How Does Winter Weather Affect Your Chimney?
As we are in the teeth of intense winter weather, you may be concerned about its effects on your home, including your chimney. So, with that in mind, let’s investigate “How does winter weather affect your chimney?”
Freeze-Thaw Cycles and Your Chimney
The biggest enemy a chimney has is water. Why? As a chimney ages, it becomes more porous, unlike a sponge, and absorbs moisture more easily. Newer chimneys can also absorb water when there are cracks or broken bricks in their structure. When your chimney contains moisture, it is susceptible to the freeze-thaw cycle. When water becomes ice, it expands, as does the moisture in your chimney. When your chimney has undergone multiple freeze-thaw cycles, it will develop cracks, or existing cracks will worsen. Eventually, the chimney’s structural integrity will become compromised, which could lead to a collapse. If you see a white powdery substance on the exterior of your chimney, it is a sign that the freeze-thaw cycle is breaking down the bricks and mortar.
Snow and Ice
Both ice and snow will melt and flood your fireplace’s firebox and cause it to rust, along with the components in your chimney. Replacing your firebox can be expensive and inconvenient. How do you deal with snow and ice getting into your fireplace? Read on.
How Can You Guard Against the Freeze-Thaw Cycle Along with Snow and Ice?
The ideal way to protect your chimney against the freeze-thaw cycle is to install a chimney cap. A chimney cap is a chimney accessory that fastens to the top of your chimney to cover the opening. It resembles a cap, thus the name. A chimney cap is vital to keep snow and ice out of your chimney during the winter. Ice and snow can be particularly destructive. A chimney cap works like an umbrella for your chimney, holding ice and snow at bay in the winter and rain from thunderstorms out during the summer.
A chimney cap will also guard against backdrafts common in winter. You may have experienced a backdraft if you have issues lighting a fire in your fireplace during blustery winter weather. A backdraft is a gust that will blow out a fire as you try to light it. It will also cause fires to burn less efficiently and for less time. In addition to issues with your fire, backdrafts cause a host of problems. The wind from a backdraft will blow soot and other allergens into your home, possibly causing respiratory problems for allergy and asthma sufferers. The soot can also stick to windows and furniture damaging them and generating a lot of cleanups. It can blow toxic carbon monoxide fumes into your home, potentially poisoning your family and pets. A chimney cap will keep winter wind from blowing down your chimney and causing issues with lighting a fire.
Obstructions
An indirect impact of winter weather is blockages. When creatures such as birds, raccoons, bats, and rodents are looking for a warm, safe place to ride out the winter, your chimney is the perfect location. Maybe a cluster of leaves and trash has collected from fierce winter winds. Obstructions can cause issues such as carbon monoxide flowing back into your home or cause trouble with lighting your fireplace. A professional chimney sweep will be needed to remove any obstructions. Adding a chimney cap can help with this issue as well. It has a metal mesh structure called a spark cage that surrounds your flue and will keep wildlife out.
Burlington Fireplace Can Reverse the Effects of Winter Weather on Your Chimney
Don’t let the impact of winter weather cause your chimney to fall apart; contact us today. Our experienced and knowledgeable chimney sweeps will inspect your chimney to determine the best course of action. We will provide a written estimate if any repair work needs to be performed. Don’t put off having your chimney inspected, get in touch right away.