How To Prepare Your Chimney For Winter

If you live in the Midwest, chances are you’re already familiar with your fall maintenance to-dos, including cleaning out the gutters, draining and turning off hose spigots, and bringing in delicate outdoor furniture, but are you remembering to prepare your chimney for the winter season?

What Can Happen to Your Chimney in the Winter?

• Masonry Damage: The freeze-thaw cycle can cause significant damage to your chimney. Water can seep into cracks in the masonry. If it freezes, those cracks will gradually expand over time, potentially resulting in damaged bricks and crumbling mortar joints, which could also lead to structural issues if the problem becomes severe.
• Leaks: Snow and rain can enter through cracks and leak into the home, potentially resulting in costly water damage.
• Flue Freezing: Cold temperatures can cause the flue to freeze, preventing smoke and gases from properly escaping, leading to dangerous backdrafts.
• Creosote Buildup: When water from rain or snow mixes with creosote, it can present a noticeably foul odor and increase the risk of house fires.

Maintenance Checklist

☐ Sweeping 

Sweeping helps remove creosote buildup, a tar-like substance that accumulates in chimneys over time. Removing this buildup helps prevent chimney fires, restores proper ventilation, and reduces the risk of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, it can improve your heating efficiency and help you save on energy bills.

Chimney sweeping should always be performed by a professional to ensure it’s done safely and properly.

☐ Install a Chimney Cap

Chimney caps are protective covers for your chimney that help prevent water, animals, and debris from building up in your chimney. They’re also a key component for preventing any downdrafts that push smoke back into your home. Key signs your chimney cap needs to be replaced include:

• Crown damage
• Visible rust, dents, or holes
• Damaged or missing mesh screens
• Evidence of debris within the chimney

☐ Seal Cracks & Minor Damage

Any cracks or damage in the chimney mortar should be filled and sealed (by a professional!) before winter weather sets in to avoid freeze-thaw damage. Small cracks need to be properly prepared, which involves brushing out any loose debris before they’re sealed. Masonry caulk is best used for small cracks, and a specialized crown sealer for larger, more extensive cracks.

Proper waterproofing is also crucial to prevent moisture from entering your chimney’s brick and mortar.

☐ Schedule a Professional Inspection

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual professional chimney inspections to ensure the entire system is safe and free of blockages and deposits. Annual inspections also allow minor issues to be resolved before they become major, expensive, and potentially dangerous ones.

During an inspection, a trained professional will assess the interior and exterior of the chimney for damage and blockages. They’ll also use advanced tools, such as cameras, to check for proper ventilation and inspect the inside of the flue. Following the inspection, you’ll receive a report detailing the findings and any recommended repairs.

Other Tips

☐ Close the Damper: Always close the damper when the fireplace is not in use. An open damper allows heated air to escape, potentially allowing cooler air from outside to enter, which can cause your HVAC system to work harder. An open damper can also attract animals and debris.

☐ Be Mindful of What You Burn: Be selective about what type of firewood you burn. Never use resinous wood, such as pine, which will generate a lot of smoke. Also refrain from using any treated wood, as it can release hazardous chemicals throughout your home. The best firewood is well-seasoned hardwoods, such as oak, maple, and hickory.

☐ Use a Fireplace Screen: A screen protects you, your children, and your pets from burns and other injuries.

Schedule Chimney Maintenance Today

Brickworks Property Restoration has been a trusted masonry and waterproofing company in the metro Detroit, MI, area for over two decades. If you’re not sure when your chimney was last inspected, contact us today to get on our schedule. We not only offer chimney inspections, but also sweeping and cleaning, repair and restoration work, creosote removal, and HeatShield applications, which is a fire-retardant sealant that provides advanced waterproofing and prevents creosote buildup.

Learn more about our solutions or schedule an appointment today!