It can be very relaxing to sit in front of a fireplace and enjoy the warmth and the beauty of the fire. However, a fireplace isn’t a maintenance-free part of the home. Sometimes, Fireplace Repair in Hagerstown MD may be necessary. Understanding the signs that something could be wrong with the fireplace will make it more likely that any issues can be fixed before they cause major damage.
A Room Full of Smoke
If the smoke from the fireplace is going back into the room instead of out of the chimney, this indicates that something is wrong. It could be that the chimney is blocked by birds nests or creosote or that the chimney has structural damage. Another possible cause is that the chimney isn’t properly shaped to have enough draw to suck the smoke up and out.
Chimney Is Excessively Drafty
Another potential issue that could indicate a Fireplace Repair in Hagerstown MD is necessary is when a lot of cold air comes down from the chimney and causes a draft. This can make the home too cold or even put out the fire in the fireplace. This may indicate that there’s a tall tree too close to the chimney or that the chimney isn’t tall enough.
Visible Staining or Damage
The fireplace shouldn’t be rusty, have white staining on the bricks, or have crumbling mortar or other visible damage. These factors can all interfere with the integrity of the fireplace and can make it unsafe to use. Have a professional check it out to see whether repairs are necessary right away and figure out how to limit future damage. For example, rusting is caused by moisture, so it’s necessary to figure out where this moisture is coming from and stop it to prevent further rust and damage to the fireplace. Crumbling mortar is also often caused by contact with too much moisture, while white staining on the brick is due to moisture pushing the salt out of the masonry and damaging its strength.
Click here to find out more about the services offered by Magic Mountain Chimney. Regular chimney cleaning and fireplace servicing is an essential part of keeping a fireplace in good working order.