Welcome to Family Roofing

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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 IN WINTER

Cozying up beside a roaring fire is one of the best parts of having a fireplace in your home.  Regular chimney maintenance is an absolute must to ensure everything works as it should.  Regular chimney maintenance also extends the life of your chimney, saving you from costly repairs or replacement.  It allows you to spot and fix any issues before they become major problems.

Inspect The Masonry

When was the last time you checked out the masonry of your chimney?  If you get your chimney professionally cleaned a skilled technician will check the masonry for you and let you know if there are any weak spots or areas that need to be repaired.

Water from heavy winter rains and snow can seep into the joints in the masonry and cause the integrity of the masonry to fail which means your chimney can fall or become weak and damaged.

Make sure that your chimney is strong and in good repair and that the masonry keeping your chimney standing is in good shape if you’re planning on using your fireplace often during the winter season.

Install A Chimney Cap

If you don’t already have a chimney cap installed, you should get one installed when you have your chimney inspected.  A chimney cap is a great device that fits most chimneys and is designed to make sure that you don’t get debris or rain in your chimney.

A chimney cap will allow smoke to go out but won’t allow rain, snow, dirt, leaves, debris down your fireplace.   A well-fit chimney cap keeps out debris and also keeps out small animals that might try to nest in your chimney and birds too.

If you have ever heard horror stories about homeowners having possums, squirrels, and other pests nesting in their fireplace you know that you don’t want that to happen to you.  Getting a chimney cap will make sure that your chimney is ready to go when the temperature drops.

Check The Flashing

The masonry on your chimney isn’t the only part of the chimney that needs to be protected from moisture.  The flashing on your chimney is also very susceptible to water damage.  Flashing is thin strips of metal that cover the area where your roof and fireplace meet to keep snow, rain, and debris from falling into the chimney.

But flashing metal isn’t very strong.  High winds, a rusted nail, and other small problems can lead to very big problems with water damage, mold, and loosened joints in the chimney.  Because it’s easy to damage the flashing the flashing needs to be checked regularly to ensure that it’s still functioning the way it’s supposed to be and it needs to be replaced often.

If you find that you need to keep replacing the flashing, you might want to consider installing a cricket on your chimney.  A cricket is a specially designed device that will draw the water from rain and snow away from your chimney and your roof.

A chimney cleaning and maintenance professional can install a cricket for you if you want to make sure that your flashing stays in good condition and isn’t ruined by the winter weather and rains.

Waterproofing Your Chimney

Waterproofing your chimney is a smart investment in your home that also provides the best protection for your home. A trained technician can coat your chimney with a waterproof coating that will help keep out the moisture from rain and snow.

Considering that moisture can seep into the masonry joints in your chimney and freeze, then expand, and then thaw in the next big melt causing major damage to your masonry the cost of waterproofing your chimney is really an investment in the maintenance of your home and the safety of your home for you and your family.

You may not even realize that there is a problem with the chimney until it’s too late.  So instead of taking chances with the safety of your home, talk to a chimney professional about waterproofing for your chimney today.  You can’t compromise on safety and making sure that your chimney stays leak free and in good repair is an important part of using a home fireplace responsibly.

Trim tree branches

Trim any tree branches away from the chimney and roof line. This will minimize the risk of fire, obstructions and chimney damage during a storm.

Chimney Crown

Your crown is a preventative component of your chimney system.  This is also why chimney crown maintenance is so important because of the role it plays. Without this structure, your chimney would experience wear and tear much faster.

We’re talking about water.  Water is your chimney’s worst enemy, and as masonry is a porous material, your crown helps to divert precipitation away from your brick-and-mortar.  The water connection is so direct that some chimney sweeps will even refer to your crown as your chimney’s wash.

Damage to your chimney crown

While your crown helps to prevent water from damaging your masonry, this doesn’t mean it’s impervious to the effects of precipitation itself.  In fact, a leading cause of damage to your chimney crown is because of erosion.  Chimney crown maintenance often includes reapplying sealant and fixing damage, such as cracks or crumbling portions of your crown.

FINAL THOUGHT

Chimney maintenance is a crucial aspect of home maintenance that should not be overlooked.  Neglecting chimney maintenance can lead to dire consequences, such as chimney fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.  Remember, regular chimney maintenance is key to ensuring the safety and longevity of your home. Whether you choose to handle DIY maintenance or hire a professional chimney maintenance service, make sure to prioritize chimney maintenance as a part of your overall home maintenance routine. With the right care and attention, your chimney can continue to provide you with warmth and comfort for many years to come.