If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, it can be the perfect place to hang out with friends or family on cold winter nights. Before you light your fireplace, be sure that your chimney is safe to use. There are several measures you can take to check on its safety—which we will share with our readers now.
How to Tell If Your Chimney is Safe
Here are some ways to check your chimney before using it for the first time each season.
Have Your Chimney Inspected
The first and most important step of the process is to have your chimney inspected annually. Chimney inspections can be performed at three levels of depth, with each level checking for damage, leaks and cracks. Masonry issues such as obstructions or unsafe levels of creosote buildup are also noted during the inspection process.
Get a Chimney Sweep
A chimney sweep cleans the interior of a fireplace by removing buildup like soot and ash, as well as animal nests. Without regular cleanings, creosote or other substances can…