The short answer is that you should recommend a chimney inspection every time.However, there are a few specific items you can look for that should prompt a chimney inspection:

A missing spark arrester. This is needed for fire safety and may be indicative of other issues. If a proper spark arrester is present it may be seen at the very top of the chimney.

Exterior cracking. This can mean need for minor repairs or possibly a more serious condition could exist.

Gaps where the chimney meets the house means the chimney structure has shifted and may need to be stabilized or it may be damaged.

If the chimney looks short or odd in relation to the house an evaluation is needed. A chimney should rise significantly above the roof & should have straight lines.

THIS CHIMNEY IS QUITE DAMAGED AND LOOKS VISIBLY ODD.

Staining above the fireplace opening can indicate building too large of a fire or indicate that the chimney is improperly venting smoke.

Cracking inside or around the fireplace opening can be a matter of minor patching or can be an indication of earthquake or settlement damage.

If the fireplace has never been used it may not function properly. Deterioration and damage can occur regardless of use.

Has the Chimney been repaired? Many chimney repairs performed from the 1994 Earthquake to the present have not been properly executed and may present a fire hazard.

Newer fireplace systems may be improperly constructed. Only an unbiased inspection can determine whether a new system has been properly constructed. We have found in some cases that even systems that were approved by the city were not functioning properly. A city inspector is not the same thing as a chimney inspector.

THIS IS A BRAND NEW SYSTEM THAT WAS INSPECTED AND THE FIREPLACE WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED WHICH VOIDED THE WARRANTY.

A neglected, dirty fireplace system can have hidden fire safety issues that can only be discovered with a video camera inspection.

-John LeBaron, Chimney Check Professionals

Call us for a complete fireplace & Chimney Inspection to protect your cleints and yourself! (818) 951-7550

www.ChimneyCheck.com

I finally got a new video posted up on my websites home page.

It's a sampling of some unsafe chimneys that I have found during my inspections and shows what type of problems a chimney may have.

Please check it out and let me know what you think!

www.ChimneyCheck.com

John Lebaron, Chimney Check Professionals, Inc.

FIRE Cerftified Chimney inspector, CREIA Affiliate and member of the NFPA

Earthquakes damage buildings in many different ways, some obvious and many not so obvious.  As an example, cracks in walls and ceilings can seem outwardly to be minor, but there can be hidden damage that takes a trained eye and sometimes destructive testing to ascertain the full extent of the damage.

Wood frame structures are very flexible and can move quite a bit without suffering much damage, although walls shifted out of their original position can represent a change in the structure's integrity.  A shift of a couple of degrees is usually minor, however the structure has been compromised to some degree and will not perform as well in the next earthquake. A shift of more than about 5 degrees usually will require further investigation by an engineer to determine the extent of the damage and repair.

Heavy materials such as brick and stone tend to suffer more serious damage than lightweight structures because they are much less tolerant to movement. A chimney or a brick wall can appear to remain stable after an earthquake and yet have suffered damage that severely compromises its structural integrity, creating a potential hazard in the next quake. It takes an expert with trained eyes and special equipment to determine the safety of chimneys and masonry structures after an earthquake.

In summary, earthquake shaking can cause damage to a chimney that is hidden and potentially very dangerous. Have chimneys professionally inspected after a seismic event for your safety and the safety of others.

Hey Active Rainers,

I've had a website for awhile but it was just a temporary, tiny site. My new and very IMPROVED website finally went live! It's ben a long time coming but it's finally up and available for viewing. 

Please check it out if you get a chance and let me know what you think.

www.ChimneyCheck.com

Thanks,

John LeBaron - Chimney Inspector - Los Angeles, CA

I have a fireplace and I like the beauty and warm glow of the flames from a burning fire. And, like most of the items I own and use I just want it to work when I need it. That's simple, right? Well, actually I've learned that a fireplace takes more care and maintenance than most of the other systems in a home.

