Chimney Inspection: Basics You Must Know Before Inspection

A chimney is one of a modern-day home's most essential yet complex components. The simpler it appears, the more complicated it is!

It looks like a simple structure, but it is built up of various components assembled to achieve the comprehensive functioning of the chimney. The components of a chimney may include the heat, vent, furnace, and many others. Whenever a house is out for a property inspection, examining the chimney is a crucial part of the entire process. A chimney inspection evaluates the venting system to determine its condition and analyse its fitness.

Inspecting the house's chimney is considered the best way to get away with all the fire and carbon monoxide risks that may occur due to the fireplace, stove, or furnace. And so, looking after the chimney is one of the best ways to eliminate fire risks in a house. In a chimney inspection, professionals check for creosote build-up, leaks, cracks, flue blockages, and other related factors. 

But before you get into the process, you must have basic knowledge about a chimney and its associated components. As property inspectors, we advise you to understand how a chimney works clearly. So, without further ado, let's get started!

1. Chimney Cleaning:
Homeowners must know how important a chimney cleaning is and how the cleaning is done. The gases released during the combustion can be damaging. If the chimney is not cleaned correctly, it can lead to dampening outcomes. The wood chips formed after burning are highly flammable when released in excessive quantities leading to residential fires. 

2. Chimney Crown:
The chimney crown refers to the top of the structure and has a sloppy design to prevent water from entering the flue. Any damage to the crown leads to cracks and leaks on the inner part of the chimney. Hence, homeowners must ensure a proper structure of the chimney while starting over the chimney construction and installation.

3. Chimney Gap:
Another critical aspect of a chimney is the cap of the chimney. It is a device that covers the flu and protects it from moisture, dust, and other contaminants. It also protects the chimney from storm and wind damage. At GTA Inspectors, residential property snagging also includes examining the chimney. We make sure to look at every aspect of the chimney cap so that we can help homeowners benefit from the chimney and the possibilities of residential fires. Also, we advise them to make sure a regular check is done of the chimney cap as this will help in being proactive and alert to any future risks initiating a cap change if the chimney cap is broken.

4. Flashing:
Flashing refers to a metal sheet covering the joints where the chimney connects with the roofline. Any damage or leakage in the chimney flash leads to rusting and wrapping and can lead to water penetration into the chimney. This damages the chimney and leads to other damages, such as water leaks from the ceiling and walls near the top, inviting moulds, and structure damage.

5. Flue Liner:
Every chimney does have a flue liner. Having a chimney in the house is crucial as it protects the walls and surfaces around the chimney from high-temperature damage to the property. A flue liner increases the chimney's efficiency and regulates the heating capabilities. As a homeowner, one must keep an annual check on this clay flue liner, as it easily gets prone to cracks and breakage due to excessive heat.

6. Damper:
The damper is also known as the chimney's throat, which helps keep moisture and debris away from the firebox when not in use. 

Hence, if you come across any such observations where there's a damaged crown or a cracked flue liner, rusted flashing, or damaged sloped, it's better to be preventive and get into the repairs rather than just waiting for things to get worse. And if still there's a miss, GTA Inspectors- a leading property snagging company is equipped with chimney inspection experts to cater to all your chimney-related issues.

​Book an appointment today!

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