Friday, May 23, 2014

The Importance Of Consulting Chimney Restoration Northern Virginia Contractors

By Marci Glover


With proper maintenance, homeowners can be sure of having fun moments at the fireplace for longer periods without problems. On the contrary, badly maintained chimneys can be the genesis of all home troubles. If you notice defects within chimneys, you need to consult chimney restoration northern Virginia contractors to inspect them and offer solutions.

With properly built and maintained chimneys, homeowners no longer have to worry about eruption of fire perils or deterioration of the structures. Due to constant use and exposure to weather elements, chimneys will develop problems such as cracks on bricks and mortar, wearing of flue linings, and misalignment of the structures. The flue restoration procedures be challenging if its design, installation, and maintenance is poor.

Too little or rather extra large chimneys fall short of merit when it comes to administering an adequate draft. Additionally, hindrances such nest of birds, broken blocks, and ice may block pathways thereby creating a smoke havoc in the interior of the chimneys and the home at large. Poor development and establishment of the smokestack may lead to corrosion of chimneys.

Non-insulated chimneys on exterior walls become very cold when combustion gases are absent. This usually causes condensation of moisture from the air resulting to breakages, cracks, leakages as well as blockages. Also, a missing cap seal can render chimneys faulty by permitting water leakages. Defective flashing, open-mortar joints, and wind-blow rain may send water into the chimney structure. It is common to find cracks on the walls of chimneys, especially when freezing climate persist. One other cause of defects in chimneys is their movement.

A wise person should not watch this happen while sitting down. This being the case, it would be nice to understand intently some of the causes of formation of cracks on chimneys. The first one is thermal expansion. The fireplace is usually under constant heat and so it is expected that the side walls subsequently expand.

The likely consequence as a result, is the formation of cracks, which start emanating from the mortar joints. Arguably, thermal expansions are common phenomena in masonry chimneys. Due to thermal expansions, stacks are fond of having massive cracks. This does not go slow on the interior flue either.

Such effects cannot be obscured for years without you noticing them. They become visible defects with time. The first place where the manifestation of defaults is indeed prevalent is the capping area. Whenever there is a missing cap, damage on the top seal and leakages in the chimneys are bound to occur. Besides, rusting is likely to take effect, especially on the metal frames.

Smokestacks that have stayed long periods without being cleaned pose a potential fire hazards. This is because, creosote and heavy soot on the chimneys is a good fire-causing agent. The damaged, broken, and faulty chimney flues also pose imminent contingencies when they leak combustion gases into the building and may ignite fire sparks.




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