Call Masters Services (972) 877-4650 DFW, (713)723-4854 Houston or (303) 720-7096 Denver if you’re having problems with your chimney.
Winter is right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to prepare your chimney for all the use you’ll want to get out of it when the cold comes ‘round. Were you having problems with your chimney last winter that you still haven’t addressed? If so, you should call Masters Services so that we can come out and do an inspection and figure out exactly what the problems with your chimney are.
There are so many different problems with your chimney that can arise, which is why it’s best just to go ahead and get an inspection. So what are some common problems with your chimney that people have? Well, sometimes it’s a simple one: the damper isn’t open. At one time or another, everyone forgets to open their damper. Also, your damper may have water damage or soot buildup that is preventing it to close. This is a very common problem with your chimney that can usually be solved with a simple chimney sweep. Another common problem with your chimney is general soot buildup. Just as little as 1/4” to ½” buildup is enough to prevent the fireplace from venting properly. A half inch of buildup will actually restrict the air flow by 17% for a typical masonry fireplace, and 30% for an average prefabricated fireplace. So if your chimney isn’t working properly, it could simply be because it’s dirty! Again, this problem with your chimney can be easily fixed with a good sweep.
To ensure the proper safety and functionality of your chimney, you should get an inspection every year. Usually if there’s a problem with your chimney it will be obvious because the chimney won’t work properly, however this is not always the case. If there is a problem with your chimney and repairs need to be done, and you don’t address the issue, it could result in a house fire, property damage, or sometimes additional repairs will need to be done. You can easily avoid all of these consequences by simply having your chimney inspected annually. You should also regularly get your chimney cleaned, although you don’t necessarily have to do this every year if you don’t use your chimney often. As a general rule, you should get your chimney cleaned for every quart of wood your burn.
