What are the Most Common Chimney Problems?
Fireplaces provide pleasure, warmth, and comfort in bleak weather, but neglecting chimney maintenance is never good. So, what are the most common chimney problems? Whatever the issues may be with your chimney, it is essential to call on chimney professionals to address them. Our chimney sweeps at Chimney Saver Solutions are CSIA-certified. Through the years, homeowners in the Richmond VA area have trusted our reliable services with no regrets. Ours is an unregulated industry, which opens the door for scammers to cash in on our love of fireplaces with no training, experience, or concern about customer care.
Annual chimney inspections are recommended by all leading fire safety experts. The following are among the most common chimney problems discovered during an inspection.
Excess Creosote Buildup
Wood-burning fireplaces are favorites for the unbeatable ambiance they create. Crackling and popping sounds, a woodsy scent, and the mesmerizing flames are worth the resulting demand for routine cleaning. Highly flammable creosote is a byproduct of wood fires. Creosote is deposited in the chimney liner with every wood fire you burn. Creosote buildup increases the possibility of hazardous chimney fires, which almost always result in structural damage.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends scheduling a chimney cleaning once there is 1/8” of creosote in the chimney liner. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends annual chimney cleaning. Creosote develops in three forms, and only one is easy to remove with a professional chimney brush.
Deterioration of the Flue Liner
Toxic fumes are created by all fires, whether fueled by gas, propane, or wood. These combustion byproducts exit through the chimney flue liner. Chimney liners must be free of damage. Even a tiny crack in the flue liner can expose a home and family to deadly carbon monoxide exposure and out-of-control fires.
Flue liner deterioration can be the result of:
- Normal wear and tear,
- Moisture inside the chimney has mixed with the toxic materials in creosote, or
- The foundation underneath the chimney has shifted.
During Level 2 chimney inspections, a special video camera is used to examine the flue liner from top to bottom. A chimney liner replacement is usually the most practical solution to flue liner damage.
Chimney Obstruction
Without a chimney inspection, it can be impossible to be sure whether a chimney is safe to use. Every year, thousands of devastating home fires occur as a result of chimney obstructions. Creosote buildup, animal nests, and masonry debris are among the causes of chimney blockage.
Chimney Masonry Damage
Chimney masonry is subject to damage, especially moisture damage. When water gets into a chimney system, all the bricks affected must be replaced. If you see cracks in your chimney, it is evidence that moisture is infiltrating the masonry system. The cracks may not have been caused by moisture, however. Lightning is just one of the causes of damaged chimney masonry. Chimney leaks are among the tell-tale signs that masonry repair is needed.
Contact the Chimney Pros about Common Chimney Problems
Chimney Saver Solutions is your place to find dependable help with the most common chimney problems and more. We have the experience to identify the fix you need. With our training and best-in-the-industry equipment, we can provide every type of chimney service under the sun. Give us a call for masonry rebuilding, chimney flashing repair, chimney cap installation, chimney cleaning, chimney inspections, chimney mortar replacement (tuckpointing services), and new fireplace installation.
Call us today or fill out our online form to get started.
