Though you may want to leave harder and dirtier work, such as chimney cleaning and inspection, to the professionals, there are several things you can do to keep your chimney in top shape on your own. In this post, we’ll take a look at tasks related to chimney maintenance and DIY chimney care and how Rochester homeowners should undertake each.
Keep the Home Fires Burning: DIY Chimney Care Tips
The first task you can undertake is very easy – just pay attention when you have a fire going. If you notice that it’s taking longer to get your fire started, that you have a stronger smoky smell than usual, that you have a creosote layer thicker than 1/8” in your chimney, or that the damper is black from soot or creosote, it’s time to have someone in for a cleaning.
The second task involves what type and age of firewood you’re getting in for a wood-burning fireplace or stove. If you’re noticing sap boiling out of the ends of a log that’s on the fire, it’s much too green and the rest of the load shouldn’t be used unless you can test it with a moisture meter. Green wood is not only harder to get to burn, but also increases creosote buildup in your chimney, which can lead to a chimney fire.
For the third and final task, do a basic visual inspection. Is your chimney cap still in place after a bad storm? Is there cracking or missing mortar in your chimney bricks? Are you finding small pieces of brick that indicate spalling is happening? Issues such as these require repairs by a professional so that you can ensure that your chimney will continue to operate safely for many years to come.
As you can see, there’s a lot you can do to help ensure that your chimney will work safely and effectively for many years to come. If you do need some help with these tasks or are in need of your annual inspection and cleaning, the experienced professionals at Four Winds Chimney in Rochester offer chimney maintenance services, and are ready to help. Please feel free to contact us today with any questions or concerns.
