Info Articles
The Most Common Chimney Problems that will Require Immediate Repair
Posted by Tim Wong on Jan. 11, 2016
As a homeowner, you probably go through a lot of work to make sure your home keeps in a great condition, but every now and then certain areas can deteriorate, and may require professional attention. One part of the home a lot of people tend to neglect is the chimney.
If your chimney takes a bit of damage, and is left for too long, it could end up getting much worse, and costing you more in the long run. To give you a better idea of the whole issue, here is a simple guide to chimney repairs in Vancouver.
As you are probably already aware, there are many different kinds of fireplaces, which require specific kinds of attention when it comes to repairs and maintenance. It's likely that your fireplace runs on gas, electricity, or wood pellet. In some older homes you may even have a traditional wood-burning fire.
Regardless of the fireplace you're using, every chimney needs a certain degree of attention and maintenance to keep it in a functional condition. In general, you should try to have both your fireplace and chimney inspected at least once per year, but twice is ideal.
When you get into a routine of having your Vancouver chimney inspected and cleaned, you'll start to notice that it's working much more smoothly, and also have the security of finding out about damages as soon as possible.
Clean Chimneys to Avoid Health Risks
One of the biggest concerns around chimneys is cracks which can end up leaking toxins such as carbon monoxide into the home, and cause a serious health risk. Any chimney sweep or repair professional like those from Consumers Choice Roofing and Drainage will tell you that even the tiniest crack in a chimney should be tended to straight away, ensuring that there are no risks to you or your household, and that the damage that's already there doesn't get any worse.
One issue which is exclusive to wood burning fireplaces is the buildup of creosote, a highly flammable residue which can form large deposits in cracks much faster than you would expect. Another problem which is worth checking for is damage to the seal of a fireplace's damper (the movable plate just above the actual fire pit).
If the mortar in the seal has taken damage over time and fallen out of place, then you could end up wasting a lot of fuel and heat. The mortar is most commonly damaged by heavy rain or a leak inside the chimney.
Sources:
Chimney Repair - Safety Tips, Ideas, and Solutions. HomeAdvisor.com.
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