Chimney Spring Cleaning Checklist

Look around you, smell the air. Winter is almost behind us. The trees are blooming and the flowers are peaking out of the ground. It is a time of rebirth. More importantly, it is time to do some spring cleaning. I know, your list is probably pretty long. However, we seem to have so much energy at this time of the year, ready to tackle our outdoor chores. One thing that should be on your list is your chimney.

There are a few things that you can do as you move through your chore list. Let us discuss a few of them.

Spring Chores:

Clean Out The Firebox.

Take a broom and clean the old burnt wood ash and creosote that may have fallen into it. Use the ash in your garden; your blooms will love it.

Waterproofing

Apply waterproofing if needed. Brick and mortar is like a sponge when there is not a protective coat on it. Over time the protective coat deteriorates and water can seek into the bricks and mortar.

Check Your Chimney Cap

The cap protects water from getting into the chimney. It is also useful in keeping the heat in your house. Small animals and debris can also find their way into the chimney if a cap is damaged or missing. Your chimney takes a beating throughout the winter. Storms with heavy winds, and rain crashing against your chimney all add to the wear and tear of your chimney. Take a walk outside and inspect the cap the best you can.

Call Doodlebuggers For Your Annual Chimney Sweep & Inspection

Now is a great time to book your chimney maintenance. In the spring our appointments are low. Don’t wait until the end of summer. Most homeowners will reach out at that time so they won’t miss out. It gets very busy later in the summer and fall, call now so you won’t be left out.

What To Look For?

While walking around your yard look for some of these issues, some may be hazardous.

• Signs of winter damage. Cracked crown or cap.
• Leaning chimney. This may be structural or ground leveling.
• Spalling bricks. This is a common problem where bricks chip, peel, or crack.

Our technicians are not subcontractors they are true employees of the company. They go through a rigorous process to learn every detail of all of our services. Most of our technicians are cross-trained and certified in many designations including the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) to name a couple. They must earn these designations via national standardized testing. This is not something to take lightly; we want to ensure they know what they are doing while they are serving your property.