“How long does a chimney need relining?” That is a question chimney owners everywhere ask when they find a creaking noise that seems to be coming from their chimney. A quality chimney repair will not only make your house safer, it will save you money and frustration from having to call in a professional chimney inspector multiple times. The quality of a chimney’s flue system is often determined by the manufacturer. A good chimney contractor in Riverhead, NY can inspect and install a variety of chimney systems ranging from cast iron to stainless steel chimney systems.

what is a chimney?

A chimney is basically a tube shaped structure at the base where the exhaust vent exits. The interior of the chimney has walls, which are bricks or stones set deep in the ground, and a large face where the flue or crown attaches to the house. The exterior face has vents and inlet ports where the exhaust gases or smoke can enter. Chimneys use gravity to draw hot air up the flue, while holding back dangerous fumes from getting into your home. The duration a chimney repair will take depends on the type of flue and the amount of obstructions in the system.

chimney repairs

Most chimney repairs occur in the attic but there are still a few occurrences where they occur outside the house. For example, if you light a fireplace in the living room or den that connects to the chimney, it will draw fumes up the chimney, through the chimney cap, and into your home. If there is no fireplace or flue installed to control the amount of air flowing up the chimney, you may experience downdrafts and hot air escapes as the smoke or gases rise. Hot air rises faster than cold air so if the ceiling is cold, the escape might take quite some time. If this happens, you should get an inspection from a chimney inspection company and get a chimney repair right away.

chimney repair considerations

There are some other situations that require chimney repairs even after you have had the area inspected and approved as safe. In the attic, long sections of wood or metal might be exposed without adequate protection. In these cases, the wood can rot and create dangers for your family especially children who play around or are near the area. Long metal shingles on the roof also need to be properly installed or replaced if deemed necessary.

chimney maintenance

You can avoid the need for chimney repairs in many cases by simply cleaning and repairing damage as soon as it becomes apparent. However, if your chimney is seriously damaged, it may become necessary to replace or repair the entire flue before it can be used again. Your home improvement company will have chimney inspections available to guide you in making these decisions.

tackle minor issues before they cost you money

Some homeowners may be tempted to wait and deal with minor issues themselves rather than calling a chimney repair company. If you have small cracks in your chimney, they probably won’t be a problem. However, larger cracks in your chimney can present serious hazards to your family so you should be wary of the possibility of greater dangers occurring. If you do try to fix small cracks yourself, you run the risk of causing more damage if you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s better to call someone who knows how to handle these situations.