As your chimney is part of your home, it’s very likely it will be covered by your home insurance. When insurance is taken out, an assessment of these aspects within your home will likely be carried out, so you should know if chimney repair is something you need to cover yourself.
We advise taking a look at the details of your home insurance policy to find this information. For more chimney-based FAQs, keep reading below.
How Often Should You Sweep A Chimney
You should sweep your chimney at least once a year. As you use a fireplace, it creates soot and grime within the lining of your flue. If you leave this uncleaned and don’t practice good chimney maintenance, you could be at risk of damage or fire. This can lead to requiring a chimney repair, and will often void your insurance.
When To Carry Out Chimney Maintenance
Just like chimney sweeping, you should carry out chimney maintenance annually. Maintenance is separate to sweeping because it involves internal and external investigation. We advise doing this in autumn, after a period of heat and before you start using your fireplace again for winter. It’s best to hire a professional to inspect the chimney for loose mortar, cracks, nests, obstructions and structural issues.
How Long Will A Chimney Last?
A well-built chimney can last over a century. In fact, there are chimneys built centuries ago that still stand the test of time today. The longevity of a chimney depends on the repairs and maintenance carried out throughout its lifetime. As a result, it’s best to keep your chimney in good shape with repair when they need it, and annual maintenance.
How Do I Know If My Chimney Needs Repairs?
Chimney repairs will present themselves in a number of ways. Primarily, you’ll know if your chimney needs fixing if you see water, smoke or debris in areas where it shouldn’t be. If smoke is coming into your home, or water in through your roof, or debris down your chimney, then it may be likely you need repairs. If you’re concerned about the state of your chimney, then we recommend contacting a professional to assess the state of your roof as a whole.
Choose Salter Roofing For Chimney Maintenance & Repairs
Contact us for professional, quality chimney repairs and maintenance. We’re fully equipped with the tools required to keep your chimney in good shape, with qualifications to ensure that all services we provide are consistently delivered to a high standard. For more information, give us a call today.