Chimney inspection is one of the preventative measures you can take to keep your family safe and at the same time avoid expensive chimney repairs.

Why should you inspect your chimney?

When you inspect your chimney you protect your family from toxic gases and harmful animals. Heating devices release toxic gases through the chimney. If you have gone for a long time without cleaning the unit, debris is bound to clog the unit and the toxic fumes don’t leave the house. This puts you and your family at risk.

During the inspection, you are able to identify whether your chimney is clogged and you unclog it. This not only keeps your family safe, it also gives you peace of mind that nothing bad will happen to them.

Inspecting the chimney also helps you identify chimney problems while they are in their early stages. This eliminates the chances of the chimney developing larger problems which would be expensive to fix later on.

Types of chimney inspections

There are three types of chimney inspections: level 1 through to level 3.

Level 1 chimney inspection: You should undertake level 1 inspection at least once a year. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that the chimney is free of obstructions and any other form of damage.

During the inspection, the chimney technician will examine the interior and exterior of the chimney for airflow problems, leaks, obstructions, and any other forms of damage.

The contractor will also determine whether the chimney is ripe for cleaning. The chimney will be ready for cleaning when there is a lot of debris blocking the air ducts or a lot of creosote has built up in the unit.

If there are birds and squirrels stuck in the chimney, the professional will clean the appliance. The contractor will also clean it if there is leaf clumps stuck in the chimney.

Level 2 inspection: The purpose of this inspection is to take a closer look at the chimney using video equipment. The chimney contractor will go the extra mile to undertake further inspection if there are signs of wear and tear or damage to the unit.

It’s always wise to schedule level 2 inspection after a chimney fire or dramatic weather event such as heavy storm, earthquake, or hurricane. You also should undertake the inspection when considering selling or buying a house.

During the inspection, the chimney technician gets into the attic, crawl space, and any other area where he/she can get a closer look at the hidden areas of the chimney.

The contractor also inserts a video camera into the chimney to survey the interior chimney walls and flue lining for signs of corrosion, water intrusion, deterioration, and other forms of damage.

Level 3 inspection: You should think about level 3 inspection when there are clear signs of serious hidden problems in the chimney that can’t be fully uncovered through level 2 inspection.

During the inspection, the chimney technician has to remove parts of the chimney such as the drywall to get better access to the problematic areas.

Level 3 inspection is expensive and time-consuming as it involves removal and restoration of your home. When doing it, ensure that it’s done by an expert who has handled similar projects in the past.

Finding a super chimney sweep

For you to have peace of mind that the chimney is properly inspected, ensure that the work is done by an expert chimney sweep Columbia MD.  The contractor should have a CSIA certification.

This way you are sure that he/she has the latest information on the right chimney cleaning tools to use, the best cleaning and inspection techniques to use, and the process to follow to get the work done right.

You are also certain that the contractor will uphold the code of ethics.

The first place to find the contractor is on the CSIA home page. Find a contractor who is near your local area and get in touch with them. You can also ask your friends and family to recommend a good contractor they have worked with before.

Don’t simply look for a chimney professional who has the certifications. Also, pay attention to the personality of the contractor. You don’t want to spend days with a boring person, do you?