If you have a chimney, you may enjoy the warmth, but that warmth can come at a price if you are not careful. You should stay on top of chimney maintenance and ask for chimney repair help at the first sign of trouble. Otherwise, you could be taking a major risk when it comes to your family’s safety. That is why most experts will tell you that you don’t need to wait to repair your chimney.
Each year, house fires are started because of a chimney not being properly maintained. It is also a common reason for homes to have too much carbon dioxide in them. Either of these issues could spell disaster and in some cases, you may not know that there is an issue until it is too late. Creosote is a buildup that ends up in all chimneys that burn wood. It sticks to the side of the pipes and it is very flammable. The only way to know it is there and perhaps stop it from causing you problems is to hire a chimney sweep.
If the buildup becomes a blockage, you will also have major issues. However, creosote isn’t the only reason a chimney can become blocked. Bird nests and water damage, collapsed pipes or lining, leaves and a variety of other things may cause a blockage. When this happens, smoke from the chimney may back up into your home. Everyone knows that smoke is carbon monoxide and dangerous to breathe in. Therefore, if you are smelling smoke or seeing a haze in your home, you could already have a massive issue that should be dealt with quickly.
Other issues, may take years to develop. Brickwork problems, an issue with the chimney cap or crown, and cracks in the flue are all major issues that can cause your entire chimney system to fail. There are ways for you to have it repaired that will not cost you a fortune. If it gets to the point where it is beyond repair, then you will have to spend more money to have your entire chimney replaced. Which would you rather deal with? A major expense or a little maintenance each year?
