If you are in the process of buying a home, you know that the home inspection is a “make it or break it” moment. The results of the inspection can either give you the green light to buy a home, or persuade you to walk away. If you are interested in a home that has a chimney, you may be asking, “Do home inspectors look at chimneys?” After all, although fireplaces add value to homes, you want to make sure that the home that you are considering is safe and that the purchase brings you the right value for the price you are paying. Today, we’ll discuss whether or not home inspectors look at chimneys and the steps that you should take if you are considering buying a home with a chimney.

Are you interested in having your potential new home’s chimney inspected? Best Chimney has been providing certified chimney inspections to homes in the greater Boston, MA area since 1989. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to schedule an inspection, or contact our team with questions.

Now, we’ll discuss what to do if you are considering buying a home with a chimney.

 Home Inspections and Chimneys

During a home inspection, the inspector will check everything from the roof to the electrical outlets and plumbing. When it comes to the chimney and fireplace, however, home inspectors usually only take a quick look.

Home inspectors typically do the following:

• Shine a flashlight up the chimney to do a quick visual inspection
• Open and close the dampers
• Check for clear signs of structural damage
• Ensure that there are not holes in the firebox

This type of inspection only scratches the surface of what a chimney company’s inspection will cover. If you are considering buying a home with a chimney, it is worth your time and money to have a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney company come to inspect your chimney.

Why Hire a Certified Chimney Company

There are many reasons why you should hire a CSIA certified chimney company, including the high level of training that these technicians undergo before gaining the certification and inspecting chimneys. Unlike home inspectors, chimney inspectors will perform a thorough chimney inspection and answer any of your questions regarding how chimneys work in the process.

Certified chimney companies typically use a high tech camera do the following:

• Check for gaps in the heating or fireplace flues
• Observe for different stages of creosote build up
• Make sure that appliances are properly installed
• Check for signs of water penetration in the chimney’s masonry
• Look for any obstructions within the structure

As you can see, a chimney inspection performed by a certified company covers significantly more than one performed by a home inspector. Furthermore, throughout all of these checks, certified inspectors will follow Section 13.2 of NFPA 211, which is a strict standard. If you are looking to avoid future chimney fires and ensure that you are not buying a house with many chimney problems, an inspection by a certified chimney company is the best route to take.

Call Boston’s Best for a Chimney Inspection

Best Chimney Services, Inc. is a locally owned, certified chimney company serving the Greater Boston, MA area. We’ve been helping homeowners for over 30 years and we would love to help you make a good home buying decision by inspecting your potential home’s chimney. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 if you’d like to book an appointment or if you have any questions for our team.

The post Do Home Inspectors Look at Chimneys appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Are you considering getting an energy audit? Organizations such as Mass Save can evaluate your home’s energy efficiency and provide suggestions and tools to make your home more energy efficient.  Most homeowners don’t realize, if you move forward with home improvements such as replacement windows or better attic insulation, your chimney will most likely be affected. This makes sense, given the importance of your chimney to the overall system of your home. Today, we will review how an energy audit may affect your fireplace.

Looking for a Team of Chimney Experts?

Best Chimney Services is a full service chimney company serving the Greater Boston, MA area. From chimney inspections to chimney sweeps, masonry work and more, we are here to serve you. Don’t hesitate to click here or call (781) 893-6611 to contact us about your chimney questions or needs.

Now we will discuss the details of home energy audits and fireplaces.

What You Should Know About Home Energy Audits and Fireplaces

As a chimney owner, you know that your fireplace is adding value to your home. But you also want to be sure that it is not negatively impacting how your home works! That is why it’s important to understand how an energy audit may affect your fireplace.

Energy Audit Home Improvements

Energy audits are designed to help people identify areas of their home where warm air is escaping in the winter and cold air is escaping in the summer. Many people make home improvements such as getting replacement windows, re-insulating their attics, installing new entry doors, or getting new kitchen exhaust fans after getting advice to do so from an energy audit. While these home improvements can be excellent ways to save on energy bills, they will  impact air pressure within the home.

