One of our favorite ways to relax after a long day on the lakes here in the Ozarks, is to cozy up next to a fire. Whether it’s with a good book or catching up on our favorite TV series, the ambiance of a warm and crackling fire can’t be beat.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommend that you have a chimney inspected and cleaned each year.
But did you know that your chimney needs to be inspected and cleaned each year? If not, don’t be too hard on yourself…many of our customers didn’t know before they contacted us, either. The good news is that Ozark Stove and Chimney is here to help with all your chimney needs, including checking your chimney!
Ready to get started? Call or book online today.
Why Do Chimneys Need To Be Checked?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommend that you have a chimney inspected and cleaned each year. It may be easy to think that your home’s chimney is self-sufficient and doesn’t need to be checked or swept…but, that is a myth and could be a costly mistake down the road.
Chimneys have a big job when it comes to keeping your family and home safer while you enjoy those cozy fires. In fact, the sole purpose of a chimney is to help get smoke and other unwanted byproducts out of your home when you use your furnace, fireplace, or stove. It doesn’t matter if you’re burning oil, wood, gas, or pellets, every chimney has the same goal: to keep the yucky stuff outside.
Each time you use your chimney, things like creosote, soot, and condensation form and build up. Your chimney can also be susceptible to blockages that can occur if leaves or animals get in there and build cozy little nests. …and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Buildup can also lead to costly damages, inefficiency, increased energy bills, and more.
However, having Ozark Stove and Chimney out each year to inspect and clean your chimney will help to stay ahead of the game. We will be able to catch any potential issues and address them before they become bigger ones.
What Happens During a Chimney Inspection?
When it comes to chimney inspections, there are three different levels. The level you need depends on whether there have been changes to the system, fuel type being used, amount of use, and whether or not you have sustained damage from a fire or weather event.
Here is a look at what is included at each level:
- Level 1 – This is the most basic level. During this inspection, a chimney technician will inspect parts of your chimney system that are readily accessible on the interior and exterior. This type of inspection is appropriate if your system hasn’t changed at all, you always have yearly maintenance done, and you plan to use it the same as before.
- Level 2 – A level 2 inspection is required whenever you’re making changes to your system like fuel type, design, flue, or material in the system. This level should also be done any time a home with a chimney changes ownership, or if your chimney has sustained any damage. The biggest difference between a level 1 and level 2 inspection is the special internal camera equipment we use to thoroughly examine all inside components – especially the flue liner and mortar joints.
- Level 3 – A level 3 inspection includes everything that comes with a level 1 and 2 inspection, but this level includes removing parts of the system or surrounding wall, so the technicians can access all areas that need to be inspected. Typically, this level of inspection is completed when there are worries of serious hazards or damage somewhere in your chimney system.
When you choose Ozark Stove and Chimney for your inspection needs you can count on our technicians to check your whole system including:
- Firebox/refractory panels
- Smoke chamber
- Smoke shelf or thimble
- Connector pipes
- Chimney flue
- Damper assembly
- Crown construction
- Mortar and brickwork
- Check caps or chase covers
- Exterior chimney or pipe vent
Now Is the Best Time To Schedule
We recommend that you have your annual sweeping and inspection done early in the summer, or very early fall, before you’ll start using your system. Give us a call today at 417-201-6585 or reach out online – we’ll get you taken care of.