Why chimney repairs are important

by | Apr 14, 2015 | Construction and Maintenance

Top Stories

Categories

Archives

In the dead of winter there is nothing quite as cozy and inviting as a crackling fire in the fireplace. As wonderful as this is, this could also be the most dangerous room in your house. It is very important that regular chimney maintenance and chimney repair in Worthington OH be carried out, ensuring that you and the other members of your family are not only warm, but safe, for many years to come.

A chimney has two primary functions, the first is to draw harmful gasses and smoke away from the fire and out of your home. This is far more than a convenience, the smoke from a fire can contain carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can cause illness and, in large volumes, death.

The second important function of a chimney is to eliminate an excess of heat from the room and in the event there are cracks in the structure of the chimney this heat can easily leak into the surrounding structure of the home which can lead to structural failure or fire. It is for these reasons that a well maintained chimney is imperative and that any faults be repaired quickly.

Common chimney problems:

Probably the most common problem with any chimney is the continual buildup of creosote in the flue. Creosote is an oily substance which is let loose when wood, especially softwood, is burned. This material adheres to the interior walls of the flue, it rapidly solidifies and if left in the chimney for any length of time can buildup to dangerous levels, ignite and be the cause of a chimney fire.

Although the buildup of creosote might be the primary issue with chimneys it is not the only maintenance requirement. Debris or birds’ nests or even an animal taking up residence in the chimney will block the chimney, as the flue is blocked there can be a buildup of dangerous gasses.

A major problem that demands chimney repair in Worthington OH is cracks and other fissures in the flue or the chimney itself. These can quickly lead to the leakage of dangerous gasses as well as get into portions of the structure that are not designed to cope with it; the results can be smoke inhalation and possibly fire.

Wise homemakers periodically check the condition of their chimney, looking to see if there is any evidence of cracking and they schedule regular cleaning and in depth evaluation by an individual skilled in chimney maintenance and repair.

A chimney that has an excessive buildup of creosote poses a significant danger to the occupants of any home as do cracks and holes in the flue or the structure of the chimney. If you need chimney repair in Worthington OH you are invited to contact the local experts; Business Name. Visit website domain for more information.