Many homeowners are under the impression that their chimneys are indestructible. In a way, we understand this. After all, besides scheduling an annual chimney inspection, how much thought do you really give to what might be damaging your chimney? If you’re like most Americans, probably not very much. But the truth is that there are a variety of factors that cause harm to your chimney. With this in mind, we’ve laid out a few common causes of chimney damage.
Have you ever wondered what damages chimneys? Here are the most common causes of chimney damage.
Regular Use
Chimneys are meant to be used. But over many years of regular fire lighting, it’s unavoidable that you will end up causing some damage to your chimney.
We hope this doesn’t discourage you from lighting fires. If your chimney’s masonry is well-built, it should last at least a lifetime. However, other factors such as mortar and your chimney liner might require more regular attention. But these repairs won’t be nearly as costly as outright building a new chimney.
Defects
Earlier, we mentioned that a well-built chimney can last a lifetime. But what if your chimney isn’t well-built? Or what if a certain component, such as your damper or chimney liner, had a defect?
It’s unfortunate, but situations such as these do happen. For instance, there have been numerous recalls of defective chimney dampers. If you’re unsure if one of your chimney components may have a defect, you may just want to have it replaced. It’s best to err on the side of caution.
Water
Water is the enemy of your chimney. One of the most common problems that chimneys have, however, is a leak. The causes of a leaking chimney aren’t always certain. They can be caused by anything from heavy rain to faulty masonry.
If water enters your chimney, it can cause more damage as it expands and contracts due to fluctuations in temperature. At the very least, this can cause your chimney’s masonry to crack. Even worse—it could break. Excess moisture in your chimney can be a serious threat to your home, as it could even cause your chimney to lean and collapse entirely.
If you have any questions about the state of your chimney, take action today and have the experts at Champion Chimneys take a look.
Call the Experts at Champion Chimneys to Fix Your Leaky Chimney Today!
Champion Chimneys, Inc. is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured chimney service company that has been serving 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.