How To Increase The Lifespan Of Your Chimney
It’s easy to let regular maintenance slip on household components and appliances. Because of this, regular upkeep of your chimney is key to maintaining and extending its life. Even if you don’t consider yourself to have many fires during the season, it’s important not to neglect regular care. Every homeowner should consider how to extend the life of their chimney with simple care.
There are several ways to ensure you’re doing everything you can to extend the life of your chimney. Let’s take a look at some of the most important preventative actions you can take.
Regular Inspections & Maintenance
The absolute most important step to take is annual inspections along with a maintenance plan. At each chimney inspection, our chimney professionals evaluate all aspects of your chimney to pinpoint any issues early on. We look at things such as the condition of your masonry, liner, and chimney caps to determine if corrective action plans should be put in place.
Along with that, annual cleaning plan help homeowners ensure they’re burning in safe and healthy conditions.
After a season of burning firewood in your fireplace, you’ll be ready to take care of creosote, or highly flammable chemical byproduct, that is stuck on the walls of your chimney. Not only does this buildup make for stinky and potentially toxic air to breath in, if neglected it can also expedite the breakdown of your masonry or lead to a house fire.
Updating Your Chimney Liner
A chimney liner is a clay or flexible steel tube that lines the inside of your chimney and guides fumes and smoke up your chimney rather than into your chimney cavity. These play a vital role in a healthy burning environment so it’s important that you have one and that it’s in good shape. If your chimney liner is cracked, it can also lead to carbon monoxide inside of your home. A functioning liner can also add years to the life of your chimney.
Contact the chimney and fireplace experts
For over 35 years, when it comes to chimney sweeps in the Southern CA area, "Chimney Sweeps, Inc." is the go-to trusted option. We provide complete inspections, repairs, chimney cleaning, and relining services. If you are looking for a new fireplace, stove or insert we can help you there too! We focus on all services to assist in extending the life of your chimney.
Speak with a chimney and fireplace expert today at (619) 593-4020 or request an appointment online HERE.
Ensure Your Chimney is Waterproof
Water is your biggest enemy when it comes to chimney lifespan. Regular wear and tear from the elements is normal, but it’s important to make sure there are no cracks or entry for water to find it’s way into. Water can degrade materials and break down the structure integrity.
One way you can ensure your chimney is waterproof is to install a chimney cap. These can greatly reduce water from getting inside of your chimney, while also keeping out animals and other debris you don’t want to see the inside of your chimney.
