-A chimney can be damaged by high winds, storms, roof damage and fire. The Templeton water damage experts from SERVPRO of King City / Morro Bay say that annual inspections and chimney cleaning are two ways to keep a chimney in good working order.
Now is the time to inspect the chimney before the arrival of winter rain and wind. The things to check for include:
- Make sure the chimney cap is secure so it doesn’t loosen or blow off in the high wind. Check for damage or discoloration that might indicate a slow-burning chimney fire.
- Check the roof around the chimney for leaks. Roof leaks are a common cause of water damage and mold.
- Check the chimney for broken or cracked masonry and missing materials, such as bricks or stones. Rain can seep into cracks and cause water damage. Broken or missing materials mean the chimney is already damaged and in some cases may indicate a chimney fire. Immediate repairs are the best solution to prevent further damage, advise the Templeton water damage
A chimney inspection can help prevent water damage and can also help prevent a chimney fire. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) reports there are over 22,000 chimney fires annually in the United States. That may not seem like a lot when compared to the number of chimneys across the country, but a chimney fire becomes a big deal when it’s in your home.
The CSIA reports the following information about chimney fires:
The majority go undetected and can slowly burn inside the chimney for some time before being detected.
- Any type of fireplace can contribute to a chimney fire, including wood-burning and gas fireplaces.
- A fire in the chimney can reach 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Built-up creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires.
- Once there has been a chimney fire, there’s a high likelihood of another unless necessary repairs are done.
The best way to prevent a fire from the fireplace or chimney is to have the fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a professional chimney sweep and make recommended repairs as soon as possible. Other things to do include:
- Burning only seasoned dry wood in the fireplace or wood-burning stove. This means not burning trash and cardboard.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector next to the fireplace and smoke detectors throughout the home.
- Use a screen or fireguard in front of the fireplace.
- Don’t go to bed until after extinguishing the fire and any remaining embers.
- Wait until ashes have cooled before cleaning the fireplace and dispose of ashes in a metal container a safe distance from the house.
- Be sure there is sufficient airflow for proper burning.
Routine chimney and roof inspections are two very important ways to help prevent water damage and the inconvenience of repairing and remediating water and mold damage. Inspections to help prevent fireplace and chimney fires are just as important.
The Templeton water damage team from SERVPRO of King City / Morro Bay believes in safety first. The local, family-owned company takes pride in helping the communities it serves and is ready 24/7 to respond to an emergency. Each member of the team is trained and certified in the most recent and up-to-date methods for removing damages from fire, water and mold. The team assesses the damage, prepares a remediation plan and can even submit and monitor claims to insurance companies. SERVPRO of King City / Morro Bay works to make the entire assessment, repair and insurance claim as easy as possible.
