Homes that have fireplaces are no doubt a step above the rest. There is something warm, inviting, and downright splendid about having at least one fireplace in the home. When the temperature dips to the coldest parts of the year, a fireplace with a nice slow-burning fire is truly a sight to behold. However, when you remove the picturesque and romantic qualities of a fireplace, you are going to have to deal with a stark change of vision.
The reality is that homeowners still have to worry about chimney repair, inspection, and more. If the chimney is not inspected at least once annually, water damage, and other types of elemental damage can cause a serious problem. Left alone, chimney repair can turn into far more problematic than it should be. There are 3 common elements of repair, and they should be noted as you look into protecting your home’s fireplace and chimney.
Waterproofing
First and foremost, water damage should never be dismissed lightly. Oftentimes people think about water damage in terms of the home’s foundation, walls, or drywall. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a good thing. But water doesn’t always come from below after a heavy rain or buildup of snow. Sometimes it comes straight into the home through cracks in the chimney, and in areas in or around the fireplace. This is so subtle, that only a few drops may end up coming through. Just a few drops can push over the proverbial dominos to cause mold to grow. Once mold sets in, the problem becomes far more serious than just soft spots on the interior of your fireplace.
Lining
Every chimney is lined to protect the surrounding rafters and combustible materials from bursting into flames. Without lining on the interior of your chimney, also known as the flue, smoke and other gases can’t escape properly, and will enter the home. Over time the flue has to be swept, cleared of debris, and even relined if it becomes damaged.
Structural
The third major element of repair is that of the structure of the chimney itself. This is a physical problem that you can sometimes see from the lawn. Repairing masonry, fixing flashing, and focusing on preventative care is all part of this. The structure of your chimney is not just about the outside, it’s also about the inside and how it flows into the home, no matter what room it is in.
Structural integrity is very important, as it can open up huge problems to your home if it becomes compromised. Any compromise in the structural integrity of the chimney puts your entire home at risk for damage or even collapse.
At the end of the day, you need to have inspections done annually. Call us to schedule an appointment for a chimney inspection or cleaning. Let us repair things properly, so that you don’t have to worry about whether or not there’s something wrong.