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Pre-Fire Inspections for Your Chimney

October 28, 2016

Screenshot_2The Maryland winter cold is just beginning to seep in, that miserable biting chill that seems to drip off of the trees in the still mornings. The time to use your fireplace is quickly approaching, but is it ready? How do you know if your fireplace, flue and chimney are ready for use? The only way to know for sure is to call the professionals at Chimney Care Plus. We are your local chimney care and cleaning professionals, we take pride in educating our clients about the care and use of your fireplace. If you think it is time to use your chimney for the first time this year, it is important to keep in mind a few key things. A homeowner can perform these easy inspections themselves and determine if their fireplace is ready to use.

  • Check for blockage and built up creosote: If either of these conditions occur it can be very dangerous to use your chimney and a professional cleaning from Chimney Care Plus is the best course of action. Creosote build-up is not always apparent simply by looking into the chimney, a blockage may be more apparent.   
  • Cracks in the flue: Older chimneys were built with a ceramic or masonry flue. Age and general use can lead to cracks developing inside the flue. At Chimney Care Plus, we can perform an upgrade and reline the flue with stainless steel.
  • water leak mobile 2Structural integrity: The brickwork on your chimney itself could be damaged simply due to weathering and age. If you see bricks starting to crumble or mortar falling out, have your chimney inspected before use.
  • The chimney cap and crown: The cap, crown and flashing on your chimney can also suffer from being exposed to the elements. Degraded crowns can lead to much more serious issues with the integrity of the chimney.

If you have any doubts about the condition or cleanliness of your fireplace, please give us a call at Chimney Care Plus and start enjoying your fireplace again. We’re proud to provide chimney sweep, inspection, and repair services for folks throughout Western Maryland, including those in Frederick, Mt. Airy, Hagerstown, Myersville, and the surrounding areas. 

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