4 Chimney Services to Schedule in the Fall

In southeast Texas, wintry days cold enough to be deemed “fireplace weather“ can be scarce. Four crucial chimney services should always come before lighting the first fire in winter. Autumn is the last chance to ensure you don’t miss a single opportunity to safely warm yourself next to dancing flames in winter. Guardian Chimney Sweep is the preferred chimney sweep company among homeowners and business owners throughout the Houston TX area, including Conroe. Contact Guardian for the essential chimney services below.

1-Chimney Cap Check

Chimney caps are vital chimney accessories. In autumn, they stop leaves from falling into your chimney flue. Leaves can cause multiple problems, such as piling up on the damper, which can prevent it from working properly. The lack of a chimney cap means animals can get inside the chimney, too. A buildup of leaves attracts mice, squirrels, and birds. Leaves also increase the amount of moisture retention in the chimney, which can cause premature deterioration of the chimney flue.

Preventing rain, sleet, snow, and hail from getting into the chimney is another important function of chimney caps. Before winter, have a chimney cap installed or get the existing chimney cap checked to ensure that it hasn’t sustained any damage.

2-Damper Check

The chimney damper allows the flow of combustion gases to travel up the chimney flue instead of into your home. An annual damper check is recommended whether you have a fireplace throat damper, a flue damper, a chimney cap damper, or a less common style. Chimney dampers are operated manually using various methods, including a chain, a switch, a handle, or a rotary style screw.

The fireplace damper must be opened before starting a fire in the fireplace. Once fires go cold, the damper should be closed. The damper is supposed to create a seal that prevents air from leaking through. If your centrally heated air can leak to the outdoors through a damper that does not seal properly, your heating costs in winter can skyrocket.

3-Creosote Buildup Check

If yours is a wood-burning fireplace, creosote deposits are left inside your chimney flue with each fire you burn. Highly flammable, the tar-like substance increases the chances of a dangerous chimney fire. Without routine chimney services to remove the various forms of creosote, the resulting buildup could block the flue. This results in toxic fumes going inside the home instead of up the chimney.

Potentially deadly carbon monoxide exposure is among the dangers when combustion gases enter your home. Carbon monoxide can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted, and often doesn’t cause any symptoms until the individual affected is unable to escape to safety. Fire safety experts recommend scheduling chimney cleaning services either annually or once there is ⅛ inches of creosote buildup in the chimney flue liner.

4-Masonry Check

Masonry chimney systems are vulnerable to moisture. The masonry and mortar should be checked each year to determine whether masonry repairs are needed. With an annual chimney inspection, you can often avoid the more costly chimney repair services because small problems are prevented from becoming expensive headaches. It’s important to rely on a company like Guardian, where chimney sweeps can provide professional chimney masonry repair services along with all basic chimney services, fireplace installation, flue liner replacement or repair, and more.

Let the autumn leaves be your reminder to get your fireplace ready for winter. Schedule reliable chimney services by contacting Guardian Chimney Sweep today if you live in the Houston or Conroe area. You can fill out our contact form or call us at any of the numbers below.

Toll-free: (888) 306-6069

Conroe: (936) 271-9781

Houston: (713) 401-2011