When it comes right down to it, there’s nothing you can do for your chimney that’s more important than making sure that you have it inspected and cleaned on an annual basis. If you haven’t taken the opportunity yet to do so in 2019, there’s still time to give Ceaser Chimney Service, LLC a call and get your appointment on our schedule in time for the holidays. You’ll feel better all winter long knowing that your chimney has been inspected and cleaned so that any damaged areas are taken care of and any built-up debris is cleaned out. This decreases the fear of chimney fire or any dangerous gases sneaking back into your home.
Three Levels of Chimney Inspection
There are three levels of chimney inspection that we can perform, depending on a variety of factors. First, if you have kept your fireplace inspected and in good condition throughout the course of the year, made sure that minor repairs got fixed quickly, and kept up on the annual inspections, a Level One chimney inspection will be all you need. We’ll inspect all the readily accessible areas, interior, and exterior. We’ll also take care of any possible obstructions and clear out any creosote buildup.
If you are in the process of selling your home, if you’ve changed up your home’s heating system, or if there’s been a storm that caused damage or any other natural disaster which may have caused damage, you’ll probably need to have a Level Two chimney inspection. This type of inspection calls for us to come in and use special video equipment to see into the interior of your chimney to make sure that there hasn’t been any undetected damage. We’ll also make sure that there are no blockages and that all creosote has been cleared out. We’ll recommend any necessary repairs. We’ll also make sure that the exterior of your chimney is looking good and is damage free.
If you know that there has been serious damage over the past year, either from weather, chimney fire, or a natural disaster, then a Level Three inspection is in order. This means that we’ll combine a Level One and Level Two inspection and we may need to take apart parts of your chimney to gain access to the areas that are damaged or need major repairs or rebuilds.
What We’ll Look At
There are several areas of your chimney that could be in a state of disrepair, even if you do have your chimney inspected on an annual basis. For example, weather can have a negative effect on the exterior of your chimney. The flashing is one area where problems can occur. The flashing covers the area where the chimney meets the roof; this area can be difficult to protect from leaks when the rain or snow starts to fall. The flashing is the metal strips that are lined up right at that junction, layered in a way that directs precipitation away from the joined area. These strips can get rusty, loose, or torn, and if that’s the case, precipitation might get in. We will take care of replacing torn or loose flashing so that leaks don’t get in.
Another thing that we’ll check out is your chimney cap and your chimney crown. The chimney crown is the concrete piece that sits at the top of your chimney and is designed to direct water away from the chimney and onto the roof, where it can run down into the gutter and away from your home. The chimney crown is built right on top of the chimney. The chimney cap is a piece that is added after the chimney is completed. It makes a roof over the chimney opening, further protecting your chimney from rain damage. It is made of metal and can rust or twist, which could allow rain to come in and run down your chimney, causing further damage. We’ll make sure that each of these is in tip-top shape, protecting your chimney from rain damage and leaks.
Exterior Damage
We’ll also look to see if the exterior of your chimney has any structural damage. We’ll check out the condition of the brick and mortar. If the mortar is weak or crumbly, it could cause the structural integrity of your chimney to be in question. We’ll look on the ground around your chimney to see if there are any white flecks or spots, a condition called spalling, which may indicate that there is a weakening of the chimney structure. We’ll check for efflorescence, which means that there is moisture in the bricks that are leaking out. These issues can be resolved by waterproofing your chimney, and that’s another thing that we’re good at. We use ChimneySaver Water Repellent, a substance that allows water that’s hiding in your bricks to escape while keeping more water from entering the bricks.
Call in the Best
When it comes to the highest quality of chimney care in the Manchester, New Hampshire area, the company to call is Ceaser Chimney Service, LLC. Our professionals are Chimney Safety Institute of America certified, which means that we are highly trained and have access to the top on-going education in the industry. We have the savvy and the experience to provide the most detailed and comprehensive chimney care in the business, and we take great pride in making sure that all of our customers can spend their winters enjoying safe, cozy nights in front of a snapping, crackling fire.