A chimney inspection can help you maintain your chimney in an effective way. All companies that provide inspections offer several service options. The most common option is a level-one inspection because it involves fire prevention procedures and procedures that are designed to boost heating efficiency.
Level-One Inspection Procedures
During a level-one inspection, an inspector examines a chimney without using advanced tools. Instead, all procedures are implemented inside the home with a flashlight. An level-one inspector has one goal, which is to find things that can impact how well a fireplace operates. To accomplish this, an inspector searches for
- Soot
- Creosote
- Obstructions
- Tile damage
Each of these hazards can cause problems in a chimney shaft. Proper inspections are valuable because they prevent common chimney problems and provide perks.
Fire Prevention
When a fire burns in a fireplace, thick smoke floats up the chimney shaft. As the cloud moves around a narrow shaft, soot generates on the wall. Soot is dangerous because it contains flammable carbon particles. Inspectors fully understand how to pinpoint and eliminate soot that’s a fire hazard.
Energy Perks
Fireplaces are great heating options that can raise temperatures in a space at a low cost. However, when a chimney has a clog that prevents air circulation, a fire will struggle to heat up an environment. When this happens, a typical homeowner will use alternative heating sources to stay warm, such as an electric heater or an HVAC system. The problem is that traditional heating sources use electricity to produce heat, and when a heater or air conditioner operates for several hours, energy costs will increase. Wood-powered fireplaces don’t pull energy to heat a home; however, they need plenty of air because oxygen fuels the flames. The best way to maintain proper air circulation in a chimney shaft is by getting inspections regularly.
In DC, chimney inspections are available for homeowners in many neighborhoods. If you get a chimney inspection in DC frequently, your fireplace will function more efficiently.