Chimneys may look nice on a house and serve a useful purpose, but they’re also one of the first things to begin to deteriorate in older homes. It’s a good idea to regularly check your chimney to ensure it’s not falling apart.
When a chimney is no longer in great condition, it can cause several issues in your home. These can be quite dangerous. For example, if you have a cracked flue, it can result in carbon monoxide leaking into the house and possibly causing harm to the people living there. It may also let the fire burn into the structure of the home and cause a house fire.
Who Should Check Your Chimney?
You can often do a visual check of your chimney yourself. You just need to look at it from the outside and see if there is any notable deterioration. However, if you want a deeper look at what is going on, both inside and out, you need to call a professional.
The professional has the tools necessary to look inside the chimney and to evaluate the problems that may lurk out of sight. They can also spot potential issues before they’re a real problem.
Consider having a professional look at your chimney every year or two. This will ensure you catch any problems early and can have them repaired quickly.
When Your Chimney Needs Repairs
Sometimes, the signs that your chimney requires some care are obvious. These may include:
Efflorescence: White stains on the chimney brick indicate a moisture problem. There may be a leak or you could be growing mould inside the chimney. It’s best to have this problem checked as soon as possible before the chimney deteriorates more.
Broken Bricks: The bricks used in your chimney should last a lifetime. However, sometimes that doesn’t happen and moisture in the bricks can cause them to break or crack. You may notice cracked bricks or you may find pieces of brick on the ground or in your fireplace.
Broken Joints: Look at the mortar or the mixture between the bricks on your chimney. If there are cracks there or if the mortar is crumbling away, you’ll need to fix this problem rapidly. If not replaced, the mortar will eventually fall out and the bricks will no longer have a stable join.
Damaged Crown: If the cap on the chimney is damaged, it’s easy for animals and birds to get into the chimney. They can cause plenty of damage once inside and should be prevented. Regular weather changes can end up causing the crown to break down, but chimney fires can also result in the crown being destroyed.
It’s important to regularly inspect your chimney to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Whether you do it on your own or hire a professional, take care of your chimney.
At James Dunn Roofing, we offer chimney repair and inspections. Schedule yours today.