If your home has a fireplace, the chimney that it uses is an important part of the system to maintain. Fortunately, a homeowner can hire a chimney service that will be able to handle the various types of care and maintenance that their chimney will require.

Cleaning The Chimney 

Cleaning the chimney on a regular basis is one of the most important steps that you can take to preserve the condition of the chimney and to keep the interior of the home safe when the fireplace is being used. Failing to clean the chimney on a regular basis can have the effect of allowing large accumulations of residue and soot to form in the chimney. These accumulations have the potential to block the smoke and fumes from escaping. As a result, they can rapidly start to accumulate in the home's interior. By cleaning the chimney on a regular basis, these substances can be removed to restore the flow of air through it.

Assessing The Condition Of The Chimney's Interior And Exterior

In addition to being able to clean the chimney, chimney services can also perform thorough evaluations of the interior and exterior. These assessments are essential for finding damage to the chimney's lining or cracks developing in its exterior. Failing to correct these issues may allow smoke and fumes to escape into the home's interior. Most chimney liners will need to be replaced every decade or two, and regular assessments can allow you to know when this work is needed so that potential damage to the home can be avoided.

Capping The Chimney During The Spring And Summer Months

During the late spring and summer months, you may not have much of a need to use the chimney. Capping the chimney for these times of the year can help to reduce the risk of small birds, squirrels, and other pests attempting to nest in the chimney. These nests could create major obstructions that may prevent smoke from exiting as well as pose a fire hazard. Unfortunately, reaching the top of the chimney to place a cap on it can be a challenge for many individuals. Furthermore, the cap will have to be properly placed on the chimney to ensure that it will remain secure through the numerous summer storms it may experience. A professional chimney service will be able to help homeowners with capping their chimneys during the warmer months and removing these caps when cold weather begins to return.

Contact your local chimney service to learn more.