The fireplace and chimney could be the heart of your home. If you don’t maintain it, it will become damaged and affect the function of your fireplace and your health. Many homeowners neglect or forget to perform regular maintenance on their chimneys, fireplaces, and stoves, which can cause problems like creosote buildup in the flue or even a chimney fire.
Maintaining your chimney ensures safety for you, your family, and anyone who may enter the house. Regular maintenance prevents this damage and keeps your chimney functioning safely and efficiently all year. Be sure to have a certified professional clean out your chimney every year for maximum efficiency and safety.
These professionals will ensure no cracks in the crown liner or flue tiles that can cause significant problems down the line. You also want to be sure that your chimney is sloped properly to allow smoke and other byproducts of combustion an easy escape route without having them back up into your home.
The three most important things that need to be done for routine maintenance are:
1. Cleaning the flue;
2. Cleaning the damper;
3. Inspection of the chimney’s interior and exterior.
First, you will want to remove any debris from the top of your chimney, like leaves or dirt, so it does not get inside and cause a fire hazard.
Next, make sure your damper is in good working order by manually opening it and checking if it closes back on its own.
You can also manually close it without taking too much time off cleaning other parts of your fireplace. Finally, examine the walls of your fireplace for any cracks or damage, as well as any accumulation of creosote near the top edges.
Your chimney cap is a necessary device that prevents animals, weather, and other debris from falling into your chimney. A galvanized steel cap is one of the most commonly used devices for covering your chimneys because it offers excellent resistance against corrosion than other materials such as iron or aluminum.
The caps are necessary to protect yourself from debris or water finding its way into your chimney during rain storms or other inclement weather. When shopping for a new steel cap, make sure that you select one with appropriate dimensions to fit your fireplace.
Another essential factor to consider when buying a cap is whether or not it comes in stainless steel. Stainless steel resists rusting much better than other metals, but for stainless steel to perform correctly, you must regularly clean and polish the metal. You should also ensure that the cap has been pre-drilled so it can be installed quickly and easily.