How Do I Know If My Chimney & Fireplace Need Care?
When you own a home, you take on many responsibilities! This includes maintaining the various systems that keep everything running smoothly in your daily life. Following a routine maintenance schedule is a great way to stay on top of your homeowner duties. However, keeping up with this schedule always adds the possibility of unexpected repair needs. Sometimes it can be easy to see what is causing certain problems in your home. Other times, it can be challenging to locate the problem. Many issues like a cracked chimney liner or flue blockage can be hidden within the walls of the chimney. That’s why its important to know the signs of chimney damage. Atlas Chimney would like to share a couple of signs that let you know that your chimney and fireplace need care.
DAMAGED CHIMNEY MASONRY
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), water can do extensive and expensive damage to masonry chimneys. The exterior of your chimney is constantly exposed to the elements of weather. Bricks and mortar joints naturally absorb water from rain and melted ice and snow, causing spalling damage. Fortunately, this can be easily seen on the exterior of your chimney. Cracked, loose, or missing bricks and mortar joints is a clear sign of water damage – and should be repaired as soon as possible!
SMOKY FIREPLACE
Another sign that your chimney and fireplace need care? Smoke filling the room after you light a fire in the fireplace. This is telling you that something is not allowing your chimney to exhaust properly. A smoky fireplace can become very dangerous! It greatly increases the risk of the toxic gases and carbon monoxide leaking into your living spaces. Several things could be causing this exhaust problem, and Atlas Chimney will carefully check every possibility. We will check to see if there is debris blocking the chimney and also make sure the size of the flue matches your heating appliance – as this can cause improper drafting.
In addition, you should also be on the lookout to signs of a chimney water leak. Signs include a musty odor, peeling wallpaper, and stains on the ceiling and walls around where your fireplace is located. Have you noticed any of these signs of chimney problems? If so, contact us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for our chimney repair services!