Use a Little of Your Tax Refund for Needed Spring Chimney Maintenance
Some chimney problems occur regardless of how well you maintain your chimney. Other problems occur because necessary repairs and maintenance were neglected. This spring, consider spending a portion of your income tax refund on important chimney maintenance.
A little expense now is better than a lot of expense later, and your homeowner’s insurance provider expects this from you. Most insurance companies won’t pay for chimney damage if they consider it “expected” due to neglect.
The Chimney Guys of Pataskala, OH, would like to outline key chimney maintenance work that all chimneys need. The goal is to keep your chimney working more safely and efficiently while satisfying your insurance company, should a major disaster strike and you want to be compensated.
Important chimney services
There’s no way you can guard your chimney against a tree falling on it or a vicious six-hour hailstorm. You can, however, guard it against just about everything else.
The way to do this is with these three key chimney services. Neglecting them will almost certainly lead to problems sooner or later.
Chimney sweeping
Wood fires cause creosote to form in chimney flues. This substance is highly flammable and is the cause of most reported chimney fires each year in the greater Columbus, OH, region.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and almost every other fire safety organization in the U.S. strongly recommend annual chimney sweeping for chimneys that draft wood-burning fireplaces.
Insurance companies think the same way and expect homeowners to have their chimneys cleaned on a regular basis.
Another benefit of chimney sweeping is that it removes leaves, twigs, animal nests, and other debris that can narrow the flue and cause smoke and deadly carbon monoxide to back up into the home.
Chimney inspections
A proper chimney inspection by a licensed, experienced technician should be performed once a year for all styles of masonry chimneys. Your inspector will be able to spot early signs of damage and malfunction and recommend the right way to fix them.
A basic chimney safety inspection covers:
- Chimney cap or chase top
- Concrete chimney crown
- Chimney liner
- Bricks and mortar within the masonry
- Chimney flashing
- Fireplace damper
- Firebox
An inspection will also address problems such as smoke backups, carbon monoxide monitors going off, strong chimney odors, animals in the chimney, and difficulty in getting fires started and keeping them going.
Chimney repairs
Any trouble that turns up during an inspection should be resolved right away. If recommended chimney repairs are neglected, it could lead to dangerous operating conditions and cause insurance providers to balk at paying for them.
Every part and component of your chimney system can be either repaired, replaced, or rebuilt. Doing this work quickly will save you a lot of money and give you peace of mind.
Schedule your spring chimney maintenance
If you live in Pataskala, OH, or within the greater Columbus, OH, region, The Chimney Guys is ready to help with your spring chimney maintenance, including a professional inspection, expert repairs, and certified chimney sweeping.
Call us or use our contact form.
