Chimneys aren’t quite as common as in the past when fireplaces contributed greatly to household heating. Yet if you love the look of a real and working wood fireplace, you’ll need a well-maintained chimney to safely vent the smoke and gases out of the home. Using an older chimney that looks to still be in good condition could put your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or a serious house fire.
Ensure that the chimney attached to your home is safe and adds value with timely chimney repair services. If you’re planning a new home or want to add a new chimney to your existing home, make sure you choose professionals who specialize in this kind of masonry.
The Importance of a Chimney
Chimneys primarily serve as a safe vent for removing smoke and other fumes from the home. Without a sealed and airtight interior older chimneys tend to leak and allow smoke, carbon monoxide, and other harmful combustion byproducts to enter the home.
Your fireplace needs a clean and well-drafted place to vent as well for proper burning of wood and better heat distribution. Annual cleaning is essential to maintain a strong draft and to reduce any chance of a dangerous chimney fire.
Keeping your fireplace and chimney safe and functional can increase your home’s value. If nothing else, a well-maintained chimney certainly adds to the aesthetic appeal of your home’s exterior. Leaning, damaged, and leaking chimneys only damage your home’s value and appearance.
Signs You Need Chimney Services
There are a few distinct signs that your chimney may need repair. Watch out for the following and call for professional help if you notice any of these signs of trouble.
Cracks and Deterioration
Visible cracks in your brick or stone chimney are always a problem. Crumbling bricks indicate that the chimney could be in danger of collapse. Spalling is a less serious problem, but it still deserves attention and repair. This type of damage involves the surface of the brick or stone flaking off due to the freeze cycle.
Water Leaks and Stains
Chimneys require a form of sealing known as flashing to keep water from entering your home. The flashing is applied around where the chimney rises through the roof or attaches to the side of the house. This material wears out over time, allowing leaks to occur even if the rest of the chimney is still in good shape.
Poor Drafting and Smoke Backup
A weak draft traveling up the chimney makes it unsafe to use the fireplace. Instead of the smoke and carbon monoxide escaping safely into the sky, it can blow back into the home and lead to inhalation risks. Your chimney could have a blockage in the form of creosote buildup or a bird’s nest. Or perhaps the design of the chimney has been an issue from the beginning.
Damaged or Missing Flue Liner
Masonry chimneys must have a solid metal or clay flue liner that seals the interior so gases can’t escape. Without an intact flue, your chimney may have drafting issues or leak dangerous gases into the home.
Chimney Installation Services
New chimneys can replace old structures or simply add style to a new home. Brick chimneys remain a classic option, but modernized metal chimneys match more contemporary exteriors. Prefabricated options install the quickest and offer a safe option when your older chimney needs immediate replacement.
Building Codes and Permits
The work on your home must meet all local building codes, including both repairs and installation. You’ll need a professional who can obtain all of the necessary permits on your behalf so you can sit back and relax as your new chimney goes in.
Flashing Installation
Flashing is the key to keeping a chimney from causing roof or wall leaks. These leaks can lead to rot in the rest of the structure, along with mold and mildew issues. Careful flashing installation to the latest building codes will protect your structure for years to come.
Flue Liner Installation
All masonry chimneys, even newly constructed ones, need a flue liner to keep gases flowing up to the crown. Make sure your installation calls for a properly fitted liner that matches the type of log or fuel you plan to burn in the fireplace.
Chimney Repair
There are several ways to repair an existing chimney. Your options include:
- Chimney Repointing and Tuckpointing: These techniques are used to rebuild the mortar joints between the bricks. This not only restores the attractive appearance of a brick chimney but also stabilizes it and protects its structural integrity.
- Replacement or Repair for the Crown: The top of the chimney is known as the crown and it’s essential in keeping water out of the home. Without repairs, the bricks that make up the crown will wear over time and create leaks. Installing a new cap or baffle can also produce a stronger draft for a cleaner burn in the fireplace.
- Flue Liner Replacement or Repair: If there’s just a little damage to your chimney’s flue liner, a pro may be able to patch it. In most cases, putting in a whole new flue liner is the best way to protect your home from smoke and other dangerous fumes.
- Smoke Chamber Repairs: Right above the chimney and below the flue is an area known as the smoke chamber. It is sized to create a strong draft and ensure smoke doesn’t flow back into your home. If it develops leaks or isn’t designed properly, only professional repairs will make your fireplace safe to use.
The Importance of Regular Chimney Cleaning & Inspections
Cleaning and inspecting your chimney at least once a year is essential to protect your home from house fires, smoke blowback, and carbon monoxide leaks. Regular cleaning removes soot and creosote buildup, reducing the risk of dangerous chimney fires.
Clean chimneys also draft properly and improve the heat you get from any firewood you burn. Inspections also identify important problems like cracks, damaged flue liners, and loose bricks. You’ll have peace of mind and can use your fireplace without worry after getting regular maintenance to improve fireplace safety.
Finding a Qualified Chimney Sweep and Repair Specialist
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) can help guide you to the right person to clean and repair your existing chimney. They also certified installers of new construction, both masonry and prefabricated designs. Check for positive online reviews and real references as well to assess the company’s reputation and quality of service.
Clear Communication and Written Estimates
With a project as complex as chimney repair or replacement, you need clear communication from the contractor you choose. Make sure the company provides detailed written estimates, making it clear what you can expect before any work begins.
Improve your home’s beauty and safety with chimney repair. Installing a whole new chimney might just revitalize the entire exterior.