When most people think of preparing their home for spring, they plant flowers outside or get the patio furniture from the garage. However, your chimney needs just as much prep work as anything else. Protecting your chimney from rain, humidity, and other acts of nature will keep it looking and functioning its best. Here are some spring chimney preparation tips for Michigan homes.
Clean The Creosote From Your Chimney
Creosote is a black substance that builds up in chimneys over time. It mostly forms in the winter months when the warm air from your fireplace meets the cold air outside. This causes condensation and the development of a tar-like solution that can smell and reduce your chimney’s efficiency. With the winter months coming to an end, it may be time to get a new chimney sweeping. Call Brickworks Property Restoration at [site_info_phone_number] to schedule an appointment with a local chimney sweep.
Watch For Rust Damage
Rust damage can occur on any metal components of the chimney, primarily the flashing around the base and the cap on top of the chimney. The metal is treated to stand up against precipitation and moisture in the air, but it can still develop rust after years of exposure. Rust will impact the structural integrity of the flashing, so you want to get it removed as quickly as possible. Thankfully, these types of chimney repairs are quite common and inexpensive.
Invest In Brick Sealant
Brick sealant is great for spring weather in Michigan because it protects bricks from moisture, rain, sleet, humidity, and more. Exposed bricks are made to be durable, but they are also vulnerable to constant exposure to moisture. This is especially true if the water is constantly freezing and thawing like it does in the late winter and early spring months. Brick sealant creates a barrier around the bricks that will prevent water from seeping in, saving you from costly repairs later on.
Get A Chimney Inspection
If you have not scheduled a chimney inspection to go with your chimney cleaning, you may want to do that. The inspector will check for potential leaks in your chimney so you can fill in gaps before they cause problems. If you leave these damages unattended to, you may find yourself dealing with a flood of water in your chimney this spring. The chimney repair experts at Brickworks Property Restoration are here to help you every step of the way.