Chimney inspections 'should be on all homeowners' list of priorities'

Homeowners need to take steps to prepare their home for the colder months which lie ahead and that includes having their chimney inspected.

According to the House Plan Shop blog, getting ahead with jobs such as this will save a lot of hassle and aggravation further down the line.

Among the items which should be on every to-do list are having windows and door locks checked, getting water leaks fixed and also having the chimney inspected by a qualified professional.

"Hire a certified chimney sweep to inspect chimneys, flues and dampers for fireplaces and woodstoves. Clear all pipes of soot and creosote," the source stated.

Another important consideration is to have carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms checked to ensure they are in good working order.

Gemma Vint, her mother and her 11-week-old son Beau-Dylan recently realised the importance of having a working smoke alarm after it alerted her to a fire in her chimney flue, thisishullandeastriding.co.uk recently reported.