Why You Should Avoid Leaves and Branches Over the Chimney

We all love trees, especially in the fall when they put on a vibrant display as they change colors and, in the summer, when they provide shade from the sun as you relax in your backyard. There is, however, another side to having trees in your yard, especially when limbs extend over your chimney. Here are some reasons why you should avoid leaves and branches over the chimney.

Leaves or Needles

The most apparent reason not to let leaves and branches extend over your chimney is a blockage. Falling leaves and pine needles can create a blockage that will prevent carbon monoxide from leaving your chimney. Carbon monoxide goes by the moniker- “the silent killer,” which really should be called the invisible killer. Why? Because carbon monoxide can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted and can harm or kill your family and pets. A qualified chimney sweep service will have no trouble removing the blockage from your chimney and making it safer for your home.

A blocked chimney will also interfere with the draft in your chimney, making it harder to light and sustain a fire. A chimney sweep will not only remove the blockage but also tell if the draft in your chimney is optimal for fire and can make adjustments to improve it. Even if debris from trees is not blocking your chimney, the limbs from a tree can interfere with your chimney’s draft.

Falling Branches or Limbs

In the spring and summer, storms can cause a limb from a tree to fall and damage your chimney and roof. In the winter, ice or snow can build up on a limb and snap it off the tree, bringing its full weight down on your chimney and roof and causing expensive repairs. In some cases, the damage to your chimney may be so severe that the crown may need to be replaced.

Wildlife

Limbs and branches that are close to or touching your chimney make an excellent off-ramp from a tree for wildlife. In the winter, the warmth from your chimney may be too much for them to resist, and you can wind up with a bird or raccoon nest in your chimney, which creates a blockage problem, the effects we discussed above.

The Solution to Leaves and Branches Over Your Chimney

It’s simple to solve the problem of leaves and branches over your chimney. Prune limbs that extend over your chimney back a safe distance, and it will keep leaves or needles from clogging your chimney.

The next step is to have a chimney sweep service inspect your chimney, make any needed repairs, or remove any blockages.

Having Issues with Leaves in Your Chimney?

If you reside in Hyde Park, Hopewell Junction, Staatsburg, Millbrook, Dover Plains, Pawling, Beekman, East Fishkill, Fishkill, Wappinger Falls, New Paltz, Stanfordville, or the greater Hudson Valley area, give us a call at 845-471-1071 or complete our simple contact form; a chimney expert will be in contact to discuss inspecting and repairing your clogged or damaged chimney. Our chimney sweeps are certified and will remove any blockages and repair damages to your chimney. Don’t use your chimney when there is a dangerous blockage; get in touch today.