Many people are using their fireplaces for the very first time now that winter has arrived. Most of the time, your chimney will continue to perform just as well as last year. It is important to maintain chimney components in order to keep your chimney safe and leak-free. It’s important to perform regular roof inspections and maintenance. We also recommend that homeowners understand the signs of a faulty chimney. Don’t light a fire if you are worried about your chimney. Have a chimney expert inspect the chimney and all its components. Be especially aware of any of these signs:
Leaks.
You need to act immediately if your chimney leaks into your home. This can happen through the chimney flue or the chimney sides. It’s important to hire a professional to evaluate the situation. Leaks may occur for a variety of reasons. It can be hard to find the source of the leak if you don’t have the right tools. Because leaks can travel across surfaces, it can be very difficult for an untrained person to pinpoint them. If you have a chimney leak that is caused by poor flashing, the leak could enter your attic and travel across the rafters to a wall that does not appear to be near the chimney.
Blockages.
A variety of obstacles can block your chimney. Birds could have built nests in your chimney. A rodent could be stuck in your chimney. It’s possible that your flue is caked in soot or creosote. The damper could be stuck closed. You may also have ice and snow covering your chimney hole. No matter what the cause of the obstruction is, it can be dangerous. You should never use your fireplace when you suspect the chimney to be blocked. You may not notice a blocked chimney until the smoke stops escaping through it. You can test if your chimney is blocked by listening for airflow through it (listen for small amounts of wind). Just make sure that the damper is opened. If you use a flashlight, you can visually inspect the damper of your chimney to determine if it’s open. You may also be able to see the light coming through your entire chimney during daylight hours if your chimney is not blocked. Be careful not to get soot all over you when inspecting your fireplace and chimney yourself. We can inspect and clean your chimney flue if you notice that there is a blockage.
Bricks that are damaged or missing.
It is time to repair your chimney if you notice that the bricks on its exterior are missing or damaged. Although chimneys are built to last for many years, their constant exposure to the weather means they will not last forever. The mortar that holds your chimney bricks together, as well as the bricks themselves, will also deteriorate over time. It’s important to maintain and inspect your chimney brickwork regularly. Your chimney can be damaged by falling branches, high wind, hail, or other precipitation, and changing temperatures. We recommend that you inspect your chimney at least once a year.
Poor mortar.
We have already mentioned that your mortar is exposed to all the same elements as your bricks. Over time, the mortar will begin to chip. Brick chimneys can easily be repaired using tuckpointing. This technique involves replenishing the mortar to restore the structural support that it was meant to provide. You can also apply mortar to your brick surfaces to restore the protective function. To perform any necessary tuckpointing, we use colored mortars to match your brick-and-mortar colors.
Rusted components.
These metal components will rust with time if your chimney has a cap, flashing, or other metal parts. This rust will eventually cause leaks in your chimney and wear and tear. It may be time to change your flashing or chimney cap if you notice that they have rusted. New flashing and a new cap can help prevent leaks.
No crown or crumbling crown.
The crown on your chimney will provide additional protection from Mother Nature’s force. If your crown is damaged or missing, your bricks and cement will wear out much faster. Modern chimneys have a crown made from metal, stone, or concrete. These materials are resistant to the elements. Even the strongest chimney crowns are not impervious to failure.
Poor flashing.
We have already mentioned that rust can cause flashing to fail. It can also become detached from the roof and chimney, causing leaks and damage. We can inspect your chimney flashing if you have noticed a leak or suspect it is not doing its job.
The flue: A dangerous buildup.
It is important to keep your flue as clean as you can, which is not easy when smoke is continuously traveling through it. You should be particularly cautious if your flue hasn’t been cleaned for a few years or you use your fireplace regularly all year. Flue buildup is dangerous. The lining of the chimney can become clogged with soot and creosote, which, if left unchecked, could ignite, causing a fire. It’s important to regularly clean and inspect your fireplace. We recommend that you inspect your chimneys every year.
Bad chimney damper.
The chimney damper is the only mechanical component of your chimney. It’s therefore prone to break or malfunction. You won’t be in a position to maintain the fire you want in your fireplace if you have a damper that doesn’t open or close when you adjust it. You may need to chimney repair in seattle or have a blockage in your chimney if you don’t see any change when you adjust the damper.
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