Building Restoration
Chimney Repair
On a cold day, like during the winter, people usually feel the use of a fire place to introduce some warmth into the house not knowing that this could also be dangerous both to their lives and properties. Regular maintenance and repair of our chimney and chimney flue are important in keeping our family safe and warm for a long period of time. We know that the work of a chimney is to take out smoke and gases away from the burning fire in your house, which when in large quantities can cause illness, or even death. The other function of a chimney is to keep excessive heat from the building and with cracks in your chimney; it may lead to heat leaking into the surrounding walls and cause structural damage or even start a house fire. Chimneys also take a beating from severe weather year round and what penetration also stands as the greatest cause of deterioration and damage thus waterproofing your chimney can extend its life and save you from the expensive repairs. Chimney leaks are a frustrating problem for many home owners hence waterproofing it is the best way to solve chimney leaking problems. Spending a little time to protect your chimney now may save you thousands of dollars down the road after more serious damage occurs. Another common issue in chimney flue maintenance is the buildup of creosote which is oil that is emitted when woods and other solids are burned. They can solidify and build up on the inside of your chimney and if left untreated they can ignite and cause dangerous chimney fires. Chimneys can also block due to debris falling from above or even animals may build their nests there. This can cause dangerous gases to fill in the house. Another major area of chimney repair is cracks or holes.
For any of these problems, you should consult a licensed chimney repair expert like the Top Hat Masonry & Chimney, LLC which serves a greater area in the Milwaukee, WI as it is required by most states that these issues be handled by professional contractors.
For chimney repair and maintenance, you can periodically check from the outside to see if there are any cracks or gaps in the joints. They are easy to see since they are more often stained by smoke. Make sure you also have working carbon monoxide detectors in your home, preferably on each floor, and particularly in sleeping areas. These can indicate a venting problem. You can also keep you fires burning nice and hot to prevent the buildup of creosote in your chimney. An annual cleaning and examination of your chimney and flue can be scheduled with a chimney repair professional and if you use a fireplace or stove regularly, the checks should even be more frequent. You can also waterproof your chimney to prevent it from damages which can be caused from the weather. Lets practice regular check and maintenance since it’s easy to prevent than to make a whole new structure.
Related posts
