The Polar Vortex and Your Chimney

This season’s ice, snow, and sharp temperature swings have the potential to harm your chimney or exacerbate existing damage. You can only put up with the dreaded polar vortex for so long before you start to feel the winter blues and the effects it might have on your house rather than just watching the snowfall. One of the biggest benefits of having a fireplace in your home, especially during the winter, is that it will help keep your house warm all year round. Despite the fact that fireplaces are made to keep you warm, the cold weather might harm your chimney.

Since they are frequently exposed to subfreezing temperatures and strong winds, chimneys should be specifically constructed with adverse weather in mind. A significant percentage of a chimney is made up of mortar, which must be able to resist numerous freeze-thaw cycles in order to function properly. How effectively a chimney can endure extremely high temperatures can depend on the type of mortar mix employed. Because the mortar will freeze into ice and crumble if new brickwork freezes, we do not recommend that you replace your chimney during the winter.

In order to have adequate venting and prevent any carbon monoxide accumulation within your home, we suggest you make sure your chimneys and vents, as well as gas appliances, are cleared of any snow or ice during the winter season. Both are extremely dangerous for your home and occupants. Low-level carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include headaches, nausea, exhaustion, and damage to the heart, brain, and other organs as a result of a possible problem lasting a long time.

When ice and snow freeze and thaw, as well as when the house settles throughout the winter, the mortar in chimneys frequently deteriorates. When the mortar is ineffective, the structure becomes susceptible to dampness. If the mortar is not rapidly rebuilt once it has been damaged, the chimney’s structural integrity may be jeopardized. Without requiring the stonework to be torn down, deteriorated mortar can be replaced using a process called “tuckpointing.” A chimney’s visual appeal is restored through tuckpointing, which also offers a new line of defense against damaging dampness.

Many people have wanted to stay inside because of the polar vortex temperatures rather than brave the icy conditions outside. During the winter, animals like raccoons and squirrels frequently seek shelter in chimneys, and you might not even be aware of their presence. If you’ve discovered that animals are getting into your chimney, we advise getting in touch with a pro so they may be securely removed. You must employ a certified Local Chimney Cleaning San Leandro service to inspect your chimney after the animals have been removed. Certified chimney sweeps will inspect your chimney and provide you with the information you need to spend the winter months indoors comfortably and worry-free.

You want to catch moisture damage as soon as you can, and experts know what to check for in the early stages of deterioration. If you wait until problems are evident, there has typically already been significant damage that necessitates costly repairs.

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