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How to Maintain your Chimney

What is Chimney? Chimneys are outflow tubes that transport ashes and other combustion-related components from a fireplace to the top of a dwelling.  It protects the apartment’s foundation from superheated steam.  Whenever the owners are not using chimneys, they may let chilly backdrafts into the residence.  Chimneys are pillars that accommodate hot air and make a room warm and cozy in winter months.

Your fireplace shutter has a significant impact on the power effectiveness of your property.  Not in use, lock the shutters to prevent exterior draughts from entering your house through the chimney.  If the damper is not shutting properly, it will show up on the energy costs.  It will usually consume more gas and electricity for cooling your house.  At the same time, it increases the cost of your energy and housing.

Make certain that your chimney is water–resistant

Humidity, as well as the environment, may be quite damaging to your chimney.  You must ensure that your chimney sealing, chase top, cap, & bridging are in good working order. Chase coverings are an excellent complement to premade chimneys.  This conceals the roof while enabling vapor to leave via a tiny tube.

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, chase covers 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.

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.

Get your chimney examined yearly

Yearly chimney maintenance is essential to protect the integrity of your chimney.

3 phases of chimney cleaning to consider

• Most suitable for chimneys which appear to be in good working order.

• Ideal for families who want to change the way they utilize their chimney or heater resource.

• Check additional spots hard to notice at first glance in the chimney.

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.

Chimney Cap

Your chimney’s cap is one of the most critical components for preventing maintenance.  Often a chimney will have a flue liner cap that can prevent some rainwater from coming into the chimney but we recommend a full-sized chimney cap so that the entire top of the chimney stays dry.  This piece is designed to prevent rainwater and debris from getting into the chimney, as well as animals that might be looking for shelter.

When inspecting the flue cap or chimney cap, it may be damaged or worn especially if it is not a stainless steel cap. Wear and tear can happen for several reasons.  For example, an animal might chew on it to get inside the warm chimney, or the damage could be weather-related.  Also, pay attention to any rust buildup on either the grating or the cap itself. Replacing a rusted cap is relatively simple, but you need to make sure that your new model is the correct material and installed properly.

Cracks and Crumbling Sections

Although brick and mortar are resilient building materials, they are susceptible to wear and tear.  The heat from the fireplace, coupled with weather damage throughout the year can lead to small cracks in the mortar.  Over time, these cracks will only get worse, until the whole chimney is compromised.  Fortunately, by catching this damage early, the fix is quick and straightforward.  All you have to do is tuck point the mortar, and you should be okay for a while.  However, be aware that the crack can continue to spread on the inside, so you’ll eventually replace sections of your chimney. When that happens, give us a call.

Damaged or Peeling Flashing

Flashing refers to the metal pieces that sit underneath your roof tiles.  These components help prevent water from seeping into the roof and causing mold and wood damage.  Wind and extreme temperatures can cause the flashing sealant to come loose. This will lead to problems during the next rainfall.  In some cases, as the flashing comes apart, it removes the shingles, which worsens the situation.

Conclusion

A fireplace may significantly increase the value of a property.  It is also vital to remember that having one entails the duty of keeping it in good condition. Also, ensure that it functions properly and does not endanger your physical safety.