Choose Sleep Easy for Chimney & Video Inspections Near Kansas City

Is a Chimney Sweep the Same as a Chimney Inspection?

No, a chimney sweep (or chimney cleaning) is not the same service as a chimney inspection. While both provide a comprehensive and holistic view of your entire fireplace and chimney system – and are usually performed together – the two services are designed with different intentions. 

So, what is the difference then? Great question.

• A chimney cleaning is exactly what it sounds like – a service in which a skilled and experienced technician utilizes special tools and equipment to sweep out the inside of the appliance, brushing away any caked-on creosote and other debris to get everything as clean as possible.

• A chimney inspection will focus on making sure everything appears in good condition and in its place. Our primary focus is on ensuring the structural soundness and overall safety of your fireplace and chimney.

No matter what kind of appliance you have or how regularly you use it, both of these preventive maintenance services are important to schedule every year. One creates a sort of system reset by removing leftover debris, while the other is diagnostic and gives you a good picture of your appliance’s health and longevity.

How Do I Know if My Chimney Is Clean & Safe for Use?

Well, unless you’re staying up-to-date on your preventive maintenance tasks, you don’t always know if your chimney is safe to use. Sure, there are some cases when it’s very clear that your system is trying to tell you that something is off, but there are also many instances where there are no signs that operation is unsafe.

This is why scheduling annual chimney inspections and sweeps is so important. It’s virtually impossible to know what’s going on inside the walls at any given time unless you have the tools and training to properly look. 

Fireplaces and their chimneys are, at first glance, a rather simple structure: an appliance that safely hosts, maintains, and properly ventilates a living fire inside your home. And while the concept is straightforward, the execution requires many different components to operate properly and efficiently – most of which are hidden away within the depths of the system.

That said, please give the Sleep Easy team a call and schedule an appointment if you notice any of the following:

• Lingering odors in or around your fireplace (either mold/mildew smells or a strong essence of campfire)
• Signs of water damage (such as dripping inside the firebox or stains on the ceiling or walls surrounding your appliance)
• Signs of masonry or liner damage (like cracked brickwork, missing mortar, or liner pieces in your firebox)
• Trouble lighting a fire or issues with the fire staying lit
• Excessive smoke production entering the living space
• Different or strange system performance or behavior

Ultimately, having your chimney and fireplace regularly serviced by an experienced team of industry professionals is the only real way to know if your chimney is as clean and safe as possible. Contact someone from our team to learn more.

What Are the Most Common Issues Found During a Chimney Inspection?

What issues most often come up during a chimney inspection?

• Excessive creosote buildup. Creosote is highly flammable, and too much of it can make you more susceptible to chimney fires – which cause damage and can spread to your home.
• Cracked or damaged flue liner. The flue liner protects the chimney walls and directs smoke and gases out of the home. If it’s damaged, it can allow heat or toxic gases (like carbon monoxide) to escape into your home.
• Masonry damage. If your brickwork is cracked or your mortar joints are flaking, water can seep in, where it can trigger all kinds of damage – both to your chimney and your home.
• Chimney cap damage. The chimney cap keeps animals, debris, and rain out, so missing one (or having one that’s broken or not properly fitted) can lead to a whole slew of issues.
• Moisture damage. Signs of water or moisture damage include rusted damper assemblies, staining on walls/ceilings, mold/mildew growth, and more. Water is the most destructive element for chimneys and can lead to structural and interior damage, so attacking these issues swiftly is a must.
• Obstructions or blockages. Birds’ nests, leaves, or even collapsed flue tiles can cause blockages to form in your flue, leading to smoke and carbon monoxide backing up into your home when fires are lit.
• Damaged or missing flashing. Flashing is the metal seal between the chimney and the roof. It protects this vulnerable area, and damaged or missing flashing will lead to leaks and potential roof rot.
• Improper or outdated chimney construction. Chimneys that don’t meet current codes or were poorly built aren’t going to perform as well – and they could be putting your household at risk too.

Fortunately, we have chimney and fireplace solutions for any issues you may be experiencing. Reach out today.