4 Tips for Quality Chimney Maintenance
Posted on: 15 September 2015
Before you know it, the biting temperatures of fall and winter will be here. For that reason, you will need to get your chimney in order so that it is operating safely and with the best performance. Keeping this in mind, you should make sure that you understand some chimney repair and maintenance tasks that will keep it up and running. Follow these tips and use them in the best way possible for your household.
Be Selective About The Wood That You Are Using For Your Chimney
Selecting the right type of wood will go a long way toward keeping your chimney in the best condition. Using the best wood will allow it to burn cleanly without leaving too many hazardous deposits. For best results, select seasoned hardwood that is no older than about six months or a year at the most. Chopping and storing your own firewood will give you the best opportunity to monitor what type of wood you are using in your chimney.
Use Safety Equipment To Monitor The Chimney
For the safety of your household and to make sure your chimney is operating to its potential, you should have some monitoring equipment installed nearby. It's better to be safe than sorry, so install old smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and check their batteries and parts a couple times every year. This is critical, since 20,000 to 30,000 people die from carbon monoxide on an annual basis.
Make Sure Your Chimney Repair Contractor Is Certified
When you want the utmost in chimney care, you will need to leave it to professional chimney contractors. When hiring a chimney contractor, always make sure that they are certified with both CSIA and NCGS. Get a copy of their liability insurance in writing so that your home and all work is protected. Shop around for the best rates on a chimney contractor and always check the reputation with references.
Seal Your Bricks Periodically
If you want the chimney to last throughout the bitter winter, seal its bricks. Sealing the bricks will keep out moisture and allow it to operate no matter how much it rains or snows. You can either buy a crown sealer and apply it by spraying the chimney from the base up and allow it to dry, or hire a chimney contractor like Excel Chimney & Fireplace Service to apply the sealant.
With these four pieces of advice, you can keep your chimney in great condition all year.
Share