Living in the UK means surviving very cold winters. One way of beating a cold climate is to make use of a fireplace or a wood burning oven. House hunters are always looking for a home that has at least one fireplace intact. However, if you love the house you can always have a fireplace or wood burning stove installed. Nowadays, anything goes. You can have a fireplace in any room and a wood burning stove need not be relegated to the kitchen. Small stoves can be placed in the living room.
If you already have a fireplace or wood burning stove then you have a chimney. It is very important to keep your chimney in good condition. This means regular inspections and maintenance when needed. One of the most common reasons for maintenance is cracks appearing in the chimney lining.
The secret to keeping maintenance costs down is to fix a crack when it is at hairline crack stage. The bigger the crack the more maintenance and the more expensive it is to repair. If you don’t get a crack early, over time it will increase and you may have to go as far as replacing brickwork.
The reason it is so necessary to keep the lining of your chimney in good repair is your health. A lining with cracks will release gases or smoke into your living area. Your fireplace lining is more susceptible to cracking if you get a high amount of moisture due to a quick freeze and thaw rotation. The moisture will become actual drops and fill the crevices in the chimney. While the chimney is not used the drops of water freeze and the crevices are stretched. It takes a few winters of quick freeze and thaw for the crevices to become permanent cracks.
If your chimney lining requires repair then it is advisable to use the services of a professional. If the fireproof tiles that line your chimney are cracked they must be replaced. It is usually older homes that still have tiles made of clay. If your chimney has clay tiles it is advisable to update your chimney’s performance by replacing the clay tiles with a lining made entirely of heat treated stainless steel. This is the most contemporary solution for keeping your home secure from leaking carbon monoxide and also excessive heat. If you are working out a budget for home improvement then the repair or replacement of a lining for your chimney is not a luxury. It is essential for health and safety.
Another good reason to bring in the professionals is so they can also inspect the other sections of your chimney and fireplace. If your chimney is structurally unsound this must be restored because even if your chimney lining is replaced it may not function optimally due to the rest of the chimney needing repairs. When it comes to a home product that falls within the category of health and safety it is better to be safe than sorry. This is why your lining is a good place to start improving your home.
Tags: Home Improvement, Repairs