Winter is definitely here and with colder weather comes rain. Some of us even got snow in our yards! And when it’s cold, a crackling fire warms our toes and tempts us into breaking our diet with roasted marshmallows.
But before the fun begins, you should always ensure your fireplace is safe to use. Here are some common problems with chimneys and fireplaces:
- Creosote buildup (highly flammable)
- Water intrusion
- Incorrect installation
- Compromised bricks or deteriorated mortar
- Improper operation of damper (rusted or frozen)
- Fire hazard (combustible materials too close)
- Been altered and no longer meets building standards
- Cracked chimney cap
- Missing spark arrestor (to prevent floating ambers)
- Too short (does not extend far enough beyond roof)
- Improperly installed flashing at roof connection
- Cracked crown (allows water entry)
We recommend that fireplaces and chimneys be inspected once a year. Although we do not provide that service, we have some great companies we can recommend if you need help finding one. Just call our office or go to our referral page.
Once your chimney has been given the thumbs up, you can feel free to spend the remaining winter in front of the fireplace doing the following:
- Roasting Marshmallows
- Have a family game night
- Do arts and crafts
- Set up an indoor picnic
- Share your favorite stories
We hope you enjoy Southern California’s two weeks of winter!
From,
Your Alliance Team