If you are expecting Santa to be coming down your chimney this Christmas, you will want to ensure it is in its best possible condition. Being exposed to the winter elements once again will test the durability of both your roofing and chimney stack, so you should keep an eye on things to ensure there is no additional damage which could affect the rest of your roof. There are a few ways you will be able to tell if your chimney is damaged without having to go up to the roof. Then, if required, you will need to call an expert to carry out repairs…
Visible damage
Looking at your chimney from the ground, you may be able to notice damaged brickwork or cracks in the masonry that have developed over time. If you notice damage to the chimney structure, the fact that this is easily visible to you at ground level means that it could topple over if there is sustained bad weather. This is something you will want to get attended to as soon as possible to avoid any risk of the chimney collapsing onto your roof and causing further damage. You should contact an expert and not attempt to carry out this job yourself.
Damp and mould
If your chimney is not properly secured, there is a risk of damp and stains developing on the walls or ceiling surrounding it. This can also cause flue tiles to crack and flue lining to be damaged, which could start a fire in your home. Mould or damp on your wallpaper can be a clear sign of excess moisture in the chimney, so you may need to have a chimney repair to install new flue liner to rectify this fire hazard and avoid these moisture problems getting worse.
Draught
If you feel a draught in your home for a sustained period of time, it is possible that this could be coming down your chimney. This indicates that there could be some problems with your chimney pot. This also has the potential to cause further issues such as rainwater or other debris coming down your chimney. In this situation you should have your chimney pot adjusted or replaced.
Blockages
It is important that you check for anything that could be blocking your chimney and preventing smoke from rising out the top, as this could cause a risk to the health of you and your family. Smoke becoming trapped could lead to it circulating in your home and the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. Chimney sweeps can be an effective solution to clear any blockages and prevent chimney fires. As a further precaution, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms can alert you as soon as the smoke begins to circulate in your home.
Following these maintenance tips and carrying out chimney inspections will allow you to ensure your chimney is suitably prepared for the winter season, but if you notice any issues we are here to help. Our team at Roof Rescue are experts in repairs and maintenance. We will ensure that your chimney is structurally sound, prevent any amount of moisture from building up, avoid damp and mould, and make sure your chimney is blockage free for Santa to drop in on Christmas eve. To discuss your enquiry with our chimney and roofing experts, give us a call today on 020 3189 1618 or email .
