Home Maintenance

October 20 2021

Three Levels of Chimney Inspection

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Home Maintenance Maintenance

What You Need to Know If you’re fortunate enough to own a home with a fireplace, you should be aware that the cozy atmosphere your fireplace creates also requires some upkeep and maintenance. The best way to ensure that your fireplace is maintained is to get your chimney inspected by a professional at least once a year, even if you own a gas fireplace. Here’s what you need to know about the three different levels of chimney inspections to address different sets of circumstances in your home. Calling a professional chimney inspector or chimney sweep at least once per year is essential. A chimney inspection can reveal structural issues, whether or not your chimney needs to be cleaned thoroughly, and reduce the possibility of fire in your home. Level 1 Chimney Inspections A level 1 inspection is required when nothing has changed with your chimney or fireplace. bare minimum of inspections that is necessary if you will continue using the same fireplace system and have not made any changes to the system recently. During a level 1 inspection, the chimney inspector or chimney sweep will use a flashlight to examine all of the more easily accessible areas of inside and […]

October 11 2021

Fireplace Safety and Maintenance Tips

Robert Jones Home Maintenance, Information fireplace, Maintenance

Avoid Fire Hazards with Proper Cleaning and Maintenance If you own a home with a fireplace, you’re familiar with the joys of cozying up next to a crackling fire. But, if your fireplace isn’t maintained, you and your home could be in trouble. Read on to learn more about serious fire hazards that can occur if you fail to maintain your fireplace, and tips to keep your fireplace clean and safe in your home. CREOSOTE BUILDUP CAN CAUSE HOME FIRES The number one danger your fireplace presents is when creosote builds up in your chimney and causes a fire. Creosote is a tar-like substance that accumulates on the walls of a chimney each time you make a fire. When creosote builds up to about ⅛ inch and comes into contact with temperatures of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, it can become the source of fire in your chimney that can then spread to your home. The best way to prevent creosote from becoming a danger to your home is to properly maintain and clean your fireplace. PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE FOR YOUR FIREPLACE Before you begin the process of cleaning and maintaining a fireplace, consider these tips to ensure proper functioning and a safe […]

September 20 2021

5 Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Home Maintenance, Information fall home maintenance, home maintenance

Things To Do Around The House This Fall As fall approaches, it’s important to prepare your home for the cold temperatures that winter will bring. In addition to common landscaping tasks like raking leaves and pruning back shrubs, your home requires maintenance and preparation during the fall to prevent damage that can occur from cold winter temperatures. Here are the top five fall home maintenance tips that will keep your home warm and inviting and prevent wintertime damage. 1. Make Sure Your Roof Is In Good Shape In addition to trimming trees around your roof to prevent damage from fallen branches, fall is a great time to clean gutters and ensure they’re well-anchored. This task can also include checking that downspouts are clear to avoid ice dams during the winter. Inspect the roof for warning signs like loose or damaged shingles, warping, or black algae stains. You should also check that roof flashings—the thin metal material that directs water off the roof—are in good shape. 2. Heating System Check Fall is a great time to test your furnace and thermostat, change the air filters, and clean the heat exchanger. If you have hot water radiators, test those, too. After that, clean the […]