Chimneys in New Jersey are used frequently in colder weather, and when the weather warms up in the spring, they are left with a thick, dirty coating on the interior. That is when chimney inspections should be conducted to ensure that substantial damage was not caused by ice, snow, or just everyday use. Our chimney sweeping and inspection services in Morristown, New Jersey, are designed to keep your chimney in peak condition year-round. Here are just a few of the ways we can help protect your chimney:
Do you even think about your chimney other than when you have a welcoming fire in your hearth? If not, there are several good reasons to have your chimney inspected and swept in Morristown. The main reason is the accumulation of a dark, syrupy residue called creosote on the interior of your chimney. Creosote is a substance that is prone to ignition, which is generated each time wood (especially uncured wood) is burned in your fireplace. Heavy creosote deposits will undoubtedly lead to a chimney fire. Our chimney sweeps remove creosote and soot deposits using professional-grade brushes and cleaning solutions.
Yet another reason regular chimney cleanings matter is that they mitigate the risk of debris-related blockages, such as leaves, pine needles, branches, and trash. Another main cause of blockages is wildlife building a nest in your chimney. Blockages are particularly hazardous because they trap carbon monoxide — a deadly, colorless, odorless gas — inside your home. Having your chimney swept at least once a year is the best way to prevent dangerous obstructions.
The best season to have your chimney swept is summer, when demand is low, but don’t wait until fall to address potential chimney issues. Waiting until winter will make it much harder to get an appointment.
If your Morristown, New Jersey, chimney isn’t inspected once a year, you’ll eventually experience problems. Why? Several issues could be occurring in your chimney right now, and you won’t realize it until it’s too late without a thorough inspection. Here are some chimney problems that may go unnoticed.
If there is one issue that most Morristown, New Jersey, homeowners won’t notice, it’s perforations in their chimney liner. Using advanced video equipment inserted inside a chimney allows us to locate and spot damage within the chimney liner. If the issues are not addressed, your damaged chimney liner may let scorching temperatures into your house, which could ignite timbers and lead to a house fire. It could also let carbon monoxide seep into your home.
A crack developing along your chimney’s crown won’t be easily detected from ground level. Unless you regularly sweep off your roof, it’s unlikely you will notice a fissure on your chimney’s crown. The issue will facilitate top-down water damage. In time, your chimney may crumble, and your firebox will become flecked with rust.
If you’ve noticed a white, chalky powder on the outside of your chimney, it’s called efflorescence. It sounds more complicated than it is — basically, water has been infiltrating your brickwork, freezing and thawing over and over again until the bricks break down and start acting like a sponge. That phenomenon pulls salt up through the brick and deposits it directly on the surface, where it is clearly visible.
Efflorescence itself isn’t always an emergency, but it’s not something you should ignore. It’s signaling that moisture is getting into places it shouldn’t, which can lead to real headaches down the road. The only way to know how serious it is — and whether your chimney needs attention right away — is to have a qualified chimney sweep take a close look at it. It’s not a job for an amateur with a ladder and a flashlight on a Saturday afternoon.
You can clearly see the importance of having your chimney in Morristown, New Jersey, inspected and swept. National Chimney Cleaners have the ability and experience to sweep and inspect chimneys. Contact us today if you live in Morristown, NJ; Newark, NJ; Jersey City, NJ; Paterson, NJ; Elizabeth, NJ; or Union, NJ, and suspect chimney damage. One of our chimney experts will gladly discuss having your chimney swept and inspected. Don’t wait until your chimney sustains serious damage; reach out now.
