Now that summer is in full swing, you probably have a lot on your to-do list, including household chores, yard work, routine maintenance, and of course, getting in some much-needed relaxation. And while there’s likely no shortage of things you can do around the house, one chore that’s perhaps not on your radar is chimney cleaning, maintenance, and repair, but here’s why it should be.
Deal With Winter Damage Early
Winter is especially hard on virtually every component of your chimney. Most of your chimney’s parts are made from porous materials like concrete, mortar, and brick, which absorb water. When water seeps into the masonry materials during winter, it freezes and expands, causing tiny cracks to form.
If left alone for too many seasons, these cracks grow larger, allowing more water to seep in; the cycle repeats until you have loose bricks, mortar joints, and cracked chimney caps. Summer is the perfect time for professional chimney contractors to identify problem areas early and repair them before the next season and mitigate the damage, staving off expensive repairs down the road.
Easier Repairs
Another reason summer is an excellent time for chimney repairs is that mortar and other masonry materials require a specific temperature for effective repairs, and summer provides the ideal conditions. If you wait until late fall or early winter to schedule a chimney inspection, you may find significant issues that must wait until next year before you can get them resolved, and by then, they may be worse and more expensive to deal with. Or, you may find that if you wait until late fall or early winter to do your repairs, the weather may not cooperate, and it may cause significant delays in getting the repairs finished in time before the winter season arrives.
More Effective Inspection
Getting your chimney inspected every year is crucial to its safe operation and summer makes it easier for your chimney professionals to detect minor issues and effect repairs before they escalate. The warm weather and longer daylight allow them ample time to give you a thorough safety and performance inspection without having to rush.
Perfect Time For Waterproofing
Remember how we said that winter weather is extremely harsh on your chimney and how the wet weather wreaks havoc? Well, there’s something you can do to guard against that and it’s waterproofing. There are various water sealants on the market to protect your chimney from water and weather damage, and summer is the best time to apply them.
Easier Scheduling
If we’re being honest, most homeowners with a fireplace and chimney put off cleaning, inspection, and maintenance until the last minute, which is typically right when winter starts, and they’re ready to begin using their fireplaces to heat their homes. This means that chimney service companies become inundated with appointments, so it can be difficult to schedule service when you need it. It’s not unheard of for chimney contractors to become booked solid as fall turns to winter, so getting your work done and out of the way during summer allows you to beat the rush.
Peace of Mind
Finally, getting your chimney cleaning, inspection, and repair out of the way in summer allows you to check one chore off your list and gives you peace of mind knowing that your fireplace is ready and safe to operate once the temperatures drop.
Best Chimney Service in Kansas
If you’re looking for the best company in Kansas for chimney repair, maintenance, and inspection, look no further than Flues Brothers Chimney and Fireplace. What sets us apart from other service providers is our commitment to training and certification. Many businesses in this industry don’t take the time to get certified and undergo the required training for safety, but we do.
All of our chimney sweeps are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and undergo yearly training to stay up to date on the latest techniques, technologies, and regulations. We have over a decade of experience serving homeowners throughout Kansas City and the surrounding areas. To schedule summer chimney repair, maintenance, or cleaning, call our office at 913-236-7141 or contact us online.