Starting a fire safely consists of:

• See that there are no obstructions or combustibles on or near the top of the chimney
• Open the damper inside the firebox so the smoke can flow up the flue
• Clean out ashes from the previous fires
• Use logs that fit deep into the firebox
• Use seasoned wood, never green, wet, painted, treated or made with glues.
• Place the logs deep into the firebox on a raised fireplace grate for proper air circulation
• Build a fire that is safe for the size of the firebox
• Enclose the firebox opening with a mesh screen whenever a fire is burning
• Keep combustible materials a safe distance away from the front of the firebox opening, at least 24 inches, further is better
• Do not close the damper until the fire and the embers are completely cool

 Chimney/Fireplace preventative maintenance consists of:

• Have a chimney inspected and if necessary, cleaned before each cold season to ensure the chimney is safe to operate
• Have a raised screen with a rain cap installed at the top of the chimney flue
• Keep tree branches, leaves and other combustibles away from the chimney
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and have functioning smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Keep the extinguisher charged and see that all family members know how to operate it
• Burn hardwoods, they produce the least amount of sticky tars and creosote that can build up inside the flue and ignite.
• Never use gasoline, kerosene or other volatile liquids to start a fire.
• Never leave fire unattended.
• Keep wood stacked, covered, and out-of-doors, away from the house and off the ground. Bring in only as much as you need for one evening.
• Dispose of ashes in a fireproof container with a tightly fitted lid and keep it away from structures and combustibles.

Care for the fireplace and chimney properly so you and your family can enjoy the wonderfully relaxing glow and warmth of a safely burning fire in your home.

According to the U. S. Fire Administration (USFA) 36% of residential home fires are due to creosote buildup (a tar-like substance that sticks to the walls of a chimney when wood is burned) in chimneys and stovepipes. That adds up to 26,000 fires, 137,000 million dollars in property damage and 60 human deaths annually.

The USFA and Federal Emergency Management Agency and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission encourages you to practice the following fire safety steps to keep those home fires burning safely:

•  Have your chimney or wood burning stove inspected and cleaned annually by a by a certified chimney specialist.
• Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
• Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces. Leave glass doors open while burning a fire.
• Never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.

Safely Burn Fuels

• Never use flammable liquids to start a fire. 
• Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.
• Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
• Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
• When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting grate.
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.

Protect the Outside of Your Home

• Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
• Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.
• Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
• Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.

Protect the Inside of Your Home

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new long life smoke alarms.

Certain homeowners are especially vulnerable to the potential for chimney fires because thousands of chimneys have been left damaged by earthquakes. And in addition to that damage, another hidden problem was caused by unscrupulous contractors that swooped in to take advantage of the free flow of money being provided to unsuspecting homeowners and then failed to make proper repairs to many damaged chimneys. Consequently those homeowners just do not realize the potential fire hazard created every time they light their fireplace.

Ultimately, to keep your home safe from chimney fires, a certified chimney specialist with the aid of a video camera should determine the structural integrity and fire safety of your chimney structure. This includes metal prefabricated chimneys as well as masonry types.

INSPECT AND CLEAN YOUR CHIMNEY REGULARLY
Have a chimney inspector do a safety inspection on the chimneys at least once a year. Your chimney could have a problem you cannot see.

CHECK FOR CREOSOTE AND SOOT BUILD-UP.
Creosote can form quickly and is a major cause of chimney fires. Check chimney and flue pipes often and clean when necessary. Never let creosote or soot build up.  A chimney inspector will be able to spot creosote during the inspection of your chimney.

CHECK WALLS FOR EXCESSIVE HEAT.
If the wall is very hot, it could be a sign of improper installation of the chimney. Consult a chimney inspector right away.

INSTALL A RAIN CAP.
A rain cap should be installed on top of all metal and masonry chimneys. If you have a spark screen around the chimney cap, you should have it inspected regularly for blockage.

LOOK FOR SMOKE ENTERING THE ROOM.
When the fireplace is in use smoke should not enter the room. This could indicate a blockage in the chimney or a faulty damper control mechanism. Have it checked by a chimney inspector immediately.

PROTECT FLOORS AND WALLS FROM HEAT AND SPARKS.
Ensure that each fireplace has a non-combustible hearth that is a minimum of 20 inches wide. Keep combustibles safely away from your fireplace. Always use a properly fitted screen for your fireplace.

REGULARLY CHECK FOR SIGNS OF PROBLEMS.
Your flue pipes and chimney can deteriorate over time. Look for corrosion or rust stains on the outer shell of a metal chimney and check for bulges or corrosion in its liner.  Loose bricks, crumbling mortar, broken liners, dark stains or white powder indicate problems with masonry chimneys.  A chimney inspection will determine if any of these problems exist.  These should be fixed immediately by a qualified mason.