Here at Northeastern Chimney, LLC, we live and breathe all things chimney. This includes smaller chimney repairs and larger projects up to and including a complete reconstruction of your chimney system. We always encourage annual inspections, and biannual if necessary, to help mitigate costlier problems down the road.

Wondering why we encourage this? Look no further: here’s what you should know about chimney repair costs.

Reputation

We pride ourselves on our reputation in the West Hartford community. In addition, as we’ve grown our business over the years, we’ve likewise expanded outwards to neighboring communities.

Whoever works on your chimney system should be reputable and trustworthy. They should be backed by various online reviews that speak to their skillset and work ethic.

They should also be able to tackle anything related to your chimney, from sealing a leak to a full teardown and rebuilding.

Cheaper versus more expensive estimates

As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. This is not to advocate higher price tags. Rather, if an estimate seems especially low, it should raise at least a red flag in your mind. On the other hand, if an estimate seems particularly high, this, too, could be a cause for concern.

There’s a balance here. Looping back to reputation, always read online reviews when evaluating whether a bid is too low or too high. Safety should always be the top priority with estimates.

Timelines

Chimney repair costs will often be reflective of the project timeline. Simpler fixes, such as repointing or tuckpointing usually take less than a day. Larger projects, such as replacing a flue will take longer. Weather can also factor into repair timelines, extending them longer than originally expected.

Homeowners insurance

No two insurance policies are alike, so you’ll want to consult with your agent for a final answer. In our experience, however, homeowners insurance usually doesn’t cover chimney repair. The exception is if there is a recorded incident necessitating repair. General wear and tear and a lack of maintenance are rarely grounds for a homeowner insurance claim.

The average chimney repair cost

Depending on the state of your chimney, repairs cost anywhere between $300 up to $7000 (and possibly beyond). As a couple of quick examples:

• Leaks: Sealant and new flashing are usually in the ballpark of $350 for materials alone.
• Crown: Repairing a crown will run at least several hundred dollars. Replacing a crown can be upwards of over $2,000.Flue: Simple fixes will again be cheaper. Replacing a flue can be upwards of $7,000 and beyond.

Annual inspections can help save costs

Generally speaking, our technicians can only quote a labor project by visiting your property, reviewing the damage, and providing you with an estimate. The above costs are merely an example, but they all point to one clear conclusion: Annual chimney inspections can catch smaller issues before they snowball into larger and costlier problems.

With an annual inspection, our technicians can help mitigate any smaller problems today and save you more money in the long run. If you’d like to schedule your next inspection, contact Northeastern Chimney, LLC at 860-233-5770 or visit our website and fill out our contact form here.

This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com

Having a fireplace requires maintenance, but there is more. You need to know the responsibilities and safety precautions if you have kids around. The fireplace is not dangerous when you use it correctly, but it has the potential to cause hazards and death. You need to hire a chimney inspection service for yearly maintenance, and this helps prevent the majority of fireplace issues and accidents, but there is more you can do. If you want your home safe for yourself and your family, there are fireplace safety tips you can follow.

Keep in mind that these tips will keep your fireplace safe for everyone in your home. In this article, you will know what they are so read on.

Set Boundaries

Fireplace fires will not chase after your children and burn them on purpose. Instead, kids who wander too close to their fireplace end up getting hurt. You can prevent accidents by seeing to it that your children can understand that the fireplace is not an area where they can get too close and play.

Depending on how your child is, a simple instruction is to stay at least 5 feet away from a fireplace, and this might be enough. Younger children might have a better response if you use games. You can make an imaginary line, then let your kids know that they should never cross it no matter what the circumstances are.

Have Glass Doors Installed

If there is an open masonry fireplace in your home, you can install glass doors that can keep children safe. While the doors should be open while you are using the fireplace, you should make sure that kids understand when the door is closed, they cannot touch the fireplace. Glass doors are helpful when it comes to protecting them from stumbling into or touching hot ash and logs after a fire is burned. Glass also gets hot, so tell them to avoid getting too close or touching this accessory while it is closed.

Add a Safety Screen

Fireplace screens are beautiful and ornamental – and they are also great safeguards against sparks and embers that are shooting out of the fireplaces while causing kids and pets to be injured. Even if you have a good screen, you must still tell your kids that there is a restrictive perimeter that surrounds your fireplace.