Air naturally flows from high pressure zones to low pressure zones. In older, draftier houses with traditional fireplaces, drafting tends to work well because the chimney is located through the middle of the home (opposed to an exterior wall), affecting the flue temperature, and therefore, draft . This causes the smoke to escape through the chimney and create a healthy draft in the process. According to Star Energy Partners, homes built after the year 2000 use about 20 percent less energy to heat their internal space. Thes modern, energy efficient houses have low pressure as a result of being tightly sealed.  As a result of this, the lower pressure air depressurizes the room, creating a downdraft.

Potential Solutions

There are many reasons why a fireplace or heating system will suddenly stop drafting, but knowing what energy efficient updates were made can help produce a solution. From providing make-up air, raising the chimney, installing an insert or mechanical draft inducer, there are several solutions that a chimney company can provide if you are facing drafting issues after making an energy efficient home improvement. By the way, if you are looking to hire a chimney company, be sure to hire a CSIA certified technician to ensure you receive services that you can trust from highly trained professionals.

Contact Us with Your Boston, MA Area Chimney Needs

If you are experiencing downdrating or other chimney smoke problems, Boston’s Best Chimney is here to help you. If you have questions on how a recent energy audit may have impacted your fireplace, or if you are experiencing drafting issues, feel free to contact our team for more information. With over twenty years of experience, we are ready to help you with your chimney needs!

The post Energy Audits and Fireplaces: What You Should Know appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

The chimney and chimney liner work together to protect your Kansas City home and keep your family safe while you’re enjoying the warmth of a fireplace. The chimney liner is an essential safety component that protects the masonry from the high heat and flames in the firebox. When the chimney liner is damaged due to its age, moisture, or other issues, there is an increased risk of the intense heat spreading to nearby combustible building materials, such as the attic or a wood-framed chimney chase, that can cause a house fire. A damaged liner also increases the risk of exposure to dangerous carbon monoxide fumes.

It’s often difficult for homeowners to assess the condition of a chimney liner without a professional chimney inspection. However, if you notice any of the following signs of trouble, it may be time to replace your liner.

Clay Material in the Firebox

Many older homes still have the original clay tile chimney liner that has exceeded their expected 20-to-30-year lifespan. In addition, creosote buildup, moisture, and a chimney fire can damage the liner causing the clay tiles to flake, crack and burst, accelerating its deterioration. It also shortens its lifespan considerably. You may notice flakes or chunks of clay material in the firebox when this occurs. As the chimney liner continues to deteriorate, the risk of fire and exposure to carbon monoxide also increases, making it unsafe to operate your fireplace or heating stove.

Moisture or Condensation

Clay tile chimney liners are porous materials that weaken when exposed to moisture or condensation. For example, a chimney leak due to worn flashing or cracks in the masonry or chimney crown can expose the chimney liner to water damage when it rains. The moisture weakens the chimney liner that can cause it to crack. Also, when the warm interior air mixes with the cold exterior air, the chimney liner can sweat, resulting in condensation if there are any cracks in the masonry and liner. Both are signs that indicate that a chimney liner replacement may be necessary.

New Fireplace or Insert Installation

Chimney liners must meet the manufacturer’s specifications for the heating appliance to operate safely and meet building code regulations. Anytime you are converting from one fuel type to another or installing a new fireplace or insert, the chimney liner will need to be replaced following the specifications for your new heating appliance. Installing a new fireplace with an existing chimney liner that doesn’t meet the manufacturer’s specs can result in performance and safety issues.

