Chimney Safety

Check your chimney

Check your furnace and chimney before our Saskatchewan winter arrives in earnest. Your family's safety—as well as their comfort—depends on the condition of the heating equipment in your home. Now is a good time to call your licensed gas contractor to perform an annual furnace maintenance check, and be sure it's running safely and efficiently when the temperature really dips.

Chimney and side vents inspection steps

When the furnace is getting a tune-up, it's a good time to for you to inspect your chimney. Your licensed gas contractor can perform the inspection, but it's something you can do, especially during cold snaps, when there is a greater danger for snow or ice build-up blocking the chimney. An exterior check will ensure there is no build-up on the outside of the chimney, but you need to check the flue from the furnace to be absolutely sure that the chimney is clear.

Do this five-minute check, once a month:

Go outside and locate your chimney. If you see ice or snow buildup at the top of the chimney, carefully clear it off. If you are not able to do this yourself, contact a licensed gas contractor in your area.
If you have any gas appliances vented through a sidewall, clear snow or ice buildup around the vent to prevent appliance malfunction or complete shutdown, which could result in frozen pipes.
From inside your home, check the flue or metal liner of your chimney or fireplace. Hold a mirror inside the access panel (use a flashlight if necessary), and look for a circle of light. If you see it, there’s no buildup of debris inside your chimney. If you do not see the circle of light, contact a licensed gas contractor.

It’s recommended that you have a licensed gas contractor inspect your chimney and gas appliance side vents once a year. Since not all chimneys are alike, ask you gas contractor to show you how your chimney and side vents should be checked.

Chimney safety tips

If your home is equipped with a Class A metal chimney or a masonry (brick) chimney, inspect it frequently. These types of chimneys can develop a serious flaw, where the inner flue collapses, blocking or severely restricting the exhaust gas flow.
If you do find a blockage, turn off all appliances that are vented to the chimney and call SaskPower Gas Inspections or a licensed gas contractor.
Remember to secure the clean-out door or secure the base cap after you've made your inspection.
When the furnace is running, the vent and chimney should be warm to the touch. If the vent is cold, it may be drawing in cold air and not venting dangerous gases properly.
Never tamper with or try to by-pass the furnace safety switch. It is designed to protect you by shutting down the furnace when a malfunction occurs.

Carbon monoxide (CO)—the silent killer

Poorly maintained gas equipment or a blocked chimney can lead to high concentrations of carbon monoxide—the silent killer—in your home. Carbon monoxide is called the silent killer because

it is odourless,
it is colourless,
it is tasteless,
it is non-irritating, and
it is poisonous.

Always be sure your home has an adequate air supply to ensure complete combustion of any fuel being burned, and that smoke or fumes are properly vented outside your home.

Installing a CO detector in your home can alert you to potential dangers before you or members of your family notice any symptoms. You should only consider a CO detector as your second line of defence, after you've ensured that your chimney and gas appliances are operating safely.