|
Residential Structural Certifications
& Environmental Testing |
Chimney Inspections
back to Roofing in Depth
 |
Chimneys are designed to safely funnel smoke and hot gasses away from
the interior of your house. Most handle this important job admirably, but a chimney that is not in good repair can be a safety hazard and can waste energy. Traditionally, chimneys have been built of brick and mortar, lined with fireproof flue tiles, and capped with mortar to seal the top against the weather. Newer, easier-to-install types are made of metal and come as part of prefabricated kits. |
|
Inspect your chimney at the beginning
of each heating season. Shine a flashlight up inside and look for
obstructions such as leaves or birds' nests; also check for soot buildup.
Burning highly resinous wood such as pine will cause flammable tar to
build up on the inner walls of the chimney. Also look for any missing or
cracked flue tiles. From the outside (or the roof), look for crumbling mortar, loose or missing bricks, or flashing that has pulled away from the roof and chimney. If you live in earthquake country, check your chimney for cracks after noticeable tremors; some are harmless, but others may need repair to prevent a fire hazard. |
|
