Summer is the perfect time to give your chimney some much needed maintenance
Many homeowners only use their chimneys and fireplaces in the winter months. This means that they often neglect their chimneys in the summer. Not maintaining your chimney over the summer can lead to more problems once winter comes. Summer is the perfect time to give your chimney some much needed maintenance. Here are some easy summer chimney maintenance tips that can help keep you safe and save you money.
Schedule a Chimney Inspection
As you may know, it is a good idea to have your chimney inspected at least once a year. Summer is a great time to have your annual inspection as you are not using the chimney during the summer months. Your chimney professional will check for any potential problems in your chimney and fireplace. If an issue is identified, you will have ample time to get it repaired.
Sweep Your Chimney
One of the most crucial parts of having a chimney is making sure it is swept regularly, especially after heavy use. When you burn wood or other flammables, ash, soot, and creosote build up around the flue walls. It is vital that you have this buildup cleaned out since it can cause a fire or prevent smoke from leaving the fireplace. Sweeping your chimney also prevents any animals from making themselves at home on top of your chimney.
Install or Repair Your Chimney Cap
In the summertime, your chimney cap protects your home from the outdoor elements. It keeps weather like rain and hail from getting inside your home, and it also blocks things like leaves, branches, and other debris from falling into your chimney. Most importantly, your chimney cap even keeps animals like birds, bats, and squirrels from climbing into the chimney. In the summer, be sure that you inspect your chimney cap for signs of damage and contact a professional for a repair if necessary.
Clean Your Fireplace
Your fireplace and chimney work together to heat your home and expel all of the nasty soot and creosote out of your residence. So make sure you give your fireplace the necessary care as well. It is a good idea to keep your fireplace clean to prevent ash and soot from spreading around your home. You can remove most fireplace dust, soot, and ash by hand and then clean up the rest with a vacuum. Having a clean fireplace also allows you to decorate it for the upcoming holidays.
Call the Experts at Champion Chimneys Today!
Champion Chimneys, Inc. is a fully licensed, bonded and insured chimney service company that has served customers in Baltimore County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland since 2001. Our team is trained and certified by Certified Chimney Professionals, Inc. (CCP, Inc.). Courteous service is our trademark, and our crews arrive on time in uniform, driving fully equipped trucks. We specialize in all aspects of your chimney system. Whether you need chimney and flue cleaning service or a full chimney rebuild or inspection, contact us at 443-Chimney today and let us fix all your chimney problems. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.