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

As prices of just about everything keep going up, it’s always a good to find something that can help you save. We’re going to focus on a fireplace heat shield, which takes the heat generated from your fireplace and reflects the heat to go into your home instead of up and out of the home. By increasing the amount of heat to your home, your furnace will not turn on as much, saving on energy costs. What will that mean to you and your family expenses? Let’s first discuss what a fireplace heat shield is.

Why is a Fireplace Heat Shield Needed?

When you use your fireplace, whether it be woodburning or gas, heat is generated and the firebox temperatures can get quite high. This means that the back of the firebox goes from extreme temperatures of hot to cool or cold and back to hot again. The constant expansion and contraction causes the materials in the firebox firewalls to wear down where pieces of the backwall begin to crack and fall apart. This creates issues with the integrity of the firebox firewalls.

What Can a Heat Shield Do for Me?

Heat shields can be of big help in your home. Let’s take look at a few:

• Because the heat shield is at the back of the firebox, it reflects the heat and pushes it into your home increasing the heat by 20-40%. This in turn, keeps your home warm and reduces your heating bill.
• As we mentioned, the fireplace heat shield protects the back firewall and keeps the backwall away from the direct flame & heat. This protects the backwall from the constant erosion, thus reducing costly fireplace repairs.
• If you have a well-used, or an old fireplace, a heat shield can help to cover up old stains or ugliness of the firebox. It simply will look better.
• The fireplace heat shield will also help protect the back firewall from further deterioration which can lead to firewall compromise. All fireboxs need attention with use.  Tuckpointing around the fire-brick is a regular maintenance necessity.  If not done, or prevented with a heat reflective shield, a rebuild of the firebox firewall will be needed no time.

Fireplace heat shields are a great addition to your home this Fall and Winter season. The investment in it today will help to lower your heating bills with more heat going into your home instead of out. This can save you hundreds of dollars, money that you want to save or use to purchase the essentials for your family. Give us a call today to begin the chimney inspection process and install a fireplace heat shield. It’s vital to keep your family warm and safe this season. Contact us today at 877-244-6349.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

Did you know that selling your home requires a Level II chimney inspection to be completed? It’s true! Per the National Fire Protection Association NFPA 211, a chimney inspection must be done prior to the transfer of property. It does make sense since the chimney can be used for heat in the fireplace whether it be woodburning or gas and the chimney is also used to release toxic fumes from the Furnace or boiler and water heater appliances. If you think about it, do you want to purchase potential issues that can cost you lots of unnecessary expenses? Probably not.

What Needs to be Completed for an NFPA 211?

When it comes to general home inspectors that come out to the home, they are to “inspect” the chimney and fireplace. However, general home inspectors are not credentialed in this area. Those that work with and inspect chimneys should be CSIA certified (Chimney Safety Institute of America) in order to know what exactly they are looking at and looking for. Few, if any, general home inspectors have this certification. Remember, the chimney system includes more than just the fireplace. It can also include the wood stove, pellet stove, furnace or boiler and water heater. This is why it is critical to have it professionally checked as gasses, such as carbon monoxide, can result in an unsafe environment and bring costly repairs.

Do I Only Need Inspections when Selling the Home?

No, regardless of if you use your fireplace or not, use gas versus woodburning, the NFPA 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Chimney cleanings, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” This is for your protection of the home and family.  Especially for those, like us, that live in a geographic freeze thaw cycle (winter).

What’s Involved in a Chimney Inspection?

There are three levels to a chimney inspection.

Level 1: This is the most popular chimney inspection done in homes. If your appliance or your venting system has not changed and you plan to use your system as you have in the past, then a Level 1 inspection is a minimum requirement. A Level 1 inspection is for a chimney under continued service, under the same conditions, and with the continued use of the same appliance. In a Level 1 inspection, readily accessible** portions of the chimney exterior, interior and accessible* portions of the appliance and the chimney connection will be looked at. Your technician will be looking for the basic soundness of the chimney structure and flue as well as the basic appliance installation and connections. Contact us to get a level 1 inspection today.

Level 2: A level 2 inspection is required when selling a property. A Level 2 inspection is required when any changes are made to the system. Changes can include a change in the fuel type, changes to the shape of, or material in, the flue (i.e. relining), or the replacement or addition of an appliance of a dissimilar type, input rating or efficiency. Additionally, a Level 2 inspection is required upon the sale or transfer of a property or after an operation malfunction or external event that is likely to have caused damage to the chimney. Building fires, chimney fires, seismic events as well as weather events (tornado) are all indicators that this level of inspection is warranted. A Level 2 inspection is a more in-depth inspection than a Level 1 inspection.  A Level 2 inspection includes everything in a Level 1 inspection.  It will address proper clearances from combustibles in accessible locations.  There are no specialty tools (i.e. demolition equipment) required to open doors, panels or coverings in performing a Level 2 inspection. No removal or destruction of permanently attached portions of the chimney or building structure or finish shall be required by a Level 2 inspection.  Contact Superior Chimney if you are moving or have recently moved into a new home or townhome with a fireplace. Get it swept and inspected to ensure your home is in good working order.

Level 3: A level 3 inspection is necessary when a hazard may be present and concealed areas need to be reached. A Level 3 inspection includes all the areas and items in a Level 1 and a Level 2 inspection, as well as the removal of certain components of the building or chimney where necessary. Removal of components (i.e., chimney crown, interior chimney wall, siding, etc.) shall be required only when necessary to gain access to areas that are the subject of the inspection. When serious hazards are suspected, a Level 3 inspection may well be required to determine the condition of the chimney system.  Hopefully, you will never need this level of inspection. But it is good to know that Superior Chimney certified technicians can handle the severity of a level 3.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net