Is Your Fireplace & Chimney Ready for Fall?
Getting your fireplace and chimney ready for fall and the busy winter burning season means making sure everything’s working like it should. Hudson Valley Chimney of Poughkeepsie, NY, would like to share exactly how to do this.
First, schedule a chimney inspection
Before you start trying to figure out what’s happening with your chimney and fireplace system, let a licensed chimney inspector look it over.
Chimney inspections cover all readily accessible parts of your chimney and fireplace and will quickly tell you if something’s broken or needs to be replaced.
A proper inspection covers:
- Chimney masonry
- Chimney caps, flue covers, and chase covers
- Chimney crowns
- Chimney chases
- Chimney liners
- Chimney flashing
- Fireplace dampers
- Firebox bricks and panels
Scheduling a chimney inspection early in the fall each year will give you a heads-up on problems so you can get them taken care of before you start using your fireplace regularly.
Next, have your chimney swept
If you use a wood-burning fireplace, your chimney flue is going to collect creosote, which forms when smoke condenses. You can’t keep creosote from happening, but you can have it professionally cleaned out once a year.
The two main potential problems with creosote:
- A devastating chimney or house fire
- A buildup that narrows the flue and causes smoke and deadly carbon monoxide to back up into the home
Additionally, chimney sweeping removes tree debris and the nests of small animals, all of which can cause drafting issues. A proper chimney cap will keep debris and animals out.
Common fireplace and chimney problems
Moving into fall and winter, we often find the following common problems:
- Cracks in masonry bricks; crumbling of the mortar between the bricks
- White stains on the masonry – means water is getting into the bricks
- Clogged or damaged chimney caps and chase tops
- Chimney crown deterioration
- Chimney flashing warping, rusting, or unseating
- Damage to chimney liners
- Excess creosote and debris in the flue
- Inoperable fireplace dampers
- Cracked fire bricks and refractory panels in the firebox
These are some of the common issues that need to be addressed before we move into winter.
Don’t wait too long
The longer you wait to have your chimney and fireplace inspected, cleaned, and repaired; the more difficult it might be to schedule service late in the year.
Chimney crews tend to get very busy as fall progresses – it seems as if everyone wants to wait until the last minute to schedule service. Don’t put it off. Contact your chimney company as early in the fall as possible.
Another concern is the weather. A lot of different types of chimney and fireplace work, particularly that which involves mortar or concrete compounds, is better done in milder temperatures than in the frigid, freezing air.
Schedule your fall chimney inspection and cleaning
Hudson Valley Chimney has served Poughkeepsie, NY, and all of Dutchess County, NY, since 1976 with expert chimney services. We provide chimney sweeping, licensed inspections and all types of repair work.
Schedule an inspection or chimney sweep by phone or through our contact form.
