Are You Prepared? How To Get Your Chimney Ready For Winter
Posted on: 18 August 2020
Winter will be here in a few months. If you plan to use your fireplace, now's the time to take care of the chimney. You might not realize this, but fireplace safety begins with the chimney. That's why it's important that you take steps to weatherize your chimney. Here are some tips you can use to get your chimney ready for winter.
Start With an Inspection
Now that you're getting your fireplace ready for winter, you need to start with a chimney inspection. Because the chimney extends above your roof, you probably don't get the chance to look at it all that often. Unfortunately, that means there could be some chimney problems that you don't know about. To catch those issues before they become a serious problem this winter, you should have your chimney inspected. Three areas to pay close attention to include the flashing, the masonry, and the cap. If the inspection identifies problems in any of those areas, you should take care of the repairs before winter arrives.
Clear Away the Blockages
Once you've had your chimney inspected, you should move on to the cleaning portion of the project. If your chimney cap was damaged, or if you didn't have one in place, you'll need to start by removing any blockages. Without a proper cap, your chimney could be filled with debris, including leaves, twigs, and birds nests. This type of debris can cause problems with airflow. If that happens, you could end up with a smoke-filled home this winter. To avoid that, have the blockages cleared away before winter.
Remove the Creosote
After the debris has been cleared away, you'll be able to see the creosote buildup. Creosote poses a serious risk for you and your chimney. Creosote is extremely flammable. If you have a buildup of creosote inside your chimney, you're at an increased risk for chimney fires. The best way to reduce that risk is to have your chimney cleaned before winter.
Waterproof the Chimney
Finally, if you want to make sure your chimney can withstand the winter weather that's on the way, don't forget the waterproofing. Your chimney will be exposed to rain and ice all winter long. It might even be exposed to snow during the winter. If that's the case, you need to make sure it's protected against moisture damage. To do that, be sure to have a fresh coat of waterproofing applied to your chimney's exterior.
For more information, contact a chimney service in your area.
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