Chimney Inspection

Your chimney liner is an essential safety component for protecting your home and family from a devastating fire and exposure to harmful fumes. A chimney inspection is the only way to determine whether it’s time to replace your chimney liner. That’s why national fire safety experts and chimney professionals, including Fluesbrothers, encourage all homeowners with solid or liquid fuel appliances to have annual chimney inspections.
A chimney inspection is a top-to-bottom interior/exterior visual examination of the entire chimney system, including the chimney liner, vents, and attached heating appliances. If a chimney liner replacement is necessary, we typically recommend UL-listed stainless-steel liners for improved energy
efficiency, fewer chimney repairs, and long-lasting durability.

Chimney Liner Replacement in Kansas City KS/MO

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace is a National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) Certified Chimney Reliner. We have been providing homeowners throughout the Kansas City Metro area with quality chimney services, including certified chimney inspections and chimney liner repairs and replacements for more than a decade. Call (913) 236-7141 or contact us here to schedule an appointment with a certified chimney technician today.

The post Is It Time To Replace Your Chimney Liner appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

A fireplace cold draft is a common problem for many homeowners. There are many reasons for a fireplace cold draft to occur, but what we know for certain is how the cold draft makes you feel. Uncomfortable. Let’s find out a bit more about some causes of fireplace cold drafts and what may be to be done to gain some control over a cold draft.

What is a Fireplace Cold Draft?

As we all know from our grammar school science class days, hot air rises and cold air sinks. That’s the basic concept of physics as it relates to fireplace draft. A good fireplace draft is when the warm air from your home goes up the chimney and exits to the colder outside air, at the top of the chimney. If the heat wanting to rise up the chimney can’t escape your home, you may have the start of a cold draft or flow reversal. How do you know if you have a problem? Here are a few things to consider.

Cold Air Coming into the Home

Hot air along with the gasses from the fire, in the fireplace, make their way up through and to the top of the chimney – Cooler exterior air helps it continue to go up and out of your home. However, when negative air pressure is in the surrounding space inside of your home, it can hinder the hot air from being able to leave up and out of the chimney. Instead of the hot air going out, it comes back down into the home through the chimney. It’s a situation you want to avoid as harmful chemicals come back into your home with it.

Obstruction in the Chimney

A fireplace draft can be caused from an obstruction in the chimney.  You might have guessed what would be a great obstruction…little critters. Raccoon, squirrel, bat or bird’s nesting & debris are primary causes of obstructions in the chimney. Don’t forget, buildup of soot in the chimney and on the chimney cap can also be considered an obstruction.

Shifting Winds

Living in Chicago and the Chicagoland area, you know how the winds can be. When you see branches of a bare tree swaying in the wind, it’s definitely a windy day. The other way to know it’s windy out is by listening to your chimney. If you hear a whistling sound, it’s also a sign of a windy day.  The shifting winds or even tall nearby trees can cause winds to swirl around the chimney causing draftiness.

Fireplace Dampers

Most fireplace dampers can control the flow cold air coming into the home. They are often called termination dampers or a chimney top damper. At Superior Chimney, we recommend the fireplace damper with lip over lip insulated closure for maximum efficiency! The Fireplace damper takes care of most cold air that can seep into the home while also acting as a superior chimney cap when closed. The benefits include:

• Seal heat in during winter months and cold in during the summer
• Keeps debris out
• Keeps animals and other critters out
• Keep weather elements from entering the home
• Keep sparks from leaving the fireplace
• No cold wind induced drafty air coming in from the outside

Contact Superior Chimney to get a fireplace damper installed. It’ll be a great way to help control the cost of energy in your home.

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

The thousands of dollars of damages caused by chimney fires are normally because of the flames migrating upward, melting, warping, or negatively affecting the masonry or chimney walls. In the majority of cases, chimney fires can ruin houses and risk lives. These tragedies are normally preventable because you can have your chimney inspected, repaired, or cleaned. This way, the chimney will not malfunction or collect build-ups that can cause risks.

A chimney inspection service can prevent any of this from happening, and you should be aware of the effects of a chimney fire. Read more about it now.

What is it?