Let Your House Air Out

This is a simple way to get rid of indoor air pollution and have better air quality. Using your fireplace or woodstove regularly can cause the air to try in your home while causing stale air and dust. On a day with bright and clear skies, open the blinds and windows and allow the air to blow inside your house for 1 or 2 hours. This should be a habit all year round, even in the warmer months when you are not using the fireplace so you can detox your space from other pollutants produced by cooking, cleaning products, etc.

You Should be a Good Example

Kids are popular for following the example of adults they are surrounded with. Therefore, if you are poking around and playing with fire, they will most likely follow your example. That is why you must be a good example and practice the safety precautions you enforce. For instance, if you use starter fluids for a fireplace, you need to make sure they are used properly and wisely. You should never overuse the fluid, and it should be far from the fireplace if you are not using it.

You can contact chimney cleaning services Upper Marlboro for their services to keep your fireplace properly maintained and safe.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

Winter can take a toll on chimneys, especially chimneys that have not been thoroughly prepared for the harsh weather. There are many common winter chimney problems that homeowners experience, but one that we are often asked about is how freeze/thaw cycles affect chimneys. Today, we’ll explain what freeze/thaw cycles can do to your chimney and actions that you can take to prevent issues.

Are you a homeowner located in the Greater Boston, MA area? Best Chimney Services is an all-service chimney company with technicians certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. If you have questions or are in need of chimney service, feel free to click here or call (781) 893-6611 to speak with our team.

Now, we’ll begin by explaining how freeze/thaw cycles work!

What is a Freeze/Thaw Cycle

During New England winters, temperatures frequently jump between below freezing and above freezing. This is especially prevalent in March, when the weather slowly begins transitioning between winter and spring. When you hear of pipes bursting in homes, it is often not only because of an increase in pressure due to ice freezing, but it is also often caused by the ice inside of the pipes thawing.

Freeze/thaw cycles have a similar effect on chimneys. The pores of the chimney can absorb water and then, when that water freezes, it expands and begins deteriorating the chimneys’ masonry.

How Freeze/Thaw Cycles Can Negatively Affect Chimneys

Freeze/thaw cycles can have a host of negative impacts on chimneys. Here are some of the issues that chimneys experience:

• Chimney leaks
• Masonry damage
• Chimney crown damage
• Firebox or damper rust

Ways that Best Chimney Services Combats Freeze/Thaw Cycles

Annual Chimney Inspections

A chimney inspection before the cold winter months will detect any chimney issues that you may have and give you the time to address those issues before your chimney is subject to the cold weather. We recommend hiring a CSIA certified chimney sweep to inspect your chimney, so that you are assured that the chimney company is skilled and ethical.

Chimney Masonry Work

Freeze/thaw cycles make existing masonry issues even worse. That’s why proactively getting chimney masonry work done can make a world of difference once winter comes around.

Waterproofing

One of the most effective chimney masonry services that will prepare your chimney for the winter is waterproofing. Since bricks absorb water like sponges, they need waterproofing to prevent water absorption. The product that Best Chimney puts on is 100% vapor permeable. This allows the water vapors to escape instead of being trapped. Check out our blog on the importance of waterproofing your chimney to learn more.

Contact Us for Your Boston, MA Area Chimney Needs

No matter the season, Best Chimney Services is here to service your chimney. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch with us!

The post How Freeze/Thaw Cycles Affect Chimneys appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Proper fireplace use is essential to keeping your chimney in proper working order. Many people ask us how to start a fire in a fireplace since this is not completely obvious, especially to new chimney owners. Today, we’ll go over how to start a fireplace fire, along with other fire safety tips.

Are you a homeowner located in the Greater Boston, MA area?  Best Chimney Services would love to serve you! We’re a full-service chimney company that does everything from chimney inspections and sweeps to chimney masonry work, installations, and repairs. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch with our team.

Now, we’ll dive into how to start a fireplace fire and other chimney fire tips.

How to Start a Fire in a Fireplace

First, open your fireplace damper all of the way. This important step will keep large amounts of smoke from entering your home.

Crumple and stuff newspaper below the grate – being careful not to over stuff and overload.

Now it’s time to stack your wood in two rows.  Stack criss-cross style with the largest logs on the bottom and leaving space between each log.

Next, add a handful of kindling on top of your newly formed stack.

