For most people, the spring and summer months are reserved for relaxing around a pool, spending time in the backyard, and enjoying the warmer weather. Winter and fall-specific responsibilities, such as maintaining the chimney and fireplace, are typically pushed to the back of the mind.
For this reason, most homeowners wait until the fall season to have their units cleaned, inspected, and repaired in preparation for the Winter months. While this instinct is understandable, it usually leads to unhappiness and frustration.
During the fall, chimney company phones ring off the hook with customers seeking the same services simultaneously. Due to the limited availability, scheduling wait periods often extend to multiple weeks and even months.
Don’t wait like the other procrastinators! After reading this blog post, you’ll understand the various reasons why the summer months are best for chimney work.
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Summer Chimney Work Benefits
The summer months are not only ideal for you as a customer, but it’s mutually beneficial for your local chimney professionals as well!
One of our most frequently performed and requested service types is masonry repairs. When is the best time of year to perform masonry work? You guessed it, in the summer!
Warmer weather conditions make masonry repairs significantly easier. The dry heat is the perfect condition for allowing the proper curing and drying of masonry materials.
This is pivotal for the success of essential chimney leak protection repairs such as crown pours and brick waterproofing.
Brick waterproofing, for example, must be completed before Winter because when water seeps inside bricks and mortar, it will continuously cause cracking and spalling during the freeze and thaw process.
Another reason why the summer months are best for chimney work is that some jobs, such as installing a chimney liner, take a considerable amount of time to complete. Considering it’s highly likely that your fireplace goes unused when it’s warm out, you should utilize that free time for maintenance. The last thing you want is to go multiple weeks in the Winter without a usable fireplace because you waited too long to schedule!
Ensuring Your Home’s Safety
As mentioned in earlier sections, waiting until the fall to schedule your annual chimney inspection or common repairs is a big gamble.
It’s imperative to remember that, according to the CSIA, your system isn’t safe unless you service it annually. Let’s break this down by using a real-world example.
Say it’s December, and you’re a homeowner in the great state of Kansas. You haven’t had an inspection in 13 months. It’s freezing outside, and you want to utilize your unit for warmth, but your appointment with Full Service Chimney™ isn’t for three more weeks. In that case, should you take the risk and assume that the fireplace is safe to use anyways?
The answer to that question is always NO.
The CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps at Full Service Chimney inspect a fireplace using a high definition camera that records footage all the way up and down the inside walls of the chimney. We check the areas where potential damages are located and show you what you cannot see!
Just because the technician found no problems a year ago doesn’t mean it’s safe now. Like anything that requires frequent maintenance, a lot can change and quickly go wrong in a year.
Would you go an entire year without an oil change or tune-up for your vehicle?
We think not.
In terms of your chimney, dangerous situations can easily develop, such as toxic creosote buildup, animals and debris blocking the flue, or carbon monoxide leaks. These have the potential to cause chimney fires or, in extreme cases, death.
The potential dangers are why you need to ensure that you schedule an appointment with an experienced chimney professional ahead of time. The professional will identify the problems and suggest adequate repairs at the perfect time for you.
Increasing the Value
Buying a home is an investment into your family’s future. With any significant investment, you’re responsible for maintaining its safety and functionality.
Considering that modern fireplace systems increase house value, you should consider your unit one of the vital home features to frequently service.
Whether you’re looking for a remodel, installation, or chimney sweep and inspection, the longer you go without an appointment, the more money you could be potentially losing.
As detailed in the previous section, chimneys are intricate systems that can develop issues in a year due to weather and excessive usage.
Even if you’ve never burned in the firebox, there could be water damage from leaks, chimney cap damage, or birds living inside. Unless you hire a professional, common chimney problems could go unnoticed for a lengthy period.
Summary
If you’ve made it through this post, then you finally know why the summer months are best for chimney work.
Too many homeowners wait to schedule until the busiest and most stressful season of the year for American sweeps. DON’T WAIT!
It’s the perfect time to stop ignoring your fireplace until the fall and winter months season!
When it comes to chimney and fireplace repairs, the most advantageous way to save you money and stress is to schedule during the spring and summer months.
Are you ready to schedule your annual appointment? Click the button below to request a call with our customer service team today!
Do yourself a favor and don’t wait until the Fall to call (seriously though… if you do wait, don’t say we didn’t warn you… 🙂
It’s not just us… amazing Chimney Sweeps across the nation are booked out months in advance. So even if you’re not in our local area (or we aren’t in yours) please visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America’s newest Homeowner Resource: Find a Pro Near You SEARCH TOOL to locate a professional chimney service near you. Ensure you can get on the schedule during the warmer months… or think ahead and book early for Autumn before it arrives.
Thanks for reading!
*Updated version of an original post from June 4, 2021
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