It's the perfect time to settle in by a cozy fireplace. But before you do so, you need to make sure your chimney doesn't need cleaning or repair. If your chimney needs repair, your movie night could become dangerous! Here's how to be proactive about your chimney maintenance and repair, and why it's so critical to make sure your chimney is working right.
It's Time to Curl Up by the Fire
There are few things as relaxing as a warm fire on a cold night. There are tons of things that you can do around your chimney: read, have a movie night, or just relax with friends and family. You can update your fireplace mantel with unique decor, and you can reduce your heating bills by using your fire to heat your home.
Really, there's no shortage of things to do by the fire, especially if your room is opened up to take advantage of it. Anything you were already going to do, you can do by the chimney, and you can do so warm and toasty.
Chimneys are a great way to relax and unwind, whether you're drinking mulled cider or reading a book with the ambiance of the fire. You can grab your laptop and start working by your chimney, or you can even take a nice, relaxing mid-winter nap. All these things, of course, require that your chimney be clean and functioning.
During the hot summer months, it's possible that things can happen to your chimney that you don't know about. You could need chimney repair and not even be aware of it, because your chimney hasn't been in use. Don't find out when you already need your chimney! Be proactive and your chimney will be available when you need it.
It's important to make sure your chimney is in proper operating condition. If it's not, it could be a serious safety hazard. A chimney that isn't properly maintained can vent gas into your home. This is very dangerous because the gas can impact your mental faculties before it becomes fatal, so you may not notice that the gas is there. And, of course, chimneys with obstructions or chimneys that require repair may spread fire throughout your home, which is also incredibly dangerous.
If you've observed any issues with smoke getting back into your home, or the flame not holding and lighting right, you should call a professional immediately. If you smell the scent of gas, you should also call a professional. Ideally, you should have sensors placed around your fireplace to detect potential issues with either fire or gas.
Getting Your Chimney Winter-Ready
There's nothing sadder than a chimney that can't be used. If you haven't used your chimney in a while, here are some things you should do:
- Get a professional cleaning. Chimney sweeps are an old profession and a necessary one. It requires special tools to properly clean a chimney, and it's not that expensive to get someone to do it for you. Get a cleaning before you use your chimney for the first time of the year, because there could be a lot of dust and soot lodged in it.
- Inspect your chimney for damage. You could be missing part of your chimney, such as bricks or mortar. If there's any structural damage to your chimney, like cracked bricks, you should get it fixed as soon as possible. Keep in mind, the chimney is designed to prevent smoke and fire from getting into the rest of your home. If the chimney has a bunch of cracked bricks or cracked mortar, it isn't going to be able to contain the fire.
- Look for obstructions. When looking through the chimney, make sure that you can see all the way through. Obstructions can potentially cause backflow into the chimney, which can potentially be dangerous.
It's always best to consult with a professional. Chimneys involve fire and potentially dangerous gasses, which means they could become dangerous quite quickly. A professional will be able to perform both the inspection and cleaning, and they can give you a quote on any necessary chimney repair.
If you think your chimney may be in need of inspection or repair, contact an expert. An expert will be able to do a complete inspection and then determine the best course of action for you.
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