Repair Chimney Problems Before Starting That Fire

Sooner or later you may experience problems with your chimney.  You may think it will be fine to put off repairing these problems.  However, it is best for all repairs to be made before you even think about starting a fire in your fireplace.

A chimney which is functioning properly will do a great job drawing away smoke and harmful gases that are byproducts of burning wood.  As you should already know, carbon monoxide is one of the gases being produced.  You cannot see, smell, or taste this gas which is deadly in large amounts.

In addition to drawing away smoke and gases, a chimney will also help route heat up and away from your home.  If there are cracks in the chimney or the liner, then heat will not be able to escape properly.  The heat will build up, which can lead to structural damage or even the start of a deadly chimney fire.

Another common problem people have is with blocked chimney flues.  If the flue is blocked smoke and gas will not be able to escape.  It can become blocked thanks to debris accumulation or even nesting animals.  You certainly would not want to start a fire in your fireplace while the flue was blocked.

Chimney liners can become damaged and as a result need to be repaired or replaced.  They help keep heat and gas inside the chimney.  Damaged liners can allow smoke to enter your home which will reduce your air quality significantly.

It is important for you to repair any problems before you start using your fireplace.  Call a professional in to do the repair work.  Make sure you thoroughly research professionals properly before hiring one.  One of the first things you should do is try to get recommendations from friends and family members.  You should also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if many complaints have been filed about the repair company.

Make sure you hire a company which has been around for a while and has plenty of experience in the industry.  It is also important for you to ensure any professionals you hire are properly licensed and bonded.

Many different things can go wrong with your chimney.  Do not think ignoring the problem will make it go away.  In fact it can be quite dangerous to start a fire if there are problems with your chimney.  You do not want gasses or smoke to be routed back into your home because it can be very dangerous.  It is even more dangerous to have a fire raging in your chimney you will have trouble putting out.  Therefore repair all problems before starting that fire.