As cool weather turns to wet, spring weather it’s time to think about chimney maintenance and repairs. Winter damage from snow and rain, and other factors can leave your chimney in need of maintenance when spring comes. This is a great time to have your chimney repairs completed. The weather can be welcoming and burn season is over. It’s the perfect time to close out the chimney system for the off-season.
Diagnosing Chimney Issues
The surest way to insure your chimney damage is caught early is to have a professional take a look. Not a professional ‘handyman’, but a professional chimney sweep. Only a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS) knows the essentials of fire science and chimney function. Choosing a chimney sweep who has been operating in the area for several years means he’s aware of local safety regulations and municipal codes as well as the climate and common winter damage in the area. There are a few steps you should take when you finished with your fireplace and chimney for winter.
Three Steps
- Schedule Your Chimney Sweep and Inspection. Both the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend regular chimney sweeps and annual chimney inspections for the safest and most efficient use of the home fireplace and chimney. During the chimney sweep and inspection a chimney professional is able to assess the clean surfaces of the chimney flue, masonry, and liner. When you schedule these regular maintenance appointments damage is usually caught early and can be repaired with minimal cost and without further, more serious damage occurring.
- Pay Attention to Your Chimney System. Pay attention to any indication that the system is working with decreased efficiency. Signs of a problem include: smoke backfilling into a room, difficulty starting the fire or keeping it lit, water or moisture in the firebox, foul odors, wet/musty/smoky smells, dripping noises inside the chimney, and bricks flaking or coming apart. It’s important to the note of these types of occurrences and schedule a diagnostic appointment right away.
- Schedule Repairs ASAP. If your technician finds damage to your chimney now, you should schedule repairs as soon as possible. You may be tempted to wait until the end of summer or the fall, but this can be a bad decision for a couple of reasons. Waiting until the “fall rush” can mean your chimney sweep is busy and can’t fit in your repairs before cold weather hits. Also, if you leave you damaged chimney susceptible to spring rains the damage can worsen in only a short time.
Give Us A Call
Whether you’ve found indication of a problem with your chimney system or you just want to check it out and close it out for summer, you shouldn’t wait to call in a professional. The chimney and fireplace experts at Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service specialize in chimney and masonry repairs. Schedule your appointment today.
