Here are some fall maintenance tips for your chimney.
Now that temperatures are starting to cool, it’s time to think about taking care of your chimney and fireplace before you light your first fire. Every year, thousands of house fires across the United States directly result from chimney problems. Some of the best ways to protect yourself and your family include scheduling a chimney inspection and a chimney cleaning from an experienced chimney sweep. What should you include in your fall maintenance? Keep reading for some tips.
Examine the Chimney Cap
The chimney cap sits at the top of your chimney and prevents wildlife and debris from entering it. However, a lack of maintenance or specific windy or harsh weather conditions could cause your chimney cap to become damaged or missing entirely. Examine the chimney cap during your fall inspection to ensure it is working properly. If it is missing or broken, make sure it’s replaced before the winter.
Check the Exterior
While the inside of the chimney is often the focus during a chimney cleaning, it’s just as important to have a chimney sweep take a look at the outside of the chimney. The exterior can show signs of masonry problems and other damage that should be addressed to prevent fire hazards. It is not safe to try to climb the chimney yourself instead, call a chimney professional to inspect the chimney’s exterior.
A Thorough Chimney Cleaning
When your chimney sweep completes a chimney cleaning, they are not just removing ash and some of the burnt material that sits on the surface of bricks inside of your chimney. They are also removing creosote. Creosote is a hazardous and flammable material that is the cause of most chimney fires. It builds up naturally over time as you burn logs in the fireplace, and it must be removed by a professional.
Look for Leaks
Chimney leaks are another problem that can be identified during your chimney inspection or chimney cleaning by your chimney sweep. If you often see water pools in your fireplace, it is one sign that you have a leak problem. Leaks can damage masonry, so it’s important to get them fixed in a timely fashion.
Call the Experts at Champion Chimneys for Chimney Cleaning 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.