Your chimney is very obviously a vital part of your fireplace system. Without it, the smoke and debris created by your fire would go into your house rather than being filtered outside, putting you and your loved ones at risk. With that said, however, it is possible for your chimney to become a detriment to your comfort when it is actually supposed to be a benefit.
In our last blog, we discussed the problems that can occur when your damper is stuck. This time we want to address what it means when your chimney is letting cold air into your home and why it is a definite sign that you should reach out for repair services. A broken damper may very well be a partial cause of the problem but we want to make sure you know what else might be causing a draft in your home.
Obviously chimneys and fireplaces age and start to break down over time. This is why we suggest getting a chimney inspection in Minneapolis, MN and scheduling repairs sooner than later so issues don’t have a chance to worsen and create a bigger job than you originally expected. Make sure you reach out to us for assistance ASAP if you have a drafty chimney!
Having a problem with your chimney is no fun. You want to add that little extra bit of warmth and atmosphere to your home tonight but there is something wrong with your chimney. It is a pain and we understand. That is why we want you to know a little more about when you should call for chimney repairs.
Your fireplace should be something in your home that you can trust to provide an extra boost of warmth and comfort during the cooler months. What’s more, it adds a little extra something to your home visually even during the summer months. The only thing that can hinder the positive effect that your fireplace has on you and your home is when it becomes a source of danger to your health and safety.
Gathering around the fireplace during a cold evening, or waking up and having breakfast around your fireplace on a Saturday morning, is a great feeling. What isn’t great is when you realize that your fireplace is full of dust and grime, or that there is another problem within your chimney that could threaten the health of everyone in the house.
You are staring at a fireplace that is filled with sooty dust and dreading needing to clean it out for what feels like the billionth time. Aside from the fact that you’ve gotten quite good at chopping wood to save a little cash, this fireplace truly feels like it is more work than it is worth at this point. And you don’t want to swing an axe even one more time.
You and your friend are standing in your front yard, staring at your house intently. Both of you have begun to tilt your heads just a bit to match the tilt that is beginning to become apparent in your chimney. Your friend says that it seems to add character to your home, emphasizing that it is a long-standing structure that has seen its residents through many a cool winter. However, you know that the mild tilt is an issue that can and will get worse and should be addressed sooner than later.
Tell us if this tale sounds familiar.
There is something special about stoking up a good fire in your fireplace to warm your home. Whether you do it just to take the chill out of the air in the evening, or you go full throttle and cozy up with a book, a mug of something warm and your loved ones, your fireplace helps to make your home that much more, well, homey.
To the untrained eye, a chimney may look like a simple brick and mortar pillar with a pipe or two at the top. In reality, you know that your chimney has many parts to it. And much like other areas of your home, your chimney needs regular, specialized care.
There’s a reason we’ve decided to build our chimney out of brick and mortar — they’re sturdy as heck! In fact, with the right care and attention, a masonry chimney can last well over 100 years, which is certainly a long time!