Throughout the year, homeowners must spend time preparing their home for each season. With the cold months just around the corner, many homeowners rush to have their chimneys inspected and repaired before the cold, snowy winter weather arrives. Thinking about your chimney earlier in the year can be highly beneficial to homeowners.

The masonry materials used in chimney repairs are nearly impossible to apply in wet or cold weather. This means that if you wait until winter weather is setting in to have your chimney inspected, any needed repairs may be delayed until the weather warms in the spring. Delayed repairs can leave your chimney vulnerable to further and more serious damage.

Having your chimney inspected on an annual basis is the first step to protecting your home. A certified chimney technician can evaluate any damage and advise you on the needed repairs and maintenance. They will likely check and give you an update on the four most common chimney repairs.

Chimney cap installation or replacement is one of the most common types of repairs needed. The chimney cap keeps water from running down your flue. It also keeps out wild animals and debris that can block your chimney and reduce its safety. Sometimes chimney caps can rust or become dislodged or damaged.

Chimney crown repairs are also commonly needed. The chimney crown seals the top of your chimney to the flue, as well as directing water away from the chimney opening. Since they are the front line, they can be especially susceptible to freeze-thaw damage and need to be inspected.

Tuckpointing is another common repair. Bricks have great longevity, but the mortar that holds them together is less durable. When it becomes fragile or crumbly, tuckpointing removes the crumbling joints and replaces them with fresh mortar.

The last of the four most common repairs is flashing replacement. Flashing is a metal seal that runs around the base of your chimney at the roofline, preventing leaks. As it ages, flashing can rust, corrode, or pull away from the roof. Making sure the flashing is in good repair is one of the most important ways to keep your chimney healthy.

Chimney Inspection

Give me a call at 610-626-2439 if you’re not sure whether you need to worry about chimney maintenance. One of the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps here at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service can inspect your chimney to make sure it’s properly serviced each year.