Combustibles that you burn in the chimney only burn partially. It is hard to avoid incomplete combustion, but you can minimize the impact by properly burning seasoned wood if you have a clean chimney. The residue that comes from incomplete combustion builds up over time that lines the flue with creosote.

Creosote is combustible if it is at the right temperature. When the airflow is blocked or there is a damaged flue, it leads to poor airflow. Since there is trapped heat, the chimney heats up more than intended, and this ignites creosote. This chimney fire can be extremely dangerous.

Dirt Causes Chimney Fire

The dirt in your chimney causes fires, which is damaging to the structure, and it destroys homes that can kill or injure people.

Chimney fire creates a popping noise and loud cracking, with a lot of dense smoke, and an intense and hot smell.

Chimney fires burn explosively that is noisy and dramatic enough that can be detected by people or neighbors around you. Dense smoke or flames shoots from the chimney. Homeowners get startled by rumbling sounds that remind them of a low-flying airplane or freight train.

Flue Tiles Get Damaged

A lot of homes use clay flue tiles to line their chimney. This is rated to be able to withstand high temperatures. However, there are chimney fires that burn over 2,000 degrees that can be too hot for tiles causes damages such as cracking.

The breach in your flue liner is a big concern. It increases the possibility for combustibles nearby in the construction in your home. All the cracked tiles cause fires, and they find a new pathway to get out of the flue, which potentially causes a house fire.

Exterior Masonry Cracks

Similar to flue tiles, the brick masonry of the chimney can be damaged by heat. If there is a chimney fire, the brick or mortar joints can open and crack new pathways for fire or heat. This is a reason why yearly chimney inspections become critical. These cracks are hard to notice and can cause disaster if it is not repaired before another chimney fire happens.

Most of them are Undetected

Slow-burning chimney fires do not have enough air or have fuel that becomes dramatic or visible and they normally go undetected until there is a chimney inspection. However, the temperatures they reach are high and cause a lot of damage to the chimney’s structure. In addition, the nearby combustible house parts are connected to this.

Scorched Areas

The chimney fire because of high heat can also scorch away the deposits in certain parts of the chimney. This leaves behind areas that only look clean, that are surrounded by combustible deposits.

You can go for chimney contractors Ellicott City if you need your chimney inspected to prevent fires.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Your chimney needs regular maintenance and care. An inspection can help establish a baseline for the health of your chimney. After your inspection visit, you may need to invest in chimney repair, depending on what your technician discovers. Our team member can walk you through what that will look like and which of our two options is best: rebuilding vs repointing. At the surface, both types of repair are designed to restore your chimney to functional performance. However, there are distinct differences between each technique.

First, what is chimney repointing?

The mortar joints between your chimney’s bricks can weather over time. The freeze and thaw cycle that we frequently experience here in the Northeast plays havoc with the structure of your chimney. Eventually, voids and pockets can develop, allowing water to penetrate deeper into the mortar, eroding it even more.

Repointing fills in these gaps with fresh mortar, though your Northeastern Chimney technician will clean any debris out of the gaps first.

Tuckpointing

As a potential variation to repointing, your technician may recommend tuckpointing. This completely removes the mortar joint material and replaces it with new.

Either way, repointing and tuckpointing both help to waterproof your chimney while simultaneously solidifying its structural integrity. In addition, repointing can help mitigate potential fire risks and refresh the look of your chimney, making it look virtually brand new.

Next, what are the three types of chimney rebuilding?

Rebuilding is a more labor-intensive method, though necessary if the damage to your masonry or bricks is extensive.

Partial rebuild

If the chimney damage involves more than repointing, you’re looking at a partial rebuild. It can involve tearing down one (or more) layers of your chimney to repair the damage.

Roofline rebuild

Roofline rebuild involves — you guessed it — repairs to your roof in addition to your chimney. If the framing, sheathing, or rafters are damaged, a roofline rebuild will replace them in addition to the repairs to the chimney mortar.

