Warning Signs of Chimney Negligence

Do you require chimney sweeping services? Having a chimney that works properly is essential to maintaining a healthy home, but there is more to it than just that. It does not matter if you use your fireplace or not; if you do not properly maintain your chimney, you run the risk of incurring expensive repairs in the future. As a homeowner, you are aware that extensive damage results in costly repairs; thus, do yourself a favor and familiarize yourself with the early warning signs of chimney neglect.

Rust
Rust shouldn’t be present on your firebox or damper, and if there is orange-tinged rust in your fireplace, it’s an indication that you haven’t been maintaining your chimney properly. Rust grows when there is a continual presence of excess moisture, and since moisture can wreak havoc on structures, your chimney is not an exception to this rule.

Rust can prevent the damper from operating properly, which can lead to failure. If there is sufficient moisture in your chimney to support the formation of rust, you should also be concerned about fractured flue tiles, which might increase the risk of a chimney fire. Rust can be seen on any chimney accessories, including the fireplace screen or anything else that is nearby. If you find any indication of rust, investigate further into the fireplace to determine whether the rust is present on the damper or anyplace else in the chimney.

An inspection of the chimney that is carried out by a qualified chimney sweep will be able to spot any inside damage that has been caused by moisture. Sweeps that work for companies that specialize in cleaning chimneys have access to sophisticated cameras that can evaluate the state of the chimney’s inside (Read all about the chimney sweep tools).

Mortar Joints That Have Seen Better Days
Maintenance that focuses on the state of the mortar joints in the brickwork is a vital part of keeping your chimney in good health. The brickwork will become visible after the mortar joints begin to break and fall away. It is possible for moisture to penetrate the chimney and begin to degrade its structure.

The deterioration of mortar joints is an issue that becomes more concerning when the temperature drops below freezing. After that, moisture will freeze in the crevices of the masonry. During temperature changes and the approach of the thawing season, the existing moisture can produce deeper cracks and breaks, which will make the structural integrity of the building worse.

In the event that the damaged mortar joints are not fixed, there is a possibility that the chimney as a whole would collapse. deteriorating mortar joints in the masonry of your chimney are an indication of neglect, which is something you should keep an eye out for. If you aren’t too handy, you may want to consider hiring a professional chimney sweep to do the repair work for you. Re-pointing refers to the process of replacing mortar joints, and doing so will not only make your chimney appear far better but will also significantly extend the chimney’s lifespan.

Wallpaper that is flawed
If you have wallpaper that surrounds your fireplace, you should inspect it to see if it has any stains on it or if it has been damaged in any way. An easy approach to determine whether or not there is moisture that is causing harm is to inspect the wallpaper that is located around your chimney. A chimney can be rendered unusable if it is exposed to an excessive amount of water.

The same principle applies regardless of whether your fireplace is surrounded by wood paneling or painted walls. Keep a close eye on this wall and inspect it often to see if the paint is peeling or bubbling and to see if the wood is beginning to feel bad. This is an unmistakable indication of both the presence of dampness and neglect.

Better to be safe than sorry. Let the experts handle your chimney troubles like Chimney Cleaning Somerset and repairing. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today.
During the Process of Chimney Cleaning Somerset
When Having Your Chimney Swept Somerset