“Looking at chimneys, in a sense, is like a mystery. I’m like the chimney whisperer. I try to be a detective and figure out why things aren’t working.”

For all potential legal matters arising from a home’s condition and any associated hazards, homeowners should check with their homeowner’s insurance carrier to understand their obligations and liability.

Homeowners should consider a twice-per-season chimney cleaning, say firefighters in Franklin, Kennebec and Somerset counties of Maine who have responded to more than 40 chimney fires during the month of January 2013. By Ben McCanna and reprinted with permission from the Portland Press Herald.

Inspectors should bear in mind that they serve as a licensee of the homeowner when it comes to their own duty to warn. If there is an imminent danger or hazard that can cause physical injury, the obligation to warn those who may be harmed outweighs any confidentiality they owe their client.

The duty to warn and a seller’s disclosure address different legal concerns but the types of potential hazards they cover can overlap considerably. While a duty to warn is designed to prevent physical injury (and subsequent legal action and damages), a seller’s disclosure is designed primarily to address a home’s value, both its selling price and its resale value.

Many inspectors consider it their ethical and even moral duty to disclose to all relevant parties any imminent hazards they discover in the course of an inspection. Some inspectors are required by their state’s licensing authority to report emergent hazards on pain of license revocation, especially if such hazards may result in physical injury. But inspectors don’t bear this burden alone. The obligation of disclosure also falls to the property owner.

There have been numerous “Smoke Signals” lately regarding smoky fireplaces. This is understandable as we were leading up to the Christmas time Holidays. Many picture their families gathered together in their homes around the crackling fireplace. Everyone is happily sharing their treasured family stories, some funny, some bringing tears to their eyes of loved ones who have passed on.

Who knew this special “top-hat moment” would turn into a 2nd Generation Legend? Growing up around chimney cleaning all his life gave David Pixley a special and unique knowledge and understanding of the trade, clearly an advantage like nothing else could have. By default, he gained first-hand experience by being able to learn from the best in the industry! As you would expect, 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. assists local residential and commercial customers with their chimney cleaning, inspection and repair needs with safety as their first priority.

You’ve seen advertisements for products touted to “clean your chimney.” Are they effective? Are such products a replacement for the services of live, trained, professional chimney sweeps?

When chimneys are in disrepair, the updraft stops working. Gas can seep into your home, and that poses a serious danger for your family. Deadly carbon monoxide gas can seep into your home, and it will silently poison your family. It’s important to have your chimney inspected and invest in chimney repair to protect your home and your loved ones.