Don't let a night sitting in front of your fireplace turn into a 911 call to the Fire Department!
As the temperature drops, winter begins to settle in, and the daylight fades earlier and earlier, many of us enjoy sitting by a nice roaring fire in the fireplace. It is a great way to relax and enjoy the season, IF your chimney is in good shape and has been recently inspected.
Many people who use their fireplaces regularly don't give it a second thought when winter comes, and start up a fresh new fire. The reality is that chimney's and fireplaces NEED to be regularly inspected. And while you might think it is less than ironic that the home inspector is recommending a recurring inspection, this is not an inspection we as a company offer. These are inspections that should be done by a chimney sweep who is certified by CSIA, the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
No matter how meticulous you are with maintaining your fireplace, it does require additional maintenance and cleaning on a regular basis to be able to continue to use it safely. Here are some of the reasons why.
When a fire is burning, there is a large temperature difference as the hot smoke enters the cold chimney. This can create condensation, which over time will attract soot, and can create a buildup of creosote in the chimney. This tar like substance is extremely flammable, especially when it builds up. When this substance does ignite, it can burn at above 2000 degrees. This extreme temperature combined with bricks and mortar that are cold, can cause thermal shock and cracking of the flue or liner.
When this happens extremely hot gases can enter the home, and ignite combustible materials causing a structure fire.
There are multiple types of chimney fires that can occur, from smoldering fires that burn long and slow, to outright infernos that pop, hiss and literally roar! (If you ever hear these noises from your chimney, you should call 911 right away!).
Chimney inspections are usually available for just a few hundred dollars, and they are WELL worth it. Without a proper inspection, there is NO WAY to know if your fireplace is safe to use.
As additional protection, if you are going to be using your fireplace to have proper supplies in the event of a chimney fire. Did you know that a conventional fire extinguisher of any type is all but USELESS in the event of a chimney fire? But take heart, there are a couple of inexpensive options. There are a few companies out there who produce special extinguishers for these fires. They are inexpensive and a MUST HAVE if you have any type of wood burning fireplace or wood burning stove. ChimFex is one brand accredited by CSIA, but there are others as well. These are typically available at most big box lumber yards for around $20.
I am wondering if one is planning to change a traditional fireplace to a gas model, should there be a chimney inspection before proceeding?
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