Signs Your Chimney Needs A Professional

Like any other part of your home, your chimney system needs annual maintenance. This includes items you can take care of, such as removing ash from your firebox and cleaning your glass doors. There are also a few things that your chimney needs a professional for, and here are five signs it’s time to call them.

You suddenly notice a peculiar odor

Many of the signs we review today will point to one big thing: creosote build-up within your fireplace. However, creosote can be a sign in and of itself of another problem. Let’s discuss odors: those can happen when creosote mixes with water, giving it a pungent smell.

Odors can also come from other problems, such as organic decay, debris, mold spores, or trapped animals. Each of these is a telltale sign that your chimney needs a professional sweeping.

An increased amount of smoke

Another more pressing sign is if, when burning a fire, you notice significantly more smoke than usual. Worse yet, if the smoke starts to back up into your home, you have a major problem that needs to be addressed right away.

These problems point to some kind of blockage, whether due to creosote build-up, a broken damper, or damage to your masonry. Stop using your fireplace and call the professionals immediately if this occurs.

Discoloration or an oily residue

Your chimney should have an annual sweep and inspection. When your Chimney Solutions Indiana technician visits your home, they’ll remove any creosote build-up during this process. However, you may notice signs that creosote has already taken hold within your chimney before scheduling your appointment.

The first is if your damper is black. This is creosote, and indicative of a more severe issue further up in your flue. The second is if you see an oily residue on your fireplace walls. Again, this is creosote and means that it’s time for an inspection right away.

Your fire seems weak

If your fire is weak, or it takes more to start a fire than it should, it means you have a problem with drafting. This could be another obstruction, or it could also point to some kind of structural damage. Either way, a weak fire is a sign your chimney needs a professional and should not be used until they complete an inspection.

Debris in your firebox

Collectively, we’re going to refer to the various types of debris you may discover in your firebox as our fifth sign you need to call a professional. What type of debris are we talking about? Let’s start with the most common: broken clay tile.

Most older homes used this style of chimney liner. As a porous material, clay is susceptible to damage. When it breaks off, it will land in your firebox. You should call a professional to discuss a chimney relining ASAP.

Other types of debris include animal droppings or fallen pieces of their nests, leaves, and smaller pieces of metal or concrete. The former may point to a broken cap while the latter is indicative of a crown in need of repairing.

When your chimney needs a professional, contact Chimney Solutions!

Regardless of what you may need, our team can help address it for you quickly and efficiently. If you notice any of these signs that your chimney needs a professional, then call Chimney Solutions Indiana at 317-757-6979 or send our team a message via our contact form.