Cameras used in chimney inspections are often cited as the reason the price for a chimney sweep is so high. Here is the truth about cameras. The technology is absolutely amazing. Marry up the old plumber camera with the new wi-fi cloud storage systems and this is a vital addition to your chimney’s analysis.
Now, home buyers demand a complete chimney cleaning to sell a home. The next level in peace of mind is a camera view into the chimney system. Better yet, the pictures and video are saved to a file for email or cloud storage. Tip – ask your insurance company if this inspection lowers the rate for homeowner insurance.
Streamline your insurance claims process with a comprehensive chimney camera inspection following storm damage. These inspections meticulously document chimney damage, ensuring you have the detailed evidence needed to support your claim. By providing professional and thorough documentation, these inspections simplify the insurance claims process, making it more efficient and less stressful.
When dealing with storm damage, having precise documentation can make a significant difference. Trust in the detailed reports produced by these inspections to facilitate a smoother claims experience. This could be a valuable step in not only securing your claim but also potentially reducing your homeowner’s insurance rates.
Advantages
Here are the advantages to using a chimney camera as part of a platinum chimney cleaning service. First, you will avoid the fly-by-night folks that offer a chimney sweep scam. These companies will not invest the money for a high quality camera to use in the inspection. These cameras are several thousands of dollars in cost. So, yes, there are folks that are using the camera to boost the prices of their sweep. The fact is an honest, reliable chimney sweep company will simply use a camera as another tool to a better service to their customers.
The second advantage is the tight spaces these cameras can see. They will identify small gaps in the bricks and transitions. Therefore, this allows for a fix before the problem gets out of control.
1. Why should I trust this service? The service is designed to deliver professional, reliable, and thorough documentation, ensuring a smoother experience with your insurance claims.
2. What kind of documentation is provided? You receive comprehensive documentation that includes detailed images and descriptions of the damage, creating a robust report for insurance purposes.
3. How does this inspection benefit the insurance claims process? By providing a clear and organized record of the damage, the inspection streamlines the process, making it easier for insurance companies to assess and approve claims.
4. What is the purpose of the inspection? The primary goal is to identify and document any damage caused by storms, which can be crucial for insurance claims.
5. How does the inspection process work? The inspection involves using advanced camera technology to thoroughly examine and capture images of any chimney damage, ensuring a detailed assessment.
How Chimney Video Inspections Reduce Carbon Monoxide Risks
Chimney video inspections play a critical role in minimizing the risk of carbon monoxide in your home. Here’s how:
Detecting Blockages: Video inspections allow for a thorough examination of your chimney flue. This advanced technology can identify obstructions, such as debris, animal nests, or soot buildup, that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Identifying Structural Issues: These inspections can reveal cracks or damage in the chimney lining that could lead to dangerous gas leaks. Repairing these issues is essential to preventing carbon monoxide from seeping into your living spaces.
Ensuring Proper Ventilation: Ensuring that your chimney is free of blockages and structural defects helps maintain proper ventilation. This is crucial for the safe operation of fireplaces and heating systems, as proper airflow ensures harmful gases are vented outside rather than accumulating indoors.
Routine Maintenance Planning: With video inspections, you can plan routine maintenance more effectively. By knowing the condition of your chimney, you can schedule timely repairs and cleanings to ensure it operates efficiently and safely year-round.
Taking advantage of these inspections not only safeguards your home against carbon monoxide but also offers peace of mind. Regular upkeep is essential for a safe and healthy living environment.
What do fire professionals think about chimney inspections?
Recently, we discussed the chimney inspections with a member of the Roane County TN fire department in our home area. He pointed out that several houses just recently burned down due to a build up in creosote. These homeowners had no idea that the chimneys were in critical need of an inspection.
Finally, many homes can be saved if we can get the word out about the Platinum Chimney Sweep Service using a camera for inspection.
Regular use of your chimney can lead to creosote buildup, a dangerous fire hazard lurking in many homes. This is where our advanced camera technology comes into play.
By utilizing video inspections, homeowners can:
Identify Creosote Buildup: Spot potential risks before they turn into costly disasters.
Schedule Timely Cleanings: Keep your chimney in optimal condition and significantly reduce fire risks.
