The Need for Fireplace Repairs in San Francisco and Mountain View, CA

Posted by mister-chimney on September 13th, 2022

When asked any homeowner about the frequency of chimney cleaning, many would not be able to recall when the last time was. Homeowners are happy using the furnace and enjoying the crackling heat, but they do not care what happens to the chimney. On the surface, the chimney might appear to be in good shape, but internally there might be a lot of issues. Just taking a look into the kitchen is not going to be sufficient. One has to call for a professional chimney inspection in Palo Alto and Hayward, CA, to get a better look into the inner structure of the chimney to find out any issues that would need repairs.

Most homeowners would think a professional chimney inspection is unnecessary because of the cost, but it will pay off in the long run. Following are the reasons why a chimney inspection is essential:

To look for cracks in the Flue- The Flue is the liner inside the chimney carrying heat, toxic fumes, and smoke out of the house. After a prolonged period of usage, the Flue can develop cracks, and it can further get damaged due to excessive heat or coming in contact with moisture. The presence of moisture can cause the Flue to deteriorate faster when the chimney is not covered correctly with a Flue cap. Cracks in the Flue can cause the heat and embers to reach the combustible materials, or the toxic fumes can find their way into the home. A professional inspection can help find the Flue issue and repair it on time.

Look for Creosote and Animal Nests in the Chimney- Burning wood in the furnace leads to creosote formation in the chimney. If this is not cleaned, then deposits of the same can cause a fire to break out. Birds may find their way into the chimney and build a nest there. Inspecting the chimney can help find these and get rid of the same.

Detect Water Damage to the Chimney- Water or moisture is the chimney’s enemy. Water damage can lead to expensive repairs. A proper chimney inspection will help find the signs of water damage. Inspecting and sweeping the chimney will help detect the masonry, crown wash, and Flue cap condition and repair them if necessary.

Checking the Masonry Works- A brick chimney will require a more frequent inspection as they are prone to periodic damage. Over time, heating and varying weather temperatures can cause masonry cracks. The damper requires review and should be checked if it is closing and opening correctly. The inspection will help find the cracks and help with the masonry repairs to keep the chimney robust, durable, and structurally sound.

The Date of the Last Inspection- When moving into a new place, it is unknown to the person who moved in recently to know when the chimney was inspected. If it has been long, then a chimney sweeping and fireplace repairs in San Francisco and Mountain View, CA can find the potential problem areas and rectify them on time.

A chimney inspection is, therefore, a mandatory undertaking. Overlooking the same can help keep issues and replacements away.