When to Schedule a Chimney Inspection: Know the Warning Signs

Your fireplace is the heart of your living space, especially during those cold winter nights. Of course, a fireplace is a roaring fire in your home, and the heat it creates is led out of one of the most essential parts of your system, the chimney. Chimneys play a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of your fireplace. 

Over time the wear and tear of regular use, exposure to the elements, and internal buildup can compromise the safety and functionality of your chimney. This blog will help you understand the warning signs of a chimney in trouble. If you find that your chimney is suffering any of these issues, it’s imperative to schedule a chimney inspection right away. 

1. Creosote Buildup

Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood that can cake up in your chimney flue. It can reduce the efficiency of your fireplace, but, more importantly, creosote is highly flammable and can create a fire hazard. If you smell an excessive smoky odor coming from your chimney, or if you see dark, oily stains around the fireplace it could be a creosote buildup. 

2. Difficulty Starting or Maintaining a Fire

If you’re finding it’s more and more difficult to maintain a fire in your fireplace, or if you haven’t been able to get one started, this is a sign that you need an inspection. A blocked or damaged flue can restrict the airflow, which makes it difficult for oxygen to get to your fire, which it needs desperately. 

3. Smoke Fills the Room

If your room fills with smoke when burning a fire, even if the fan is on, then you may have a lot of buildup in the flue. A smoke-filled room is a clear sign of a chimney problem. When a chimney functions properly it should direct smoke out of your home. But, if the flue is blocked, the chimney has structural damage, or creosote has built up, your chimney has a poor draft, which is a major issue.

4. Cracked or Damaged Chimney Liner

The chimney liner is one of the most important aspects of your heating system. It protects your home from heat, gasses, and toxins. If the liner is cracked or damaged due to age, severe temperature changes, or exposure to the elements, then harmful gasses like carbon monoxide can enter your home. And this can be deadly. 

5. Staining or Water Damage Around the Chimney

Rain and snow can infiltrate the chimney, and this leads to rust, corrosion, and possible damage to the masonry. This excess water can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew, which can affect the air quality in your home. Sings of water damage around the chimney’s base, rust stains on the walls, cracks in the mortar, and peeling paint are all clear signs that you're overdue for a chimney inspection. 

6. Emits Foul or Unusual Odors

If you smell a musty, unpleasant, or smoky smell coming from your chimney, this could indicate several problems. Most commonly, foul odors come from a creosote buildup, which will smell strong and smoky. Musty smells indicate mold or mildew issues, often caused by water damage or insufficient ventilation. 

7. Visible Cracks or Damage to the Mortar

Any visible cracks or damage to the mortar are not good. If you see any of this then you definitely need to contact a chimney inspector right away. As the temperatures get colder, cracks can worsen, which only creates a bigger problem ultimately leading to a larger cost for repairs. A qualified chimney inspector will be able to find cracks you might not see. 

8. It’s Been a Year Since Your Last Inspection

Finally, if you haven’t had your chimney inspected for more than a year, a couple of years, or not at all, then you are overdue for a chimney inspection. Many house fires start on the second floor due to a chimney that is poorly ventilated, damaged, or suffering from an overload of creosote. 

Do You Need a Chimney Inspection in Portland, OR?

If you live in the Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, Oregon City, or Vancouver areas of Oregon and Washington State, contact us at Lifetime Chimney. Our inspectors take chimney and masonry care seriously and provide top-of-the-line chimney inspection services. Lifetime Chimney has more than twenty years of experience inspecting chimneys in this area. We’ll also work side by side with your insurance company.