Chimney Safety

Check your chimney

As the days get cooler and the nights get downright nippy, it's a good time to 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, so that you can be sure it's running safely and efficiently when the temperature really dips.

Chimney inspection

When the furnace is getting a tune-up, it's also a good time to inspect the chimney. Your licensed gas contractor can perform the inspection, but it's something you can do yourself, especially during cold snaps, when there is a greater danger of a 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. Because there are different types of chimneys, different inspection methods are needed:

Tile, aluminum and steel-lined chimneys – Furnaces with these types of chimneys have a small door at the base of the chimney, located close to the furnace, and a furnace pipe that enters the chimney above the door. Check for blockages by holding a hand mirror in the clean-out door. If little or no daylight is visible in the chimney passageway, call SaskPower Gas Inspections or a licensed gas contractor immediately.
Metal chimney – If your chimney does not have a clean-out door, your furnace is equipped with a metal chimney. The base of this chimney is close to your furnace, and is connected to it by a large pipe, which may also be connected to a gas water heater. To check the chimney, remove the cap at the base of the chimney. If you can see a clear, unobstructed passage to light, your chimney is safe. If not, call SaskPower Gas Inspections or a licensed gas contractor immediately.

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)

Poorly maintained gas equipment or a blocked chimney can lead to high concentrations of carbon monoxide – the silent killer – in your home. CO is called the silent killer because it is odourless, colourless, tasteless, non-irritating – and 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. However, you should only consider a CO detector as your second line of defense, after you've ensured that your chimney and gas appliances are operating safely.