Complete rebuild

Finally, a complete rebuild involves demolishing the existing chimney and starting over. Your mason will install a new crown, damper, and flashing, building a new chimney layer by layer.

Preventative measures

Of course, preventative measures can help mitigate the need for repairs such as rebuilding or chimney repointing. Annual sweeps will eliminate creosote from your flue. Waterproofing can minimize the effect of the elements. Relining is another option that can help to reinforce your chimney from the inside out. Finally, an annual inspection will catch minor issues early on before they turn into a later (and far more costly) project.

Rebuilding vs chimney repointing

Both techniques will restore your chimney to working condition. It simply depends on the health of your chimney and how much weathering is present to answer the question: ‘is chimney repointing right for this chimney damage or do I need a full rebuild?’ As Connecticut’s premier chimney maintenance company, contact one of our Northeastern Chimney team members today. We can quickly schedule a sweep, inspection, or repair at your convenience. Simply call us at 860-233-5770.

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

If you have been thinking about getting a fireplace for a long time, the answer is that you should. Even if this amenity is not the handiest, people want this as an added home feature. In case you are planning to sell your home in the future, you might wonder what changes you can make to your home so that the value increases, which attracts more potential buyers.

You can always talk to chimney contractors and choose the best one to do the job for you. But first, here are the reasons why it is a good idea to have one made.

It is Not as Expensive as You Think

Costs of fireplace installation can significantly vary based on the kind of fireplace, project aesthetics, and where it will be positioned in your home. Therefore, you can really match it to your budget. You can consult chimney experts to determine the cost of what you want to be done. They will be more than happy to walk you through the details of the installation and give you a quote. You can enjoy a fireplace at an affordable price.

Guilt-Free, Heated Comfort

Wood fireplaces are a classic, but the biggest thing is that they can give you comfort. if your concern is about your carbon footprint, then choosing a gas fireplace instead of wood is the ideal choice for you. This is a more cost-efficient, eco-conscious, and energy-efficient choice compared to the traditional wood fireplace.

Fireplaces Make Your Home More Valuable

Your fireplace can pay for itself because it adds value to any home. More than 40% of homebuyers will pay for a home that comes with a fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces are the most popular, but it is clear that a fireplace installation of any kind adds value to your property.

Easy Maintenance

One of the biggest reasons that people do not want to get a fireplace is that they do not want to put up with the maintenance costs. You can now choose a gas unit, which will not give you creosote buildup that you must clean and there is no need to worry about cleaning the ashes from the firebox after using it. if you have a gas fireplace, you can just do a yearly inspection and cleaning in the unit. That is enough to give you a safe operation.

Aesthetics Value

If you have ever come to a living or master bedroom that comes with a nice gas fireplace, you will know how much it enhances your room’s aesthetics. Today, fireplaces come in different shapes and sizes. You should picture an elongated fireplace with a stainless steel frame and the flame looks elegant, or a horizontal panel fireplace that flickers above your tub in the bedroom, or a classic insert with a decorative mantle. There are endless variations, and all styles are irresistible.

Improves Home Efficiency

Fireplaces offer more financial benefits because it decreases your energy bill. It contributes to your home’s overall heating, and if you strategically place it, you can save money. In order to maximize the fireplace of your home, you should read about its proper maintenance and different uses.

You can contact a chimney sweep Bowie if your fireplace needs cleaning or if you want to have one installed. Remember that a fireplace is an investment worth spending for even if you can do without it.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

The best way to get maximum enjoyment out of your fireplace is with ongoing maintenance from a company like Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace. It’s good to know how to prepare your home for a visit from a chimney sweep because the job tends to stir up soot and creosote. Responsible chimney sweeps like ours care about your home. When we are using our equipment, the last thing we want is an accident that causes a permanent mess or breakage of household items. The following are recommended actions to prepare for a chimney sweep and help ensure a positive experience.

