In Rochester, annual chimney inspections can seem like a perfunctory process, with a technician showing up, climbing on your roof, checking the chimney and fireplace or woodstove from both ends, and then going on their way. At the same time, there’s a lot that happens during an annual chimney inspection that you may miss in their fast work. The experience of a chimney technician allows them to spot a range of potential household safety issues in your Rochester home’s chimney that may need to be addressed before you use it safely.
Why Annual Chimney Inspections Promote Household Safety
But what are these issues that can arise and what impact can it have on your household?
- Creosote: Creosote is a tar-like material that can build up on your chimney’s interior. A flammable substance, it can catch fire when it builds up too much and is at the heart of most chimney fires. Chimney fires can easily spread and become house fires, causing considerable damage.
- Obstructions: Storm debris, animal nests, or other material can cause your chimney to become obstructed, causing significant issues with the proper draft. This can lead to smoke, fumes, and fire dangers in your home, including carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Damage: It’s hard to see damage to your chimney’s crown, masonry, or interior flue liner from the ground. A chimney inspection allows this kind of damage to be caught early and repaired before the heating season starts, so make sure you schedule your inspection soon!
- Insurance: Did you know that many homeowner’s Insurance policies don’t cover fire damage if you haven’t had regular chimney inspections? Not only do inspections reduce your risk of a fire, but they also protect you from monetary loss in the event of a fire.
By taking the time to have an annual chimney inspection for your Rochester home, you can ensure that your home and all those in it remain safe from fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide threats by catching risk factors early on before the heating season starts. If you’re ready to schedule your annual chimney inspection, the experienced chimney technicians at Four Winds Chimney are ready to help. Please feel free to reach out today with any questions or concerns.
