using your fireplace.

The biggest mistake homeowners make is to assume that their chimney is in good working order without inspecting it. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends a yearly chimney inspection Upper Marlboro by a competent specialist.

From the inspection report, you will know whether your chimney is safe for use. You will also know whether your unit needs cleaning or repair.

The post Chimney Inspection: How to Ensure Your Chimney Is Safe first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com