Chimneys, like anything else in your home, need inspections, maintenance, and sometimes repairs. An inspection lets you know if the chimney is working properly, safely and healthily. It gives you peace of mind that your family will be warm without a potential fire hazard. Maintenance like cleanings removes soot and creosote that build up in the chimney. Creosote is flammable, and presents a safety risk when not regularly cleaned. Inspections and cleanings should take place annually before the heating season gets underway. Early fall would probably be the best time to get these scheduled. It is possible to clean the chimney yourself, but you may want to leave such an important a task to professionals.
Repairs, such as leaks and removal of blockages caused by animal nests, are common and usually minor. Chimney Relining in Hagerstown MD is a repair that has many benefits. Chimney liners protect the structure from heat transfer. It provides a barrier between the fire, soot and creosote buildup and the actual bricks and mortar of the chimney. A liner also protects the masonry from corrosive byproducts of combustion. It keeps vapors and gases escaping your home safely and properly. Problems with the liner could allow carbon monoxide to seep into your home, for example.
Chimney sweeps can inspect your liner and reline the chimney if that is needed. There are different types of liners, from clay to new liners that can be cast on-site within the existing chimney. Relining increases the efficiency of the chimney, and can keep you and your family warm and comfortable with less money spent on utility bills. There are other repairs that may need to be done as well. Leak repair, rebuilding part of the chimney, and masonry repair are a few examples. Besides Chimney Relining in Hagerstown MD, other services include fireplace repair and re-pointing, installation of caps and crowns, and installation of fireplaces and wood stoves. Check out Magic Mountain Chimney Sweeps for more details and options.
Chimneys help in heating your home and making you comfortable through winter months. They can also have the potential to catch fire, leak and allow dangerous gases to remain in your home. Do get your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year, get it relined when necessary, and make repairs when needed. You will be glad that you didn’t compromise the safety of your family by putting off this task.