Sunday, July 6, 2014

Why You Should Consider Chimney Repair

By Rosella Campbell


In areas where outside temperatures can drop to negative degrees, it is essential for its inhabitants to look for ways to keep warm. Some just huddle under blankets and comforters to trap in body heat. Some who can afford it get insulated doors, windows, and glass walls installed to keep the warm air from escaping. But perhaps the most favorite of almost everybody is having to sit in front of happily crackling fire with a mug of hot beverage to fight off the cold.

To keep themselves warm, people have come up with many ingenious ways to stay warm. Those who can afford them have insulating glass panels installed in different areas in the house. Some pay much for a central heating system. Some just lie in the comforts of a warm bed and cover themselves up in fluffy comforters. Others take a hot mug of chocolate or apple cider and enjoy it while reading a book by the warmth and light exuded by a fireplace and its corresponding chimney repair Portland OR.

These smoke way structures made their first appearance in superbly large dwellings during the 12th century, in the area collectively known as Northern Europe. They were not very well known nor commonly used until the 16th and 17th centuries, where they made an appearance in almost every house structure. They became instantly famous when people got interested in baking homemade goods. The ovens used in baking had built in chimneys in them.

They were used as early as the 12th century in most mansions, yet gained popularity in most households only during the 16 and 17th centuries, when people started baking homemade goodies such as pies, biscuits, and cookies. They are all positioned vertically to allow smooth passage of smoke and gas.

Obstruction is one of the usual dilemmas that you can encounter. Sometimes the problem is caused by something very easily corrected, such as removing that nest to allow the smoke to pass easily. Oftentimes, though, it can be caused by things that take a while to be rectified. One reason for obstruction is the lack of adequate height. Too short stacks can result in obstruction as the updraft inhibits flue gases from going out. A home that is way too airtight can suck in the smoke so that it comes out of the fireplace instead of the chimney.

Creosote is another problem. This is the mixture of black tartar and soot that gets deposited up in the lining of the stack. When they are allowed to accumulated, they become highly combustible and can cause fire. Thousands of house fires occur every year due to unclean chimneys.

Brick problems also add up to the list. Chimneys of traditional design use bricks, which can crumble due to exposure to the different kinds of natural elements. Eventually, they can collapse, too, especially in the event of an earthquake.

The things found at the topmost parts of these structures are called crowns and caps. They are also exposed to changing elements that cause them to weaken and develop cracks. If these are not remedied, they can cause moisture to get in and damage the entire system.

All these problems can never be done without professional help. It is also recommended that you can an expert team when the problems you have noticed are still at their early stages to avoid even more serious problems. After all, it is better to do repairs than to have it replaced altogether.




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