Lastly, prime the chimney flue. Do this by lighting a newspaper and holding it above the damper area for a bit. If you skip this step, cold air in the flue could flow into your house due to negative pressure.  Once you’re seeing that the draft has reversed, you can start your fire light the newspaper located below the grate and voila!

We recommend keeping your fire small and hot for optimal combustion.

Other Fireplace Fire Tips

Choose the Right Wood

Before you even begin your fire, you should be sure that you have the correct wood. We recommend avoiding softer woods such as pine and fir because they burn quickly and leave large amounts of dirty ash residue. Seasoned wood is also the best choice because it burns more cleanly and is easier to start fires with. Oak is by far the best wood for burning, and maple and birch are also acceptable options. Remember to never burn treated wood, since it will release chemicals into your home.

Also, only bring as much wood into your home as you’ll use in one sitting to avoid inviting bugs to reside in your house! For more tips on wood burning, check out our blog on which types of wood to burn in your fireplace.

Avoid Chimney Cleaning Logs

Another fireplace fire safety tip is to avoid chimney cleaning logs! Creosote sweeping logs are meant to loosen up creosote build up in your chimney, but their use tends to lead people to neglect their annual chimney sweep. So, although chimney cleaning logs are generally safe to use, if you are getting your chimney swept by a professional regularly, they should not be necessary. Plus, they contain chemicals that it would be better to avoid touching altogether. If you’d like to learn more, be sure to read our thoughts on the safety of chimney cleaning logs.

Keep Safety in Mind

If you have not had your chimney inspected and swept in the past year, hold off on starting a fireplace fire. If your chimney is dirty or has other issues, you could be putting your home and family in danger by lighting a fire. Call a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney sweep to have an inspection and sweep completed before lighting a fire.

In addition, make sure that your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors have batteries and are working right. Remember, they should be kept in every room of your home except for your kitchen.

Call Best Chimney Services

Are you considering starting the first fire in a long time? Do you have questions on how to start a fire in your fireplace? Don’t hesitate to click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch with us!

The post How to Start a Fire in a Fireplace & How to Do So Safely appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

This year the Kansas City Metro area is experiencing a wild winter season as we are being inundated with severe thunderstorms that are having a significant impact across the Midwest. Our area typically averages just 14.5 inches of snowfall annually, 50 percent less than the U.S. national average. However, local meteorologists say that a lot of snow is on the way with many portions of Kansas City, KS/MO expecting 4 to 8 inches of snow this week. There is also a greater than 20 percent chance of more than a foot of snow forecasted for the region. Fortunately, snow doesn’t stick around too long and begins to melt as temperatures climb above freezing during the day. However, when temperatures drop below freezing at night, it turns into ice. The compound effect of freezing rain, snow, and ice can cause damage like a leaky chimney.

Heavy Snow Can Damage Flashing

While the light, fluffy snow may look relatively harmless, appearances can be deceiving. When snow compacts on your roof and chimney, it adds a lot of extra weight, about 15 to 20 pounds or more per cubic foot. The additional weight can damage the flashing, the metal sheets that seal the seam where the chimney meets the roof. In addition, water from melting snow can leak through gaps in the flashing. The moisture can cause wood rot and damage to the attic, roof deck, ceiling, and walls. If it’s not repaired, warmer humid temperatures will create conditions for mold and mildew to grow in the chimney that can spread throughout your home. The moisture also attracts pests like termites. One of the signs of potential flashing damage is noticing a water stain on the ceiling or walls surrounding the fireplace. Another sign is moisture in the attic. Quickly repairing flashing damage will protect your chimney and preserve your roof.

Snow and Ice Accelerates Masonry Damage

Have you noticed white stains, cracks, flaking, or gaps in your masonry or brick chimney? Those are all signs that your brick-and-mortar chimney is absorbing water. While brick and mortar are highly durable, they are still porous materials. That’s why water is the chimney’s worst enemy. You can tell that the masonry absorbs water when a white stain called efflorescence appears after the surface dries. The white stain is the salts in the brick material drawn to the surface by moisture. When the snow-covered chimney melts during the day, the masonry absorbs the moisture like a sponge. When it freezes at night, the ice crystals inside the bricks expand, causing them to crack. It also causes the mortar to decay. The freeze-thaw cycle repeats throughout the winter, gradually chipping away at the brick and mortar, causing them to eventually spall or crumble, loosen, and even fall off the chimney, exposing significant holes in the mortar joints. It can also cause cracks in the chimney crown, the upper-most portion of the chimney, especially when the chimney cap is damaged or missing. Extensive masonry damage can also cause your chimney to collapse, resulting in extensive property damage.

