Tips Homeowners Use To Ensure Chimney Is Ready For Snowy Months

Chimney CareDecember 22, 2017

4 Tips Homeowners Can Use To Ensure Their Chimney Is Ready For Cold, Snowy Months

The winter season brings with it cold temperatures, ice and snow. And, while many people love the snow, it can be a homeowners’ worst nightmare for maintenance. Nobody likes to shovel snow from their driveway or scrap the frost and ice off the cars. They especially don’t like it when leaks from the melted snow are coming from their chimneys.

However, you can mitigate this one particular issue by performing chimney maintenance before the onslaught of the winter season. No doubt the winter season will have you using it many times. What can you do to ensure your chimney is ready for the colder, snowy months that winter brings?

4 Key Tips To Safely Use Your Chimney During The Winter Months

Have An Inspection Done

The first and most important thing you need to do is have the chimney inspected every year or even twice a year. This will ensure your chimney stays in good working condition. A technician can look over the chimney, looking at the masonry and flashing to ensure there is no damage or cracking. If there are any issues, you’ll need to fix the problem before the first snow. If not, you could experience smoke leaks.

Install A Good Cover

The easiest step in keeping the snow out is to install a chimney cover, which keeps the snow from getting into the chimney. Since there are various chimney sizes, you’ll need to find out what size yours is and find the right size for it. Your chimney technician can let you know what options are available to you.

If your chimney already comes with a cover, be sure it hasn’t been damaged, and it securely fastened in place.

Clean Your Chimney

Your chimney can lead to home fires, even when it’s snowing and cold outside. If your chimney is dirty, the chances of it catching fire increases. Have a chimney technician come by and give your chimney a good cleaning before you have to use it all winter long.

Waterproof The Crown

This would also be the ideal time to apply a waterproof material to the chimney. You have your choices of all kinds of sealants, which will keep moisture from getting into the cracks.

With the threat the snow and below zero temperatures, you need to ensure your house and its occupants are safe. With the four tips listed above, you can make that happen and enjoy the winter months in front of a roaring fire while the snow falls outside.