Many people don’t use their fireplace in the summer, and even fewer people care about their chimneys during the season. However, this doesn’t mean that you should simply neglect one of the most parts of your home.
Since your chimney is mostly unused during the summer, it’s a great time to do any time-consuming repairs and renovations. If you were to do a long-term chimney renovation or rebuilding project during the winter, you might have to sacrifice the benefits of the heating system for weeks.
Let’s look at some chimney repairs you might need this summer.
Repairing the chimney masonry
Since masonry repairs to your chimney often require a lot of time, summer is a great time to have all your masonry issues sorted out.
Many issues can occur in your chimney’s masonry, especially if your chimney is more than 10 years old. As time passes, the bricks in the structure of your chimney are baked in the sunlight, making them porous, just like a sponge. As they become porous, they are more susceptible to absorbing moisture from the environment, leading to the bricks’ expansion and contraction as the temperature changes.
As a result, the bricks may crack over time. Once the bricks in your chimney’s structure are compromised, the water can penetrate through them and damage your chimney’s interior. With time, mold, fungus, and mildew can start to grow inside the chimney causing irreparable damage.
You can hire professional chimney experts for a thorough examination of your chimney. The experts will ensure that the structure of your chimney is not compromised and there are no potential flaws or damages in the mortar or the bricks, which may lead to moisture-related damages in the chimney.
Repairing the chimney liner
When there are cracks in your chimney’s flue, they can quickly convert into a safety issue. That’s why it is crucial to deal with liner issues immediately.
Almost all the chimneys have a flue liner that permits the gases and smoke to efficiently went out of the house. However, when there is a crack in a flue liner, the risk of a chimney fire is increased. Moreover, even if there isn’t any risk of fire, an increased level of smoke in your house can affect your health and cause breathing problems.
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Repairing the chimney cap
If your chimney cap is defective or old, it can cause many issues in the chimney system. The chimney cap sits at the top of your chimney and prevents unwanted materials from getting inside the chimney flue liner. The cap is prone to damage from severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, snowfall, and strong wind. When the cap is cracked, it leaves space for debris to fall into the chimney, which can eventually block it and cause ventilation problems.
During the summer, it is recommended that you hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect all the major components of your chimney and clean any debris that has accumulated over time. Moreover, if there are any issues with the chimney cap, you should immediately get it replaced before it is too late.
Chimney cleaning and inspection
When you are not using your chimney, a lot of dust and debris can build up in the fireplace. If you do not clean it regularly, it can cause permanent blockage in the flue. That is why it is recommended that you hire a professional chimney cleaning service during the summer and get your chimney cleaned inside out.
Sometimes your chimney functions fine and looks perfect from the outside, but the soot and creosote may build up inside the chimney. Creosote is highly flammable and can lead to a fire if it’s not cleaned in time.
To ensure that your chimney functions properly all year round, hire an expert to perform a chimney inspection. The chimney inspection service will check if any lurking issues need to be addressed immediately. For example, if cracks appear in the mortar and bricks, the chimney expert will recommend the necessary repairs.
Creative Masonry & Chimney offers professional chimney services in Connecticut
If you’re looking for professional chimney repair services in Connecticut, Creative Masonry & Chimney can help you.
Their chimney experts also provide chimney cleaning and sweep services to avoid any creosote build-up that may cause ventilation issues associated with your fireplace and the chimney system.
Their team also offers a wide range of other essential chimney services such as masonry restoration, chimney inspection, fireplace installation, and much more.