A chimney inspection is very detailed, checking inside the fireplace firebox, up the chimney flue and on the roof.  The chimney sweep is looking at many chimney parts and for many different symptoms of chimney problems.  But, in general the chimney sweep will check for five basic things:

1.  Is there soot built up or third stage creosote
in the chimney flue that needs to be removed by a chimney sweep to prevent a chimney fire?

2.  Is the chimney heat tight?  Are there any signs of wear in the chimney flue, in the chimney chamber, or in the fireplace firebox that heat can escape through causing a house fire?

3.  Is the chimney air tight? Are there any signs of wear in the chimney flue, in the chimney chamber or in the chimney chamber  that smoke and poisonous gases like carbon monoxide can escape through into your home causing a deadly situation for you and your family.

4.  Is the chimney water tight? Is there any thing on the chimney where wear or rust is letting water into your home that is causing damage? 

5. Is your chimney energy efficient?  Is your chimney damper rusted, broken or missing and allowing hundres of dollars in air conditioning and/or heating escape out of your chimney? 

Having a chimney sweep come out to check your chimney every year for these five conditions and more is a good home maintenance plan.  A chimney sweep should service your chimney once a year, or more depending on use.  Ash Away Chimney Sweeps always check to see if you need a chimney sweep before they put a brush in your chimney.  If you don't need a chimney sweep, you will not be charged for a chimney sweep, only for the chimney inspection.  A chimney sweep can explain to you how your chimney works and what warning signs you should be looking for.  A good chimney sweep knows that you are not a chimney expert and a good chimney sweep is happy to patiently explain how all of the chimney parts work together.  If a chimney sweep does find anything wrong with your chimney the chimney sweep can recommend repairs and should also be able to explain to you what those repairs are and why they are needed.  A good chimney sweep will not push you into repairs you do not understand.  Ash Away Chimney Sweeps servicing Jacksonville, FL, NE Florida, and SE Georgia will check for these five points and more during your chimney inspection and the chimney sweep will clean the chimney without making a mess assuring you another safe year of burning in your fireplace.  Schedule your chimney sweep appointment today.