Do you cherish your chimney and fireplace for their cozy winter warmth, or do you barely notice these parts of your home? Regardless of how much you know about your chimney system, chimney damage can lead to serious problems, up to and including chimney fires, exposure to toxic carbon monoxide, and more. Even if you never use your chimney, keeping your eye out for chimney problems can save you from many different safety issues.
Do you enjoy using your chimney and fireplace to stay toasty when it’s chilly outside or for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows? If you said yes, do you remember the last time you booked chimney repair or service? Our professional chimney sweeps in Cape May County have found that most homeowners are unaware that their chimney systems need regular service and maintenance (and in fact, even if you just use your fireplace to enhance the curb appeal of your house, if you have a real chimney, this still applies to you).
It’s not easy to keep up with all the recommended home maintenance tasks you’re supposed to do. Some tasks, such as washing the siding or edging the flower beds, can be put off indefinitely for the busy homeowner or renter who doesn’t have time to spend on curb appeal. However, some home maintenance tasks are a matter of safety rather than aesthetics. One of these safety-related tasks is scheduling regular chimney cleaning. Keep reading to learn about the signs you need your chimney cleaned.
A chimney fire is a serious problem that you might not realize you’ve had or are having until it’s too late. Even if the fire happened in the past, the damage done to your chimney might affect its structural integrity as well as its functionality. Learn about the common signs of a chimney fire to keep your family and home safe — and when to contact emergency chimney repair professionals.
Creosote is a highly flammable black or brown residue that accumulates inside a fireplace and chimney due to the burning wood. Creosote can be hard, sticky, drippy, rusty, or fluky depending on several factors, including the wood type and stage of buildup. All forms of creosote pose severe dangers to a home due to their highly flammable nature. Leaving creosote to build up in your chimney and fireplace substantially raises the risk of fires within.
In the winter, during frequent use, your chimney may not be the most attractive place for an animal to nest, but during the summer months, when you are seldom lighting a fire, a tiny critter may sneak into your chimney for refuge and never leave. If you notice any sounds of squawking, screeching, or wings flapping, you may have an animal trapped in your chimney.
It’s no secret that your chimney doesn’t get much use in the warmer months; this is true for nearly all chimney owners. However, a few problems can occur during the chimney “off-season,” and it’s always important to remain proactive and aware of issues that may arise.
A chimney plays a vital role in keeping your home warm during the winter months. However, a chimney can crack over time due to various reasons. Cracks in a chimney can get worse over an extended period and pose significant dangers. A cracked chimney can eventually collapse, or it may not function properly while heating your home. Contacting professionals to inspect your chimney is essential to staying safe against these potential dangers.
Having a fireplace can undoubtedly improve the look and feel of your home. Fires can provide natural and cozy warmth that will boost your home’s welcoming atmosphere. To keep your fireplace working efficiently and your family safe, you need to maintain your wood-burning fireplace. Here are some tips to follow:
Most chimneys will last well over 50 years before they need replacing. What causes premature deterioration of chimneys is not the bricks, but the mortar holding together bricks. Less durable than cement or concrete, mortar consists of pulverized sand, water, lime, and cement. Unlike brick, mortar is susceptible to environmental damage over the years. Seasonal temperature changes, rain, snow, and ice causes the expansion and retraction of mortar. Eventually, mortar loses its ability to hold bricks together, becoming crumbly and cracked. If old chimney mortar is not removed and replaced with new mortar, the chimney bricks themselves could start cracking and breaking.
