Outline
Introduction
By Teri Silver
There’s nothing like sitting in front of a blazing fire indoors on a cold winter’s night. But if the home’s chimney is blocked or damaged, that fire could turn disastrous. Maintaining the chimney during the off-season ensures the home’s comfort and safety all year long.
Here are a few items to put on your summer chimney care checklist.
Chimney Inspection
Inspecting the chimney is not a recommended DIY project because not only does it require climbing up to the roof, but you really have to know what to look for. Regular chimney inspections keep track of wear and tear, blockages, cracks, masonry damage, and loose debris.
Critter Removal
Birds and small animals search for cozy, warm nesting spots that are close to food and water sources. One sign of birds nesting in the chimney is finding nesting materials — grass, leaves, twigs, and mud on the floor of your fire grate. Other signs? Bird poop and chirping or whistling.
Chimneys attract many types of birds; one such kind is a chimney swift. In summer, you might find hundreds of these tiny creatures in one large chimney.
Mice, squirrels, and other crawly critters may also find the chimney to be a suitable home for their offspring. In any case, animals and birds nesting in the chimney must be removed — preferably by a wildlife expert.
Cleaning
Ashes and soot hang around during the off-season, forcing dust into the house while lowering indoor air quality. Cleaning a dirty fireplace is a DIY project (if you really want to), but not the chimney — that’s for a professional sweeping service.
Creosote Buildup Removal
Creosote is an extremely flammable, tar-like, sooty, gooey layer of crud that builds up in chimneys after every fireplace wood fire. Heavily coating the inside of the chimney, creosote also deposits gunk in the flue.
Unseasoned wood and restricted air flow contribute to creosote buildup. Keep glass doors and the damper open to let air flow through the flue.
Creosote sweeping logs are available at most home improvement stores — they are easy to use and help with routine maintenance. But creosote logs are not a replacement for regular chimney cleanings. One thing to note — pine logs are not good for wood burning fireplaces. Much like creosote, pine sap gunks up the chimney.
And don’t forget to clean your outdoor fireplace. They need regular maintenance, too.
Close and Seal
Fireplace dampers seal the flow of air between the home and chimney. If a wood burning fireplace’s damper isn’t closed or if it’s not sealed well, the draft is like having a window open in the house all the time (and that leads to higher utility bills). Keeping the damper closed also deters critters from getting into the house through the chimney.
Dampers for gas fireplaces should be kept open all the time to keep gas from building up in the house if there’s a leak.
Chimney Cap
Chimney caps prevent damage from moisture, birds, animals, and debris. Chimney caps are made with metal and mesh components that also keep hot embers from reaching the roof.
Masonry Damage
Bricks and cement deteriorate over time. Holes, chipping, and missing mortar are signs of masonry damage on the chimney. Freeze-thaw cycles crack mortar joints between chimney bricks. Heavy rain, ice, or hailstorms take their toll over time. Warped, torn flashing, or cracked crowns get worse during the winter.
Summer is a good time for masonry repairs. Minor damage can escalate, leading to a leaning or collapsing chimney — not something to deal with in winter.
Waterproofing
Excessive moisture and humidity are very damaging to chimneys. Water causes mortar and bricks to crack and crumble. Waterproof sealants protect masonry from rain and snow. Waterproofing products are available at home improvement stores, but if you’re not steady on your feet when climbing onto the roof, it is best to hire a bonded, insured professional.
Yearly chimney inspections are the best way to protect and maintain your expensive real estate investment. This is not the kind of DIY project for homeowners, hire a professional to handle all the dirty work.