Winter Chimney Repairs

If your chimney has signs of water, snow, or ice damage, call the certified chimney technicians at Fluesbrothers at (913) 236-7141 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today! We’ll inspect your chimney, perform masonry repairs, and waterproof your chimney to prevent future water damage. We serve Olathe, Independence, Lee’s Summit, and the entire KCK/KCMO metropolitan area.

The post Does Snow Cause Damage to Chimneys? appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

During the colder months, there are a couple of things that homeowners like to do such as sitting in front of the fireplace for warmth in the evening. It is good to have a wood-burning or gas fireplace in any home, but there are a couple of things you must not do to ensure that your fireplace and chimney can be used.

You need to hire the right chimney cleaning services because you want a safe home. Taking care of your chimney fireplace is not just about hiring a chimney sweep company when needed, but there are small things you can do on your own. Before the colder months, you should follow the tips mentioned here:

Dust Your Fireplace

You can lessen the professional chimney care visits by cleaning the inside of your fireplace on a regular basis. There are big soot and ash build-ups that become the main cause of chimney problems, but dusting it regularly prevents it from forming in your fireplace. The frequency of dusting depends on how much you use your fireplace. If you do that every day, you should try cleaning up weekly. If you will only light it up once weekly, you can do the cleaning session monthly.

Make sure that your fireplace already cooled down by giving at least 36 hours before you start the cleaning process. After that, lay down a tarp in order to gather all the debris and wear heavy-duty gloves, then use a shovel to scrape all the ashes from the base and put it in a metal bucket.

Leave Some Ash

Even if it is recommended that you remove ash from the firebox, it is a good idea to leave at least an inch of ash inside. By doing this, the coal coming from the fresh fires is going to retain more heat. After you scoop the rest, you should be very careful in setting them outside: ashes remain hot even long after the fire has been put out.

Test the Damper

Your damper must easily close and open. If the damper is stuck or difficult to open and close could be a sign of rust, which indicates there is moisture. This can be a sign of issues that require inspection.

Depending on the damper you have, you might want to visually check the fireplace damper if you can see it easily closing and opening. Are you able to feel or hear air when you close the damper? This is an indication that the seal works improperly. If the damper refuses to close properly, it can become warped or there is debris that prevents it from properly closing.

Watch Out for Brick Cracks

Cracked brick mortar leads to water damage and leaks, so it is more costly and time-consuming to fix, especially if you wait longer to do that. Generally, it is great to recruit a chimney sweep expert for something like this since you need special tools and equipment that you are unable to use.

Look for Evidence Indicating Moisture or Water Damage

Check if there is any moisture or water damage because that is important in fireplace maintenance. You might hear water dripping, without seeing any water. There is a musty smell that comes from the fireplace, which indicates mold or mildew, and it indicates unnecessary moisture. Other signs are cracks in the masonry or water stains in the firebox. You should inspect for water damage after heavy rain. Address any signs of damages right away.

Contact chimney inspection Ellicott City to get the best cleaning service to maintain your fireplace, especially during the colder months.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

Unused chimneys are a common occurrence. I know, it is a surprise that there are homeowners who do not use their fireplace. However, even those unused chimneys still have a couple of purposes in your home. What are they? Let’s take a closer look.

What are Unused Chimneys?

A homeowner would describe an unused chimney as a lack of use. From the perspective of the homeowner, that would be true. However, an unused chimney is still being productive by extracting combustion byproducts from other heating appliances in the home as well as removing moisture build up. Both uses are to keep you, your family and your home safe.

Extract Combustion Byproducts from Your Home

The chimney is a critical component to your home as it carries gases through the chimney to the outside of your home. If your home is not ventilated, then these gases have no place to go and will be trapped inside your home. With a build up of gases, such as carbon monoxide, it can be harmful to the health and well being of you, your family and any pets.

Gases can also leave a byproduct inside of the chimney. As you may know what effects salt water can have when it interacts with metal…it corrodes. It develops an orange and brown rust on metal. Same thing with gases. When gases build up and cannot be eliminated from the top of the chimney, it can corrode or leave a corrosive substance on the inside of the chimney. As you would develop problems with the salt, you will also develop problems with the gas byproduct.

