Top Cap Chimney Fire Assessment

Advanced chimney sweep of georgia and south carolina performs a lot of chimney repair projects, and we find that one of the most common reasons chimneys suffer damage is because of neglect. As strong as chimneys are, they won’t last forever without regular maintenance by licensed, experience d chimney technicians. Some issues we find that were the result of neglect include: crumbling bricks and mortar cracked or broken chimney liner damaged chimney crown, cap, chase top and flashing damage from past chimney fires chimney leaning to one side partial or total collapse of the chimney these and many other serious problems can be prevented with regular inspections, cleaning and repairs.

Our tradesmen can carry out a full inspection of your chimney from the fireplace, stove or appliance right up to the chimney pot. This inspection should help uncover any indication of damage in the flue shaft and establish if there is any damage to the chimney stack. The inspection will also enable us to provide you with an assessment of the damage should you need this for you insurance company. If after the inspection further investigation is required or the cause of the damage is not clear then we can carry out cctv inspection of the flue shaft from top to bottom.

Carbon monoxide leaks cause a serious risk and can be fatal. Flue gasses from coal timber and turf are carcinogenic. Many clients have informed us that their children had reoccurring chest infections and continuous antibiotics during the winter, which ceased after the chimney was relined and smoke stopped leaking into their house. Where inferior construction is combined with a chimney fire, pieces of flue liners can separate and fall down the flue way into the hearth, sometimes allowing loose sand filling to escape. If this should occur, the resulting damage to the décor, soft furnishings, and electrical goods etc.

Did you know that chimney fires account for over 125 million dollars of property damage in the united states of america a year? that’s a lot of chimney fire insurance claims. We’re here to help you through those times. We’re here to find the correct details and facts to help you determine if a chimney fire occurred. The ability to accurately determine the extent of damage or lack of damage will supply the needed evidence for any potential subrogation and assist in evaluating if the chimney needs relined or rebuilt. A fireplace inspection checklist: a chimney cap with a screen can be beneficial as it stops things such as rain, snow, birds or animals from coming through the opening.

What Causes A Chimney Fire?

A fire in a chimney flue is usually because of residue or build up of tar, soot or grease. In the event the chimney is on fire, contact the emergency services regular cleaning of the chimney will help prevent fires. Clean fuel will also help and burning hot fires tends to use up the fuel and produce less residue, particularly if the flue gets hot enough to allow the exhaust to exit the flue before cooling and condensing in the flue. Outr team have dealt with all types of fire damage claims. We can help you compile, submit and negotiate your claim to a satisfactory settlement.

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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.

A chimney fire is a frightening occurrence and can be potentially dangerous to your property our client contacted us to say that she noticed a crack on the chimney breast internally and a crack on the chimney stack. Our assessor visited the property to inspect the damage. It was apparent that some form of damage was caused to the chimney and she arranged for a cctv survey to be carried out to examine the flue. The survey confirmed damage to the flue as a result of a chimney fire. Clearys loss assessors reported the claim to insurers on our clients behalf and met with the loss adjuster to agree scope of works required to remedy the damage.

House Insurance & Chimney Fires

Chimney fires are one of the leading causes of fire damage to homes in ireland. Each policy is different, but building insurance will usually cover a fire caused by a chimney. These fires happen often, especially in colder weather, as many people don’t know how important it is to keep a chimney clean. When creosote – a highly combustible substance formed as a result of condensed smoke – builds up on the inside of your flue, it can go up like a candle. Most home insurance policies cover accidental fires too. Even if your son decides to play with matches under the box spring.

If you are looking to get your chimney cleaned and any minor holes patched before real damages come along, you won’t be reimbursed by your home insurance. Homeowners insurance sees chimney care as the homeowner’s responsibility as with all forms of house maintenance. Hiring a certified chimney sweep to find and fix any issues with your chimney will not be covered but might be your best choice. It’s better to fix the small issues now before they expand into great damages that your insurance company will not cover. Better to pay the small bills now for the chimney maintenance rather than the big bills later when your chimney begins to break down.

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.

Just over a third of people (37%) who plan to use fires make sure their chimney is swept at least once a year, while just 41% check their chimney is not blocked or capped off. Having a clean chimney that is clear of blockages (such as birds’ nests) can help prevent chimney fires, while “capped” chimneys are designed for chimneys that aren’t being used. Certain things (like plastics and aerosols) aren’t meant to be thrown on the fire and a sensible 42% of people say they only burn “proper” fuels rather than household rubbish, which can produce toxic fumes, air pollution, and potentially cause explosions.

Main Chimney Fires Causes:

According to the national fire protection association , heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in u. S. Homes. Between 2016 and 2020, fire departments responded to an estimated 44,210 home fires caused by heating equipment annually. Almost one-fifth of all home fire fatalities came from home heating fires, and almost a quarter of all property damage from home heating fires came from chimney fires. That’s because chimney fires can reach remarkably high temperatures, up to 2,000°f! on the other hand, some chimney fires can do incredible damage quickly, cracking the chimney’s tile liner and sending fire into the main areas of a home.

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 alight 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.

Athlone town council domestic chimney fires: €500 other domestic fires: €675 per hour per fire brigade. Carlow county council domestic chimney fires: €250other domestic fires: for other domestic fires charged on the basis of no. Of firemen x hourly wage of €19. 86 plus any materials used during the call out. Cavan county council domestic chimney fires: €200. Other domestic fires: fire-fighter’s fees plus additonal 25% clare county council domestic chimney fires: €150. 00other domestic fires: actual cost = fire fighter wages + employer prsi + 60% overheads cork county council domestic chimney fires & other domestic fires: no charges for private dwellings. Fee for rented properties of €480 per brigade per hour.

Chimney fires can burn explosively and are generally noisy and dramatic enough to be detected by neighbours or people outside. Victims of them compare the sound of the fire to a low rumbling noise like a train or low-flying airplane. Flames have been known to shoot from the top of the chimney accompanied by dense smoke. The first indication of a chimney fire is usually the noise (a roaring sound) that grows louder as the fire intensifies, reaching temperatures of up to 1200 degrees c. Chimney fires can have flames and sparks that shoot a few meters from the pot or top of the chimney.

Request A Call Back

If your chimney has suffered damage, call old dominion chimneys. We’ll provide you with the documentation you need to make the insurance claim as seamless and as hassle-free as possible. For more information or to speak with someone on our team, please give us a call at 540-434-0888. We’ll guide you through the claim process and get your insurance company the information and documentation needed to get your claim filed and your repairs made as promptly as possible. Call or click here to request an appointment with an old dominion chimney expert today! when your chimney and fireplace repair needs include any kind of masonry repairs , call on our experts for quality results every time.