Orange County
(714) 843-9944

Long Beach
(562) 595-5122

Los Angeles
(310) 377-8163

Orange County
(714) 843-9944

Long Beach
(562) 595-5122

Los Angeles
(310) 377-8163

Founder: Steve Lovsteen

You Should Schedule An Annual Chimney Inspection

An annual chimney inspection is like a yearly physical with your doctor: it can give you peace of mind when all is well, and when all isn’t well, it can point you to things that need to be fixed before the situation becomes worse. Oliver Twist Chimney & Fireplace of Huntington Beach, CA, provides basic Level 1 chimney inspections as well as Level 2 and Level 3 inspections, which are a little more involved (see below). We’d like to share some information about this important chimney maintenance task.

Basic chimney inspections

Annual chimney inspections look closely at all visible areas of your chimney system. These areas include:
• Masonry bricks and mortar
• Chimney liner and flue (video imaging is used for this)
• Chimney cap
• Concrete chimney crown
• Chimney flashing

The majority of chimney issues center on or stem from these areas.

Licensed chimney inspectors are able to spot early signs of damage that could lead to a leaky chimney, structural instability, a chimney fire, or smoke and carbon monoxide backups.

Basic Level One Chimney Inspections in Long Beach CA

Let’s look at three common chimney problems that a proper inspection will detect.

1. Excess creosote

A chimney inspection will determine if your flue has accumulated a large amount of flammable creosote. This substance forms each time a wood fire is burned and is the cause of most chimney fires throughout Southern California every year.

2. Damaged masonry

Chimney inspectors look for loose and cracked bricks (spalling) and deteriorated mortar between the bricks. These conditions can be caused by intruding water as well as earthquakes, hail storms and other events.

3. Debris in the flue

If a chimney is operated without a chimney cap, outside debris can narrow the flue and cause smoke to back up into the home. Smoke is no good, but much worse is carbon monoxide, an invisible and odorless gas that’s present in smoke. Breathing carbon monoxide can be fatal to people and animals.

Professional Chimney Repairs

Chimney Masonry Tuckpointing Repairs in Anaheim, CA

When chimney repair work or chimney sweeping is needed following an inspection, it’s critical that you work with an experienced chimney company that’s fully licensed and insured.

In California, it’s also critical that your chimney repair crew understands and follows the numerous state codes that apply to chimney repair and rebuilding projects.

Level Two Video Chimney Inspection in Huntington Beach CAOther types of chimney inspection

Along with basic Level 1 chimney inspections, two levels of inspection are offered by qualified chimney companies:

Level 2

This inspection is performed when:

• The home is being sold
• Damage from a chimney fire or other event is suspected
• A new appliance is being connected to the chimney, or another kind of system modification is taking place

Level 3

This is a more thorough inspection that’s performed when serious damage is known to exist. Dismantling parts of the chimney or nearby home building materials is often necessary with a Level 3 chimney inspection. We’re here to keep your chimney clean and safe

Since 1987, Oliver Twist has provided our Southland customers with licensed chimney inspection, chimney sweeping and all types of repair and rebuilding work. We serve Huntington Beach CA, Long Beach CA, Torrance CA, Anaheim CA, Santa Ana CA, Inglewood CA, Manhattan Beach CA, Redondo Beach CA, Hermosa Beach CA, and many more SoCal communities.

Reach a chimney expert who can solve your problems at (714) 843-9944 or get in touch with our simple contact form.