Why Summertime Is a Great Time for Chimney Maintenance

If you live in Connecticut or New Jersey, you probably don’t give as much thought to your chimney during the summer as you do during the long winter months. But the fact is, summertime is actually a great time to be thinking about your chimney and scheduling some important maintenance work before the next winter rolls around. National Chimney Cleaners of Fairfield County, CT, and Morris County, NJ, would like to share why summer is ideal for maintenance and repair projects. Here are three reasons to do chimney maintenance in the summer.

1. It’s easier to schedule service

In the fall, as we head toward winter and heavy fireplace use, chimney teams tend to get very busy, and arranging for an appointment at a convenient time for you isn’t always easy.

2. Better weather for the crew

Experienced chimney technicians are trained to work in just about any kind of conditions that Nature throws at them. But they always prefer to work in nice weather, which allows them to be safer and more focused on the actual jobs at hand.

3. Warmth is good for chimney rebuilding

If your chimney requires any kind of work that involves mortar, this compound will set up much better and faster when the weather is warm.

Overview of common chimney maintenance activities

The first summer maintenance job that should be performed is an inspection. A basic Level 1 chimney inspection will look at all readily accessible areas of your chimney structure and components. Your inspector will also talk with you about any issues you’ve been having with the performance of your chimney and fireplace.

If damage is found, repair work can be started quickly. Typical summer chimney repairs include:

• Replacing cracked or spalling bricks
• Tuckpointing to replace crumbing mortar
• Refitting or installing new chimney flashing, which seals the gap between the chimney and roof
• Repairing or rebuilding cracked or deteriorated chimney crowns
• Fixing chimney leaks anywhere in the system to prevent serious water damage down the line
• Applying a waterproof sealant to your chimney’s masonry

In cases where significant damage is suspected or known to exist, your inspector will perform a Level 2 or Level 3 inspection. This more exhaustive investigation will reveal exactly what has happened, why it happened and how much damage there is.

Chimney sweeping for safety and efficiency

One of the most critical summer maintenance tasks to schedule is a certified chimney sweep by a licensed chimney company or technician. This job should be done once a year.

Chimney sweeping focuses on two important outcomes:

Removing creosote: This substance is highly flammable and builds up each time you use your fireplace. Creosote is responsible for most of the chimney fires reported throughout Connecticut and New Jersey each year.

Removing debris: Leaves, twigs, small animal nests and deceased animals in the flue can block the draft and cause smoke and deadly carbon monoxide to back up into your home. Your chimney technician will clean out this debris. You can prevent debris intrusion by having a chimney cap installed.

Schedule your summertime chimney check-up

National Chimney Cleaners is ready to help with all your summer chimney maintenance needs. To schedule service, call (800) 631-6177. You can also get in touch with our handy contact form.