Chimneys are a very important part of a house. They are a great source of ventilation and take care of smoke produced when you use the fireplace. Without a chimney, all the smoke and soot would start to accumulate on your walls, making them unaesthetic. The accumulated soot can also leave a foul smell in the room, making it unpleasant for people to use it. Just like any other thing, chimneys also have wear and tear.
Many things can cause deterioration, so let’s take a look at how a chimney can be damaged and the causes.
Water Damage
Water damage is one of the most common reasons for chimney damages. It causes the chimney to wear down at a much faster rate than any other factor. It can cause parts like the damper or the firebox to rust, not allowing them to open and shut properly. Small cracks or gaps allow moisture to settle in, and accumulated moisture can corrode the bricks over time, making them loose, leading to structural damage.
Moisture inside the chimney doesn’t allow combustion to occur properly, and incomplete combustion leads to creosote build-up in the flue, which gives off toxic gases that harm the flue lining.
Chimney Fires
Chimney fires damage the chimney a lot. Internal damages inside the chimney flue fasten the process of natural deterioration. Chimney fires take place due to the excessive accumulation of creosote in the flue. As creosote is highly flammable, it ignites due to moisture and constant heat being produced by the burning woods resulting in a chimney fire.
The fire damages the chimney liners and the chimney’s interior masonry. Due to the high temperature of the fire, bricks start to crack and form gaps, allowing water into them, which eventually damages the chimney structure over time.
Natural Calamities
Some things are out of our control, and there is nothing we can do to prevent them. Natural disasters are one of those things. Earthquakes, cyclones, typhoons, tornadoes, tsunamis, hailstorms, and thunderstorms all cause structural damage. They possess enough force and power to eat up anything that stands in their way.
Lack of maintenance
Regular cleaning and maintenance help the chimney to work better and longer. Not cleaning your chimney leads to the build-up of soot and creosote that damages the chimney internally. It also allows water in the brick, which causes them to corrode over time. Due to excessive moisture, the damper also gets rusted, making it difficult to open and close it.
Chimney damage can become a bigger problem if not dealt with at the right time. It can also be a lot costly and a major inconvenience. Luckily for us, some companies and professionals offer chimney repair services; CT Chimney Repair is one of them.
We are a chimney repairing company in Unionville, Connecticut. Our wide range of services and years of experience in this field has allowed us to be the number one choice for house and business owners.
Contact us now and get up to $25 off on any of our services.
