We’re already into February, and even though the temperatures are still cold and snow continues to fall, this is the right time to be thinking about your fireplace and chimney. Each year, as the temperatures begin to warm up, that’s when homeowners start to make their chimney Spring sweeping appointments. By calling and scheduling your fireplace sweep and inspection now, you won’t be part of the rush, and you can still enjoy the fireplace. Let’s stay on top of it, and get a chimney safety check. Spotting problems before it becomes serious will save you money, time and plenty of heartache.
As March begins to wear away, we’ll make our way outside for a little fresh air. As you walk around your home, you’ll notice some things didn’t do so well over the long, cold winter. These are usually signs of wear and tear on the structure of the chimney. Here are a few things you may see.
- A rectangular shaped piece of hard rubber or metal that has a curve and/or edges at the ends. This is your flashing. The flashing is what keeps water from leaking in where the chimney protrudes out of your roof. If the flashing comes loose or falls off completely, that area is now exposed and ready for a water leak!
- An empty space or spaces between the bricks or stones. If you see missing or discolored mortar, this chimney repair needs to be done to ensure deterioration of the bricks, stones and mortar don’t cause a structural fault. This is a top priority, call to schedule this repair ASAP so when the weather is right, you’re at the top of the list.
- Nothing is covering the top of the chimney. If you don’t see a chimney cap covering the chimney top, or if you see the chimney cap lopsided, the chimney cap will need to be inspected. It may need to be replaced, or just affixed to the chimney again.
The Chimney Leaners
There are those times when the chimney has seen better days and starts to lean. This is when the chimney is no longer standing straight and tall and is leaning to one side. This is a structural issue and unsafe for those on the ground. This cannot wait, and will need attention ASAP. This can be a fixable issue and should be inspected by a certified chimney technician for next steps.
But the question remains… How does a chimney start to lean anyway? Here are a couple ways.
- Our Chicagoland Weather! The freeze – thaw cycle can cause strain on the structure of the chimney. When ice forms and melts and ices up again, the bricks, stone and mortar expand and contracts over and over again. This can lead to big and small cracks forming which allows water to enter the structure. When it does, the water will find its new home…in your home. The surprise is when you notice interior damage and having to find out where it’s coming from.
- If you are a second, third owner to the home, you don’t know how the chimney was cared for, and by whom. It would be good to know if the chimney was built to current standards, uncover any weaknesses, and check on the long term viability of the chimney.
- Bad Installation: If you are not sure if the chimney was installed correctly, contact us to help you determine the current state of the chimney.
Get ahead this year and get a chimney inspection – Spot maintenance problems before they become serious and expensive problems. Contact us today to get your chimney inspection scheduled.