Clear a Pathway

As we enter your home, it will save time if there is plenty of space for us and our equipment from the door to the fireplace. Also, put away any pets that may be underfoot and prevent children from entering the area unsupervised. We aim to complete the work thoroughly and as quickly as possible, to minimize your inconvenience.

Cover Furniture

Our methods for providing chimney sweep services are as neat as possible. Chimneys are typically a terrible mess inside, particularly when you have a wood-burning fireplace. We have all of the most effective modern equipment to help ensure that the creosote and soot that may enter your home is minimal. Sometimes accidents happen, whether small or large. It is best to cover nearby furniture and fabrics that could be stained.

No need to worry about the flooring around the fireplace because we cover that ourselves.

Remove Nearby Decor & the Fireplace Items

We suggest that you remove decor from the mantel just in case we accidentally disturb items as we do our work.  We also ask that nearby fireplace tools and equipment, such as baskets of logs, be moved at least a few feet away from the area.

It is also helpful if you remove the fireplace grate and any remaining logs in the fireplace.

Ensure a Cool Chimney

Chimney sweeps can only perform work if the chimney is cool. It is best not to use the fireplace between 24 and 48 hours before the arrival of a chimney sweep.  The reason is that the interior of the flue gets extremely hot and needs time to cool so that work can be performed.

Be Ready to Share Concerns

Whether a chimney sweep is inspecting or cleaning your chimney, it is helpful if you share any concerns you have before work begins. It could save time if the chimney technician is aware of any problems you are having. For instance, is the fireplace smoky? Have you detected foul odors? Are the fires in your fireplace lackluster and you don’t know why?

Freely Ask Questions

If a chimney sweep completes a chimney inspection and advises you of repairs that are needed, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Qualified chimney sweeps are knowledgeable. They can help laypersons better understand the reasons for certain recommendations, as needed.

For example, chimney liners cannot be damaged in any way. If chimney flue damage is discovered during an inspection or cleaning, you will likely be advised not to use your fireplace any further until the chimney liner has been repaired or replaced. The safety of your home and family is at stake if a fireplace is used when the chimney liner is not intact.

Contact Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace

Throughout the Kansas City KS area, Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace has earned the loyalty of homeowners and business owners alike. Schedule an appointment for chimney services by calling 913-236-7141 or by filling out our contact form here. To further boost your satisfaction, we suggest you refer here for our tips on how to prepare your home for a visit from a chimney sweep.

 

The post How to Prepare Your Home For A Chimney Sweep appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

 

A clean and properly maintained chimney should never have fiery sparks popping out of its top. Unfortunately, not
all chimneys are clean and maintained. Fluesbrothers Chimney are clean and maintained.  Fluesbrothers Chimney& Fireplace offers the following advice should you experience this  potentially dangerous problem.

Call 911

This is the first step, because, although the situation may not seem dire, it could be. Assuming there’s a fire in the chimney, you can’t solve the problem on your own. Bring in trained emergency personnel.

Extinguish the fire in the fireplace

This is the second step – If you can put out the fire safely do so. If not, move to step 3.

Leave the house

Leave with all people and pets living in the home. If you feel it’s necessary, take with you any valuables that you can’t afford to lose. It probably won’t come to this, but use your judgment.

Why all the panic?

The panic is because, if sparks and embers are coming out of the top of your chimney, an active chimney fire is occurring, even if you don’t see actual flames.

Along with fiery debris exiting the chimney, a chimney fire often gives other signs such as:

• A strange tapping or clicking noise
• A rumbling sound like from a faraway train
• Excess dense smoke coming from the top of the chimney or the fireplace

What causes chimney fires?

By far the most common cause of chimney fires is creosote that ignites in the chimney flue. Creosote is formed by the condensation of smoke, and it accumulates inside your chimney every time you use your fireplace.

Preventative steps you can take

Since creosote originates in smoke, it follows that creating less smoke with your fires will benefit you. How can you do this?

