We’ve all heard that April showers bring May flowers, but one of the less pleasant things they can bring is odors into your home due to issues with your chimney.

Many folks stop thinking about their fireplaces after the last fire of the season is extinguished, and don’t consider them again until the first chilly day in autumn. While it is tempting to avoid adding one more item to the spring cleaning checklist, there are actually some pretty good reasons to take care of this now.

During the warmer weather, particularly when it is rainy, water may enter through your chimney. This may be due to the need for a protective rain cap, because of gaps or cracks in the exterior masonry, or simply as the result of condensation forming inside the chimney flue. If this moisture comes into contact with creosote deposits in your chimney, a smoky odor may develop, which could enter into your living space if any downdrafts are present.

In addition, standing creosote can degrade the integrity of your chimney liner if left in place over the warm weather months, which could lead to costly liner repairs if not addressed in a timely manner.

Give us a call today to schedule your annual chimney sweep and evaluation, and avoid the scheduling delays caused by the “busy season” rush this autumn.