When the weather starts to get cold, you want to light the fireplace. If you haven’t cleaned or maintained your chimney, you could be creating a major fire hazard. Don’t risk endangering your home or your family, schedule chimney inspection and repair today.
When Do I Need A Chimney Inspection?
You should schedule a chimney cleaning and inspection at least once a year. Never wait to make repairs to your chimney as this may end up costing you much more in the long run. It is also a good time to get your venting systems inspected is when you have upgraded or changed heating systems. An inspection will make sure that your chimney, lining, and venting systems are in working order to handle any new changes. You should also keep in mind that if you have not used your fireplace in a long time, pests may have built nests that could clog your flue or chimney chamber. Winter freeze cycles and moisture combine to take an annual toll on masonry and liner materials too.
What you should Know
There are several indications that repairs are needed to your chimney, most of which should be taken care of right away. Things to look for are:
- Efflorescence or White Staining an indication of excess moisture in the masonry.
- Rust a sign that there is excess moisture in your chimney.
- Deteriorating Mortar Joints Damaged mortar joints between chimney masonry should be repaired quickly. When the mortar deteriorates, the masonry is exposed to more moisture.
- Shaling This is thin slices of chimney tile collecting in the fireplace, it’s a good indication that the flue is damaged. The flue lining is essential to the safe operation of a fireplace and chimney.
- Spalling Spalling is an issue which occurs to the outside of the chimney and can be detected because you see bits of masonry around the bottom of the structure.
- Chimney Crown Damage If the crown is cracked, moisture could seep in and create larger cracks. A damaged crown means that water can seep between the chimney and the flue lining, which could cause spalling and shaling.
How Often Should I get my Chimney Cleaned?
This depends greatly on how much you use your fireplace or stove. Just because you don’t use your chimney a whole lot – birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other critters may have been using your chimney making it unsafe to use without clearing out the accumulated debris from nesting activity. If any glaze is appearing in the flue, cleaning should be done quickly. Any time there is an accumulation of soot and creosote you are at risk of having a chimney fire that may damage the chimney and even spread to the roof and home.
Questions to Ask
Asking the right questions can ensure you get the best deal when searching for a good chimney repair company. Not every company has your best interest at heart, but North Shore Roofing does. When choosing the right company for the job you should ask questions such as:
- How long has the chimney swept been in business?
- Do they offer current references
- Does the company have unresolved complaints filed against them
- Does the company carry valid business liability insurance?
- Does the company ensure that a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep will be on the job site?
North Shore Roofing has your best interest at heart when it comes to chimney inspection, cleaning, and repair. Call North Shore Roofing today to schedule an inspection for your home, (978) 977-3816. You can also check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NorthShoreRoofingMA and see just how our customers really feel about our services. Don’t let roofing problems ruin your day, let North Shore Roofing handle all your roofing repair needs.