Extract Moisture Build Up

After you take a nice warm shower, you notice the moisture build up on your mirrors. The only way for it to clear up is to open a window or turn on the bathroom fan. Why? Because you know that bathrooms and moisture build up equal’s mold, mildew and soft walls. The concept is the same. Moisture needs to be removed from the chimney as well.

When there’s no airflow in the chimney, it gets trapped. It also gets trapped inside of your home. The moisture builds up over time deteriorating the inside of the chimney. The same holds true with your home…mold, mildew and softening of the walls.

Unused Still Needs to Be Cleaned Even though it’s an unused chimney, it still needs to be swept and inspected. As you now have learned, chimneys are living, breathing entities in your home. Be sure to call Superior Chimney at 877- CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349) to schedule your inspection and sweep. This will ensure that your chimney is functioning properly and that the byproducts are on their way out!

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

There’s nothing like sitting around your fireplace in the winter, feeling warm and cozy. But then it crosses your mind, when was the last time you’ve had the chimney inspected and swept?  The chimney needs to be cleaned out periodically to get the most out of your fireplace, but most importantly, safe operation.

Well, what happens if you don’t sweep your chimney?

If you don’t get routine inspections and sweepings for your chimney, you are putting yourself at risk of chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. The build-up of soot, creosote, and tar can block fumes from escaping and can ignite a fire.

HERE ARE OUR TOP 8 SIGNS THAT YOUR CHIMNEY NEEDS TO BE CLEANED:

1. Oily Spots on the Walls of Your Fireplace

The black, oily spots on the walls of your fireplace are a tar-like substance called creosote. This substance can build up all the way to the top of your chimney and can cause restricted airflow. Poor airflow increases the amount of time smoke and flue gasses remain in the flue accelerating build-up.

2. Poorly Burning Fires

If you have difficulty starting fires in your fireplace, it could be because the chimney is clogged or there is a malfunction with the fireplace damper. These issues can keep a fire from getting a sufficient supply of oxygen to burn properly.

3. Odors Coming from the Fireplace

Creosote has a campfire-like odor and can permeate around the house. In addition to the smell being a nuisance, it is also an indicator that the soot in your chimney has built-up to an unsafe level.

4. Animals Inside the Chimney

Animal nests can both block the airflow in your chimney and catch fire while burning wood in your fireplace. Bird nests are mostly found at the very top of your chimney, covering the vents. Squirrels are also known to make nests in chimneys.

5. Smoke Doesn’t Rise Up the Chimney

If you notice that smoke doesn’t rise up the chimney like it used to, it may be time to clean your chimney. There should be airflow up the chimney, but a layer of creosote can stop up the works.

6. Fires are Difficult to Maintain

Fires need oxygen, but a dirty chimney can make it hard for your wood to get the air it needs to get going.

7. Chimney Soot is Falling from the Chimney

If you have chunks of chimney soot or creosote falling on your wood from the chimney, then that’s a good sign that you have creosote build-up problem, and the chimney needs to be cleaned.

8. The Chimney Damper has Black Creosote Buildup

If you notice that your hand turns black when you open the damper, then it’s time to have your chimney swept.

These signs are relatively easy to spot but taking steps to ensure your home is safe from the risk of fire damage is the next step.

Please schedule your chimney inspection and cleaning now to beat the spring rush!

The post How to Tell if Your Chimney Needs to be Swept appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

The frigid days of winter are here and you’re feeling cold air blow down your chimney. As you worry about your energy bills skyrocketing, I’m sure the first question is, what can I do to prevent this? Today, we will guide you through what to do when there is cold air blowing down your chimney and why this might be happening.

Best Chimney Services is an all-service chimney company serving the Greater Boston, MA area. We offer everything from chimney inspections and sweeps to masonry work, installations, basement work, fireplace restoration and more. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch with us.

Now, we’ll talk about what to do when there is cold air blowing down your chimney and why this might be happening.

What to Do When There is Cold Air Blowing Down Your Chimney

There are various possible causes of cold air blowing down your chimney. Here are some possible solutions:

Consider Providing Makeup Air to Your Home

Nowadays, many homes are tightly sealed, often as a result of window replacements or newly insulated attics. These energy efficient home improvements decrease internal air pressure, causing higher pressure cold air from outside to come inside through an open fireplace. Consulting an HVAC company about providing makeup air to your home is one potential solution to this issue. Read our blog about how energy efficient home improvements can impact your fireplace to learn more.

