One of our biggest responsibilities as homeowners is to protect our home from damage. Our chimney is one area of the home that doesn’t always receive the attention it should. When is the last time, for example, that you had your chimney waterproofed? When is the last time it was professionally cleaned? If the answers to those feel more like an admission of guilt, keep reading about how a chimney cleaning and yearly inspection can help protect your home.
Protect Against Environmental Damage
A regular chimney inspection and cleaning will allow you to monitor potential environmental damage issues from year to year. This will show you when you need to waterproof the chimney, when it needs to be repaired, and when it needs to be cleaned. A regular inspection also helps keep track of other components like the chimney cap, crown, flashing, and structural body.
Protect Against Wildlife
Birds, bats, and small animals often look for small areas in which to nest when springtime hits. The chimney cap is designed specifically to protect your chimney from intrusion, and it’s your responsibility to keep an eye on the cap. A damaged chimney cap will often allow small creatures just enough room to enter the chimney, which, in turn, gives them access to your home. Here’s a great story about a raccoon intrusion; unfortunately not all stories have such a happy ending for the animal.
Protect Against Debris Damage
Summer is a lovely time here in Drexel Hill and the surrounding areas, but those summertime thunderstorms can get serious. Blowing debris such as metal and large branches can cause damage to a brick and mortar chimney. The smallest cracks can become a serious issue after the freeze thaw process takes its toll later in the year. A yearly inspection will reveal damage that should be repaired in a timely manner.
Preventative Maintenance
A regular chimney cleaning and inspection is as important as having the oil changed every 3,000 miles or visiting your dentist or physician once per year for a checkup. Early detection of certain medical conditions can mean the difference between effective treatment options and death. Early detection of structural problems with the chimney can mean the difference between chimney repair and structural failure.
Tackling Chimney Cleaning and Inspection as DIY
We fully understand that not all homeowners are familiar with DIY home improvement projects or comfortable with the idea of cleaning the chimney flue on their own. That’s perfectly okay, and we respect the decision to hire a professional CSIA Certified chimney sweep for the job. Give us a call at 610-626-2439 if you would like to schedule an appointment for a chimney inspection with one of our CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps.