Internal Examinations
The inspector needs to check into the interior of the chimney, especially at the flue liner, in order to understand how to correctly inspect a chimney. This is necessary in order to understand how to properly inspect a chimney. A camera that is attached to a set of flexible rods is inserted into the inner flue liner of the chimney so that any damage that may have occurred inside the chimney may be viewed.
If a home is going to be put up for sale, the Chimney Safety Institute of America mandates that the chimney undergo a level 2 inspection. This is due to the fact that a straightforward inspection of the “readily” accessible components of the chimney, such as the firebox, damper, crown, or cap, may not reveal any inside damage that has occurred.
The flue, gas lines, and chimney walls are all photographed or filmed by inspectors so that they can examine any problems that may have occurred. Using the internal exemption technique will never require the removal of any components of the chimney, including bricks, panels, doors, or finishes. The ultimate objective of an inspector is to view and evaluate the inside without causing any damage to the building’s original construction.
Examine the Whole Structure, Including the Connections
It’s possible for the smoke and gas that escapes from a chimney to make its way into other portions of your house, such as the attic, the basement, or the crawl space.
These components of your property will be inspected as part of the process during a complete chimney and fireplace inspection, in contrast to the majority of real estate home inspections, which often do not. This is done to guarantee that there is no harm to the overall system and that it continues to work properly.
Your chimney’s structure also includes the roof as an integral component. It has a connection to the chimney as well as the outside brickwork. There is a possibility that portions of the roof will be damaged by the weather, by fire, or by water. Because of this, the structural integrity of your roof and maybe even your ceiling might be jeopardized.
Find Evidence of Any Previous Fires
Not only is it possible for a chimney inspector to figure out how frequently the fireplace was used, but they can also identify whether or not a structural fire took place. It’s possible that the only thing left in the fireplace after its previous usage was ash, which is an easy job that should just take a few hours to complete.
Because the damage caused by a chimney fire is more severe than other types of fire damage, it is imperative that you find out about these circumstances before you finalize the agreement on your buyer or seller contract.
Structural Damages
The intense heat that a chimney fire generates renders buildings, metals, and fixtures extremely fragile. (This is assuming that the fire did not completely damage the home’s structural components.) Damages such as fractures in the clay tiles, flue pipes that are disconnected, rust, and other similar issues.
When a fire causes damage to your roof, you may have to spend a significant amount of money to replace all of the shingles. Because it is often hard to find tiles and shingles that are a perfect match for an older roof, installing a new roof is the only choice.
Additionally, it is essential that you comprehend the factors that led to the fires. Even though the house itself is safe and sound, the presence of evidence of a prior fire might be an indication that the chimney is damaged and in need of repair.
If you suspect that your chimney or fireplace is having some issues, have an expert inspect it. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today. We also offer Chimney Cleaning Alamo and other affordable services.