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Contractors: They Make Things

Sometimes, two people can have the same title — contractor — and do entirely different work. One contractor may build stone walls. Another may create shelves and cabinets from wood. Sure, there are more specialized names for these professions. One is probably a stone mason, and the other is a carpenter or cabinet maker. But they all fall under the contractor umbrella, and we think that's a beautiful thing. It emphasizes what unites them: they all make things. Here on this website, we are not contractors, but we do make something. We create helpful, meaningful content on contractors and the work they do.

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Chimney Mistakes You Want To Avoid Making

12 April 2022
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog

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If your home has a fireplace, the chimney is one of the most important parts of the building because it will allow the smoke from the fire to safely vent out of the building. However, there are many mistakes that homeowners often make that will greatly reduce the safety and reliability of their chimney.

Failing To Keep The Chimney's Interior Clean

The interior of the chimney can become extremely dirty due to the soot and ash that the fireplace is producing. As time progresses, these substances can reduce the flow of air through the chimney, and this could lead to smoke or fumes starting to accumulate in the home. While fireplaces that burn wood will need to be cleaned far more frequently than those that use gas, a gas-burning fireplace will still need to have its chimney cleaned, as there may be residues accumulating.

Going Too Long Without Replacing Or Inspecting The Liner

The liner in your chimney will eventually reach the end of its lifespan and need to be replaced. Failing to replace the liner when it has started to suffer excessive wear can expose the home to a much greater risk of damage occurring. This is due to the potential for hot embers or extremely hot air to seep into the interior of the home and cause structural damage. Additionally, a compromised liner may also allow various fumes to start to seep into the interior spaces of the home, which can increase the risk of exposure to these toxic substances.

Not Capping The Chimney During The Summer Months

During the summer months, you are unlikely to use the fireplace for many weeks or months. During this time, you may find that capping the chimney can help to protect it from some potential problems. One example of these problems may be birds nesting in the chimney. These nests may be difficult to see from the ground, but they can block the smoke and fumes from being able to vent through the chimney. Placing a cap on the chimney during these months is an effective solution for preventing these problems from arising with it. Applying one of these caps to a chimney can be fairly risky due to the dangers of going onto the roof of the house. Luckily, you will not have to do this on your own as there are residential chimney cleaning and maintenance contractors that will be able to easily install this cap for you when the warm months arrive.