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Are you preparing for the big smoke this summer? Know that it’s a great time to get started on your chimney maintenance first.
A chimney is not only one of the most important features in any home but it’s also a major source of toxic fumes inside. And with so many types of fires looming large this summer, it’s time to look at how you can make sure yours isn’t contributing to any potential problems.
As homeowners, we’re sure that the last thing you want is to have a fire go out because you didn’t start a maintenance schedule. Chimney fires can burn out of control, causing major damage to your home and its contents. Because of this, it’s important to keep them clean, properly maintained, and secure all year round.
Some basic things need to be considered when it comes to CT chimney repair, maintenance, and upkeep, including cleaning, inspecting, repair work, and new installations for the safety of your family and home.
So, if you’re interested to learn more about it, here are some chimney maintenance tips for this summer.
1. Inspect Your Chimney
Leaking chimneys are a fire hazard and can cause serious damage to your home or business. To find leaks in your chimney, use a mirror to examine the inside of the flue. If you see smoke coming out of your chimney, it will be hard to ignore this sign of potential danger!
Also, check for cracks around the chimney caps and chimney liners. Cracks in this area are usually caused by tree limbs that fall into the top part of your chimney during storms or heavy winds. These cracks can cause damage to both interior walls and exterior brickwork as well as cause water leakage into your home.
Similarly, you should also check for damaged or loose bricks in the chimney. A loose brick can let water enter through the flue, which can lead to major damage. If you find any damaged or loose bricks during the inspection, have them repaired immediately.
2. Clean Your Chimney
This is one of the most important aspects of chimney care. If you have a dirty chimney, it’ll not only cause problems with your home’s heating system but also with your health. The inside of a chimney is filled with creosote and tar residue, which can be toxic if not cleaned regularly.
It’s best to hire a professional chimney cleaning company in CT to clean the inside of your chimney once every 6 months or so. A competent and experienced professional chimney sweep can examine your chimney for any signs of wear, corrosion, leakage, cracks, or obstruction. Regularly inspecting your chimney will also help prevent future problems from becoming worse.
3. Keep The Damper Closed
To keep your chimney in good working order, it’s important to close the chimney damper.
This is a metal flap that sits at the top of your chimney and seals in your firewood, which prevents smoke from escaping into the house and keeps debris from falling into your flue.
The damper can be adjusted so it doesn’t open too much or too little — but it should always be closed whenever you’re burning wood in your fireplace.
4. Clean Your Fireplace
If you’ve been using your fireplace frequently, it’s important to clean out the grill and ash pan regularly.
Doing so will help prevent odors, which can lead to unwanted smoke in your home. You can use a wire brush or a broom to remove buildup from the inside of the chimney cap. Once that’s done, you should sweep out any remaining ash and debris from the bottom of the grate.
5. Check Your Chimney Cap
The chimney cap is the most important part of your chimney. It protects against fire and prevents animals from entering or climbing inside. It also helps to keep out rain, snow, leaves, and other debris.
The cap should be checked at least once per season to make sure that it’s in good condition. If there are any holes in it, they should be repaired or replaced. The cap should also be checked for cracks and tears. If you notice any problems with your chimney cap, you should have someone come out for chimney repair services right away before they become bigger problems down the road.
Ask For a Chimney Sweep in CT Today
If you’re looking for a professional chimney cleaning service in Connecticut, Creative Masonry & Chimney can help!
They offer a wide range of chimney services in CT including but not limited to chimney rebuilding, chimney inspection, chimney repair, and much more.
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