Chimneys can sustain damage from snow and cold, especially during snowstorms.
Many people believe their chimney is weatherproof since it is made of brick and mortar. However, chimneys can sustain damage from snow and cold, especially during snowstorms. Winter storms happen every year, but the first one often catches homeowners off guard. The masonry components of your chimney may deteriorate if it is frequently exposed to snow and ice. So, you must stay on top of routine maintenance and repairs to minimize damage and prevent your chimney from collapsing. Here are some tips for preparing your chimney for winter weather.
Check for Masonry Damage
Moisture can harm masonry, but there are other possible dangers as well. The bricks in your chimney can be harmed by excessive heat while burning creosote. Storms and the natural deterioration that occurs over time both immediately affect your chimney. Any loose bricks or corroded mortar endangers the security of your chimney.
It is best to check your brickwork as part of your regular winter chimney preparation to ensure it is free of erosion or loose brick.
Schedule a Chimney Inspection
It is imperative to look for any signs of damage, such as cracks in the bricks or mortar or missing caps, that could further compromise your chimney before the next snowstorm. A professional chimney sweep will also perform any necessary cleaning to remove soot, creosote, and debris that has built up in the flue. This will also help to prevent snow from sticking to the sides of your chimney.
Waterproof Your Chimney
A chimney’s masonry is very porous, making it particularly vulnerable to moisture. As a result, your chimney will deteriorate and degrade more quickly the more water it absorbs. You can put waterproofing materials on the exterior to stop moisture from penetrating the chimney.
Even chimneys made of stones impervious to moisture might sustain water damage because they also need a mortar base to build the chimney’s structure. Therefore, no matter the type of material, preventing water damage to your masonry during the winter months is crucial.
Install a Chimney Cap
A chimney cap can help prevent thousands of dollars in water damage. It allows smoke to rise out the chimney while preventing rain and snow from getting inside. A chimney cap will also help prevent birds and other small animals from nesting in your chimney. This way, the chimney cap protects the home from the chances of a roof fire.
Schedule Your Chimney Cleaning from Champion Chimneys, Inc.
When you need a trusted company for your chimney inspection and chimney cleaning, you can trust our team. 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.). 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.