Chimney Safety
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Editor’s Note: Originally published in March 2015, this article still contains useful information.
By Lenore Rubino, lenore.rubino@wfp.com
Just because you don’t have a fireplace, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a chimney! If you have a gas furnace (which many Burleith homes do), chances are you have a chimney to vent out the combustible gasses. Over the past few years, I’ve found that many of our Burleith homes have crumbling chimney tops and cracked flues. Some of this is due to age and, surprisingly, the 2012 earthquake.
It is extremely important to have your chimney inspected to ensure that you don’t have any issues with water and carbon monoxide leaking. Both can have a devastating impact on the structural soundness of your home as well as your safety.
Finding a reputable chimney repair service is just as important. Make sure the company is associated with the National Chimney Sweep Guild and is staying current with certifications from, for example, the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Their websites have a search directory to help you find local repair people.
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