Signs Your Chimney Badly Needs an Inspection

by A Step in Time Chimney Sweeps Professional Chimney Sweep Service

Annual chimney inspection is highly recommended by every fire-safety agency in the United States of America. Whether you have moved into a new house and have a chimney whose inspection and cleaning history to not known to you or one in your house has not been cleaned for over a year now, it is your responsibility to get it inspected and cleaned.

Chimneys are required to be inspected at least once every year to make sure that it is functioning the way it should and all its components such as chimney cap are in good shape. But, how would you know if your chimney requires an inspection? Here’re few signs that indicate it is time for you to get the chimney inspected and repaired right away-

1. Awful odors from the fireplace
Have you been experiencing awful odors coming from the fireplace, then it is an indication that excessive creosote and soot has already built up in the flue of chimney. When the weather is hot and humid these odors become even more pronounced.

2. Water on the floor of the firebox
It is an indication that water is gradually getting into the system either because of a faulty chimney cap or some sort of leakage in the masonry of the chimney. If this is ignored, the water can get into the structure of the chimney and thus integrity of the structure gets compromised.

3. Clicking sounds from the firebox
This is loud and clear indication of a chimney fire. Since this needs to be addressed immediately, extinguish the fire right away and call 911 for assistance. Once the fire has been put out call professional chimney sweeps to take care of the damages.

4. Drafting issues due to obstruction
Birds and small insects often take refuge in the chimney when it is not in use. As a result the chimney flue gets obstructed due to nests, twigs and small birds and animals that died in the chimney. Smoke starts moving back into the house because of the obstruction which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. It is important to get the chimney liner inspected properly if you see such issues cropping up.

5. Discoloration of chimney
If you see green, blue, black or reddish staining on the exterior of the chimney, it is an indication of some major and some minor problems. Usually water evaporation, rust, creosote and mold are the reasons behind these stains.

If you have any questions about chimney inspection or how vital components such as chimney liner and cap can affect the performance of your chimney, feel free to get in touch with us and we will be more than happy to answer your queries.