Kansas City is known for general humidity and wet, stormy weather in spring, which means trouble for chimneys. Severe weather often causes chimney damage, and moisture is like an adversary ready to pounce. You can do a check of your chimney, looking for visual signs of damage, or depend on our CSIA-certified professionals at Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace.
During chimney checkups, our experienced chimney sweeps at Fluesbrothers are able to identify moisture damage that the untrained eye wouldn’t notice. Have you had a chimney inspection in the past year? Annual inspections are recommended by all leading fire safety organizations. It’s important to catch chimney damage early, to keep repair costs as low as possible.
What Should I Do?
It’s sometimes tough to tell what type of effect Kansas City spring weather has had on a chimney. If you have doubts, the time is now to get that inspection. In case repairs are needed, you can get everything ready for burn season by the time the weather cools back down. Your best course of action is to contact the best chimney sweeps in Kansas City at Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace.
Weather Damage You Can See
The results of harsh weather on a chimney aren’t always hidden to the layperson. Sometimes you can see the effects of a powerful storm. The following are things to look for on your chimney:
Chimney Flashing
The metal at the base of the chimney where it meets the roofline is the “flashing.” The purpose of flashing is to create a watertight barrier between the roof and the chimney. In a blustery storm, flashing could be pulled away from the chimney, making your home vulnerable to leaks. Hail and heavy downpours could also cause damage, creating an urgent need for chimney flashing repair.
Masonry
Following veering winds and other stormy conditions, you may notice missing bricks on your chimney. With close inspection, you may see that cracks have developed or bits of debris are lying around the chimney area. These things all provide unmistakable evidence of damage to your chimney.
Chimney Cap
Debris carried by the wind or the wind itself could knock the chimney cap completely off or unseat it so that it is no longer providing protection from moisture. Without a chimney cap with mesh, your chimney becomes susceptible to water damage and allows birds and animals to have access inside.
Chase Cover
A chase cover has the same function as a chimney cap but it is used to enclose prefabricated chimneys. The impact of a turbulent storm could send debris flying into your chase cover, causing it to go missing or need repairs. Without a needed chase cover, rain and snow have a path straight into your chimney system and could damage your home’s interior, as well.
Contact Fluesbrothers!
If you sense that your chimney may be leaking or damaged as a result of soggy, stormy spring weather, give us a call at Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace. We provide Kansas City homeowners with the best chimney services. Our chimney technicians are specialists in chimney rebuilding, chimney repair, masonry repair, flashing replacement, chimney crown repair, chimney chase cover and chimney cap repair and replacement, and much more. Call us today at (913) 236-7141.
