Main Chimney Fires Causes:

As the nights grow colder and darker, the fires will soon be on a lot more. With this comes a risk of chimney fires. Here is some advice on how to avoid a chimney fire. Please share with your family and friends and tell them to get their chimneys cleaned regularly! why does my chimney go on fire? chimney fires occur when deposits of carbon and dust accumulate in a chimney and are set a light by sparks or flames from an open fire. Most solid fuels create some kind of soot which without regular cleaning of chimneys builds up in the flue and eventually catches fire.

We at claims assist loss assessors know only too well that september is the beginning of a very busy season for chimney fires and chimney flue damage claims across ireland. Due to increasing numbers of high powered large stoves being fitted, we are continually coming across damaged fireplaces, cracked chimney flues and broken chimney pots as a result of chimney fires. Did you know that the irish fire services are called to an average of 110 home chimney fires every week in ireland. The cost of fire brigade call outs can range between a several hundred euro flat rate fee and an hourly rate per fire deployed.

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Damage to the chimney crown, chimney cap and chimney flashing interior flue damage due to excess buildup of acidic creosote potentially major chimney fires insurance adjusters are on the lookout for chimney damage caused by neglect, and they’ve seen enough of it to spot it easily. Homeowner’s insurance companies expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to keep their chimneys (and fireplaces and stoves) in a safe condition.

Request A Call Back

If your home or business has been affected by smoke damage, keep the following tips in mind: call an insurance loss assessor or your insurance company/agent immediately following a fire. If you decide to use an insurance loss assessor, call them straight away and they will report the claim for you. Otherwise, you can report it straight to your insurer/agent directly. However, do not delay. Delays in reporting smoke property damage claims may result in your insurance company taking longer to process your claim which could potentially slow down the time it takes to repair the damages to your property.

How and Where Do Accidental Fireplace & Chimney Fires Occur?

Both the chimney safety institute of america (csia) and the national fire protection association (nfpa) recommend that homeowners have their chimney inspected (and swept, if necessary) annually by a csia-certified chimney sweep. Regular inspections will give your chimney sweep the opportunity to notice cracks, creosote buildup or other obstructions that could diminish the system’s functionality and create an environment ripe for chimney fires or carbon monoxide intrusion. Below are some additional considerations that, when combined with an annual inspection, can help prevent chimney issues from occurring: use seasoned woods only. Green or wet wood can cause smoke, odor problems and rapid creosote buildup.

According to the us consumer product safety commission, 27,000 residential fires and 20 deaths were caused by fires that started in fireplaces, chimneys, and chimney connectors in 2007. These are the latest statistics available as of august 2010. Cpsc research indicates that most wood heating fires involve the chimney and not the appliance itself. The majority of these fires are contained within the chimney and cause no damage to the house. The commission is concerned, however, not only about the chimney fires that did ignite other parts of the house, but also about the potential future hazard from the continued use of chimneys whose structural integrity has been compromised by a chimney fire.

Insurance Claims Regarding Your Chimney

There is good news and bad news when it comes the ability to make valid claims on your homeowners’ insurance related to chimney damage. In general, damage that occurs as a result of a sudden, unexpected incident will usually be covered. Damage resulting from normal wear and tear is typically never covered. Ultimately, however, the final decision regarding what is covered by homeowners’ insurance when your chimney needs repair is determined by your insurance policy, the company you are insured with, and the agent you work with on a claim. Common chimney issues covered by insurance the top two issues that homeowners make successful insurance claims on with regard to chimney damage are in the event that:.

At blue ridge chimney services, we specialize in helping homeowners with insurance claims related to chimney damage. Any kind of insurance claim can become a complicated process, and chimney-related claims are no different. If you’re in the process of making a claim for chimney damage, you’ll need to have a certified, licensed chimney technician inspect the damage and document their findings.

Not sure whether your personal property policy protects your chimney and fireplace? it’s a big question for many people when disaster strikes. Does home insurance cover chimney damage? in short: possibly. Your fireplace and chimney are part of your house, and most homeowner’s insurance plans will usually cover them. That said, all insurance plans are different. So, while there is a strong probability that your policy protects your chimney you may want to double-check to be sure. While your policy may cover chimney repairs , insurance claims do not cover everything. Most insurer’s policies generally cover unexpected or “sudden” damage.

Nationwide chimneys are a network of chimney repair contractors and associated chimney repair specialists who provide a complete “one stop shop” service for chimney repairs and chimney problems across ireland, ranging from damage diagnosis and repairs, to handling your damaged chimney insurance claims. We offer a complete range of chimney repair and chimney problem diagnosis in any town and county in ireland. Contact our specialist chimney repair team if you are having any of the following chimney problems: chimney cracks (cracks visible externally on chimney stack or water staining internally on walls surrounding chimney breast) chimney fire (chimney lining or flu liners can crack after a chimney fire causing sand to appear in the fireplace).

Ask the Chimney Sweep

Blocked and dirty chimneys are one of the most common causes of roof fires, regardless of whether your home is listed or a standard property1. In addition, about 95% of thatched roof fires2 are caused by a fault or blockage in the chimney, often linked to a wood burner. As well as posing a risk to you and your family, a neglected or un-swept chimney can potentially invalidate your insurance. Here are some helpful tips around maintaining your chimney. Keep all chimneys in a good state of repair. Sweep your chimney at least once a year before use. Hire a qualified chimney sweep, and keep a copy of the certificate you receive.

Each winter in ireland the fire brigade deal with thousands of chimney fires and many more chimney fires occur without the householder even knowing until further damages show weeks and sometimes months later. In 2018 of the 6634 fires with identified causes dealt with by the fire services 34% of these related to chimney fires alone. However, most chimney fires would be preventable if households had their chimneys cleaned annually by a professional chimney sweep. Chimney fire damage not only causes damage to the chimney itself but long term can cause damage to attic space, internal walls and ceiling.

If your chimney is not kept clean then flammable deposits can build up to the level where they can ignite. Obviously not sweeping your chimney regularly is one cause, but you also increase the level of deposits if you slow burn your stove, if you "turn it down for the night" or if you burn wet wood. Once alight the fire then spreads up the chimney, and it can get very hot, over 1000 c. How to tell if you have a chimney fire - you will often hear a roaring noise in the chimney, especially with an open fire.

This is a question people regularly ask because they’ve heard that not all types of chimney damage will be handled by their insurance provider. Magic mountain chimney sweeps of frederick, md, performs a lot of chimney repair work for insurance claims as well as work the homeowner pays for. Your policy or insurance company rep is your best source of information on coverage, but in the meantime, here’s an outline that will be helpful in deciding what kinds of chimney issues are usually covered by homeowner’s insurance policies.