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Spring is a time for refreshment and rejuvenation, so it’s only natural that the annual tradition of bringing new life into your home happens in spring. However, one part of the home that often gets overlooked during spring cleaning is the chimney and fireplace. Spring is a great time to think about making repairs to issues that may have arisen during the winter. At All American Chimney, we want to help you with your spring cleaning. Let our trained professionalsinspect your chimneyand help you determine if any major issues arose during the winter and if your chimney needs any repairs or cleaning.

Winter damage

Winters can be tough on a chimney. Although your chimney was designed to withstand wild temperature swings, even the most well-built chimney will eventually succumb. The constant freezing and thawing cycles it goes through in the winter brings damage. These processes can be especially damaging if moisture is allowed to seep into the tiny pores in your masonry. Moisture that pools inside of your masonry will eventually freeze and expand. This can weaken your masonry from the inside out. If your fireplace is used a lot, this freeze/thaw cycle can happen many times over the winter. This can lead to cracks, weak masonry joints, or loose brickwork, to name a few issues.

Spring is a great time to check if your chimney needs waterproofing to avoid damage from the rains. At All American Chimney, our trained professionals can make sure your chimney is up to code and your home is dry and cozy withchimney waterproofing.

Chimney Cap Problems

There are other chimney issues that may need to be addressed in the spring. One of the more common issues we come across is faulty or missing chimney caps. Your chimney cap is a metal cap that sits on top of your chimney and is considered the first line of defense against rain and snow entering your chimney system. Ice, sleet, and snow during the winter can damage your chimney cap. If your chimney cap is not working properly, spring rain can enter your chimney, rusting your damper and creating unpleasant odors. All American Chimney can help you withchimney cap issuesas well.

Spring Moisture

As we already mentioned,moisture can wreak havocon your chimney system. That is why it is important to make sure your chimney is protected from spring rains. Other issues caused by moisture are unsightly masonry stains, bad smells, condensation, and rust. Although these problems seem minor, they could be an indicator of a bigger masonry issue that should be addressed right away.

Spring is here and now is the perfect time to make sure your chimney is in good condition after a winter of hard work. Remember, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends only having aCSIAcertified chimney sweep inspect your chimney. Let one of our CSIA certified professionals help you today by calling the Louisville area’s number one chimney sweep at 502-435-2364 orsetting up an appointment online. We look forward to serving you!