Chimney Repair and some Preventive Measures

Chimneys had been with homes mostly in temperate and other colder countries. These days, some chimneys are hardly used anymore, replaced with more convenient appliances and devices especially in urban areas. Those who still prefer the traditional ways are sometimes stuck with problem they seldom encounter: chimney repair Northern NJ.

This usually happens to people who inhabit traditionally-built homes with the beautiful chimney sticking out of the roofs. The chimney had been part of many traditions but is usually forgotten until something happens.

Problems / Maintenance

Since the chimney is mostly out of mind from the everyday cares of the inhabitants of the house, nobody thought that it does need its own maintenance to prevent deterioration, and thus cut down on repairs. The chimney’s main function is to draw smoke and other gases up and away from the fire and out of your house. If these stay, they can cause illness and can actually be fatal.

Cleaning the chimney is one of the important things to prevent deterioration and the inevitable repairs. Winter months are the best cleaning months. Debris (leaves, rodents, birds’ nests, etc.) must be cleared and removed. Check your chimney caps and replace broken ones at once. They keep water out, and save deterioration of the masonry.

More maintenance

Clean your fireplace with each use to prevent dust and ashes from clogging the chimney. In cleaning, be sure to also remove those in the chimney walls. Soot is another substance that can fill up and clog up your chimney’s circulation.

Once clogging happens, the whole chimney deteriorates. Chimney repair is the next thing to do, whether one likes it or not. The other deposit that needs to be cleaned is creosote, composed of built up wood oils and stick to the chimney walls. In big quantities, they sometimes ignite and become a fire hazard.

Some more preventive measures

First, check your chimney from the outside (and inside) for cracks, gaps or signs that they might develop. At the first instance of discovery, have it repaired at once. For best results and for your safety (do not try to do it yourself, unless it’s your line of work), have a professional company do the job. Try to follow their follow-up recommendations and advice.

Try to keep the fire hot in your fireplace. This helps in doing away some of the creosote buildup in your chimney. Keep many carbon monoxide detectors in the house. They can help in indicating any ventilation problems in your chimney and/or fireplace.

Have your chimney cleaned professionally at least once a year. With or without any indication of any problem, get a professional to check out your chimney for present and future problems that can happen. It pays to check on the problems early because repair costs vary, and increases with the gravity of the problem.

If your chimney is thoroughly damaged or deteriorating and you don't use your fireplace much, you could get rid of it altogether. One that is deteriorating is a health hazard. Chimney removal is often much cheaper than extensive chimney repair Northern NJ.