Summer Fireplace Use: What You Need to Know

If you live in Colorado or another state with extremely cold winters, you may have your share of chilly summer temperatures as well. From Fort Collins to Trinidad, Coloradans know that just because they move into the summer months doesn’t mean that the cold goes away completely.

Summer fireplace use is wonderful to take the chill off an evening or as a backdrop for parties and get-togethers. But keep in mind that increased fireplace use calls for increased cleaning, inspections and maintenance.
FlameMaster of Crystola, CO, would like to share a few tips and reminders with homeowners who enjoy using their fireplaces all year long.

Summer is a busy time

For most people, especially those who live in cold-weather regions, summer is a time to get outdoors and get active. Just don’t get so active that you forget about your chimney and fireplace. This is particularly important if you haven’t had your chimney serviced since winter ended.

Four summer chimney issues

A chimney that hasn’t been properly cleaned, inspected and repaired can present a few problems during summertime use. Here are four of the most common.

1. Strong smoky odors

Built-up creosote and soot in the chimney flue can cause unpleasant odors to filter down into your home. The odor problem may worsen when you run air conditioners and window fans that create an exhaust.

2. Animals and debris in the chimney

Birds, squirrels, rodents, raccoons and other smaller animals like to use chimneys as shelter from the cold and to have their babies. Nesting materials and the occasional dead animal will contribute to the chimney odor. Tree debris can also lead to a smelly chimney. Solve all these problems by installing a quality chimney cap to guard the flue opening.

3. Drafting problems

Creosote and outside debris can not only cause smells, but they can also narrow the flue passage. Your chimney flue is of a specific size to draft your specific fireplace. When the flue becomes obstructed, smoke and deadly carbon monoxide can back up into your home.

4. Structural and component issues

After a long, hard winter, parts of a chimney can fall into disrepair. You don’t want to keep on using the fireplace and chimney if there are issues with the chimney structure or any of its components. Common problems chimney crews address in the spring and summer include:

• Cracked or spalling masonry bricks
• Decayed mortar between the bricks
• Cracked chimney crown at the top of the chimney
• Damaged flue liner
• Warped or rusted chimney flashing
• Rusted or inoperable fireplace damper
• Leaks throughout the chimney system

These and other problems need to be resolved sooner rather than later for the safety of your home and family. Don’t get so busy with summer fun that you overlook having them taken care of.

The keys to a safe and healthy chimney

FlameMaster provides complete chimney sweeping services to remove flammable creosote from your chimney. We also perform licensed chimney inspections and offer all types of repairs and component replacements. These are the keys to chimney safety.

If you haven’t had your chimney serviced in more than a year, now is the time to schedule it. If you live in the greater Colorado Springs region, call us today at (719) 661-3277. You can also reach out with our handy contact form.