If you live in a city where you face harsh winters, then surely your house would have a chimney. It sure is a blessing in disguise in winters when you sit in front of the warmth with a mug of hot chocolate and the feeling instantly warms you up. Chimney makes the house inviting and cozy in the winters. But have you ever given a thought to your chimney repairs and chimney cleaning after you have gotten it installed? No? Why? Because you think that the chimney will work perfectly fine for a lifetime? Wrong. Your chimney needs regular cleaning and maintenance or it could pose dangerous and drastic risks for you and your family. If the damage is a lot then you will also need chimney relining services.
When to Get Your Chimney Inspected?
To get to know whether your chimney needs repairs or not, you will require the services of an expert chimney repairer who will inspect the extent of damage that has been done to your chimney. If you ask when the right time for chimney inspection is, then the answer is NOW. Once you get to know the damage then you will be able to get it repaired quickly.
Why Your Chimney Needs Repairs
Creosote Build up
Winters take a toll on the health of your chimney. The more fireplace you burn, the smoke causes creosote and soot to build up on the lining of your chimney opening and the flue opening. This creosote increases with time and creates an obstacle in the path of the smoke going out of the chimney opening which causes the dangerous gases to enter inside the homes from the fireplace rather than going out. One of these gases is carbon monoxide which is deadly and poisonous if inhaled in large amounts. It is an invisible and odorless gas so you need to be very careful.
Damaged Chimney
The creosote also reacts with the structure of the chimney and causes deterioration of the material of the chimney. The main function of the structure of chimney is to prevent moisture from penetrating and causing rusting and cracks in the inner lining of chimney. Once the parts are exposed, moisture will penetrate, it will further deteriorate the chimney and cause further chimney damage. The result will be that you will require more wood to burn and the burning will not be effective and the chimney will have to work extra hard to produce fire.
Obstruction
Sometimes, during the summer and spring season many rodents, small birds and animals make nests in the chimney openings and hide in it for the winter hibernation or to take refuge. Sometimes small twigs, leaves, stones and other debris may also fall from the chimney opening causing an obstruction and thereby interfering with the working of the chimney.
Weather Induced Damage
Many times, strong winds, heavy rainfall and harsh weather also causes cracks and damage in the masonry of the chimney making it susceptible to damage and weak.
All these things lead to only one thing that you will need to get tour chimney repaired as soon as possible. Once you get the chimney repaired, it will work perfectly and will make your winter season a bliss again.
The Best Time for Chimney Repairs
The best time for chimney repairs is not any specific time, day or season but as soon as you notice any damage or wear and tear. It is advisable to get your chimney inspected from a chimney contractor at least once a year so that you may know if there is any damage or need of repairs. Once you get to know of the damage, you can start with the necessary repairs.
Ideally, the right time for repairs is the spring and summer season as you can go on without having a fire for days, which will not be possible in the winter season. As in winters you will need the fireplace. It is better to save yourself, your loved ones and your house from getting burnt, from health hazards and other issues which may even be fatal. So, what are you waiting for? Call in the chimney contractors Bowie right now. But make sure to hire the ones who are honest and don’t use cheap materials.
