When our team at Portland Fireplace and Chimney arrived for a routine chimney inspection in Northeast Portland, we uncovered something that highlights why regular chimney maintenance is crucial – a massive stinkbug infestation that had compromised crucial roofing structures and created significant safety hazards.
The Unexpected Discovery
What began as a standard NFPA Level 2 inspection quickly turned into an urgent restoration project. Our certified technicians discovered extensive damage where stinkbugs had invaded through compromised flashing around the chimney, creating a chain reaction of problems that threatened both the chimney’s functionality and the home’s safety.
These stinkbugs tell us that there are vulnerabilities in the waterproofing and access points for these bugs that will certainly be large enough for future water damage.
Why Annual Chimney Inspections Matter
Annual chimney inspections should catch obvious vulnerabilities in the chimney system, including large scale stinkbug infestations. One of the reasons they are recommended as an annual investment is because there are approximately 20,000 chimney fires occur in the U.S. annually and many of them occur likely because of unchecked chimney systems.
Besides the increased fire risk and searching for pest invasions, your annual insepction helps prevent carbon monoxide risks and can help reduce future structural repairs by catching the deterioration early.
Portland’s Unique Challenges
The Pacific Northwest’s frequent rain and moisture make chimneys particularly vulnerable to structural issues. On most inspections we do not find pest infestations but we do find water damage leading to masonry deterioration and compromised flashing on almost every project.
Professional Assessment Process
Our NFPA-compliant inspections include:
– Thorough examination of attic and crawl spaces
– High-resolution photo documentation
– Video camera inspection of interior firewall
– Assessment of flashing and roof integrity
How to Prevent Pest Infections in your Chimney
The simplest way to prevent pest infections is to sign up for your annual chimney inspection. Ideally this would be before you start to use your fireplace more regularly. Other items that will help is making sure you have the right chimney cap installed, that your flashing is installed correctly, tightly to prevent leaks and bug intrusion, and that your chimney repair technician is following best practices for chimney repair and sealing.
Who We Are – Portland Fireplace and Chimney
Don’t wait for a small problem to become a major infestation. Schedule your comprehensive chimney inspection today by calling our Portland office at (503) 758-4710. Our team of certified technicians serves the entire Portland metropolitan area, including:
– Vancouver
– Gresham
– Lake Oswego
– Beaverton
– Tigard
Portland Fireplace and Chimney is located at 11124 NE Halsey St, Portland, OR 97220, providing expert chimney and fireplace services throughout the greater Portland area since 2007.