With any home comes a bucket list of responsibilities, some more often than not overlooked than others. Sitting on this list of chore-some tasks is your chimney. How often have you considered, “I don’t use my chimney much; what’s the big deal in letting some repairs slide?” However, taking on the risk of failure that negligence entails can be costly and life-threatening. In this post, let’s discuss why keeping up with Chimney repair isn’t just a good idea but a necessity for every homeowner.
Without Chimney repair, Water and Snow Can Damage the Building
A chimney is not a smoke pipe alone; it faces all the elements year-round. Finally, it will find a way to enter through bricks and mortar with running water and melting snow. In that case, the running water slowly starts destroying the buildings’ structure. Leaks eventually begin to occur and spread into your walls and ceiling, down to your home’s foundation.
You may not notice it at first, but water damage can lead to costly repairs in the long run. Fixing a small crack in your chimney today will help you avoid patching up a messed-up wall or ceiling later. Water damage does not wait for a convenient time, so you better be proactive.
Structural Instability Could Make Things Collapsible
If not checked regularly, a chimney might become a problem, compromising your house’s overall structural integrity. Bricks and mortar weaken with time, especially if exposed to moisture or temperature changes. Small cracks or loose bricks can lead to much bigger issues if left unattended.
A very badly neglected chimney may suddenly decide to collapse, causing severe damage to your roof and home exterior. In addition to a massive repair bill, it is also a safety risk. Do not wait for a chimney collapse to remind you why regular maintenance matters.
Increased Chances of Fires
Your chimney’s purpose is to dispose of your fireplace’s smoke and gas products safely. However, in cases where there has been an accretion of soot or creosote within your chimney, it may turn hazardous in terms of ignition. Creosote is a highly flammable substance and may catch fire if accumulated in excess amounts.
This trouble can also be avoided by regularly inspecting and cleaning your chimney. When you fail to make repairs and let cracks start showing within the flue, that creosote can seep into the framework of your house, and the chances of having a fire are very high. No one ever wants a house fire, especially when it is preventable with regular chimney maintenance.
Higher Energy Bills
You may never know, but a cracked chimney can skyrocket your energy bills. When your chimney is cracked, or the flue is damaged, it leaves room for air to escape from your home. In winter, this implies that the warm air that the heater produces is continuously leaking out. This means your HVAC system must work harder to keep your home warm.
Conversely, cool air in summer can leave the chimney in the same way, making your air conditioner run longer than needed. You are wasting money from the window (or, in this case, out the chimney) by neglecting your Chimney repair. Fixing the problem will help you save energy and stay cool and warm at home.
Health Hazards from Poor Ventilation
A functioning chimney ensures that poisonous gas is sucked out of your house safely. If a flue is blocked or has holes, the poisonous gases can seep back inside the house. Since carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, you would not even know it had seeped into the house until it was too late to do anything about it.
This gas can lead to severe health issues such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and, in extreme cases, death. If you do not repair your chimney, it may make your house uninhabitable. Proper checks and repairs will ensure that your chimney vents correctly and protect you and your family from health hazards.
Pests Can Be Uninvited Guests in Your Chimney
You may not think about it, but your chimney can be the coziest home for all pests. Birds and squirrels love living in chimneys. They are often attracted to chimneys, especially those with holes or gaps that make it easy for them to sneak inside. In the chimney, they find a lovely nesting place that blocks the chimney, preventing it from being properly ventilated.
This means bad air quality in your home. On top of this, such animals can damage your chimney or even die inside, which is quite an unpleasant smell. Rodents in your chimney are something you do not want. Fixing and inspecting the Chimney repair regularly can help prevent animals from getting into it and maintain proper functioning.
Your Insurance Won’t Help if It’s Damaged
Most homeowners believe their insurance will be enough to cover any damage from a malfunctioning chimney. If it is clear the damage was due to negligence and lack of maintenance, your company may refuse to pay for those repairs.
For example, if water damage spread into your house because you didn’t notice a small crack in the chimney, your insurer will tell you should have avoided this problem. This may leave you paying for the entire repair bill and going into debt quite fast. Keeping on top of chimney repairs isn’t only good for your house and your wallet.
Final Thoughts
It takes care of the chimney, though probably one of the bottom items on your to-do list. It is one of those essential parts of home maintenance that keeps water damage at bay, keeps fires at bay, keeps your energy bills at a very low minimum, and keeps your family safe. Delaying these minor issues now could lead to far bigger – and thus very costly – headaches later. So do not wait. Schedule regular inspections and deal with Chimney repair as soon as it arises. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you!
