It's important to have your chimney, gas or electric fireplace inspected before use. This is especially critical if you are buying or renting a home with a fireplace and don't know whether the previous homeowners or tenants took care of it properly.
"You should have your fireplace inspected annually," says Dale Terry, owner of Crossroads Insurance Recovery Advocates and emergency service district commissioner in Houston. "Professionals can identify if there are bigger issues like a crack in the flue or to determine if there is creosote buildup, which is the most common cause of fireplace fires."
Creosote is a sticky chemical that gets released when wood is burned. It is highly flammable and builds up on the flue, says Terry.
If you buy or rent a home with a fireplace, have it inspected before using it. Most chimney sweep companies can inspect and clean or repair your chimney as needed. Rates for a fireplace inspection vary by company and location, but it can cost just under $100 for an inspection and up to $500 for an inspection and cleaning.