Spring 2015 Newsletter
Common Chimney Repairs to Tackle This Spring
You don’t need us to tell you just how much you enjoy your fireplace or your wood or pellet stove. You also don’t need us to tell you just how vital your chimney is. Without a chimney in fine working condition, you cannot hope to vent the smoke and gases out of your home in a safe and effective manner. Spring is a great time of year to get your chimney back on track.
Now that the coldest weather of the year is more or less behind us, most homeowners are anxiously awaiting the spring season. Even so, your chimney will likely still see some action in the months to come. By taking advantage of the nice spring weather, you can get your chimney back in prime working condition after its heaviest usage during the winter months.
Moisture Damage to the Brickwork
Problems with the brickwork in a chimney are among the most common issues that homeowners face. They also pop up frequently in spring. These types of problems frequently develop due to exposure to moisture, something that is not at all uncommon during the winter season. If your brickwork is compromised, make sure that you have it repaired right away. This may require the replacement of mortar to keep moisture out in the time to come.
Chimney Cap and Crown Issues
Of course, keeping moisture out of your chimney can be tough if the hole at the top of it is not properly protected. So too is keeping critters your of your chimney, in which they may choose to nest if they are permitted, causing blockages. Should your chimney cap or crown be damaged, which is very possible after putting up with the brutal conditions of winter, those components will not be able to protect your chimney effectively. Spring is a great time of the year, but it can also bring a lot of rain along with it. Now that it is getting underway, get your chimney repairs under way as well.
Inspect Your Chimney Liner
Also, it is probably a good idea to have the lining of your chimney inspected at this time. There are a few different materials which may be used to line your chimney, and some are certainly more durable than others. The fluctuation of temperatures within your chimney over the course of the winter season may have put the integrity of your chimney liner at risk. It is vital that it is repaired promptly if this is the case. Follow this advice, have your spring chimney repairs completed by a qualified professional, and you will be able to enjoy the more leisurely use of your fireplace and chimney until the chill of winter returns.
How Duct Cleaning Could Benefit You
Your ducts are a very important part of your home’s infrastructure. They serve as the highways through which your warm and cool air flows throughout the year. Centralized forced air systems would be impossible without them, which would make life much more uncomfortable. As vital as they are, however, they are often not given the attention they need when it comes to maintenance. Ducts need professional care just as much as any other home system. They simply need it in a different way. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to proper duct care, read on for information about duct cleaning.
What is Duct Cleaning?
Duct cleaning is a service that focuses on removing dust, debris, and any other contaminants from the ductwork in your home. How this is done depends largely on the type of ducts you have. If they’re the typical sheet metal ducts, a large vacuum is used to suck everything out of the ductwork. For tube or cloth ducts, a special set of cleaning tools is used to manually sweep away the debris. This leaves the ducts clean, clear, and in much better condition overall.
Why Do I Need Duct Cleaning?
There are a number of reasons that duct cleaning can benefit you this spring. First, it can improve your air quality. There are millions of airborne particles floating around in the average home, including germs, dust, pollen, and mold. These particles have a tendency to collect in your home’s ductwork, out of reach of your normal cleaning efforts. Then, when you turn on your heater or air conditioner, all of those particles are blown around the house and lower your air quality. Duct cleaning removes all of those contaminants, allowing you to use your forced air systems without negatively affecting your air.
Duct cleaning can also determine whether or not you need any additional repairs. Ducts can develop leaks quite easily, which can substantially impact the effectiveness of your forced air systems. In fact, the US Department of Energy has estimated that as much as 30% of a forced air system’s output is lost to duct leaks on average. If your HVAC professional finds any leaks during the duct cleaning process, he or she can then seal them for you. This will ensure that your air conditioner is as energy efficient as possible during the summer.