Have a Flue Liner Installed

The job of a flue liner is to keep your fireplace insulated and protect the chimney’s bricks from heat. If you have an older chimney that does not have a flue liner, we highly recommend having one installed. Not having a flue liner or having an obstructed flue are two possible causes of cold air blowing down your chimney. Flue liners are low maintenance and prevent cold drafts from occurring, whether or not a fire is burning.

Make Sure Your Chimney Has Been Recently Swept

Has your chimney been swept lately? We recommend hiring a CSIA Certified chimney sweep to clean your chimney once a year or as needed. If you neglect this basic chimney maintenance, heavy creosote buildup can occur, putting your family in danger. This will also coat the chimney damper, preventing it from opening and closing properly and causing drafts to move down your fireplace.

Have a Top-Sealing Damper Installed

We recommend installing a new, top-sealing damper to prevent air from traveling down your chimney. Many older dampers let air down your chimney, so if you’re experiencing cold air blowing down your chimney, your chimney’s throat damper may be the cause.

Call a Professional Chimney Inspector

The first step in diagnosing this issue should be to call a chimney inspector. A professional chimney company will help you figure out what is going on by performing an in depth inspection. Boston’s Best Chimney serves the Greater Boston, MA area with a wide range of chimney services. If you’re looking for assistance with your chimney, don’t hesitate to click here or call (781) 893-6611 to contact our team.

The post What to Do When There is Cold Air Blowing Down Your Chimney appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

In the past four decades of our business operation, we’ve handled a wide variety of chimney-related issues. Many of our service calls are simple annual inspections and chimney sweeps. Other calls are more complex repair issues, such as when a homeowner discovers they have a leaning chimney. There are four main reasons for a chimney to start leaning, ranging from construction-related issues to weathering.

Masonry deterioration

Another common cause of a leaning chimney is problems with your masonry. This is one of the more common repairs Northeastern Chimney, LLC technicians perform. The freeze and thaw cycle can lead to cracks in the mortar and holes in your bricks. In addition, sulfur damage isn’t unheard of in homes where appliance vents tie into the chimney system. The oils and water that escape through this process don’t mix well with brick and mortar, eventually leading to the deterioration of the system — and a leaning chimney. A flue liner can help mitigate this issue and is something we recommend all chimneys have anyway.

Construction issues

Just like the walls of your house, your chimney needs a solid foundation (or footing). This is a layer of concrete at the base of your chimney that bears the weight of it all. Quite literally, there are thousands of pounds worth of materials pressing down on the foundation. It needs to be strong and supportive. And, as with your home, if the foundation begins to fail it will cause problems with the entire structure. Another construction issue is with older homes. Back then, installers didn’t utilize foundations. The chimney started at the ground, with the bottom bricks acting as the support. Even newer homes with a foundation often run into a problem where the installer made the footing too narrow or shallow. It should always be big enough to fully support the weight of the bricks, mortar, cap, and crown.

Improper drainage

Water damage is one of the most common issues a homeowner will face. This can include leaky roofs, overflowing gutters and downspouts, and of course the aforementioned freeze-thaw issue common to the spring and fall here in Connecticut. How do they tie into a leaning chimney? Improper drainage. As water pools in different places around the home, whether due to roof issues or insufficient downspouts, it can cause cracks in both the foundation and masonry of your chimney. Eventually, the system will start to lean as a result of improper water drainage.

House-related shifts

Over time, your house shifts. Those random creaks you hear, seemingly out of nowhere, are a natural part of the aging process. This is completely normal, however, depending on where the house shifts it can potentially cause a problem with your chimney. This is uncommon, but a possibility to be aware of. In addition, loose soil under the foundation can lead to shifts with the chimney. Like house shifts, this isn’t a common cause of a leaning chimney. Nevertheless, if all of the above have been ruled out it’s something that your Northeastern Chimney technician will look into for you.

A leaning chimney is a cause for concern

If you discover your chimney has started to lean, immediately stop using it. You should have the system inspected as soon as possible to prevent additional damage to it as well as your home.

Contact any one of our Northeastern Chimney, LLC team members today by calling 860-233-5770 or by reaching out to us on our website.

This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com