How To Inspect Your Chimney
Chimneys can only be fully inspected by getting up on the roof or by using a ladder thats as tall as the chimney if the chimney is located along an outside wall.
How to inspect your chimney. If your chimney liner is cracked you should consider adding a stainless steel chimney liner. The most important part to inspect is the crown which is the top of the chimney that sheds water and prevents water intrusion. Look for missing bricks and cracks in the grout between the bricks.
Chimneys can only be fully inspected by getting up on the roof or by using a ladder thats as tall as the chimney provided the chimney is located along an outside wall. Clay tiles can crack due to the hot and cold cycling of the chimney. Make sure the flashing around the chimney is intact and installed properly.
Ensure your cap is fastened tightly to the chimney and keeps animals and debris out. When burning in unlined chimneys the corrosive action of those byproducts will eat away at the mortar joints on the flues side. Check with your local inspector and jurisdiction before your purchase.
If playback doesnt begin shortly try restarting your device. The chimney cap is the very top of your chimney. Damage to the chimney should be identified and dealt with early so that it will never undergo a catastrophic failure.
Else it may be unsafe. Follow along with two Certified Home Inspectors while they inspect fireplaces and chimneys during a home inspection. This report can easily be done by a local chimney sweep who can also perform the inspection below.
Damaged chimney caps serve to be serious issues for the health of your chimney. If youre comfortable use a ladder to get. It should appear smooth with no rough edges or blockages.
Be sure the. This level of inspection is required when you sell your. If the metal flue you describe is the actual chimney Id ask a certified chimney sweep to inspect clean repair the system.
Level two is an inspection of the chimney that is necessary when the home is being sold or following structural damage to the chimney as in the case of an earthquake tornado or fire. The most important part to inspect is the crown which is the top of the chimney that sheds water and prevents water intrusion. You can shine a powerful light up the chimney to visually inspect the flue.
Call me if you see anything that looks like a cracked or damaged flue or a blockage. Chimneys can only be fully inspected by getting up on the roof or by using a ladder thats as tall as the chimney provided the chimney is located along an outside wall. Now You Know How to Inspect a Chimney.
Level three inspection often involves removing some parts of the chimney. Below are a few ways you can inspect your chimney to make sure it is in the best shape it can be for spring months. For the complete novice here is how to inspect and repair your chimney before the next storm comes along.
Using a trouble light as shown in Figure 4 inspect the inside of the chimney. The Chimney Structure Go outside and inspect the integrity and soundness of the chimney structure. Fortunately there are 4 signs you need a chimney cap.
They will inspect all parts of your chimney that are accessible without the use of special tools and may inspect your attic crawl space or basement. How To Inspect the Chimney Flue. Youll get this sort of inspection done when any changes are made to your chimney such as a change in fuel type or getting a new liner or after any potentially damaging events like a fire or an earthquake.
Most people do not realize that your chimney can take varying degrees of damage during the winter months and there are steps to take to both avoid this and upkeep your chimney for the spring season. Some inspectors will require a condition report on all chimneys more than 10 years old prior to issuing a permit. C himney flues whether metal or clay lined or made from brick or stone must be properly maintained to prevent smoke damage carbon monoxide poisoning or even a house fire.
If the metal flue you describe is actually the connector betweeen the heating appliance and the chimney thats a job for your heating service technician. You are looking for the possible build-up of creosote and soot. As well look at the chimney liner.
The inspector will examine the chimney with specialized tools to assess for structural weakness and also examine areas that are not visible to the naked eye. Home Inspection - Chimneys - YouTube. Oct 28 2011 mark daniels said.
