How Commercial Chimney Repair Differs From Residential Chimney Repair
Posted on: 31 October 2019
Commercial chimney repair services are vastly different from repair services provided to residential chimneys. Most consumers are surprised to learn just how different these services are. To get a really good understanding of why these are two separate service companies (i.e., residential versus commercial), the following is provided.
Most Commercial Chimneys Are Metal
When you think of a residential chimney, you think of a brick and mortar or stone and mortar one. A commercial chimney and its flue are almost always metal because they expel large amounts of steam and burnt fuel. Everything in a commercial factory or commercial property tends to burn a lot hotter because there is either more space to heat, or more materials that have to be heated above temperatures that stone or brick and mortar could tolerate. Ergo, fixing a metal chimney of this sort requires some welding experience and some repair skills that are typically not in the repertoire of residential chimney repair technicians.
All Commercial Chimneys Have to Be Scrubbed Thoroughly During/After Repairs
So much is riding on keeping air quality clean that commercial chimneys have to be scrubbed clean every time a repair is made. In between repairs, special devices called "scrubbers" are used to reduce the pollutants passing through commercial chimneys to the outdoors. To clean these chimneys by hand while repairing them requires a lot of different tools. These tools help take the chimney apart, scrub it, and reinstall it with the newly repaired or replaced parts. With a residential chimney, you could scrub it clean after repairs are completed, but it is not required as part of the service provided.
Commercial Chimneys Have to Pass an Inspection After Repairs and Cleaning
Before anyone can fire up a commercial chimney post-repairs and post-cleaning, the chimney has to pass an inspection. Commercial property owners who need those chimneys to be functioning as soon as possible are wise to schedule an inspection on the same day that the repairs/cleaning are expected to be completed. Then there is no break in service, function, or production. With residential chimneys, an inspection is only necessary when you are selling your home and the buyers request the inspection to make sure the chimney in the home is sound.
You Can Be Fined for Issues With a Commercial Chimney
Residential chimneys rarely face a fine for not being clean and safe, although you might face a lawsuit if a broken residential chimney drops bricks on someone or someone's property. Commercial chimneys and their property owners may be fined for unsafe conditions or environmental risks. The fines are not something you want to deal with, nor do you want to fight the fines either. It is just less costly and easier to repair and clean the commercial chimney than face the financial repercussions.
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