With all of the recent summer storms, there may be some wear and tear on the exterior of your chimney that can get worse when it gets cold again.
It’s the middle of summer, and chances are, after the last chilly day in late winter, you haven’t spent much time since thinking about chimney cleaning and chimney inspection. However, now is the perfect time to perform some routine maintenance! Especially with all of the recent summer storms, there may be some wear and tear on the exterior of your chimney that can get worse when it gets cold again, which means you may not have a working fireplace when you really need it! Here are a few things you should do right now to save yourself some headaches when the winter comes.
Check Your Caps & Dampers
If you’re noticing your home isn’t quite cooling off, it may be escaping through the flue if your damper is left open! Always double-check your damper when your chimney isn’t being used, and keep it closed to seal off the airflow through the chimney.
Another piece you should be checking regularly is your chimney cap, if you have one. Caps are designed to keep the interior of your chimney safe from critters like birds or bats and precipitation, which can cause significant damage without regular maintenance.
Schedule a Chimney Cleaning
Regular chimney cleanings don’t just keep your chimney looking great but can prevent soot from building up and causing a fire outside of the fireplace. Many homeowners wait until the seasons change to schedule an appointment, meaning it can be challenging to get on the books quickly. Scheduling your chimney cleaning for the summer months means your fireplace will be ready to go as soon as fall comes!
Have a Proper Chimney Inspection Done
While you should always be visually inspecting your chimney to check for apparent cracks or other weathering, it can be dangerous to do a more thorough inspection without the proper equipment. This is why it’s so important to have a professional chimney inspection done too. A reputable professional has the appropriate equipment to get a more detailed look at any hairline cracks or pinholes in your chimney and make repairs as needed before they become a huge problem.
Call the Experts at Champion Chimneys for a Chimney Inspection 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.