Schedule Your Annual Chimney Inspection With the Experts at Hansen & Sons
Alongside regular sweeping services, a chimney inspection is another preventive maintenance service that ensures your hearth appliance is in safe operating condition. A professional chimney inspection is a comprehensive and diagnostic overview of your entire system, from top to bottom – providing you with information about your chimney’s structural integrity and whether or not there is damage that requires repair.
Trust Our Experts
Fortunately, for homeowners near Madison, WI, Hansen & Sons Chimney & Fireplace is just a phone call away. A full-service chimney company offering everything from chimney cleaning to intensive rebuilds and repairs, the team at Hansen & Sons has been serving this community for over 72 years.
So, whether you’re looking to schedule a chimney or fireplace inspection or you’d like to discuss remodeling options or upgrades, our talented and knowledgeable chimney techs have got you covered.
To learn more about Hansen & Sons, our products and services, and what we can do for you, please feel free to give us a call at 608-466-4185. Alternatively, you can reach us online by filling out this appointment request form and someone will be in touch with you.
Why Is an Annual Chimney Inspection Important?
Scheduling a chimney inspection each year may seem redundant – especially if your system hasn’t sustained external damage or experienced any changes. However, because so much of what makes a chimney both functional and potentially dangerous lies out of reach and sight, a professional inspection is the only way to know with certainty that everything is in its place and functioning as it should be.
Fireplaces, stoves, and inserts are made up of many smaller parts, pieces, and components that all work together to create an effective and efficient system. When one or more of these parts are out of place or are beginning to deteriorate, not only is performance compromised, but your safety is as well.
A regular inspection executed by a certified and experienced professional verifies that your system poses no threats and is suitable for operation. Without such a service, there is simply no way to know the full extent of your structure’s soundness, which could lead to intensive damages and high-cost repairs down the line.
Is a Chimney Sweep the Same as an Inspection?
When it comes to preventive chimney maintenance, two different terms come to mind: chimney inspection and chimney cleaning or sweeping. Since both involve a rather comprehensive look at the inner workings of a hearth appliance and its attached chimney, it’s not uncommon for people to mistake the two services as one. And while inspections and chimney sweep services do have a great deal in common, there are important differences that distinguish one from the other:
Chimney Sweep (Cleaning) Service
During a chimney sweep service, experienced technicians utilize specifically formulated tools to brush away substances like creosote, dirt, other byproduct residue, and/or any other materials and debris from the walls of your chimney flue. Though it is commonly interchanged with “chimney cleaning,” the term “chimney sweeping” is a much more accurate depiction of what it looks like when we clear out the structure.
Chimney Inspection
A chimney inspection, on the other hand, is much more about investigating and analyzing the appliance and all of its composite parts. A diagnostic and detailed overview of your chimney and fireplace not only identifies weak or failing areas, but also gives you a foundational blueprint to launch from if or when you consider making updates or changes.
Chimney inspections are offered in three different levels depending on your situation and the status of your system.
The good news for homeowners in the greater Madison, WI area is that Hansen & Sons Chimney & Fireplace can take care of both these services…as well as any others you might need for your home heating appliance!
Schedule your appointment today by calling 608-466-4185, or reach out online through our contact form.
Are There Different Kinds of Chimney Inspections?
There are three levels of chimney inspections:
Level I Chimney Inspection
This is the type of inspection you should book if there have been no changes, updates, or incidents with your hearth appliance since the last time you had it serviced. The most basic of all chimney inspections, a level I inspection entails an assessment of all readily accessible portions of your fireplace and chimney and verifies there are no byproduct deposits, blockages, or anything else that would impede function and/or performance.
Level II Chimney Inspection
During a level II inspection, the analysis goes a bit further in-depth. It is meant to be scheduled when your system has undergone any changes or sustained any damages, or upon the transfer of property. This inspection covers everything we’d do in a level I, but also utilizes special cameras, as well as some tools to remove certain panels and coverings to get a better look at the goings on inside the system.
Level III Chimney Inspection
The least common of the three, a level III chimney inspection is only performed when one of the previous levels reveals something that requires a more detailed inspection. These types of inspections are used as the last resort because they usually involve invasive demo work. If your chimney system is exhibiting signs of distress or damage that go beyond normal aging and other common issues, we’ll likely suggest a level III inspection to help us to find the root cause.
Request Your Service
Here at Hansen & Sons, we’re well-versed in each inspection level, so no matter which one you need to schedule, you can rest assured that our team is the one to trust. Give us a call at 608-466-4185, or fill out the contact form through our website to book a chimney inspection for your Madison home.
What Are the Parts of My Chimney & Why Should I Know Them?
While we will never suggest or recommend any kind of DIY chimney repair or maintenance work, you should still be aware of the basic parts and pieces that make up your heating system. When you’re familiar with the names and functions of the various components, it’s that much easier to recognize inefficiencies – and where they stem from – if and when they crop up.
This list outlines a very basic typical masonry chimney setup, but save for few details here and there, prefab chimneys are quite similar.
All masonry and prefabricated chimney systems are a bit different, especially when considering the variety of flame-producing appliances they’re attached to. However, all are structured more or less the same:
- Firebox – starting from the bottom of the unit, the firebox is the official name for the chamber that actually holds the flames and makes your indoor fireside experience possible.
