If your chimney has been sitting idle for too long, checking it for damages and repairs might be the first thing you want to do before re-using it. You might be thinking that a chimney that hasn’t been used in a long while should be just fine; that is not true.
An unused chimney can have a lot of problems, some that can have severe and lasting consequences. Let’s take a look at the types of chimney repair you might need before re-using your chimney.
Check For Animals
Unused chimneys can become the perfect habitat for animals. It is dark, warm, and four-sided, making it the ideal home for animals like squirrels, birds, and raccoons. If animals are living, then there are also animal droppings and turning the fireplace on before cleaning it can cause bad odor to spread in your house.
Another reason it is important to check for animals is that the materials they use to build their nests such as leaves, branches, and twigs are all flammable, resulting in a chimney fire. A chimney fire is extremely harmful to the chimney as it damages the flue and starts the process of structural damage.
Bad Smells
If you haven’t used your chimney in a while, there is a good chance of moisture building up in the flue. Snow and rain over time allow moisture to accumulate in the chimney, which starts to give off a musty smell when the fireplace is used. Accumulation of soot and creosote also gives off a nasty smell in an unused chimney
Checking for Chimney Fires
Even if you haven’t used your chimney in a while, checking it for any chimney fire signs is important before using the chimney. Chimney fires cause a lot of damage to the chimney itself and the structure of the chimney. It damages the inner flue and chimney liners, and excessive heat from the fire also causes the bricks to crack.
The damaged flue allows moisture to accumulate, leading to the development of creosote that is highly flammable and also gives off toxic gases. Cracked bricks have gaps in them which allow water to flow in and damage the bricks over time. This corrosion causes the bricks to chip off and become loose, paving the way for structural damage to the chimney.
Having your chimneys repaired if you haven’t used it in a long time can save you from a lot of hassle and inconvenience. Not only does it save you from additional costs when any damage might occur, but also allows the chimney to work better and much more efficiently. If you haven’t used your fire place in a while, then getting it checked from a professional like CT Chimney Repair can be the difference maker.
We are the leading chimney repair and chimney cleaning company in Connecticut. Our years of experience and knowledge in the industry have allowed us to enjoy this reputation we have today.
Check out our range of services and contact us now to get a free estimate.
