As we say goodbye to winter and welcome spring with open arms, your home is ready for some much-needed attention. When creating your checklist, don’t leave out your chimney. It has been quite a while since we have seen the warm weather. There have been many months of rain, sleet, and snow that your chimney has been subject to. Not only did your chimney experience the winter on the exterior of your chimney, but the interior also took a beating. Wood burned in your fireplace can accumulate harmful creosote, which needs to be removed by a professional chimney sweep. A spring chimney sweep not only protects your home but also prepares your chimney for the next burning season.

Here Is The Checklist That You Can Depend On.

– Call Anderson Chimney and Masonry Services to schedule your annual Chimney Inspection and Sweep. Professional chimney companies suggest an annual inspection and sweep to alert you, the homeowner, of any damage that may have occurred. Taking an aggressive stance on tackling damage is your best defense to keep any repairs to a minimum. 

– A Chimney sweep will clear the creosote from the chimney, helping prevent chimney fires. Creosote builds up in your chimney even if you are not a heavy user of your fireplace. When wood burns in your fireplace, a black, tarry substance is released and collects on the inside of your chimney. The creosote is highly flammable. Excessive heat in the chimney can cause it to combust and start a fire.

– Check for Animal presence. As the weather gets warmer, small animals, birds, and squirrels may find your warm chimney very inviting and move in. Look for nest debris or animal sounds in the chimney. Once debris collects in your chimney, the airflow may be obstructed. This will all be cleared out by a chimney sweep.

– Inspect Exterior Bricks and Masonry. Check for cracked or loose bricks, crumbling masonry, or efflorescence, which is a white chalky substance that is seen on the exterior of bricks.  

– Examine the Chimney Crown and Cap. Two very important parts of the chimney. The cap and crown play a crucial role in preventing water from entering. Now is the time to check for cracks, rust, or missing components. Water intrusion may lead to deterioration.

– Clean out the Firebox. Before you close off the fireplace, clean out the firebox of spent wood and ash. Spring is a great time to fertilize your lawn or garden with the ash. It has a significant amount of nutrients that your plants will love.

Hope this checklist gives you a great start.

The reputation Anderson’s Chimney and Masonry Services has built over the past 24 years. Our staff is certified through the CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America). We maintain the highest level of training available. We are active members of the NCSG (National Chimney Sweeps Guild) and the Pennsylvania Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps. Rick has served both as President of the PA Guild and as an Ethics Committee board member of the NCSG.