Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Is It Too Late To Have A Chimney Inspection For The Holidays?

Once again, the whirlwind of the holiday season has arrived! While we’re busy decking the halls and making our lists (and checking them twice!) many homeowners forget to get their chimney ready for Santa!

Because fireplaces are used so often during holiday celebrations, it is important to make sure your chimney can be safely used during the season. Luckily, there is still time to have your chimney inspected before the holidays arrive!

How often does my chimney need to be swept and inspected?

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, chimneys should be swept and inspected at least once per year. Because chimney damage can occur even if your fireplace is not in use, this recommendation includes ALL homes, regardless of if you use your fireplace once a year or every day of the winter season. An annual inspection is the best way to make sure that your fireplace and chimney have not deteriorated or been damaged during the previous year, as well as help you determine what regular or preventative maintenance needs to be done.

What does a chimney sweep look for during an inspection?

Most chimney inspections are done immediately following a chimney sweeping. Doing this ensures that there is not creosote, ash, or soot blocking the flue or any other debris that could obstruct the inspection itself.

For the majority of homeowners, a Level I chimney inspection is all that is needed. This type of chimney inspection is done on homes where the fireplace works well, is experiencing no usage issues, and has not been damaged or changed in any way since the last inspection. A Level I chimney inspection includes an inspection of the accessible parts of the interior and exterior of the chimney and fireplace including the firebox, flue, and masonry.

If any areas of concern are encountered or you are experiencing problems with your fireplace, a more intensive Level II or Level III inspection may be recommended. Level II inspections typically involve the use of technology such as close circuit cameras to examine the interior flue. Level III chimney inspections are the most invasive, often requiring the removal of part of the wall or masonry in order to better access the chimney; because of this, they are only recommended in situations where serious structural damage may have occurred.

Why are chimney sweepings and inspections important?

“A chimney inspection is like an annual dental check-up,” says Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the CSIA. “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards.”

Having your chimney swept and inspected each year ensures that it is clean and safe to use. This allows you and your family to enjoy spending time together in front of the fireplace rather than worrying about smoke, smells, or the many other chimney problems that accompany an unswept chimney.

Regular chimney sweepings and inspections are often the best preemptive maintenance you can have done for your chimney system. An annual inspection can ensure that any minor problems are identified early before they have the chance to turn into major damage.

It’s not too late to have your chimney inspection for the holidays! Call Clean Sweeps of Michigan today to schedule your chimney inspection and make sure your chimney is ready for the holidays!

Have the Chimney Inspected Before You Buy or Sell a Home

The process of buying or selling a home can be stressful. Between finding a real estate agent, going to showings, hosting open houses, packing, keeping the house clean, and working with banks and lenders, most homeowners often find themselves overwhelmed with the amount of things that need to be done.

One important step in the buying and selling process for any home is having a chimney inspection. While they should be done annually, chimney inspections are an excellent way for sellers as well as prospective buyers to have a better understanding of the condition of the home’s chimney and fireplace.

Chimney inspections for sellers

Fireplaces are a classic feature that many buyers want to have in their new homes. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, 40% of home buyers said they would pay extra for a home that had at least one fireplace. Because of this, having a well maintained and working fireplace can add value to your home and help set it apart from similar listings.

Before you put your home on the market, consider having your chimney swept and inspected. In addition to getting your fireplace system in tip-top shape, a chimney inspection can also let you know of any damage or potential hazards to the chimney. If any problems are identified they can be fixed as soon as possible. Repairing the chimney not only makes buyers feel more comfortable purchasing the home, but also helps prevent the occurrence of any unwelcome “surprises” during the home inspection.

Having a recent report by a certified chimney sweep as to the condition of the chimney is an excellent way to help prospective buyers feel more comfortable about the state of the fireplace system. Likewise, if your chimney has been damaged in any way while you have owned the home (such as a chimney fire, earthquake, or other natural disaster) a chimney inspection may be a requirement. Level 2 chimney inspections, which include an inspection of the interior and exterior fireplace and chimney as well as the use of close circuit cameras, are required before the sale or transfer of a property in the case of chimney damage.

Chimney inspections for Buyers

As a buyer, finding the perfect home for you and your family can be difficult. Even if you think you’ve found “the one,” underlying issues can still cause the sale to fall through. Because of this, many buyers choose to have a chimney inspection in addition to the regular home inspection.

Even if the sellers are providing a report from a chimney sweep, you may want to hire your own company to inspect the chimney independently. This way, you can be assured of the validity of the original report as well as choosing the professionals who do the inspection. In addition, having two sets of eyes inspect a chimney may uncover issues that were not previously seen, especially if the house has been on the market for a long period of time. Issues uncovered in the chimney inspection can then be addressed before the sale is finalized.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it is important to have your chimney inspected. Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan [https://www.cleansweeps.com//contact-us/] today to schedule your chimney inspection.