CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.
CHIMNEY MAINTENANCE
Chimney maintenance involves getting rid of soot, built-up creosote, and blockages from every part of your chimney. This includes the smoke chamber, chimney liner, firebox, and damper. Regular chimney maintenance not only creates a safe environment around the fireplace but also makes it more effective during the cooler months of the year. It is recommended to schedule chimney inspection and maintenance at least once a year to ensure all its components are functioning properly or operating, as they should. This article looks at the optimal time to perform chimney maintenance and why.
Warmer Months – Best Time to Clean the Chimney & Have It Inspected
The fireplace is most often used during fall and winter, the cooler months of the year marked by chilly days and freezing nights. For this reason, it is important to do yearly maintenance on your chimney before this time to ensure you get the fireplace experience during winter. Most home experts recommend doing chimney maintenance during warmer months to make your fireplace more efficient right before the cold weather begins. This means that the best times of the year to do chimney maintenance are in Spring or Summer. Since most chimney professionals are often booked in Fall and Winter, you can always start early by scheduling an inspection during the warmer months of the year.
Why it is Important to Do Chimney Maintenance in Spring or Summer
Availability of Chimney Sweeps
It is easier to find a chimney sweep who can accommodate your schedule during Spring or Summer. Waiting until fall to hire a professional chimney sweep can be difficult since it is usually their peak season. During this time, many people line up on their appointment list waiting for their chimneys to be cleaned and inspected. Some homeowners only remember to schedule an appointment when they realize that their chimney is not operating at its optimal capacity.
Catch Any Problems Early
The problems that occur around the chimney and fireplace can grow from a small issue to a major problem if not addressed in time. Inspecting all parts of your chimney during Summer can help you identify and solve these problems early. Since it is the time when people least use their chimneys, a contractor can easily work on the repairs and provide a long-term care plan for your fireplace and chimney.
Prevent Chimney Fires
A chimney fire can ruin your source of comfort during cold days. Having it inspected and cleaned during Summer can prevent it from catching fire caused by creosote buildup. Homeowners who neglect chimney maintenance are at a higher risk of chimney fires that occur during fall or winter. Usually, this is the time when you want to keep warm, which means your chimney will be used frequently than before.
Reduce Chimney Odor
Cleaning out any buildup in the chimney can significantly reduce the odor coming from the fireplace during the cold season. It also improves the airflow and overall air quality, thus increasing the efficiency of your chimney. The odor emanating from the chimney after long days or weeks of use is usually caused by excessive buildup of soot, creosote, or any other residue from burning wood in the fireplace.
It’s Safer For The Workers
Not many people are crazy enough or willing to work outside in the cold winter weather. Not only is it freezing, but also several things could happen. The tools could become faulty and harder to use due to the cold weather. Walking around the house could be more dangerous especially with the heavy blocks of ice or snow around the work area. Even though professional chimney sweeps can get the job done, it could be risky for anyone who tries to clean the chimney by themselves. The Spring or Summer weather is safer for the workers than in fall or winter.
Save on Costs
For prefabricated chimneys, chimney caps are a great addition. It covers the top while still allowing smoke to escape through a small pipe. Most prefabricated chimneys come with galvanized steel chase covers which have a tendency to rust. Replace it with a stainless steel, copper or aluminum chase cover so you don’t have to worry about rust again.