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Chimney Maintenance Tips
Getting the most out of your chimney requires periodic maintenance. Some of this maintenance should be done by a licensed chimney professional. Other tasks are ones you can easily take care of yourself. Below are important maintenance activities for your chimney.
Inspect the chimney’s bricks and mortar
Damaged chimneys leave signs. You can do a visual inspection of your chimney’s masonry and spot early signs of trouble so it can get fixed fast. Look for:
Crumbling mortar on the roof near the chimney
Cracks in the bricks or mortar
Loose bricks
White staining on the masonry (could point to a chimney leak)
A tilt in the chimney
Watch for chimney leaks
A variety of events can cause a chimney to leak. You can’t always prevent things like lightning strikes, pounding hail, and earthquakes, but you can stay on top of leaks and get them fixed quickly.
The most common leaky chimney signs for the average homeowner to watch for include:
Water in the firebox
White stains on the exterior masonry
Strong, musty odors coming from the fireplace
Damp sections of the walls or ceiling adjacent to the chimney and fireplace
Make sure smoke detectors and CO monitors are working
Chimney Crickets
A chimney cricket flashing or roof cricket is a type of flashing located at the back of the chimney top. It directs rainwater away from the chimney, preventing water from entering and causing damage. Without a cricket, water can seep into your chimney and damage your chimney masonry and mortar. Even though homeowners know the importance of a chimney roof flashing, they usually don’t consider it as important. This is a huge mistake as it can cost a lot in repairs. By installing a chimney cricket you can prolong your chimney’s life. You also save yourself from paying thousands of dollars to fix the damage caused by leaking rainwater.
What Is The Purpose Of A Chimney Cricket And Is It Necessary?
A chimney cricket protects your chimney from water leaks. When it rains, rainwater from your roof flows downward. Some of this water hits the back of your chimney top and starts to collect. The pooling water eats away at the exterior chimney masonry and creates cracks inside the mortar. This causes water to leak inside your chimney, which can be catastrophic for your chimney and its parts.
To prevent water pooling, a chimney expert will install a chimney cricket. This will allow the water to flow away from the chimney and down into the gutter. This is done by building a triangular wooden structure. The structure is then covered by a metal flashing to perfectly seal the spot and prevent water from getting inside. If you don’t want your chimney masonry to rot away, get a chimney cricket installed by a professional chimney expert.
Inspect the chimney’s components
Damaged components can allow water to get into the chimney system. You should periodically check:
Chimney cap – make sure the mesh isn’t torn and the cap is sealed tightly to the top of your chimney.
Chimney crown – look for cracks or decay in the cement.
Flashing – if the flashing that seals the gap between your roof and chimney is warped or rusted out, water can flow down into the house.
Maintaining your fireplace and chimney is crucial to keeping your home safe when using your fireplace. Without proper attention and cleaning, you’re susceptible to fires and water damage. Plus, you can save money on your energy bills.
Make Sure your Chimney is Waterproof
Moisture and the elements can be major problems for your chimney. They can weaken the structural integrity of your chimney, cause mold and even damage the walls and floor around your fireplace. You’ll need to make sure your chimney waterproofing, chase cover, crown and flashing are all functioning properly.
Start by waterproofing your chimney. Adding a water sealant to the outside of your chimney will prevent moisture from breaking down the bricks and mortar and sneaking into you home. Obviously, there’s a large hole at the top of your chimney which allows smoke to escape. You don’t want to seal that hole but you also don’t want rain and snow from getting into your home. What can you do?
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 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.
For masonry chimneys, you’ll need to get a crown. It’s a concrete cover that prevents anything from getting into your home. Like chase covers, the smoke escapes through a pipe coming from the crown.
The flashing is where the chimney meets the roof. Without a sealant going around the meeting point, moisture can seep into your home. Make sure your flashing is in good condition.
Make Sure Your Mortar Joints and Bricks Aren’t Crumbling
The bricks and mortar joints of your chimney play a crucial role in avoiding water damage inside of your home. However, they begin to crack and crumble over time and give moisture an entrance into your home. Chimney tuckpointing is the act of repairing mortar. If you notice that your mortar is crumbling and the bricks are starting to become loose, then you’re in need of chimney tuckpointing. Make sure you get a waterproofing sealant for your chimney stack. This will help keep the mortar and bricks protected from moisture.
Have Your Chimney Inspected Once Per Year
Just looking at your chimney isn’t enough to spot problems – some are underlying and need a professional to find them. Having a chimney inspection once per year is crucial to ensure your chimney’s safety.