When the warm spring weather arrives, you may be more than happy to stop stoking the fire and open your windows. While the heating season may be over, it is time to do any needed maintenance to your system. If you have a fireplace with a chimney, performing chimney maintenance needs to be done to protect your home and family. Here are some of chimney maintenance tasks you should add to your to-do list this spring or summer.

Chimney Cleaning

Creosote is a natural-occurring by-product of burning wood. This build-up in your chimney can cause blockages and chimney fires. If you use your woodstove or fireplaces as a main source of heat, you may need to have your chimney swept or cleaned every year. If a build-up of 1/8” of soot or any glaze is indication that your chimney needs cleaning.

Inspection

It is important to have your chimney fully inspected each year. You can do a visual inspection of the exterior to look for settling or cracks in your chimney. Any masonry issues should be repaired immediately. However, it is important to have a professional inspection to check the interior of the chimney, the damper and other elements.

Repairs

One of the reasons not to wait to complete chimney maintenance until fall is if there are repairs needed. If the chimney structure needs repairs it can take time. Chimney professionals are busy in the fall and you may run into issues getting your chimney repaired in time for winter.

As soon as you are ready to shutdown your fireplace for the season, schedule your inspection with a local chimney specialist. They can let you know if you need a cleaning or repairs to give you plenty of time to perform the maintenance needed before it is time to start a fire again.

Posted on behalf of:
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
1027 Oregon Trail
Marietta, GA 30008
(770) 422-2924