Some of the Things That Can go Wrong With a Chimney

There are a range of things that can go wrong with your chimney.  Some of them are relatively minor.  However, other problems are much more serious and often require expensive repairs be made.  Here is a look at some of the common things that can go wrong with your chimney.

Structural damage to masonry chimneys is quite common.  Over time the mortar may become cracked.  This can allow moisture to build up in your attic.  It can even cause your walls to become discolored.  It is best for you to have this type of problem fixed as soon as you can.  Repairing the problem in the beginning is not hard, but you will want to avoid letting it spread.

Metal chimneys are commonly fitted with a liner.  This will help keep draft problems from happening.  These liners can crack sometimes and reduce the efficiency of the chimney.  Smoke may even start coming back into your home.  You will simply need to have the liner replaced whenever this happens.

Creosote buildup is one of the most common things that can go wrong with your chimney.  This is a highly flammable substance which can easily ignite a chimney fire.  If it builds up too much it will narrow the chimney and cause draft problems or even unpleasant smells.

Blocked chimneys are also quite common.  This allows hazardous byproducts of combustion as well as smoke to enter your home.  Blockages typically occur because of bird nests.  Raccoons can also be the problem.  You will need to inspect your chimney regularly to keep these pests from causing problems.

It is best for you to use a chimney cap.  This will help keep wildlife from entering your chimney.  More importantly, it will also keep the weather elements out of the opening.  If rain is allowed to fall into your chimney, it will lead to structural damage to the masonry over time.  Buying a chimney cap is not an expensive acquisition and it offers many advantages, so it is definitely worth the investment.

Some homeowners also have a problem with debris falling into their fireplace.  If you notice this happening you can rest assured the structure of your chimney has degraded.  If you notice brick or mortar falling, call a professional in to fix the problem if you are not capable of fixing it yourself.

As you can see there are a wide range of things that can go wrong with your chimney.  Inspecting it regularly will help prevent many of these problems.