Part of being a fireplace owner is keeping up with the yearly maintenance required to keep your fireplace running safely and efficiently. The first step in this process is to have a yearly chimney inspection performed by a trusted, certified chimney sweep (like those at London Chimney Services). Just like you get an annual physical to keep up on your own health, you should be keeping an eye on the health of your chimney as well!
Many of the problems that plague chimneys start small and get larger and more difficult to repair over time. Every crumbling chimney you see began as a crack in the masonry. Early detection is crucial in keeping your chimney in operational shape. A 0 repair could save you thousands of dollars down the road!
The Levels Of Chimney Inspection
Traditional chimney inspections come in 3 different levels depending on the condition of your chimney. After a level 1 inspection, a level 2 or level 3 inspection may be necessary to determine the scope of an issue.
Level 1: A level 1 chimney inspection is the basic chimney inspection and consists of a visual inspection of all the readily accessible areas of your chimney. This includes your firebox, damper, smoke chamber, chimney cap, chimney crown, and the exterior of your chimney.
Level 2: Level 2 chimney inspections are generally done when changes are being made to the chimney or fireplace, before the sale of a home, and after a chimney fire or other event that may have damaged the integrity of the chimney structure. This inspection includes everything involved in a level 1 inspection with the addition of the use of a camera.
Level 3: Level 3 chimney inspections include everything done during the process of a level 1 and level 2 inspection. Additionally, several components may be removed to gain better access to otherwise unseen parts of the chimney. This is the most thorough inspection of your chimney and is usually only necessary when a level 1 or level 2 inspection discovers something that cannot be properly diagnosed without performing a level 3 inspection.
Call Us Today!
If you have not had your chimney inspected recently or you suspect there may be a problem with your system, don’t wait! Give us a call today or click here to schedule an appointment.
If your inspection uncovers the need for a chimney repair, call on us for any of our fireplace or chimney services. We can help.
