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HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHIMNEY IN GOOD SHAPE
Install a Chimney Cap
A chimney cap is an essential item for any homeowner. Think about how chimneys work – they have a large opening where all the outside elements can enter your home. A chimney cap serves as a barrier to the outside world, closing out the elements and unwanted visitors.
Chimney caps are made to keep moisture, rain, and snow out, as well. Make sure you replace yours if it is damaged. Ask your chimney inspector or chimney sweep if it’s time to replace yours.
Install a Cricket
A cricket is a ridge for your roof that helps divert water away from your chimney. Having a steep roof can divert water to your chimney. Installing a cricket can protect your chimney from water damage and extend its lifespan.
Seal Outer Brick Work
Your chimney is constantly exposed to the elements. Though most brick chimneys are resilient, over time, the mortar between the bricks can erode, which could allow water to begin to seep in through the chimney. A damp chimney can represent a significant problem. It can cause damage to the flue and result in poor indoor air quality. Fortunately, it’s not hard to waterproof your chimney brickwork. Either hire a chimney professional to perform the task or purchase a brick waterproofing agent and apply it to the outer surface of your brick with a pump sprayer.
Protect Your Flue
The flue is the door at the bottom of your chimney that’s opened to draw smoke and gases from the fire up and out of your home. This metal component can be damaged through oxidation if it’s not protected from dampness, and the presence of debris on the flue can create a fire hazard when the fireplace is being used. Protecting your flue is easy if you install a chimney cap, however. A chimney cap will help to keep rain, twigs, and leaves from dropping into your chimney and causing problems. In fact, you can go a step further by installing chicken wire around the ports on the chimney cap to further deter wildlife from nesting in your chimney and to prevent debris from entering it during storms.
Keep It Clean
A clean chimney is a safe chimney, so it’s important to hire a chimney sweeping professional to clean it periodically. Chimneys accumulate more than just soot when they’re in operation. Unburned resins from firewood can combine with the carbon in soot to form sticky deposits that will adhere to your chimney’s interior walls. Those deposits are highly flammable, and they can result in a chimney fire under the right circumstances. Your chimney sweep will make sure your chimney is safe for use by removing those deposits as well as excess soot. Also, it’s imperative that you remove ashes from the fireplace after each use.
Divert Water
Your chimney is considered part of your roof system, and as such, it must be sealed against the elements at its meeting point with the roof to prevent water infiltration. Your chimney will have metal flashing around its base to help divert water, but it’s important to inspect that flashing for damage routinely. When you find a leaky flashing, it’s a good idea to seal it promptly, or you could be risking water damage.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY 202-276-5004 – FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
Chimney caps are made to keep moisture, rain, and snow out, as well. Make sure you replace yours if it is damaged. Ask your chimney inspector or chimney sweep if it’s time to replace yours.
Your chimney is considered part of your roof system, and as such, it must be sealed against the elements at its meeting point with the roof to prevent water infiltration. Your chimney will have metal flashing around its base to help divert water, but it’s important to inspect that flashing for damage routinely. When you find a leaky flashing, it’s a good idea to seal it promptly, or you could be risking water damage.