It’s February in Minnesota, which means winter isn’t letting up anytime soon. With the extreme weather we’ve been having in the Midwest lately, it’s no secret that our fireplaces have been used quite a bit. Of course, during this time of year, we expect our fireplaces to be efficient and effective, so what happens when cold air starts to seep through your chimney and directly into your home?
If your chimney is old or worn out, it is likely time for chimney repair in St. Paul, MN. More specifically though, we are talking about chimney restoration. Chimneys, although built to withstand stress, sometimes need restoration work. It is important for homeowners to be aware of the signs that suggest it is time for chimney restoration, so below, we have outlined a few of them. Keep reading below to learn more.Â
Lookout For These Tell-Tale Signs
Cold Air
A worn out chimney might be allowing cold, winter air into your home. During our cold, Minnesota winters, this could leave you quite uncomfortable and could expose your home to further issues. So, if you’ve noticed that your fireplace is quite drafty, contact a professional to schedule your chimney restoration services.
Smoke or fumes entering your home
A chimney in need of restoration services may begin to have venting problems. One of the first signs of a venting issue is smoke or other fumes entering your home. Typically, this indicates that the flue is in need of restoration to ensure that it has the proper lining and sealing. Relining is often necessary to avoid having to fully re-build a damaged chimney.
Leaning chimney
If your chimney looks more like the Leaning Tower of Piza than it does a chimney, its time to schedule your restoration services. A leaning chimney can put an immense strain on the building materials of your home and can cause the chimney liner to tear, exposing your home to hazards such as harmful fumes or even a fire.
Missing bricks or stones
Over time, the weather can begin to take its toll on the mortar that cements the bricks of your chimney together. Elements such as rain, wind, and snow can all wear down the mortar, causing the bricks to loosen and eventually fall out. As more bricks begin to loosen or fall out, the weaker your chimney becomes. If you’ve noticed that your chimney is missing some of the bricks or stones that it is made up of, do not hesitate to contact your local chimney professional.
Spalling bricks
When water enters a brick or a stone causing the surface of it to peel or flake off, it is called “spalling”. If you’ve noticed bits of masonry falling off your chimney, call a professional for restoration services. Ignoring this issue for an extended period of time can have some serious consequences, such as a chimney collapse.
Damaged wallpaper
One of the easiest ways to tell that you’ve got a chimney issue on your hands is to keep an eye on the wallpaper nearest your fireplace. If there is excess moisture entering your home through your chimney, the surrounding wallpaper will begin to warp or peel. Should you notice this, it’s best to call a professional sooner rather than later.
If your chimney is in need of restoration, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc.Â