Chimneys

This part of your structure along with the roof is very often neglected as they are out of your normal field of vision. Chimneys should be cleaned regularly, plan your cleaning for the end of the season to prevent those contaminants and chemicals sitting in your chimney through teh summer absorbing the mositure from teh humid air through teh summer rather than before you plan to use the chimney in the fall, particularly if the fuel used is wood as the black deposits, soot and creosote, are a fire hazard if they build up in excess of 1/8" coating. This can also void your insurance if you have no documented proof of cleaning and a chimney fire develops. Ensure you have a rain cap on your chimney as moisture inside can create deterioration of the mortar and bricks themselves on masonry chimneys or rusting will result in steel chimneys. Pointing can repair minor deterioration but if mortar erodes more than 1/2" deep then replacing the bricks may be the expensive solution. Major failure, collapse, of the chimney may finally be the result if ignored long enough. WETT inspection is a neccessary process for wood burning fireplaces along with prior sweeping AH & P can assist in this manner also.