Chimney repair is very costly. If you don’t believe us then just look at your chimney, its size and shape and then decide the actual labor that will go into repairing it. Chimneys are a complex structure in any house. Its maintenance is much easier than going for any kind of chimney repair.
Did you know that Creosote (residue of combustion that gathers on the internal layers of flue liner) is extremely flammable? If it gathers for too long, it can catch fire and crack the fireproof clay flue liners, stone, or brick and eventually other combustible items in your house. A congested chimney is a reason of fire in many homes across the world.
So the solution is to focus on the chimney cleaning. Getting your chimney cleaned before or after winters is ideal as it gives you enough time to go for any chimney repair if required.
Chimney Cleaning is Better than Chimney Repair
Yes, it is true that chimney cleaning is better than chimney repair. However, you should ensure a thorough cleaning in order to avoid any negligence which may cause trouble in future.
We have prepared a list of areas you should insist your roofers to check. Here we go;
Firebox:
Check the firebox as there is a chance of any damaged brick, missing mortar or crumbling mortar.
Damper:
Check the damper, it should open freely and cover the smoke shelf properly. Also, you should see the damper for any cracks or rusted areas. It is very important to get the broken or corroded damper replaced by a professional roofer as soon as possible.
Debris:
The chimney should have a proper air flow. In case any debris is blocking the path, it should be cleared by an experienced roofer.
Bricks and Flue Liners:
The bricks and flue liners should be damage free. Any crack in the flue liner is an indicator of a previous fire and it should be repaired immediately to avoid further inconvenience.
Creosote
We have already discussed this. The creosote deposit shouldn’t be accumulated for long. Anything more than 1/8 inch is absolutely unacceptable; don’t let it gather for too long.
After checking all the above parts of your chimney, if the roofer gives you thumbs up then it is a good signal and means no more expenditure on chimney repair. However, if your roofer suggests any kind of chimney repair by showing you images or any other proof, don’t jump to the suggestion too quickly.
There are a lot of scammers out there who might show you a fake photo to get a nod of approval from you. So be alert and proceed carefully. If in doubt, get the second opinion about chimney repair from Eagle Roofing as care is better than cure.