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Snowfall Woes: How to Handle Snow in Your Chimney
The winter can come with complications for homeowners. Storms that dump inches and even feet of snow on your home could lead to issues and advanced wear and tear. Your chimney is no different. There are a few considerations when it comes to snowstorms to minimize any damage and inconvenience.
Keep up on your regular maintenance
Fortunately, one of the most common sources of winter havoc on your chimney could be avoided. A common issue that happens is water (whether from rain or melted snow) finds its way into hairline or larger cracks in the masonry or cement. This can either lead to mold and leaks within your chimney and even home. Or, worse, the water can freeze and expand causing further damage and larger cracks.
This can be avoided as technicians can detect small cracks in your annual inspection. From there, they can advise on how to mediate the issue before it gets worse.
Missing chimney cap? Take a look.
Chimney caps serve a vital function for your chimney, especially in the winter. Chimney caps work to block out rain, snow, debris, and even critters. They also work to minimize the risk of roof fires since they have a mesh layer that takes away spark risk.
How else can I avoid damage?
Make sure to keep up with your annual cleanings and inspections. If you notice any issues, make sure to call the professionals early. This can save you time, money, and further damage. With heavy use of the chimney during the winter, you may find yourself needing a cleaning more frequently. Make sure to keep tabs on smoke and smell to determine if it’s time to give us a call.
A lot of snow? Consider taking care of some of it.
Snow is heavy. So heavy that it can even bend or warp parts of your chimney if you let it sit for too long. Luckily most climates have a thaw cycle close enough to major storms, so this won’t be an issue. However, if it is a heavy storm and the weight stays because of lack of any melting, you may want to consider clearing that off — either carefully by yourself or hiring a professional to assist.
Ready for a winter chimney servicing?
If you’re in the Minneapolis area, Twin City Fireplace, Masonry, and Chimney are the full-service experts to call. We have locations in Edina and Woodbury, MN with highly trained and experienced staff to help with any questions pertaining to fireplaces. If you run into any major issues, we’re there to assist as well as quick as possible.
We specialize in the sale, service, and installation of gas and wood-burning fireplaces for indoor and outdoor spaces. We’re also licensed general contractors, gas fitters, and skilled masons to give you a seamless experience from the first call to the finished installation. Contact us today in Edina at 952-941-2685 or Woodbury at 651-204-0112.