- Smoke shelf – on the back of the firebox wall, hidden higher up and out of sight, sits the smoke shelf. Like the name suggests, this piece juts out above where the fire burns and helps direct the exhaust fumes up into the smoke chamber.
- Smoke Chamber – shaped like an upside-down funnel, the smoke chamber is the space between the flue and the smoke shelf. Its main purpose is to gather the smoke and channel it through the flue.
- Flue – this is the name given to the open space through which the smoke and other byproducts travel through. This space is created using something called a flue liner that is made of either terracotta clay or a large metal tube, depending on your specific appliance.
- Flashing – moving on to the outside of the structure, flashing is the metal shingle-like pieces that are installed around the base of your chimney stack where it meets the roof. Flashing is designed to create a watertight seal between the egress of your chimney and the rest of your home.
- Chimney Crown – the part of a chimney system that protects the open cavity surrounding the flue is called the chimney crown. Crowns are usually constructed of a concrete or cement mixture that is designed to withstand temperature fluctuations and all kinds of moisture…including that Midwest snow we love so much here in Madison, WI!
- Chimney Cap – and finally, the chimney cap, whose main purpose is to protect the vulnerable chimney flue against falling debris or animal entry, while still allowing the system to vent appropriately.
Why Is a Chimney Inspection Necessary Even if I Don’t Use My Fireplace?
It’s common for people to think that they don’t need to schedule an annual chimney inspection if they don’t regularly use their fireplace. However, neglecting this service could cause damage that requires more funding down the line.
Just because your chimney might not have creosote deposits or other fire byproduct residue clinging to the walls, this does not mean that it’s clean and in overall good condition. Aside from damage and deterioration caused by combustion, your chimney is also susceptible to other factors:
- Animal Entry – Even if your chimney cap and other external protective features appear to be in good condition, never underestimate the power of a critter looking for a dry place to call home. Animals, like squirrels, rats, birds, and even raccoons, can find their way inside your chimney flue – especially if it doesn’t have the lingering odor of fire smoke.
- Leaves, Water, Other Debris – Similarly, things like leaves, twigs, moisture, and any other wayward materials can get lodged in the nooks and crannies of your chimney stack when regular maintenance is avoided. And the longer they remain, the more deterioration they cause to the surrounding areas.
- Natural Aging – Unfortunately, regardless of your fireplace usage habits, your system – like any other appliance – will eventually show signs of natural deterioration. This is particularly true for a fireplace or other hearth appliance where at least part of the unit is outside your home and exposed to the elements. Wear and tear is inevitable, whether you use your fireplace daily or haven’t touched it in years.
Want To Learn More?
If you’d like to learn more about the importance of regular, annual maintenance tasks, like chimney inspections, we encourage you to reach out to us! At Hansen & Sons, Madison homeowners and the condition and safety of their hearths have been our number one priority for the last 72 years. Whether in the form of service calls where we come out to your home, or in simply answering any questions over the phone, our techs are always here for you.
Don’t waste precious time searching for “chimney fireplace inspection Madison” or “Wisconsin chimney technicians” – give us a call instead. Fill out this appointment request form through our website, or call 608-466-4185 to get started today.
How Can Chimney Inspections Prevent Fire Hazards?
Chimney inspections prevent fire hazards by offering an up-close and personal investigation of the most dangerous parts of your appliance, identifying areas of concern that could lead to fires.
For instance, if your chimney liner has any minor fractures, cracks, or even holes, unless the damage is severe, you’d be unlikely to notice during regular use. And while something like this might not affect your fireside experience immediately, over time the damage can worsen and increase the risk for heat and flames to escape and catch any nearby combustibles on fire. Regular inspections seek to remedy issues like this by catching inefficiencies earlier – and before they have a chance to worsen and cause noticeable harm.
Plus, a chimney inspection also notifies you of flammable creosote buildup and any other materials that are at risk of catching and spreading a fire. That way, you can schedule a professional chimney cleaning and get everything brushed out and ready for safe enjoyment.
Keep Your Madison Home Safer – Book With Hansen & Sons
When you search “chimney inspections near me,” you’ll likely be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of results. If you’re a homeowner living in or around Madison, WI, you can rest assured – there is no better place to trust than Hansen & Sons regarding quality fireplace and chimney care. Thanks to over seven decades of industry experience, we’ve seen, inspected, cleaned, and repaired just about every hearth appliance and chimney out there. We’re confident we can help you, too.
See for yourself why we have a 4.7 Google Review rating and well over 200 happy customers – and counting! Schedule your fireplace inspection, cleaning, or other chimney maintenance or repair service today, by calling 608-466-4185. You can also book an appointment online, by filling out our contact form. Our team looks forward to seeing how we can help make your Madison home as warm, comfortable, and safe as possible.
if you’re in the market for a new stove, fireplace, or insert, your best bet is to call our chimney services pros for everything you need to know.
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Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period.*
*The Wells Fargo Home Projects credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., an Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. Minimum monthly payments are required during the promotional (special terms) period. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date at the APR for Purchases if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional (special terms) period. Paying only the minimum monthly payment will not pay off the purchase balance before the end of the promotional period. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 09/01/2024 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921.