Chimney repair and maintenance, Columbus, OH

With the advancements in materials and accessories used in fire places and chimneys, repair and maintenance of Chimneys has become more of a professional job. The cleaning of chimneys, earlier done by chimney sweeps, is now done by trained and qualified professionals for chimney repair at Columbus, OH.

Maintenance of a clean and efficient chimney is aided by periodical inspection by qualified chimney inspectors. This service is provided by the various agencies for chimney repair at Columbus, OH, who are qualified to undertake the job. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) imparts training and certificate to people for undertaking chimney maintenance works.

Many of the certified agencies for chimney repair at Columbus OH, follow the recommendation by National Fire Protection Association ( NFPA) for inspection of chimneys and repair works. The recommendations classify the inspection procedure into three levels:

Inspection level I- Here the inspector will evaluate the accessible part of the venting system, connected appliance and the chimney connection. This is primarily done to detect blocks in the flue of the chimney.

Inspection level II – This comprises of a detailed inspection that includes the inspection procedure of level I and additional procedures. This is mostly done before lining the flue of the chimney, upon replacement of an appliance or after the damage to the chimney due to fire or such mishaps. The procedure includes:

1. Inspection of exterior and interior of chimney.
2. Evaluation of accessible portion of chimney and appliance.
3. Thorough evaluation of flue interior, if necessary using video scanning.
4. Evaluating the size and material for a flue lining.
5. Inspection of areas accessible in basements and attics.

Inspection level III – This includes a detailed procedure, including the inspection methods of level I and II. Unlike level II, in level III, if the situation demands, the relevant portion of the chimney and related building areas will be demolished for inspection in case of repairs related to concealed connections. This will be done after discussion with the client regarding the course of action.

Traditional chimneys built using brick and mortar will be mostly unlined. The chimney professionals recommend lining of chimneys for efficient functioning and longer life. Relining is done with flue sealants, stainless steel liners, aluminum liners or flue tiles. The use of liners is recommended depending on the structure of the chimney and the heating fuel used. A chimney with proper lining subjected to periodic maintenance and cleaning works will function effectively for longer period.