When contained inside your home's fireplace, a roaring fire is a comforting sight and source of heat during cold winters. Experts at Chimneys.com explain that the chimney redirects combustible gases outside your home so that you can enjoy your fireplace safely. This process is known as "draft." When gas is heated inside the fireplace, it expands, becoming lighting. Warm gas travels up through the chimney shaft and escapes outside. While gas travels outside, the chimney draws clean air inside.
Use Seasoned Wood
State Farm Insurance encourages homeowners to only use seasoned wood when lighting fires in a fireplace. Purchase seasoned wood that was chopped about a year before you burn it. Keep seasoned wood isolated in storage before burning. Identify seasoned wood by its dark or grey color and cracked texture. Avoid green wood that is likely unseasoned.
When lit, seasoned wood releases more heat, and less creosote, than any other type of wood. Creosote is a black, tar-like material that accumulates inside a chimney. It is incredibly combustible, igniting fires when it becomes dense enough. Because seasoned wood emits less creosote when burning, it is a wise choice for homeowners wishing to reduce their risk of dangerous fires.
Inspecting a Brick or Stone Chimney
If your home has a chimney made of masonry or brick, monitor its condition regularly. Experts at Chimneys.com encourage you to look for cracked or chipped brick work. Also look for holes and ruptures in bricks as well as joints. Inspect the chimney's top using binoculars if necessary. In some houses, a masonry chimney connects to the attic. Check the attic for damage around the connecting areas.
Inspecting a Metal Chimney
Monitor a metal chimney for deformed or corroded parts. Experts at Chimneys.com want you to look for cracked or punctured areas that will need repair. Inspect connections, rivets, the smoke chamber, clean out doors and the chimney flue. Remember that damage on the outside of your chimney is typically connected to damage on the inside. Call a professional for guidance on how to address any abnormalities.
Why You Need a Chimney Cap
Weather phenomenon, such as rain, hail and snow, can enter your chimney, causing water accumulation. According to Chimneys.com, excess water weakens the chimney's lining and may even cause structural damage. Debris, such as leaves, and small animals, such as birds and rodents, can invade your chimney, leading to blockages. Install a chimney cap to keep pesky intruders outside where they belong. Choose caps made of stainless steel or copper for enhanced durability. Made from metal, steel and copper chimney caps suit metal chimneys while masonry chimneys look best with brick, stone or cement chimney caps.
Seek Professional Help
If monitoring and inspecting your chimney seems like a daunting task for you to take on alone, consider hiring a professional to perform these tasks for you. Always ask potential hires for proof of training and certification. Trust companies that invest in training and certifying their employees instead of risking your home, time, and money with someone who is less skilled at chimney maintenance. Hire a professional who is insured to eliminate any liability on your part. Ask for references and estimates too.
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