As the colder winter months approach, it’s only natural that we start looking for ways of keeping the home warm and cozy.
A warm home isn’t just comfortable and relaxing, it’s also much better from a health and safety perspective too. It helps to prevent damp and mold, which not only devalue a property, but also pose risks to our health and wellbeing too.
One of the most effective and relaxing ways of keeping warm in the winter is via an open fire or stove. These are not only ideal for providing warmth, but they’re also great to look at as well. One of the biggest issues with any open fire or stove, however, is maintaining the chimney.
As chimneys are constantly exposed to the elements, they require regular care and maintenance. Contrary to popular belief, this needn’t be expensive either.
Here are several low-cost ways to prevent chimney damage year-round.
Why Chimney Maintenance is Important
A chimney is arguably the most important element of a fire. It helps to ensure it draws correctly and burns efficiently, plus it vents away toxic smoke and fumes such as Carbon Monoxide, which could potentially be fatal.
Chimneys are exposed to the elements 24/7, all year round. Whether it’s the wind, the rain, snow, frost, ice, sunshine, or anything else, over time the weather begins to take its toll. The main problem here is that, by the time homeowners notice there’s a problem, it’s already too late.
A small chunk of loose mortar is not a costly or complex fix, but if left unaddressed, the problem will get worse and could result in a collapsed chimney. Needless to say, that would be much more complex repair job, and would cost a lot more as well.
By maintaining your chimney year-round, you can prevent small problems from becoming big ones. Not only that, but you can also prevent common chimney-related issues entirely.
Low-Cost Ways to Prevent Chimney Damage Year-Round
Now that we’ve established the importance of regular chimney maintenance, we now need to look at what you can do to keep your chimney in full working order and to prevent small problems from becoming big ones.
Here’s a look at several low-cost maintenance tips to prevent chimney damage year-round.
Inspect Your Chimney Regularly
Prevention is better than cure, and one of the best ways of preventing major chimney issues is identifying any weaknesses or vulnerabilities nice and early.
Using the correct safety equipment such as a safety ladder and harness, try to inspect your chimney regularly, every three months or so at the changing of the seasons. It’s also a good idea to have an annual inspection carried out by a professional surveyor.
Look for visible signs of damage such as loose mortar, cracks, chips, or debris on the ground. On top of the brickwork, check for any signs of damp or discoloration, as well as weed growth, vegetation growth, or signs of animals nesting.
Ideally, try to take photos or videos each time so that you can compare and make sure everything looks as it should.
Have Your Chimney Swept Regularly
One of the most common causes of chimney damage in the home is through a lack of regular sweeping.
As wood, coal, and other forms of fuel burn, they produce smoke which in turn produces soot which coats the lining of the chimney, resulting in creosote. Overtime, this can build up and reduce airflow, as well as posing the risk of a chimney fire if it ignites.
Regular chimney sweeping will ensure that the chimney and liner remain free of soot and free of creosote as a result.
Ideally you should have your chimney swept at least once per year, though some experts recommend twice a year, depending upon how often you use the fire and the fuel that you’re burning. Ideally, your chimney should be swept before each winter, as that is when it will get the most use.
Check Your Flashing and Seals
While carrying out your regular inspections of the chimney, you should also make sure you take the time to check the flashing and seals.
The flashing is found around the base of the chimney where it meets the roof. It basically seals the gap between the roof and the chimney itself. The flashing is usually made from lead and can weather and degrade over time. If the flashing is damaged it can cause leaks by allowing water into the home.
If your flashing and seals are showing any signs of damage, or if you can clearly see gaps, they’ll need repairing as soon as you can. The more water they allow into the home, the worse the damage will be.
Burn Suitable Fuel
When burning fuel on a stove or fire, it’s essential that you only burn the correct fuel.
Woodburning stoves, for example, are now hugely popular, yet it’s essential that you burn the correct types of wood on them. Only burn seasoned wood with a moisture content of below 20%. Burning green wood high in moisture will produce less heat and more smoke, which in turn will cause more creosote to build up.
Never burn household waste, plastic, unseasoned wood, or wood treated with paint, oils, stains, varnish, or anything else. This will not only increase the risk of a blocked chimney and chimney fire, it will also produce toxic fumes.
Repoint and Replace Damaged Mortar
One of the most common signs of chimney damage is damaged mortar. If you notice that the mortar found between the bricks of your chimney is cracked, broken, or missing, it will need replacing or repointing.
When you repoint the mortar with fresh, weatherproof, hard-wearing mortar, it will stand up against the elements for longer and help to add stability to the chimney stack.
Waterproof Your Chimney
Finally, once all of the necessary repairs and touchups have been carried out, it’s a good idea to waterproof your chimney to help protect it against the rain.
Waterproof treatments can be applied directly onto the masonry and will protect against rain and moisture damage for years on end.
You can apply these treatments yourself if you’re able to do so safely, but failing that, there are plenty of experts out there who can do so for very reasonable prices. It may seem costly to bring in an expert, but considering the protection the treatment provides, most agree that it’s money well spent.