• Burn only dry firewood, which is much less smoky than damp, unseasoned wood.
• Never burn cardboard, sheetrock, plastics, metals, packing materials, clothing or anything else. Non-firewood materials can produce excess smoke and burn too hot for your system.
• Burn hardwoods such as oak, walnut and elm, which make less smoke than pine, redwood, spruce and other softwoods.
• Have your chimney cleaned once a year.

How professional chimney sweeps deal with the problem

Chimney technicians are trained in the use of a variety of industry-grade tools to safely and effectively remove creosote from your chimney flue. An annual chimney sweep is an excellent step toward preventing chimney fires.
A clean chimney not only is less prone to a fire, but it’s also less likely to cause smoke backups, which often are caused when a flue is narrowed by creosote and outside debris. The real danger with smoke in your home is carbon monoxide, which is invisible, odorless and potentially fatal when inhaled.

Have your chimney inspected once a year

Annual chimney inspections go even further toward keeping your chimney clean and safe. Licensed chimney inspectors understand your system inside and out and will alert you to creosote issues as well as any damage or malfunction that is occurring.

Note that if your chimney is sending sparks and embers into the air, arrange for a special inspection as soon as the fire has been properly dealt with.

A clean chimney is a happy chimney

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace helps residents in the Kansas City, KS, region keep their fireplaces clean and happy. We provide licensed chimney inspections, chimney cleaning and all types of chimney repair work.

Speak with a chimney expert by calling (913) 236-7141, or reach us through our contact form.

The post When Sparks & Embers are Coming out of Your Chimney, Here’s what to Do appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

You rely on your chimney for appropriate ventilation in the fireplace. However, the chimney should protect your home from any elements in the outside world. If you notice that your chimney seems leaking when it is raining outside, you might need a chimney inspection. This is especially true if there is a water spot that you can see on the ceiling. Even a minor leak leads to a lot of damage. That is why you should understand the causes of why your chimney might be leaking.

Read this article until the end to find out more.

Rain is Going in from the Top

It is not difficult to imagine that. Chimneys that do not have covers gather a lot of rain that falls down inside them. A chimney cover is sensible to a lot of people. This will keep the rain out, and even the birds, animals, and debris. The greatest chimney cover value is about keeping them out since chimneys can get blocked at the bottom. Hence, people can get sick or die from CO poisoning. Even if it is true that your uncovered flue is why you have water problems, it is most likely because the metal is thin and it leads to a leaking chimney.

Rusty Top

From the top of your chimney, you will have a chase top that keeps water from going straight down into your chimney when it is raining. It will have an entire cute in the middle for the spark arrester and chimney pipe for it to go through. Caulk will be used to seal it.

In case the middle part of the chase is lower than the steel panel, it will hold water. This is going to lead to water that comes into the chimney since the chase top will rust through. The chase top can also leak because of the caulk that is failing around the hole and the chimney pipe and spark arrestor goes through.

Cracks in the Crown

The chimney crown is on the top of the chimney. The bricks go around those flue liners, but from the top, you will require something that will stop the rain and snow from going to the tiles. You will see that the main purpose of the chimney crown is to keep the rain away. Cracks can happen because of when the structure shifts or from the shrinkage that dates back to the first day when the crown was put on. When there are big cracks in the crown, the water will go through those cracks right away.

Roof Flashing Problem

Roof flashing is the thin metal that is installed to direct water away from certain parts of the roof, which includes your chimney. The chimney could be leaking because of flashing when it is not installed properly. When this is the case, there is nothing that keeps the water from going inside and it goes into your home.

Another reason is that you would have to rely on the workmanship warranty of the contractor or you can call a different roofer so they can come and properly reflash your chimney.

If the roof flashing is at the end of its lifespan or it becomes damaged, it needs to be replaced so the leak can be fixed.

You will need to hire chimney contractors from Ellicott City to get a leaking chimney fixed and you can live peacefully again.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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