Our Company Blog

The Freeze/Thaw Cycle and Your Chimney

Your chimney is built to last, but it will only last if it’s properly used and maintained. In fact, one of the worst things that can happen to your chimney is 100 percent preventable—water damage. Your chimney may be the largest system in your home, but it still goes forgotten in many cases because a large portion of it is hidden from view. Your chimney may continue to work while neglected or abused, but it will work less efficiently, and maybe even work with hazardous damage. A damaged chimney may work for a while, but will eventually lead to serious loss of property or even loss of life.

The Working Chimney

The thing that makes your chimney work so well (even while neglected and abused) is the very thing that makes it susceptible to serious damage. Your masonry is porous, allowing gases to escape and remaining unaffected by temperature fluctuations of the chimney structure. However, if you don’t take precautions, this porous material can be seriously damaged in one winter season.

Water and Your Chimney

All of the materials that make up masonry are adversely affected by water. If the chimney cap, flashing, or crown are damaged and not repaired, water will penetrate the system, damaging it from the inside-out. Water can rust damper assemblies, door handles, hinges, and attachments. It can leak into and cause leaks in ceilings, walls, and floors, can weaken structural beams, and even deteriorate the foundation.

Water and Winter Weather

A leaky chimney doesn’t have to start from the inside. Masonry can become chipped or cracked over time. Water can seep into these spaces as rain falls or snow melts, and when temperatures drop, this water freezes. When the water freezes, it expands, breaking apart the masonry (causing more damage). When a fire is lit and the chimney warms up, the water melts and moves further into the damaged masonry. This freeze/thaw cycle may continue throughout the season. The results may be:

• spalling masonry,
• damaged liner,
• unsound chimney structure.

Chimney Maintenance and Damage Prevention

In order to prevent chimney damage and ensure your system is safe for another season of burning, schedule an inspection with a professional. During a NFPA chimney inspection, you can expect a full assessment of your system top-to-bottom. If there is a problem with your flashing, cap, crown, or masonry, it can stop there. Many chimney issues can be dealt with inexpensively when they’re caught in time.

If your chimney system is in good shape, we can add further protection with waterproofing services. ChimneySaver water-repellent is a watertight, vapor-permeable chemical that doesn’t change the look of the masonry, but keeps water out. Schedule waterproofing services now, and avoid water damage later. The freeze/thaw cycle that can damage your chimney will not be possible if water can’t penetrate the masonry.

Call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460 or schedule an appointment online to make sure your chimney is ready for freezing weather.

Schedule a New Year’s Chimney Inspection

Although the Bomb Cyclone is bringing freezing temperatures now and throughout January, you have likely been using your fireplace for several weeks. In fact, your fireplace and chimney may be in need of a little maintenance before you spend the rest of the season burning fires. Don’t wait until spring to schedule a chimney sweep or inspection. Schedule services now so that you can prevent damage, carbon monoxide intrusion, fire, and more. 

Why Schedule an Inspection?

Both the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommend routine chimney sweeps and annual inspections for a safe and efficient chimney and fireplace. Neglecting this type of maintenance is exactly what causes a chimney to fall into disrepair, become unsafe, and can lead to leaks, fire, and damage to the home, but also to the family’s health. Schedule an inspection now and rest assured that your chimney is ready for the second half of winter. When your certified chimney sweep gives you the A-okay, it means all the parts of your chimney are installed and working properly, there are no visible hazards, and it’s safe for regular use.

When Do You Need an Inspection?

Homeowners have some freedom to decide when to schedule a chimney inspection. They are recommended annually, but if you haven’t had yours inspected this fall or winter, do it now. Don’t wait! Every fire you light in your fireplace puts your family at risk when you haven’t had it inspected in the last 12 months.
Other reasons to schedule an inspection include:

• Before selling or transferring property ownership
• After a change is made to the system (repair, installation, change in fuel-type)
• After a natural disaster such as tornado, hurricane, or earthquake
• After a flue fire

Who Can Do Your Inspection?

Only a certified chimney sweep should complete a chimney inspection. The home inspector before a real estate sale does not know how to properly assess a chimney system, nor does a general contractor. A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep can complete a CSIA inspection, offer a professional report, and sign it with authority. Your realtor, lawyer, and homeowners insurance provider will look for the CSIA signature, which is the industry standard for chimney care. If you hire an amateur, their work will not be insured, their business may not be licensed, and your homeowner’s insurance may not pay-out if you have to file a claim.

Choose the best chimney sweep company to work on your chimney so that you know the work is done correctly. When you choose Chief Chimney Services, you can depend on us for all of your comprehensive chimney needs. We offer chimney sweeps, inspections, repairs, installations, and more. Schedule with Chief