Time For A Chimney Checkup?

Wintertime is a wonderful time to curl up in front of a fireplace and watch the flames. It can be a relaxing – even mesmerizing – experience.

But before you set a match to those logs or light the gas jet, stop and ask yourself: When was the last time I had the chimney inspected? If your answer is “When we bought the house” or, “Before our holiday party five years ago” or, “I don’t remember” or, “Chimney inspected?” read on.

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (www.csia.org), every year residential fires that start in chimneys result in millions of dollars in property damage, personal injuries and death, and virtually all of these fires are preventable if homeowners have annual chimney inspections. This applies not just to wood-burning fireplaces, but to gas fireplaces as well; although gas is generally a clean-burning fuel, your chimney can still become non-functional from bird nests or other debris blocking the flue.

A chimney fire that melts mortar, cracks tiles and spreads to the rest of your house is one concern; a blocked chimney can lead to the spread of toxic gases including carbon monoxide, the colorless, odorless gas that’s often called the “invisible killer.”


It certainly puts that relaxing fire in a different perspective, doesn’t it? You can find information about certified chimney service technicians in your area at www.csia.org.