When Your Chimney is Neglected
Your chimney, like all other aspects of your home, requires cleaning and maintenance. A professional should sweep your chimneys twice a year, more if you use your fireplace frequently, but Chimney Cleaning Somerset may sometimes be overlooked in the hustle and bustle of everyday living. Looking for symptoms of chimney neglect might help you avoid potentially fatal consequences such as a chimney fire or carbon monoxide leak into your house. Many homeowners are unsure what to look for when their chimney need repairs.
Masonry Spalling
Masonry spalling happens on the chimney’s façade. Moisture is once again the perpetrator in this case, causing this evidence of neglect. Examine the outer base of the chimney for signs of spalling brickwork. Because of the outside factors, moisture has an easier time entering via cracks on the outside of the chimney, and during freezes and lengthy exposure to moisture, the fissures widen and degrade the brickwork from the outside.
If you notice cracked or crumbling stone or brick at the chimney’s outside base, it’s time to consider calling a professional for repairs. It’s preferable to detect this warning sign early on so you don’t have to repair large components of the chimney, if not the entire structure.
Crown of the Chimney
The chimney crown shields the inside of your chimney and its operation from the weather. The chimney crown should be adequately sealed against the top of the chimney.
A journey to the roof is required to inspect the chimney crown for symptoms of neglect. Damage to the crown might allow moisture easy access to the inside of the chimney, causing extensive damage to the structure and flue lining. Unprotected against moisture chimneys will not function properly, perhaps resulting in a dangerous chimney fire.
Shaling
Thin chunks of chimney tile that begin to accumulate in your fireplace are an indication of chimney neglect. These tiles are most likely from a damaged chimney liner. In many cases, the flue liner may be chipped or fractured and you may not detect since there are few leftover parts that fall. If you cannot spot fallen shaling in your chimney, you may be ignorant of possible flue liner damage. Again, chimney inspections are critical because a trained sweep may identify hidden symptoms of neglect.
Maintaining the Health of Your Chimney
There are various ways to keep your chimney happy and healthy. The most crucial is to have your chimney swept and/or inspected. When the sooty debris on the walls reaches 1/8 of an inch, the Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that homeowners get their chimneys examined.
Only a professional chimney sweep can find and identify problems, damages, and issues within your chimney that you cannot see. Chimney sweeps thoroughly inspect chimneys and know what to look for in terms of damage and potential risks.
If your chimney does not already have one, talk to your chimney sweep about installing one. Chimney caps, also known as rain covers, are an affordable and effective technique to keep moisture out of the chimney. They are an essential aspect of keeping your chimney in good functioning order. Chimney covers can help keep animals and critters from building nests, digging, and entering your chimney.
Consider replacing the flashing, which is the seal between your chimney and the roof. The flashing material is the expansion joint that allows the chimney and roof to expand and contract at their respective rates without breaking the seal. Flashing prevents moisture from seeping in, whether from rain or melting snow.
You may also waterproof your chimney. Today, various treatments have been created with formulae including permeable vapors, allowing the chimney to breathe and swiftly relieving the chimney of harmful moisture. Many of these items come with warranties. Keep in mind that if you have cracks in the brickwork, you should fix them before attempting to waterproof the chimney, otherwise you risk the masonry developing larger cracks.
If you suspect that your chimney or fireplace is having some issues, have an expert inspect it. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today. We also offer Chimney Cleaning Somerset and other affordable services.