Everyone loves to relax in front of the fire on a cool winter evening, but it is essential to keep your fireplace well maintained throughout the year. It is important to catch potential issues early on, which will minimize the amount of long term damage. Ultimately, spotting a problem early on will keep a manageable repair from turning into something potentially more costly.
One way to minimize fireplace repair is to be diligent about checking your fireplace for problems. What are some of the most common issues to look for in your fireplace? And how should you go about solving those issues?
Problem #1: Corrosion
Due to the high temperatures produced by the fire, many fireplaces utilize metal pieces for the firebox and other important components. If your fireplace has metal pieces with any visible rust, this is a good indicator of growing corrosion damage. The combination of the fireplace’s metal parts and the moisture trapped in the fireplace can cause rust to form. This corrosion can develop into a major problem if left untreated.
The best way to repair corrosion damage is to replace the damaged pieces. If this becomes a recurring problem, you should check for possible sources of moisture in your fireplace.
Problem #2: Water Damage
If your chimney is leaky, water from rain or snow can drip down your chimney, damaging your fireplace. In addition to possible corrosion damage on the metal components, water damage can occur on your fireplace’s brick or stone masonry. Water absorbs the salt and limestone in your fireplace’s bricks, weakening the structure. Over time, the bricks or stones can become so weak that they begin to crack or crumble.
If you are seeing the early signs of water damage, try to limit or eliminate the source of the water. Crumbling or broken bricks and stones should be replaced in order to preserve the structure and integrity of your home’s fireplace.
Problem #3: Poor Airflow
If smoke is entering your room rather than exiting through the chimney, you may need to check your fireplace vents. For a fire to burn hot and clean, it needs to have a good supply of fresh air and a clear path for the smoke to exit. Keeping your vents and chimney clean can help keep your fireplace functioning at its best.
Problem #4: Heat Damage
While this might seem counterintuitive, your fireplace – and in particular, your firebox – is subjected to extremely high temperatures for prolonged periods of time. This can eventually cause wear and tear on your firebox. If your firebox shows signs of aging, you might want to replace this vital component before it turns into a bigger issue.
Problem #5: Storm Damage
While many fireplace repairs are necessary due to normal wear and tear, others problems can be caused by external factors. One such example of this is storm damage. If a particularly bad storm with strong winds comes through your area, you might have an unusually large amount of rain, snow, or other debris falling in and around your chimney.
This can prematurely wear down your chimney, causing a repair to come up more quickly than anticipated. Because of events such as this, it is important to stay on top of your fireplace repairs. It pays to lookout for potential problems and to be diligent about getting the necessary repairs when needed.
Whatever the issue with your fireplace, you should look into getting it fixed as soon as possible. Lighting a fire in a damaged fireplace increases your risk of inhaling smoke or carbon monoxide. Both of these can result in long-term health problems or even death. When your family’s well being is at stake, you want to make sure that the repairs are done correctly and in a timely manner.
Calling a reliable fireplace repair company, such as Armand’s Discount, can be a painless way to tackle any fireplace repairs that you might need.
Hiring an experienced fireplace repair technician will ensure that the repairs are done correctly. The last thing you need is a poorly done repair that might cause an even bigger problem down the road. Unlicensed repair technicians will often offer sub-par repairs for a lower price. On the other hand, they might recommend costly repairs that are not strictly necessary. Avoid both of these issues by contacting Armand’s Discount for all of your fireplace repair and installation needs in the Greater Los Angeles area.