Chimney Inspections – Prevent A Chimney Fire In TN

When you schedule an annual chimney inspection, you ensure that your chimney is in good condition and safe to use. With chimney inspections by expert chimney sweeps, damage can be detected early and repaired more cost-effectively in Knoxville TN homes and throughout the area, including Oak Ridge TN, Pigeon Forge TN, Gatlinburg TN, Jefferson City TN, and Maryville TN.

Annual chimney inspections are recommended by every leading fire safety organization, including the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). It’s important that professional chimney sweeps perform each of the three levels of chimney inspections, since a trained chimney sweep is required to get the benefit of an inspection. Real estate chimney inspections are needed anytime a home with a chimney is bought or sold in Knoxville TN and throughout the state.

Chimneys are extremely vulnerable to damage caused by moisture. When deterioration of the chimney system occurs, it is rarely obvious until a considerable amount of time has passed, resulting in the need for extensive repairs. The venting system could become blocked due to chimney damage; and, as a result, deadly carbon monoxide could be released into the home.

The condition of chimney flues can only be known from top to bottom if there is a Level 2 inspection, which includes the use of a special video camera. If a chimney liner has even a small crack in it, the fireplace is too dangerous to use until the liner has been repaired. What happens is that combustible parts of the home are exposed to extreme heat, due to a chimney liner defect, potentially leading to a quick-burning house fire.

Neglected chimneys are the causes of thousands of home fires that result in deaths and injuries each year. Chimney inspections and regular chimney cleanings are the best preventative measures to ensure a safe chimney.

Level 1 Chimney Inspection

It is best to schedule your annual chimney cleaning at the same time as a chimney inspection. The following conditions are indications that you are in need of a Level 1 chimney inspection:

• The performance of your chimney is virtually unchanged.
• You haven’t made a change of your heating appliance nor your venting system.
• You are seeking simply to be assured that your chimney, fireplace, wood stove, or other type of heating system is safe for continued use.

The readily accessible parts of the interior and exterior chimney and chimney connection are examined during a Level 1 inspection.

Level 2 Chimney Inspection

When a “Real Estate Chimney Inspection” is needed, it is a reference to an in-depth Level 2 inspection of the entire chimney system and the associated appliance, such as a fireplace or wood stove. All internal surfaces and joints are carefully examined, and a specialized camera is used to fully inspect the chimney flue. One or more of the following applies, when a Level 2 chimney inspection is needed:

• You are planning to purchase a home and you want to first determine whether the chimney needs repair.
• You have recently purchased or leased a home, and you aren’t sure whether the chimney is safe to use.
• There has recently been a chimney fire.

Level 3 Chimney Inspection

Very rarely is a Level 3 chimney inspection needed in Knoxville TN. What is involved is everything performed in a Level 1 and Level 2 inspection plus full investigation of areas that are potentially deteriorating but are not easily accessible. Oftentimes, components of the venting system must be removed, such as masonry, metal flue pipes, the chimney crown, or interior chimney walls. Level 3 inspections are needed only when a serious problem requiring immediate action has been detected.

Contact our professional chimney sweeps at Four Seasons Fireplace & Chimney today to schedule a chimney cleaning and/or chimney inspection.