Is Something Wrong With Your Chimney? Ask Homesure Chimney Experts in Tarzana

I am not sure anything is wrong. Is it worth a call?

Yes. A lot of our calls start that way. Tell us what you noticed, a smell, a stain, a sound, a damper that sticks, and we will say whether it sounds like something. If it does, we come out and look. If it does not, we say that too.

Why does my fireplace smell on hot days?

Soot and creosote left in the flue give off a smoky smell when the weather warms up, and air moving down the chimney carries it into the room. A sweep clears it. If the smell stays after a sweep, we look for a damper that does not seal or a downdraft, and tell you which it is.

What is creosote, in plain words?

It is the tarry residue that wood smoke leaves on the inside of the flue. A thin, dusty layer is normal and comes off with a brush. A thick, shiny, glazed layer is harder to remove and burns hot if it catches. We tell you which kind you have and show you a photo.

How often should a chimney be looked at?

NFPA 211, the national fire code for chimneys and fireplaces, says once a year, with a sweep when the inspection shows it is needed. If you only light a fire a few times a winter, the yearly look still matters, because animals, leaves and old cracks do not wait for you to use it.

What counts as "cannot wait"?

Anything that could let fire, smoke or carbon monoxide into the house, or let water into the walls. That means a heavy creosote layer, cracked flue tiles, a broken firebox, a missing spark screen near brush, or an opening in the crown. We will say why each one is on the list.

What can usually wait?

Things that look worn but are not letting fire or water through: light staining, faded paint on a cap, a stiff damper that still closes, small chips in the hearth. We write them down so you can plan for them, and you decide when.

Do you fix things on the same visit without asking?

No. We tell you what we found and why it matters, in everyday words, and nothing gets repaired until you have said yes. If something is unsafe to use, we say so plainly before we leave.

I have a gas fireplace. Does it need a visit too?

Yes. NFPA 211 covers vents as well as masonry chimneys. On a gas fireplace we look at the burner, pilot, logs, glass and the vent, and we check for carbon monoxide. If it all looks fine, that is what we tell you.

Do you work in Tarzana itself?

Yes. Tarzana is our home town. It does not have its own page on this site, so the Encino and Woodland Hills pages, on either side of it, are the closest match.