How to Keep Your Chimney in Tip-Top Shape This Summer

We aren’t certified experts on looking good in a bikini or speedo, but we do know how to keep your chimney in tip-top shape this summer. Of all the things to do in the sizzling Texas heat, few would probably give you a payoff as valued as good chimney maintenance will. Using your fireplace safely in the throes of an icy winter is only guaranteed if you’ve kept up with chimney maintenance. In Conroe and the greater Houston area, the certified chimney professionals at Guardian Chimney Sweep are trusted for their reliability and their guaranteed chimney services. Tips follow.

Schedule a Level 1 Chimney Inspection

When you get down to the basics of chimney maintenance, you find that yearly chimney inspections are the thing. Top fire safety experts recommend annual chimney inspections, even if the fireplace hasn’t been used. No combustion gases may have come out of the chimney lately, but that detail has little effect on the massive structure compared to the outdoor elements. The reality is that moisture has an irreversibly destructive effect on chimney masonry.

During a chimney inspection, a chimney sweep verifies that the chimney venting system is working safely. Accessible components of the chimney and fireplace are checked, interior and exterior. The firebox, damper, smoke chamber, and chimney cap are included in the inspection. The venting system is checked to be sure there are no obstructions, such as an excessive buildup of creosote. And masonry is checked to see if there are signs of moisture intrusion.

Schedule a Level 2 Inspection

It is important to schedule a Level 2 inspection when there has been a change to the chimney system. This includes chimney relining, a change in the type of fuel used, and the replacement of a furnace or fireplace. All Level 1 checks are included.

The biggest difference, when it comes to a Level 2 inspection, is that a special camera is used to inspect the chimney liner from top to bottom. This can be very important because a chimney liner must be fully intact. If even a tiny crack has developed in the flue liner, the home becomes vulnerable to a chimney fire and toxic fumes. Both dangers are potentially life-threatening.

Call Guardian to Keep Your Chimney in Tip-Top Shape This Summer

We recommend you take action now to keep your chimney in tip-top shape this summer. There’s no telling how much money you might save in the cost of masonry repairs if small problems are repaired before they become more serious. You may also avoid experiencing one of the approximately 25,000 chimney fires that cause major damage and loss of life every year if you schedule a chimney inspection and cleaning.

Wearing a proper uniform, the chimney technicians at Guardian Chimney Sweep will get on your roof in the brutal summer heat because masonry repairs should only be done in spring or summer. If it becomes necessary in winter, the results won’t be as durable, but the cost will be much higher.

Contact us today! Fill out our contact form or call us at the phone number below that’s nearest to your South Texas home.
• Conroe: (936) 271-9781
• Houston: (713) 401-2011
• Outside Houston Metro Area: (888) 306-6069 (Toll-Free)