There is nothing better than looking forward to a roaring fire in the evening when you’ve just been through all the wind and snow to get home after a hard day at work. Traditional fires offer a sense of coziness to the home like nothing else. However, they have to be treated with caution.
This doesn’t just mean that you should have the appropriate fire-guard to protect your furniture. This of course, is something that anyone should own when they have a real fire, but you have to think about the maintenance of the chimney itself. This is responsible for a couple of things. It will draw out all the harmful gases that fire produces, as well as any smoke that’s produced. It’s also responsible for making sure that the excess heat from your fire is contained until it can be safely expelled from your home.
Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas and if this reaches dangerous levels in your home, it can cause death. In terms of excess heat, if this is not dealt with properly, it could cause a fire in your home with devastating consequences.
This is why you should have your fireplace checked regularly to see if it needs a chimney repair in Norfolk VA. You may think there is nothing wrong, but most of your chimney cannot be seen, and it’s almost impossible for the average person to know if something needs repairing.
When you schedule an appointment with a company who can check your chimney, they will send a professional who will look for some of the most common problems that can occur. The first is a build-up of creosote, this substance is emitted when wood or other solids are set on fire. If this is left unattended, it can reach levels which could mean you’ll end up with a fire in your chimney.
Blockages are also very common, and if you have ever been in a situation where you see the smoke not rising through your chimney properly, this could be the reason why. All sorts of debris can get into a chimney like leaves and bird’s nests. If you suffer a blockage in your chimney, you will need a chimney repair in Norfolk VA, and you should always hire a professional to do this for you.
Another issue that can occur is the erosion of the lining in your flue, and this is caused by the gases that are emitted by your fire. If this is not fixed, it can also cause problems with your brickwork because these gases will be able to seep through and start to corrode the bricks.
All of these problems can make your fireplace a dangerous place, and they should all be treated seriously. It’s always best to call in a professional because they will have the correct tools to do the repair for you.
Don’t ignore the problem if you think you need a chimney repair Norfolk VA. Reputable companies will be happy to send a professional to make sure your chimney is safe.