A neglected chimney can have several problems
Having a fireplace or stove means cozy nights by the fire, snuggled up with a mug or a glass, contentedly watching flames flicker. It also means a little bit of work, though that’s a little less fun to talk about.
Keeping up with the necessary maintenance on your chimney system is key to ensuring that you can enjoy those cozy nights free of worries about fire hazards, carbon monoxide intrusion or leaks. And from chimney sweeping and chimney inspections through repairs and restoration, Coopertown Services is here to help.
If you’re not totally clear on that ways that deferred maintenance can hurt your chimney system, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Chimneys That Aren’t Regularly Swept Can Become Fire Hazards
If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, creosote is produced every time you have a fire. It’s a smelly, sooty and highly combustible deposit that results from hot gases and particles rising in your flue, hitting the cooler flue walls and condensing. Over time, creosote builds up and thickens along those walls. And that’s why it’s recommended that you have your chimney swept annually — we carefully and thoroughly remove all that creosote during a sweeping appointment, addressing the whole chimney, firebox to flue opening.
If creosote isn’t swept regularly, you can end up with a host of serious issues, from draft problems and flue blockages all the way up to a chimney fire.
When Chimneys Aren’t Inspected Regularly, Small Problems Get A Chance To Grow
The National Fire Protection Association code 211 — the standard that guides the work of certified chimney technicians — outlines the need for routine, annual chimney inspections. But we don’t only recommend annual inspections because it’s what’s supposed to be done — regular inspections allow us to make sure your system is functioning as effectively, efficiently and safely as it was designed to, and, at a company led by professional firefighters, safety is of the utmost importance to us. Without attention, small flue liner cracks can become big issues, causing your chimney’s draft to falter or carbon monoxide to leak into your living area. Small cracks in your chimney crown can easily become a spalling crown and an ugly chimney leak over a winter, when a simple CrownSeal could’ve prevented that. Annual inspections are a huge part of smart chimney ownership, and go a long way both toward peace of mind and the longevity of your system.
Missing Chimney Caps Allow Unwanted Visitors In
A chimney cap might look like a small part of your chimney, but it plays a big role. It’s the first thing stopping rain and sleet from coming right into a wide-open flue, for starters. But it’s also locking your chimney off to critters that would see it as a welcoming home. Protected and secluded, a chimney looks like a great nesting place to a variety of birds and mammals, and nesting animals bring along a host of problems, from bugs and bacteria to fire hazards from the flammable nesting materials they tote in. If you’re missing a chimney cap or need an animal removed, call Coopertown Services— replacing it is a small investment that brings big protection returns.
At Coopertown Services, we aim to make taking care of your chimney system as painless as possible. If your chimney needs attention — or you have any questions — we’re glad to help. Just give us a call!