The Importance of a Chimney Inspection

It is important to have your chimney inspected regularly. If not properly maintained, your chimney and fireplace can suffer significant damage.

A Level 2 inspection is recommended after a chimney fire or a dramatic weather event like a tornado, hurricane, or earthquake. It also includes a more thorough visual assessment of the masonry structure and interior chimney surfaces using a camera. Contact Chimney Inspection Baltimore now!

Creosote is the smelly, corrosive byproduct of burning wood and is highly flammable. When it builds up in your chimney, it restricts airflow, affecting how well and long fires burn and may even cause a fire. Creosote can contaminate your home with smoke and particulates if left unchecked.

Your chimney needs some creosote to function properly, but too much can be dangerous. When creosote reaches stage 2 or 3, it’s too thick and dangerous to remove with a brush or a cleaning log and requires a professional chimney sweep.

Stage 1 creosote is a light powder that looks soot-like and can be easily removed with a chimney brush. It’s best to prevent it from building up, however, by sweeping your chimney often and using a chimney cleaning log.

Chimneys with restricted incoming air create the conditions for second-degree creosote buildup, which is harder to brush away. This type of creosote usually forms in wood stoves and fireplaces with glass doors, but can also occur when a chimney is leaking or damaged. It appears as shiny black flakes that resemble dry, hardened tar corn flakes.

When a chimney reaches stage 2, it’s too thick to remove and can restrict air flow, which affects how well and how long fires burn. This stage also creates the conditions for third-degree creosote, which is so flammable that it’s practically a concentrated fuel. It looks like a tar coating and can be an inch thick or more.

If you allow creosote to reach this point, it can cause chimney fires and destroy your chimney lining. It can also infiltrate your house and contaminate your furniture, carpeting, and other areas with smoke, soot, and odors.

During a Level 2 chimney inspection, a professional will take a close look at the inside and outside of your chimney and flue system to check for signs of creosote buildup or other problems. They’ll also use a special camera to see the interior of your chimney and inspect the masonry. A Level 2 inspection is generally required when you’ve made changes to your chimney system, including adding an insert or switching fuel sources, having the chimney relined, or experiencing chimney damage.

Leaks

A chimney that leaks water is not a problem for just the fireplace itself, but the rest of your house as well. The moisture that comes in contact with your chimney can cause the masonry to deteriorate and can even damage your foundation and walls. It can also lead to a host of other problems that will cost you big money in repairs. There are several ways to tell when your chimney is leaking and you should never ignore these warning signs.

Leaks usually start from damage to your chimney chase top or flashing. The flashing is a piece of metal put in place to stop rainwater from getting into your home through the cracks that surround the various vents and chimneys in your roof. If the flashing becomes damaged, you will start to see water stains on your ceilings and walls in the areas surrounding your fireplace.

It can happen when the flashing is installed incorrectly or it ages and loses its seal. It is important that you have the chimney professionals inspect your flashing and replace it when necessary.

Another reason to get your chimney inspected is if you notice a musty smell coming from the fireplace area or through the walls near the fireplace. The musty odor is caused by mold that starts to grow when the moisture is allowed to enter the masonry. It can rot the wood and can wreak havoc with the masonry, leading to a chimney collapse.

Chimney leaks are often hard to spot until it is too late. The damage is caused by rainwater that penetrates through the deteriorating masonry and the flashing. Once the masonry is damaged, it starts to crumble and crack. The moisture will also corrode the damper and other metal parts of your chimney and can lead to carbon monoxide leaks.

The best way to avoid chimney leaks is by having an annual inspection and having the chimney inspected after heavy rains. An experienced chimney service will be able to spot any damage that may have occurred during the rains and fix it before the leak gets worse.

Damage

The chimney is the highest point of your home, so it’s prone to damage from high winds, heavy rain and lightning during a storm. Even a minor problem like a missing chimney cap or loose flashing can cause bigger issues if ignored for too long.

Structural Damage

If you notice your chimney is leaning, sagging or crumbling, this can be a sign of serious structural damage and needs to be addressed right away. A certified chimney professional can recommend repairs to re-stabilize the chimney structure and prevent water leaks or further damage.

Leaky Masonry

One of the most common causes of chimney leaks is a cracked chimney crown. The crown is a concrete, stone or metal overhang at the top of the chimney that directs rainwater away from the masonry and keeps it from eroding. If the crown is cracked, rainwater can easily slip inside the chimney and degrade the flue liner. A certified chimney sweep can repair or replace the crown to stave off damaging moisture leaks.

Cracked bricks and mortar joints are another common problem that can occur due to age or other reasons. These cracks leave the masonry vulnerable to moisture that seeps into the bricks, freezes and expands, leaving behind further damage. A certified chimney sweep can re-point the mortar joints to repair the damaged masonry.

Chimney Animals

A chimney that isn’t protected or sealed against pests can lead to serious problems. Chimney animals can cause significant deterioration of the masonry and structure, and they can also introduce dangerous bacteria and allergens into your home. A certified chimney sweep can inspect your chimney for signs of infestation and provide recommendations to keep critters out of your fireplace.

Many homeowners policies require regular chimney inspections as a condition of covering future damages to the chimney. Make sure you check your policy and schedule an inspection before any storms to ensure that your chimney is in good working order.

Safety

Getting your chimney regularly inspected and cleaned is an essential safety measure that protects the health and well-being of your family. Chimneys are often located on the roof where they can be harder to reach, but a CSIA certified professional knows techniques and tools to spot issues that homeowners may miss. Regular inspections by a Guild sweep can catch hazards before they become major problems that put your home and family at risk.

During a Level I chimney inspection, your sweep will look at all accessible areas of the chimney structure and flue. This includes the damper, which should open and close properly to prevent smoke and gases from leaking into your living space, and the flue, which should have a smooth, free-flowing surface that enables fire to draft properly. Your inspector will also look at the chimney crown, which is a downward-sloping concrete, stone or metal overhang that diverts rainwater away from the chimney and helps preserve its structural integrity.

Level 2 chimney inspections are recommended for any time that the chimney has been altered or damaged. This includes changing the fuel type, relining the flue, and after a dramatic weather event like a hurricane, earthquake or chimney fire. It’s also a good idea to get a level 2 chimney inspection before selling a house or making any other major changes to the fireplace or chimney system.

A video scan of the interior of your chimney can be helpful to detect problems that are impossible to see with a naked eye. Your sweep can insert a camera into your chimney to survey the flue lining and interior walls for signs of deterioration or other damage, then provide you with a copy of the results.

If your chimney is showing signs of deterioration or you’re concerned about potential issues, it’s important to schedule a a level 3 chimney inspection. Your sweep will use a special probe to examine the interior of your chimney, and may also enter crawl spaces or basements to inspect the condition of hidden parts of your chimney. This service is only necessary if there are indications of serious, hidden damage that cannot be uncovered during a level 1 or 2 inspection.