Ensure Comprehensive Safety: Gain peace of mind knowing your home is protected from preventable chimney fires.
Stay proactive and protect your home with our state-of-the-art inspection services. With regular check-ups, you’re not just investing in a cleaning—you’re investing in safety.
Call us today and ask about the sweep service with our camera. Peace of mind is simply a phone or text message away.
There isn’t a simple rule of thumb when it’s time for a chimney cleaning. It depends a lot on how often you use your fireplace or stove.
“The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents be inspected at least once a year for soundness. Also check for freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs should be done if necessary.”
Conducting these inspections is particularly important in the fall or early winter. During spring and summer, chimneys can become home to animal nests, which may obstruct the flue. Such blockages can lead to improper ventilation and increase the risk of dangerous carbon monoxide buildup when you first light your fireplace in the colder months.
If you’ve recently moved into a new home, it’s advisable to schedule a chimney inspection outside of the usual seasonal timeline. This ensures that any hidden issues are addressed before you begin using your fireplace regularly.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can enhance the safety and efficiency of your fireplace, providing peace of mind and warmth throughout the year.
More specific guidance for safety and efficiency
However, more specific guidance is available to ensure your chimney’s safety and efficiency. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), you should clean your chimney when there is 1/8″ of creosote and/or soot buildup inside the chimney liner. This measurement is crucial as excessive buildup can lead to dangerous chimney fires.
In addition to the inspection, the NFPA also promotes annual chimney cleaning no matter how often you use it. By adhering to these recommendations, you can ensure both the safety and longevity of your chimney and fireplace system."
When it’s time for a chimney cleaning, call a professional that knows exactly how to clean and inspect your fireplace and chimney.
What does NFPA say?
According to The National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org), “The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.”
The problem is that creosote (the tar deposited on chimney walls by wood smoke) can form when unseasoned wood is burned. Also when the air supply is restricted, or/and the chimney temperatures are cooler than normal. Burning unseasoned wood keeps the smoke cooler than seasoned wood because much more energy is used to drive off the water trapped in the logs. A smoky fire without enough oxygen emits lots of unburned tar vapors that can condense inside the fireplace flue and stick to it. This may possibly lead to a chimney fire. You can reduce creosote buildup in your fireplace flue by providing adequate combustion air, which will encourage a hot, clean-burning fire.
When using a wood stove, overloading the firebox with wood in an attempt to get a longer burn time also contributes to creosote build-up. We recommend filling the firebox to around 75% if possible.
Check for creosote build up…
To ensure your chimney and fireplace are in optimal condition, it’s crucial to recognize the signs indicating the need for professional chimney sweep services. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you identify potential issues and take action:
Unpleasant Odors: If your fireplace emits a campfire-like smell even when it isn’t in use, it might be time for a professional inspection. This odor often signals creosote buildup or trapped debris.
Poor Fire Performance: Notice that fires aren’t burning as robustly as they used to? Difficulty in starting or maintaining a fire can be due to restricted airflow, often caused by a clogged chimney.
Smoke in Your Space: When smoke begins to fill the room despite the flue being open, it indicates a blockage or improper ventilation.
Visual Signs of Creosote: The presence of a black damper or oily marks on the fireplace walls suggests creosote accumulation. This substance can appear as flaky soot or hard, shiny deposits in advanced stages.
Animal Activity: Listen for unusual noises or check for signs of nesting. Birds and squirrels often make homes in chimneys, obstructing airflow and creating hazards.
How to check for creosote buildup
To check for creosote yourself, first, make sure there’s no downdraft from the chimney. If you feel an airflow, open a door or window on the same floor as the fireplace until the downdraft stops or reverses and air flows up (tape tissue to the fireplace opening and watch its movement). Then, while wearing goggles and a basic disposable dust mask, take a strong flashlight and shine the light near the top of the firebox, in the smoke chamber, and around the damper. And check the fireplace flue too, especially on exterior chimneys. Creosote builds up faster than on interior chimneys because of lower outside temperatures.
Take your fireplace poker and scratch the black surface above the damper (smoke chamber). If the groove you scratch in the creosote is paper thin, no cleaning is needed. However, if it’s 1/8 in. Thick, schedule a cleaning soon. If you have 1/4 in. Of creosote, do not use the fireplace again until it is cleaned – a chimney fire could occur at any time.
