In the wintertime, you may assume you can light the fireplace without any repercussions. But when you live in an area where snow and ice play a prominent role in the winter’s climate, you need to take some extra precautions.
Here are 3 ways we recommend homeowners get their chimneys ready for the winter. Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season by following our advice.
Be on the lookout for leaks
A major concern in the winter is weather snow and water can leak into the chimney or into your home. Often, winter is when it is discovered that the flashing around a chimney is not properly sealed, allowing for water to drip into the home.
We recommend a thorough inspection of the flashing in the winter, and that you continue to be on the lookout for leaks. You should leave the inspection up to a professional chimney sweep to ensure every leak is caught as early as possible.
Stay concerned about creosote
Creosote is a flammable substance that builds up in a chimney. While it can buildup in the chimney anyway, wet conditions make it more likely, since water vapor mixes with smoke and other combustion byproducts to create a thick, tarlike substance (creosote) you don’t want to have too much of in your chimney.
Hire chimney sweeps to clean the chimney once a year—at least. And if you don’t already have one, a chimney cap installation is a great way to keep excess water from leaking into your chimney.
Get rid of rust
Be on the lookout for rusty dampers and chimney caps—a result of snow and water mixing with certain metals and oxygen. Replace worn-down chimney components before it gets too cold to ensure key components stay in good shape throughout the winter.
Call 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. for chimney services in Minneapolis, MN.