Chimneys

Getting your chimney ready for the winter ensures it is in working order and allows you to address repairs that are needed. Before the Cincinnati winter arrives at your home, here are several steps to take so that your chimney is ready when you are using your fireplace to heat your home.

Trim Nearby Trees

Tree branches hanging over your chimney may send twigs and leftover fall leaves down into the chimney where they could catch fire along the chimney flue. In addition, this debris can end up blocking the flue and preventing the smoke from getting outside. Trim back the tree branches to prevent avoidable accidents.

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Chimneys may be used to heat the home in the winter or to create a romantic and cozy mood. Like any other element of your home, the chimney can fall into disrepair due to neglect, age, weather damage, or a blockage inside the flue. Performing a chimney inspection allows you to examine the state of your chimney and discover any potential problems that should be fixed before placing it into use. Here are several areas to have inspected. 

Foundation

The chimney is made out of stacked masonry that can place an enormous amount of stress load on the foundation. If the foundation is damaged, it could cause the entire chimney to lean and possibly collapse. Looking for cracks or uneven soil along the foundation can indicate a serious problem.

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Many homes in the area come with a working fireplace. Maintaining the fireplace may range in price based on the size, how often it is used, and the types of resources it burns. Here are the general costs that a chimney may impose on your budget, and ways to lower repair and maintenance expenses.

General Costs

Typically, the severity of the damage will determine the price based on where it is located. Small cracks create smaller costs ranging around $100. However, if this damage is not prevented then water may enter into the cracks, loosening mortar and causing greater problems. The repairs may raise costs up to $700 when dealing with water problems and tens of thousands of dollars for a full chimney replacement.

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For winter, many homeowners will use their fireplace or wood-burning stove. They may light a nice warm fire to create a festive mood or use their fireplaces as a secondary heat source to lower their energy bills. Before putting in the tinder, you want to make sure that the chimney is in proper working order. Problems with the chimney could cause potential damage to your home.

Check Chimney’s Integrity

You will need a ladder to get up on the roof. You will want to search for cracks, loose joints, and other damage. Addressing these issues ensures that the chimney is usable and will not collapse. Also, fixing cracks and loose joints prevents the masonry from shifting that could block the […]

Getting your home winter ready means more than just switching out the light blankets to heavier comforters on the bed and making sure to have plenty of salt and snow shovels to deal with the outdoor walkways. You also have to prep your home’s systems for winter. The five main aspects to focus on include the furnace, chimney, gutters, windows & doors, and alarm systems. By taking care of these items, you’ll ensure your home will be safe, warm, and leak-free for the entire winter season.

Furnace Inspection

Your furnace will run for long hours, day and night, during the colder winter months. In time, components may become worn out due to the daily wear and tear, become dirty, and be less efficient. Have the furnace inspected for issues and […]

While some fireplaces or wood-burning stoves are just for show, others are still used to help heat the home in the winter or to create the right mood in the room. Working fireplaces and wood-burning stoves rely on gas, wood, or pellets to operate as the fumes go up the chimney to be released outside. If there are any problems with the chimney, it could send the smoke and fumes back into the home and lower your air quality. Other issues could create a fire risk to the home. Here are four chimney repairs to look out for to prevent serious issues:

Flue Cracks

Most chimneys are made of brick. Inside the chimney is a duct called a flue that is typically made from […]

Fall is almost here! As the days turn cooler, you may be thinking of starting up your fireplace. Take a minute to review these three chimney basics to avoid a safety issue this fall or winter.

1. Check the flue liner and chimney cap

The chimney flue liner and chimney cap should be checked annually and repaired if necessary.

If the flue liner is damaged, the chimney can actually become damaged from the heat created by fire. This could weaken the structure and lead to more problems down the road, so it’s best to quickly repair and flue liner issues.

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Smoke is supposed to go up the chimney, so you can enjoy a fireplace, but what happens if the chimney actually catches fire while you’re using it? Chimney fires are rare but they can happen. Learn the warning signs of a chimney fire.

How Does a Chimney Fire Start?

Flammable substances such as creosote can stick to the sides of the chimney during normal operation. It becomes dangerous when these substances build up, as they can become hot and even catch fire.

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You hear a lot about how to prepare a fireplace for use in winter, but what about when winter is over? Find out the best way to close down a fireplace when the weather warms and you no longer need to use it.

Clean the Fireplace

When you don’t think you’ll have any more fires, clean the fireplace. Remove any wood that was not burned and have a bonfire or store it in a clean, dry place for next season. Sweep out ashes. Do this slowly, as ash can rise in the air if swept too vigorously. Cleaning ashes isn’t just tidying up, it actually protects the hearth from corrosion.

The last step in cleaning is to clean the fireplace grate, andirons, and tools. Fireplace grates are often coated with a protective product, so you never want to apply a chemical cleaner. These items can generally be wiped with a rag.

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