Simple Chimney Chores To Do

Chores are something we have to do on a regular basis, whether it’s mowing the grass, cleaning the dishes, or sweeping the floor. A chimney and the fireplace that it connects to are not any different. To keep you warm during the winter may cause quite a mess, ranging from an accumulation of ashes to soot that attaches to carpets. This does not even begin to touch on additional difficulties, such as animal nests and broken masonry, which might arise as a result of keeping you warm. It is imperative that you do these fundamental chimney maintenance tasks in order to keep your chimney in excellent operating order.

An Examination is the Initial Step in Every Process
Finding out whether or not there is a problem with your chimney in the first place is one of the most important things you can do to maintain it in excellent repair in the long run. You shouldn’t wait until anything is wrong either, as it is usually preferable to correct issues when they are still tiny than than waiting until something goes wrong.

You should inspect the area surrounding your fireplace and chimney around once every season, both on the inside and the outside. Be aware of any chips or cracks in your brickwork that are visible on the exterior of your home. The majority of the time, this is simply the consequence of the natural erosion that takes place, but it may be a sign of a more serious issue such as a leak. It is possible that you have a condition known as spalling if the bricks themselves have been shifted around and have an irregular texture. This indicates that the stack’s integrity has been severely compromised as a result of this.

Another part that you may examine is the cap; you will need to replace the cap if it has been damaged in any way or if it has been deformed in any way. The process of replacing a cap isn’t very challenging, but it is potentially hazardous if certain safety measures are skipped. When replacing your cap, you should only ever work with trained specialists. Because damage to the inside does not occur as frequently, doing an inspection there may be somewhat less difficult. The presence of watermarks around the chimney and mantle is an indication that a leak is developing and might be more severe than it initially looks, as is the case with the majority of leaks.

If there are chips on the interior of the firebox, it may be a sign that the flue liner needs to be changed or at the very least inspected. In the event that you do have any underlying issues, the ideal time to have them corrected is during the spring and summer months.

Watch out for those Obstacles!
When it comes to chimneys, obstructions are one of the most common and problematic issues. Look upwards from within the firebox to see if you can get a decent notion of whether or not your chimney is clogged. It’s possible that you have a blockage on your hands if you can’t see any sunlight. If you don’t, that’s excellent news, but there are a few precautions you need to take to make sure it doesn’t take place in the future.

Be sure to only burn dry cured wood; this refers to wood that has, ideally, been cut into pieces and allowed to dry for anywhere from eight to twelve months. Hickory, beech, and ash are the sorts of wood that burn the cleanest and most efficiently; however, as long as the wood is dry, it should function just fine.

Other kinds of wood, such as crates, wood that has been painted or treated, or construction timber, should never be utilized since it might cause additional chemical emissions into the atmosphere. Creosote is a hazardous chemical that adheres to the interior of a chimney and will become more prevalent in your chimney as a result of this action.

When the fireplace is not being used, the damper should be closed to prevent air from escaping. You will be able to save money by doing this, in addition to preventing animals, moisture, or backdraft from entering the stack. If you ever notice any strange odors coming from your chimney stack, such as mold, dampness, or something smoky, it’s possible that something is trapped inside of it. It is possible for carbon monoxide gas to infiltrate your home if you burn a fire when there is an obstacle present.

All these reminders are best practiced when you are also assured of having a reliable company at your side. Contact Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today for Chimney Cleaning South Lake Tahoe and repairing.

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