How to Make Sure Your Chimney is in Its Best Condition

by Daniel Morris Content Writer

As you in front of the fireplace, enjoying the glow on these cold winter nights, do you ever think about the fireplace condition? The trouble with most chimneys is that most heat goes up the chimneys but is also drawing cold air into the house to substitute the hot air. When a furnace isn’t burning, warm air can nonetheless get away through the chimney. Many chimney items such as caps are promoted as increasing the efficiency of your fireplace, but now not all of them are as superb — or secure — as you might like them to be. Find out how to preserve fireplaces and chimneys in older properties to keep them working safely and efficiently.

Chimneys Preservation

Ensure the chimney is safe and working well when first used. Check the carbon monoxide and smoke alarms frequently. If they aren’t installed, install them as soon as possible. They keep your house safe and will alert you if there are poisonous gasses in the house. Take into consideration that chimneys are affected by erosion from the interior due to the corrosive effect of flue gases. Always burn dry, well-seasoned wood, in any other case tar deposits would possibly build up within the flue. Inspect chimneys externally as well as they take the full pressure of the weather. Look for loose chimney pots, eroded mortar on the stack and faulty flashing the place chimney and roof meet. Test the dampness in the roof area around the chimney stack.

Chimney Maintenance

Externally, look at chimneys with the help of binoculars. Look for chimney pots that show up to be loose, bad or missing mortar on chimney stacks, and defective lead flashing where they meet the roof. To repair this, hire experienced bricklayers or roofers who understand old constructions and use splendid lime mortars and techniques; scaffolding will likely be needed. Even if a chimney leans it can also still be perfectly secure however if you are in any doubt, it is advisable to consult a structural engineer or surveyor. In some instances, it is possible to add a tie rod and strap connected to the roof to enhance stability.

Chimneys from inglenook fireplaces are regularly topped through flagstones raised on bricks to supply a rain cap. Various terminals or inserts are handy for chimney pots to improve the performance or to prevent rain coming in the flue. Bird guards can additionally be fitted to prevent them from nesting inside. If the roof is thatched, spark arrestors are generally hooked up to stop cinders escaping. It is necessary to make certain that these are desirable maintained and cleaned otherwise they may additionally increase the danger of fire.

For more information regarding chimney cleaning and inspection, contact your local chimney sweep in Panama City FL.