As we prepare for the summer with our filled calendars don’t let your guard down on the maintenance of your chimney. Summer storms can be intense on your home and chimney. Just like the storms we see all year long; they can be unpredictable and come on quickly. Rain, wind, and hail, all can run havoc on your chimney. In some areas, you may even see tornados, hurricanes, or tropical storms that bring gusts of wind more than 60 miles per hour and up.
Problems That Can AriseThe flashing is the joint between the roofline and the chimney. The flashing prevents water from seeping into your chimney. With time and excessive winds, the flashing can become loose. Be sure to correct this if seen.
The chimney crown protects the chimney from water and debris from getting in your chimney. Harsh weather will damage the crown over time.
Water is the most damaging to your chimney. Over time the weather can cause cracking and breaking down of the masonry. If not taken care of leaking can occur.
You should be looking at your chimney to check for visible damage often, you should be able to see if you have staining or discoloration of the bricks, cracking masonry, or pieces of brick that have fallen off the chimney. You may even notice mold or mildew starting to grow, or a mildew like smell coming from your fireplace. Make sure to check is your chimney cap is damaged or even missing! And finally if you have water staining in your firebox or on the ceiling in the room with the fireplace, call a chimney professional right away!
Regular maintenance is always the best practice. You will want to schedule a yearly chimney sweep to keep the inside of your chimney clean and free from creosote.
Keep an eye on the outside of your chimney. Be sure to call for an inspection if you see any debris around the outside of your fireplace or in your firebox. Watch for cracked masonry.
Your chimney is exposed to elements on a regular basis. Over time, harsh weather can cause excessive wear on your chimney, especially your masonry. A water repellant can be applied to the masonry of your chimney to help with the wear.
Not all issues about your chimney are visual. A major storm that has damaged your home and roof, may have damaged your chimney as well. It is a good idea to have your chimney inspected after a major storm. An inspection can spot minor cracks that can lead to major issues if not detected. Be sure to contact a professional to help with any concerns that may come up. Having issues taken care of before they become major concerns will save you. Regular maintenance will help the life of your chimney.
Our mission is to provide quality and peace of mind to families by offering premier chimney solutions. Our vision is to build meaningful relationships with both employees and customers that last a lifetime.
We want our success to be influential in not only the communities in which we serve but to have a global impact in helping others less fortunate.
Chimney Solutions is the chimney contractor that residents in Alpharetta, GA, and the surrounding areas trust. We’re a full-service provider, including chimney inspections, masonry repair, cap and chase cover installation, chimney liner repair and installation, restoration, rebuilding, and more.
Our technicians are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. The bottom line is that you can trust our techs to ensure your chimney and fireplace are safe.
Book your appointment now by calling 770–874–6504 or contacting us online.
