Chimney Repairs and Services that are Needed Soon

The joys of a fireplace in winter can be disrupted by an immediate need for chimney repairs and services. It is usually possible to avoid such interruptions during the cozy fire season by handling chimney issues in spring or summer. It is no wonder all of the top fire safety experts agree that chimney inspections are needed every year. A chimney emergency may suddenly occur, but solid evidence of a chimney emergency usually means problems have been going on for a while. The longer it takes to address chimney issues, the more extensive and costly the damage.

The following are some of the signs that services and chimney repairs are needed right away.

Chimney Leaks

Chimney leaks are among the most common types of chimney problems that homeowners experience. The source of a chimney leak is not always apparent right away. Because there are various potential causes of a leaky chimney, a process of elimination may be required to pinpoint the root cause. The following are some of the reasons you may have a leaky chimney and need chimney services without delay:

• Faulty chimney flashing is the number one cause of chimney leaks. The fact that the metal portion of the chimney is difficult to install correctly has a lot to do with that statistic.
• The chimney crown at the top of the chimney is prone to crack and deteriorate, resulting in a leaky chimney.
• If the mortar between brick masonry deteriorates and wears away as opposed to being replaced in a timely manner, a leaky chimney and destruction of the masonry can occur.
• If there is no chimney cap or if it is damaged, your chimney will leak.

Creosote Buildup

Creosote is the messy, sooty, and tar-like substance deposited in chimneys when wood-fueled fires are burned. Annual chimney cleaning is recommended by the fire safety experts at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). It is dangerous to neglect chimney cleaning when creosote buildup has occurred. Not only is creosote highly flammable, which creates a threat of dangerous chimney fires, but it often clogs chimneys so that the chimney draft is obstructed.

Creosote can be the reason chimney repair is needed right away, and the following are some of the signs of excess creosote:

• You know or think there has been a chimney fire;
• There is a smoky odor or something like the smell of fresh asphalt coming from your fireplace or wood stove; or
• Black soot can be seen around the top of your exterior chimney.

Damaged Flue Liner

The flue liner in your chimney is an essential safety component of the chimney system. If damage as minuscule as a tiny crack develops in a chimney liner, your home is under threat of a sudden house fire and your home’s occupants can be exposed to toxic fumes, including deadly carbon monoxide. When a flue liner is damaged, chimney repairs are needed right away. Also, do not use heating appliances again until the liner has been repaired or replaced.

The tricky thing about chimney flue liners is that they are difficult to inspect without special equipment. During annual chimney inspections, particularly Level 2 chimney inspections, a special camera is used to view the chimney liner fully from top to bottom. Damaged chimney liners are usually discovered during chimney inspections.

Cracked Masonry

It is important to keep moisture out of chimney masonry because it destroys the bricks. If you see cracks or crevices in your chimney, contact trusted chimney sweeps because chimney repair is needed right away. The cracks are signs that moisture is entering directly into the masonry system. This is a big problem because during freezing and thawing cycles in winter the water expands and contracts. The movement causes irreversible damage to bricks, resulting in deterioration.

Contact Chimney Solutions Today

You can trust the CSIA-certified chimney sweeps at Chimney Solutions for routine chimney maintenance, chimney inspections, and all types of chimney emergencies. When you need chimney repairs right away, call Chimney Solutions at (770) 255-1300.