Your chimney may seem to be in good condition from the outside, but looks can be deceiving. It’s likely that your chimney has some amount of wear and tear from the previous year’s use and a period of no use over the summer months. Whether that’s a small amount of creosote built up inside of the chimney or damage to the masonry, it could mean a fire risk in your home.
The chimney is one of the most common sources of home fires in the U.S., and most of these are entirely preventable. If you schedule a chimney inspection and cleaning this season before you use your fireplace, you can prevent fires and detect issues early on.
What’s Included with a Chimney Inspection?
Usually, you’ll have an inspection and cleaning completed at the same time, unless it is determined that there are major problems that must be repaired at a later date. There are three basic levels of chimney inspection, and your technician can
- Level 1: A Level 1 inspection is recommended for most chimneys that get regular use and have not had any obvious problems thus far. Your technician essentially looks to see that the chimney is generally sound, is operating safely, and that it is free of obstruction.
- Level 2: Level 2 inspections are for when you plan to change the appliance venting out of your chimney (upgrading to a new stove, for example), when you plan to sell your home, or whenever you are having work done on the chimney. This is more thorough than a Level 1 inspection, but not as in-depth or involved as a Level 3.
- Level 3: Level 3 inspections are only really necessary in case you experience problems with the chimney or fireplace or if an issue is discovered during a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection. At this point, a technician may need to disassemble parts of the chimney to a degree in order to get a closer look and recommend any necessary repairs.
Call Today
Don’t wait any longer to schedule a much-needed chimney inspection. Getting an inspection (and cleaning) done before the winter is the best way to safeguard your home.
Act now to ensure your chimney and fireplace in St. Paul, MN is ready for the winter. Call 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. today! 612.922.9600 or 1-888-PIXLEYS