You May Not Think You Need a Chimney Inspection, but Here’s Why You Do
When you have to live on a limited budget, you are always looking for ways to save money on household expenses. Although it
may seem like a good idea to cut back on professional home maintenance services, you could be setting yourself up for even more expensive repairs if you neglect certain tasks. One of these tasks is your annual professional chimney inspection service. You might be thinking that since you have not had any major issues with your fireplace over the past year that you do not really need to have your chimney professionally inspected; however, there could be hidden hazards lurking inside the walls of your chimney that could lead to larger problems that could jeopardize your safety. For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has provided first class professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services to the Austin area, and we have seen quite a bit of chimney damage that could have been avoided with regular inspection services. We would like to tell you more about why you need to have your chimney professionally swept and inspected every year by a certified chimney technician. You will also learn what you can expect from our team of chimney professionals when you hire us to inspect your chimney.
Decrease Risk of Accidental Fire
One of the most important reasons why an annual professional chimney inspection is needed has to do with the possibility of fire hazards being present inside your chimney. Damage that can lead to an accidental fire includes cracks and gaps in the chimney liner and/or firebox, large accumulations of creosote deposits, and flue blockages from debris. When Atlas Chimney inspects your chimney, you can depend on our professionals to closely examine every inch of the inside of the flue because we offer video inspection services that allow us to make sure there is no type of damage inside your chimney that could be a dangerous fire hazard. We are proud to be authorized to use the best video recording equipment in the chimney and venting industry, the Chim-Scan Closed Circuit Internal Evaluation System. When we provide our Level 2 and Level 3 chimney inspection services, our Chim-Scan services are included, but we can also use this closed-circuit video camera during a basic Level 1 inspection, if you would like us to add this service. We highly recommend our Chim-Scan video chimney inspection services because it can be the only way to see every inch of your interior chimney and have the peace of mind that no hazards are present inside the flue.
Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Although masonry chimneys are strong and durable enough to last for many years, the bricks and mortar joints can suffer from water penetration damage that can lead to deterioration that leaves cracks and gaps behind in the chimney structure. Not only can this type of masonry damage be the cause of structural problems, but it can also allow toxic combustion gases like carbon monoxide to enter your living spaces. Known as “the silent killer” as well as “the invisible killer,” carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, which means you could be breathing this deadly gas without even knowing it. Thousands of Americans become ill from carbon monoxide poisoning every year. Its symptoms are headache, fatigue, nausea, and congestion, and since these are very similar to the symptoms of the flu and the common cold, many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning go undiagnosed. This can be very serious as you could continue to breathe this toxic gas, and prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to organ failure and even death. You can count on Atlas Chimney to keep you and your family safe from becoming ill from this poisonous gas with our professional chimney inspection services. Our team of professionals have been trained and certified by the leader in our industry, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), and we know exactly what to look for when we are inspecting your chimney that could lead to hazardous situations in your home. Your safety is always our top priority.
No matter what type of damage we may find, you can expect Atlas Chimney to provide you with a detailed written explanation of the problem as well as photographs and video of the damage itself. If you need to file a claim with your home insurance company, we will give you exactly what you will need to give your agent. You can also depend on our professionals to provide you with an honest and fair estimate of the repair work that we can do to restore the safety and integrity of your chimney and fireplace system. We offer Olympia Chimney Stainless Steel Liner and HeatShield chimney relining services, chimney cap installation, and masonry repair services. We can also protect your chimney from water penetration damage with our professional waterproofing services.
To schedule your appointment for your annual professional chimney sweeping and inspection, contact us today at Atlas Chimney. We are here for all of your professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation needs.