Three Good Reasons for Annual Chimney Inspections No Matter How Often You Use It

Chimneys can be the unsung heroes of our homes. They can go completely unnoticed while they provide us with a wonderful source of heat by properly ventilating the fireplace(s) located in the family room, living room, or other area in our house. The fact that they exist "out of sight, out of mind" for the most part is something that can lead to safety problems however. We need to remember that chimneys are a significant part of our home that does require attention. Even homeowners that don't use their fireplace regularly should have an annual chimney inspection and chimney cleaning in Los Angeles performed by a professional service. If you do use your chimney as a regular heat source, however, this service becomes even more important because the materials in them will wear down more quickly and require more frequent attention. The following are three very good reasons to have a chimney inspection performed regularly in either case.

1. Safety – We've already briefly alluded to this reason, but safety should be at the forefront of your reasoning for scheduling a chimney inspection. Creosote can build up in your chimney over time causing a fire hazard and even forming dangerous levels of carbon monoxide sometimes. It can also be problematic for a variety of poor health conditions. A regular chimney inspection can keep an eye on creosote levels and make sure this never becomes a health hazard in any way for you and your family.
2. Cracks – Chimney foundations are just as susceptible to cracking as any other foundation. Over time, they just start to wear down and there really isn't anything much you can do about it... except have a regular inspection maintain the foundation, so you can get a handle on any cracks before they become major problems.
3. Weather – Water has been a deceptively damaging problem for centuries... just ask Noah. Water damage, in particular, can be damaging to a chimney if left unattended for a long period of time. Annual inspections can make sure water damage is addressed way before it becomes anything terribly cost prohibitive.