By staying vigilant and conducting regular checks, you can ensure your fireplace remains a safe and efficient source of warmth and comfort.
What Does Smoke Filling the Room from the Fireplace Indicate?
When you notice smoke enveloping a room from your fireplace, it’s a clear sign that something is amiss with your ventilation system. Here are some common reasons why this might happen:
Flue Obstruction: Even with the flue open, obstacles like creosote buildup, bird nests, or debris may block the chimney. This prevents smoke from escaping properly, causing it to back into the room.
Improper Flue Size: If the size of the flue doesn’t match the fireplace, it might fail to draw smoke out efficiently. A flue that’s too small for the fireplace won’t allow sufficient airflow. An oversized one might not create the necessary draft.
Negative Air Pressure: Homes with tightly sealed windows and doors can experience negative air pressure. This may force smoke to seek easier escape routes into the living spaces rather than up the chimney. Installing a fresh air intake can often resolve this issue.
Damp Wood: Using wood that hasn’t been properly seasoned creates more smoke than the chimney can handle. Excess smoke from wet wood can overwhelm even a well-functioning chimney system.
Downdrafts: Weather conditions can sometimes cause downdrafts, where wind pushes air back down the chimney. A chimney cap can help mitigate this issue by deflecting the wind.
If you’re encountering smoke filling your room, it might be time to inspect your chimney system. Also, check your wood quality, or consider adjustments to your home’s ventilation. Always prioritize safety by verifying these elements to ensure your fireplace operates smoothly and safely.
Can I do this when it is time for a chimney cleaning?
You could try to remove the creosote yourself, but why not save on materials and get a thorough job, call us. We are knowledgeable, and trained to recognize deterioration or venting problems, and able to advise you regarding the chimney’s condition. Proper care and maintenance of your chimneys, woodstoves and fireplaces can help protect you and your family from unnecessary fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Finally, when it is time for a chimney cleaning, do not try to do this yourself. It is a dangerous job with unique tools. Call us and let our pros do it right, safe and cost effective.
Locally owned family businesses rely on reviews and testimonials for the life blood of their business. We are so thankful for our customers! Just today, another 5 star review came in from the Clear Chimney Yelp page.
Every great review and testimonial tells us we are making a difference in the lives of others. Isn’t that what we are put on the earth to do? So often, the heating fireplaces or wood stoves are the only source of heat for people. When the nightly temperatures get below freezing, we make sure our customers are safe and warm.
We don’t want to brag. That is truly not us. We understand the best way to grow and stay in business is through friends and family of happy customers. It is very expensive (and not as productive) to spend loads of money advertising. Usually, the only people that benefit from this marketing are the advertisers.
Just a simple "Like" or post on "Google reviews" goes a long way!
Many potential customers tell us that they like to research a company before calling anyone for service. What do they research? A clean and easy website with good information is first. Second, they want to know what others think about the company. We call this the Amazon effect. They started the wide spread use of reviews and testimonials for products.
Our customers love to tell others about their experiences, good and not so good. Clear Chimney’s testimonial page has many different types of reviews from many different sources. We don’t cherry pick a particular review for a certain service.
We offer chimney sweeping, chimney cleaning, fireplace inserts, chimney caps, gas logs installed and serviced, and much, much more. Therefore, our reviews should indicate the happiness of our customers.
How you can help with Clear Chimney reviews and testimonials ...
Will you be our next customer that is featured on our review and testimonials page? Leave those reviews and help us grow our family business all around east Tennessee. If you have reservations about leaving a review, call us at (865) 999-7373 and let’s discuss what we need to do. Thank you all for your support over the past few years. We are truly blessed and humbled.
How can you tell if a company does not have a robust, enthusiastic customer base? Ask for references with phone numbers and names. Ask for pictures of similar jobs. As you will see on our site, we post a lot of pictures of many different jobs. It is to show folks that there are many options for installations and changes.
There are so many different chimney caps, fireplace inserts and gas or wood stoves to chose from we are happy to help you navigate the choices.
Thanks to you, this site is now featured in The Top Chimney Blogs on the net. We love sharing our skills and training with the world. Thank you for sharing us with your friends and family.
