Why Should You Inspect Your Chimney?
Chimneys are an important part of many US homes, especially for homeowners looking to save costs on heating bills. The Chimney inspection specialists at Willard Power Vac report that over 20,000 chimney fires happen in homes across the US annually due to neglect and lack of inspection. Taking this into consideration, it is important to know how to care for your chimney, prevent fires, halt health-related problems, and get the best out of your chimney.
This article goes over the importance of chimney inspection and how often to get it done.
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Reasons to Have Your Chimney Inspected by a Professional
Your chimney should be inspected at least once every 12 months. Find below the reasons to inspect it.
Avoid Potential Fire
As earlier stated, over 20,000 home fires in the United States result from chimney problems. Such fires often set homeowners back financially while disrupting their lives and unbalancing their plans.
Chimney fires are commonly caused by the continued buildup of creosote, a highly flammable substance that sticks to the inside walls of the chimney after use. The buildup accumulates over time and can ignite during chimney use, leading to fire outbreaks in the home.
Homeowners who wish to protect themselves and their finances can benefit from chimney inspections to detect the level of creosote buildup and also address the problem head-on. By doing this, they can continually enjoy improved heating and cost savings while keeping a roof over their heads.
Helps Prevent Pest Problems
Chimneys are designed to provide an opening where CO2 and other gaseous burning wastes escape. Over time, the mesh used to cover the walls within the chimney may become compromised, thus giving way for pests to enter your home.
Detecting this pest entry point can sometimes be hard, especially as most homeowners do not consider their chimneys to be a potential pest entry point. This can lead to recurrent spending on pest control without a clear plan for addressing the problem for the long term.
However, a chimney inspection can help uncover the compromise while identifying the essential fixes and repairs needed to keep pesky pests and animals out of your home.
With this, you can save more money and enjoy improved indoor air quality and health improvements while keeping your indoor space warm during winter.
Reduce Carbon Monoxide Risks
Chimneys are built to funnel burning wastes and toxic chemicals out of the home. In many instances, a compromised or blocked chimney can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause health problems, even death.
By having your chimney regularly inspected, you can be sure that the inside walls are in good condition and that the vent is okay to disperse gaseous wastes from your indoor space. The inspection officers can also recommend CO2 monitors, repairs, or fixes to ensure improved indoor air quality while using your chimney.
Get Rid of Lingering Odor
Burning smells are among the few side effects of a bad chimney. In addition to CO2 dispersal, the indoor space may begin to give off some odor, making staying around the chimney uncomfortable.
Regular chimney inspections can help address this problem. Your chimney inspector can investigate the cause of the smell, which may sometimes be dead organic matter, and recommend the right solutions.
Your inspector may also be able to recommend the right chimney cleaning service providers, provided they don’t offer the service to customers.
Longer Lasting Chimney
Homeowners looking to save money understand the importance of imbibing the right maintenance culture. Regularly inspecting your chimney ensures that small problems are noted and fixed quickly before they become big and expensive.
Regular inspections also protect your home and family from other hazards that could have affected your health or wrecked your home.
How Much Does a Chimney Inspection Cost?
Chimney inspections can cost anywhere between $50 and $5,000, depending on the services provided, chimney condition, and your location.
Below are the three main levels of chimney inspection and their average costs.
Level 1 Inspection:
Level 1 inspection often includes a general check of the fireplace, wood-burning stove, and chimney. This is a perfect plan for homeowners who undergo regular chimney inspections or are 100% sure they have no chimney damage.
Level 2 Inspection:
This can cost between $100 and $500 and includes a video scan of the entire chimney tunnel and a basic inspection of the stove, fireplace, and other parts of the traditional heating system. This service is right for homeowners who have recently changed their fuel type since their last inspection or are concerned about malfunctions.
Level 3 Inspection:
This can cost between $3,000 and $5,000 and includes all Level 1 and Level 2 inspection aspects. This service also includes a complete or partial teardown of the chimney to identify and repair severe damages.
