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Chimney Inspection in the Birmingham area
Our chimney expert explores the benefits of having your chimney surveyed
As we get closer to winter, now is the best time to make sure your chimney is in great condition before you use it.
An important consideration for chimney maintenance is to ensure that it is frequently swept. This is even more important towards the end of summer after your chimney flue has been out of use for a while. A professional sweep will ensure all residue from the previous winter, plus additional debris, cobwebs and materials dropped by nesting birds are thoroughly cleaned out.
The chimney sweep may identify potential concerns regarding blockages in the flue, the amount of debris found during cleaning or even spot certain materials coming away from the side of the flue. If this is the case he or she will recommend that you book for a chimney inspection in Birmingham.
If you are considering the reuse of a chimney that has been redundant for a long time then as well as getting it swept, is essential to have it professionally surveyed.
What are some of the benefits you can expect from a comprehensive chimney inspection in Birmingham? Well, above all else, it will give a clear picture of the safety of your chimney.
When you begin using your wood burner, gas appliance, boiler or open fire again this winter, you want to do so with the peace of mind that all fumes produced will escape safely up the chimney flue – removing any risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or a potential chimney fire.
A flue is a hidden part of your property that can be a potential health risk if not correctly maintained.
Carrying out a Chimney inspection in the Birmingham area
Carrying out a chimney survey can help you identify the condition and strength of your chimney and can be extremely useful in the following scenarios:
- For older buildings where you would want to use a flue that has been dormant for a long time
- The purchase of a new property will require comprehensive inspections of flues to ensure they are safe for use
- To identifying any serious damage after a chimney fire
- To plot the course of an existing chimney flue in an older building
- To give evidence to Insurance Companies regarding the current condition of the flue
Equipment used during a chimney inspection
Common practice for chimney surveys is the use of a chimney camera. A chimney CCTV survey uses state of the art camera technology to capture video imagery of the inside of a flue. The small, robust chimney camera comes equipped with bright lights and is placed through the flue on support rods. The chimney inspection camera passes through the entire flue and the footage that is captured can be used to identify any hazards or damage.
What we look out for with a chimney survey
With hundreds of chimney surveys carried out, CCTV footage of flues have revealed many things in the past. From birds’ nests to cobwebs – below are just a few of the things found when carrying out chimney inspections:
- Masonry and mortar joints that have become loose or are damaged
- Timber lintels that are lodged in the brickwork of the chimney
- Cubby holes or small ledges
- RSJs or steels
- Spit mechanisms
Our leading chimney expert, Edward Turner says “Turner Baker carry out a lot of chimney CCTV surveys. The things that we are looking to find out are – is the flue lined or part lined; what the condition of the flue is like – are there are any loose mortar joints that might leak smoke or dangerous fumes into another part of the property? Are there are any blockages, such as birds nest or loose masonry. The older the property, often the more interesting the finds.”
Preparing a chimney inspection in Birmingham
The experienced Chimney Technicians at Turner Baker are fully trained to use chimney CCTV equipment. The chimney inspection camera used is battery operated and our technicians will not require access to a power point.
Prior to carrying out the chimney survey the chimney flue must be swept to remove any existing debris, allowing exposure the surface of the flue. Clearing space around the fire place is important as it allows plenty of room for our technicians to effectively carry out the chimney survey. Protective coverings will be used throughout the areas surveyed to ensure an efficient and clean process.
Additional chimney surveys
Chimney CCTV surveys carried out by the team, allow us to gather detailed information on the condition of the flue. Unfortunately, camera surveys cannot provide information as to how effectively your flue operates. To establish this, we can carry out two different smoke tests.
A Dynamic smoke test – this test checks the ‘draw’ of your open fire or heating appliance. In layman’s terms, if a fire is lit, a dynamic smoke test can determine how efficiently smoke exits the chimney flue. This common test can be carried out by most chimney sweeps.
A Static smoke test – this test checks the structural integrity of the flue. When smoke is generated by an appliance or open fire, do you often see smoke leaking into other areas of the building?
The experienced team at Turner Baker have carried out many CCTV surveys and smoke tests for various residential and commercial properties.
Get in touch with the friendly team at Turner Baker today on 01432 839123 for advice and information on a chimney inspection in the Birmingham area.