Saturday, November 23, 2013

Timely reminder about fireplaces

While inspecting a rental house for the new tenants last month, I suggested that the landlord should have the fireplace flue checked and cleaned. The landlord seemed to feel that I was just being picky but, begrudgingly, agreed to have it done anyway. The chimney inspector stopped by the house this week and told the tenant two things when he was finished: 1) "Congratulations, you win for dirtiest flue so far this season.", and 2) "You're lucky you and the previous occupants haven't had a creosote fire."

While it's always nice to be proven correct, the moral of this story is that you should have your fireplace and flue inspected and cleaned on a regular basis. Whether it's the house you're living in now, the house you want to buy, or a house that you're going to rent, creosote build up in a chimney's flue is very dangerous. Since it is out of sight, it's very easily out of mind, as well. When you have Complete Home Inspection do your Kansas City home inspection, I look at the fireplace, the chimney and the liner, and look up into the flue. If I see signs of trouble, that's when you need to call an expert to do a thorough fireplace inspection for you. Cracks, blockages, and creosote build-up are all going to cause you problems. So, for your safety and your family's safety, have your wood-burning fireplace checked and cleaned regularly.

Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.

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