During extreme cold months, your fireplace becomes your favorite amenity. After all, it provides an exceptional respite from the blustery, cold outdoors. Now that winter is over and the temperatures are rising gradually, homeowners are shutting their fireplaces and forgetting about it at least until fall. But, doing so can result in serious problems.
Many homeowners assume that since there is no fire burning in the fireplace, nothing wrong can happen with it. Unfortunately, there are plenty of things that can go wrong with your chimney during the off-season. Thus, the experts at Pro-Line Constructions want to share crucial maintenance tips that will ensure your chimney and fireplace remain functioning when it’s time to use them again.
Get cleaning and inspection
Summer is the perfect time to give your chimney and fireplace some much-needed attention and care. Having your chimney cleaned and inspected during the summer months provides plenty of benefits. You can set up the appointment as per your own schedule since it’s off-season. What’s more, if there is an underlying problem with your chimney that you didn’t know, you can get it fixed and ensure your chimney is in good shape for the winter season. Remember, cleaning and inspection go hand-in-hand. So it’s best to schedule for both the services at the same time.
Inspect or repair chimney cap. If you don’t have it, install one!
Does your chimney have a cap? If not, it’s time to get one installed. Your chimney cap serves an important role in protecting your home from the outdoor elements during the off-season. Not only does it block things like acorns, leaves, and pine needles from falling into your chimney but also keeps precipitation like hail and rain from seeping into your home. A well-installed chimney cap also keeps animals such as squirrels, bats, and birds at bay. Thus, you would want to ensure your chimney cap is in pristine condition. And if you don’t already have it, call a professional to get it installed immediately.
Don’t keep the damper open
It’s best to close the damper when your fireplace is not in use if you have a wood-burning fireplace. The primary purpose of the damper is to seal off any airflow, especially when you are using AC during hot summer months. A closed damper will also prevent critters from entering the home. An open damper will have a significant effect on your electricity bills. If you have a gas fireplace, we recommend keeping the damper open when you suspect a gas leak.
Don’t neglect your firebox
You probably clean your firebox regularly during the cold months. However, your firebox requires thorough cleaning when it’s not in use to prevent sticky buildup on the surface, and summer is the ideal time to do so. It will also improve the air quality in the room. So put on a breathing mask, remove ashes and wood chips, vacuum the firebox, and scrub the surface if necessary. Clean fireboxes also improve the appearance of the room significantly.
A chimney is a crucial ventilation system that allows dangerous fumes, toxins, and smoke to escape your home. A clean and well-maintained chimney means a safer, more efficient fireplace. It also prevents disastrous issues such as roof leaks, house fires, or chimney damage.
Since summer offers the best possible weather for most chimney and fireplace repairs, we recommend booking an inspection today!
Pro-Line Construction has a team of experienced and skilled contractors who can help you clean, inspect, repair, and maintain your chimney and other home elements such as roof, siding, masonry, and more. Our certified chimney contractors have extensive experience handling any kind of chimney job.
Contact our team for a project assessment and get a free estimated quote!
