As the end of winter draws nearer and you’re getting ready to retire your fireplace for the season, it’s time to start thinking about scheduling your annual chimney cleaning and inspection.

Your fireplace and chimney may look perfectly fine from the outside, but there could be a whole host of issues going on inside that can affect how well the chimney works and the safety of your home.

Routinely taking care of your chimney at the end of the burning season, rather than waiting until fall, will give you plenty of time to address and repair any problems your chimney may have.

If you’re looking for a chimney inspection for your Long Island chimney –  then you’ve come to the right place. We at Expressway have the years of experience to make sure everything goes smoothly.

How Chimney Inspections Work

Most inspectors will include three levels of service. Each new level brings a more detailed inspection (along with an increasing price tag). The level of inspection your chimney needs will be dependent on a few things, which our techs can go over with you.

Level one: This inspection will include a visual check of your fireplace and chimney. However, this does not involve any special equipment. This sweep will have a flashlight where the tech looks for damage, obstructions etc. 

Level two: This is the level of inspection you will need if you have just purchased a new home or if you have experienced any dramatic weather event, like a tornado or hurricane. Or if you have made any major changes to your fireplace. 

Level three: This inspection is considered destructive and intrusive. Which can almost resemble a demolition job. This may involve tearing down and rebuilding walls and your chimney. This is usually done after a chimney fire. 

Why Should I Get A Chimney Inspection?

The main reason: Chimney fires. Most chimney fires are so small they go unnoticed. In fact, you may not realize you’ve had one until your next chimney inspection. The main cause of chimney fires is the buildup of creosote. Creosote is a highly-acidic residue that’s created when hot combustion byproducts mingle with cool air in the chimney and produce condensation. This condensation sticks to the interior walls of the chimney, leaving a residue.

Creosote can range from brown to black in color and have a consistency that’s light and flaky, sticky and tar-like, or smooth, shiny, and hard. Hard creosote is the most advanced and can cause extensive damage to your chimney, or even lead to a blockage if it’s not removed.

Creosote is highly combustible and if left to accumulate, a chimney fire can and will occur. The very best way to prevent creosote buildup, and ultimately a chimney fire, is to have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep, at least once a year.