Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

We Offer All Three Levels Of Chimney Inspections!

While chimney sweepings are important to keep your fireplace burning safely and efficiently, chimney inspections are equally important. “A chimney inspection is like an annual dental check-up,” Director of Education for the CSIA Ashley Eldridge said. “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards.”

Whether you use your fireplace frequently or a few times a year, an inspection is important. This helps to identify areas of damage in your chimney system such as leaks, animal entry, drafting issues, and more.

Three levels of chimney inspections

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) states that “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”. Then three levels of chimney inspection came into the picture to standardize chimney safety.

At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, we are proud to offer our customers all three levels of chimney inspection! The level of inspection your chimney needs depends on many factors including fireplace performance, fuel source, and maintenance. Our certified chimney sweeps can help you determine which level of chimney inspection you need.

Level I inspection

A Level I chimney inspection provides a comprehensive picture of the chimney system. Most homes only need a Level I inspections, especially if you properly maintain your chimney. During this inspection, the chimney sweep inspects all accessible interior and exterior portions of the chimney. This helps to identify areas of damage or deterioration in your chimney system that are difficult to spot.

Level II inspection

Level II chimney inspections provide a complete picture of your chimney system by using technology to inspect the flue. Our professionals use closed-circuit cameras to view the inaccessible portions of the flue to check for signs of damage. Level II chimney inspections are commonly recommended when a change has been made to the chimney system, such as changing fuel sources or installing a new insert. Level II inspections are also required before buying or selling your home.

Level III inspection

A level III chimney inspections are the most invasive inspection. It requires portions of the walls or bricks to be removed to access the chimney and flue for possible damages. Experts recommend level III inspections in cases of natural disaster such as fire, earthquake, or tornado. This inspection assesses the structural stability of the chimney and home to ensure the safety of your family.

You should add an annual inspection to your list of regular maintenance. This is critical to help identify chimney problems while they are still minor, which saves you time and money on major repairs down the road. For more information on our levels of chimney inspection or to schedule your next appointment, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!

Let Our Experts Handle Your Masonry Repairs, Restorations, Repointing, or Rebuild!

Chimneys are built to withstand the elements and regular wear and tear. Despite this, moisture, lack of maintenance, regular use, or age can all cause chimney systems to deteriorate. If your fireplace or chimney is damaged, or simply is deteriorating due to age, it is important to have it repaired by a certified professional. At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, our Chimney Safety Institute of America certified chimney sweeps are here to help with all your masonry repairs, restorations, repointing, or rebuilds!

Repairs

Exposure to the elements, water entry, natural disasters, or aging all cause damage to your chimney system. Repairing these damage is the best way to prevent further deterioration and keep your fireplace burning safely and efficiently. Water entry is one of the most common causes of damage to a masonry chimney. It affects both the exterior as well as the interior components. If the source of the leak and the damage is not repaired, other serious issues can follow.

Restoration

Fireplace systems, particularly in older homes, are often deteriorating because of the lack of understanding on how to properly maintain them. However, there are a number of ways to refresh and restore an older chimney to its former glory! Use masonry-specific cleaning products can remove years of staining from soot, ash, and smoke. This is one way to restore the masonry without painting the original masonry. Replacing old fireplace and chimney components such as the chimney cap, damper, or fireplace doors can also improve burning efficiency while helping an old fireplace feel new.

Repointing

While masonry is one of the strongest building materials available, the mortar often deteriorates before the bricks. When this happens, the chimney can be repointed, a process that removes and replaces the damaged mortar without affecting the surrounding bricks. Repointing is a great solution to replace small areas of damaged mortar, particularly when water damage occurred. During the repointing process, the damaged mortar is carefully removed using special tools; new mortar, which is mixed to match the color and texture of the existing mortar, is then applied to create a seamless repair.

Rebuilding

Significant structural problems or damage from natural disasters can sometimes cause extensive problems that cannot be repaired. In these cases, rebuilding your chimney or fireplace is recommended. While rebuilding may seem like a daunting process, it gives homeowners the chance to customize the design for a new fireplace system.

Many homeowners worry about the size of the project, the time, and the cost of rebuilding a fireplace system. However, our expert staff can work with you to get the job done correctly – on time and on budget – to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. If the masonry of your chimney needs repairs, don’t delay – contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today for more information!