Our Company Blog

Chimney Inspection Facts

You have most likely heard that you must have your chimney professionally swept and inspected every year, but do you know why? Knowing what happens during a routine chimney maintenance appointment can help you understand why you need to schedule it. For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has been providing professional chimney maintenance services to residents of the Austin area. We would like to tell you more about what we do when we sweep and inspect chimneys.

Creosote Removal

When you have a wood-burning fireplace, creosote is a fact of life. During the combustion process, this natural compound forms as a residue that sticks to the inner chimney walls. Over the winter, a large amount of creosote can accumulate inside your chimney, and this can cause blockages. Creosote is also highly flammable. If the internal temperature of your chimney gets hot enough, it can ignite the deposits of creosote. This will start a chimney fire. You can count on Atlas Chimney to remove every bit of creosote that has accumulated inside your chimney.

Levels of Inspections

To set the standards for chimney professionals, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) developed three levels of chimney inspections. When you have your annual chimney inspection, it is a Level One, which, according to HouseLogic, is just a visual check of the fireplace and chimney without special tools.

A Level Two is needed if you have experienced a weather event like a tornado or an earthquake. You might also need it if you have made any changes to your fireplace, or if you have bought a house. This level of inspection includes the same as the basic level as well as a check of the attic, basement, and crawl space. It also includes a video scan of the interior of your chimney.

The third level of chimney inspection is the most serious and can require the destruction of your chimney. A Level Three inspection is required when a problem is not able to be found in a Level Two inspection. Since this level of inspection is very expensive, Atlas Chimney will give you written and photographic evidence of the reasons why this level of inspection is needed.

Contact Us

Keep your chimney working safely and efficiently by scheduling your annual chimney inspection with Atlas Chimney. Contact us today for our professional chimney maintenance services.

What We Might Find During a Chimney Inspection

To keep your chimney working safely and efficiently, you should schedule an annual maintenance appointment with a chimney professional. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), your chimney needs to be professionally swept and inspected at least once a year. If you live in the Austin area, Atlas Chimney provides these professional chimney maintenance services. We are often asked about what exactly we find during routine inspections. We would like to tell you more about the problems we have found on the outside and the inside of chimneys we have inspected over the past three decades.

YOUR CHIMNEY’S INTERIOR

One of the most important reasons your chimney needs to be professionally maintained every year is to have all of the creosote removed. The creosote is removed from the inner walls to prevent chimney fires. Developed naturally during the combustion process of burning wood, creosote sticks to the interior walls of the chimney. It can accumulate into large deposits that can be dangerous. Creosote is so flammable that the CSIA has named it as a leading cause of chimney fires. The CSIA-certified chimney sweeps from Atlas Chimney will make sure to remove every bit of the creosote deposits from your chimney. We also check to ensure there are no blockages of the flue from debris and no damage to interior components like the liner.

YOUR CHIMNEY’S EXTERIOR

You may have heard that water penetration can cause the most damage to a masonry chimney. During our chimney inspections, Atlas Chimney is always on the lookout for masonry chimney damage and deterioration caused by water. We look for cracked, crumbled, loose, and missing bricks and mortar joints that need to be repaired. This damage not only allows water to leak into your home to cause further damage, but it can also lead to serious structural problems. These include the collapse of the chimney structure. We will also check out the condition of your chimney cap, crown, and flashing system since these components serve to keep water from getting into your chimney.

After we have completed our inspection, Atlas Chimney will give you a written report on the condition of your chimney, and if we find damage, you will also receive photos of the damage and a written estimate of the repairs needed. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to have your chimney professionally swept and inspected.