Most Common Fireplace & Chimney Repairs

Like any major fixture in your home, eventually wear and tear may catch up to your fireplace. While regular cleanings, inspections, and maintenance may lessen the damage over time, it’s still likely you may experience some necessary repairs. If you’re overdue for an inspection, now may be the time to call to catch any repair needs before they get worse. Some of the most common issues our inspectors may find are the following:

Creosote Buildup

One of the most common and least expensive issues is a buildup of a chemical called creosote. This builds up as you burn more fires in your fireplace and may accumulate faster if you tend to burn softer woods. Creosote is highly flammable and must be taken care of regularly to avoid unwanted house fires.

The good news is that an annual inspection and cleaning will take care of your buildup and get your fire flowing with the correct airflow in no time.

Damper Issues

The damper is found at the very top of your chimney and regulates the flow of air and smoke from your fireplace to outside. Dampers are made of metal, so they typically need to be replaced once they rust or warp. If you notice a draft or smoke backing up into your room during a fire, you may be experiencing damper issues. If you’re experiencing a draft, it’s likely stuck open; if you’re experiencing smoke backup, it’s likely stuck closed. Luckily, replacing a damper is a quick and inexpensive fix to get your fireplace back to normal.

Damaged Chimney

Another potential issue with your fireplace could be a damaged chimney itself. This is typical as your chimney ages and is exposed to harsh weather, however, it may be worse if regular maintenance was neglected. Several issues may arise within the chimney, but some common ones are cracking or missing bricks, mortar breaking down, or damaged flue tiles.

While these fixes are no problem for our professionals, it’s advisable that you don’t wait! If you let these issues sit, they may get worse or lead to water damage.

Cracked Firebox

Lastly, the firebox – or where you burn your fire – may be cracked or damaged due to wear and tear, poor installation, or excessive shifts in temperature. The damage you’ll see here is similar to what you’d see on the chimney. You may notice damaged bricks or deteriorating mortar joints. Similar to chimney fixes, you’ll want to get these areas repaired as soon as possible to avoid bigger issues down the road.

Let us help you with your fireplace repairs

If you’re in Destin or Pensacola, Doodlebuggers are here to help you get your fireplace back to perfect. We can work with you to develop a plan to many any improvements or repairs necessary. Fireplaces can benefit from regular care and maintenance; trust Doodlebuggers to help.

Reach a fireplace expert today at 850-477-1151 in Pensacola, FL, or at 850-243-0154 in the Destin, FL, area. You can also get in touch with us through our contact form on our website.