As the cold weather begins to set in, it’s time for us to stock up on wood, clean out the stove or fireplace, and get warm and cozy in front of the fire.
Having a stove or fireplace during the colder months of the year is a real blessing. They can be very economical, they add value to a property, they’re great for the interior aesthetic of a home, and they give off some amazing heat. They do, however, require regular maintenance, especially when it comes to the chimney.
If you have a stove or fireplace, you of course need a chimney. This isn’t just to ensure that the fire or stove burns efficiently, it’s to keep you safe. If smoke from the fire isn’t able to be exhausted properly, this poses all kinds of risks ranging from smoke damage to fire risk, and even carbon monoxide poisoning. If your chimney is damaged, it needs repairing immediately.
If you do have a damaged chimney, is DIY chimney repair safe and cost effective?
Is DIY Chimney Repair Safe?
If you have a leaking, blocked, or damaged chimney, before you even consider lighting another fire in the home, you MUST get the chimney repaired and in safe and full working order.
So, is DIY chimney repair safe? Well, that depends on a number of factors. If you don’t have the right tools, equipment, experience, knowledge, and expertise, then the answer is no, DIY chimney repair is not safe and you should leave it to a professional.
If, however, you have the necessary tools and safety equipment, along with experience, and you know what you’re doing, then DIY chimney repairs may be safe.
Of course, it depends on what kind of repairs you’re carrying out. If it’s simply a minor repair, like fixing a new chimney cap, then that is obviously much safer than, say, fitting a new flue liner and rebuilding the entire chimney breast.
Is DIY Chimney Repair Cost-Effective?
Another common question that people ask regarding DIY chimney repair is whether it’s cost-effective.
Again, there is no definite answer to this question because it depends upon what kind of repairs need carrying out. If it’s an extensive repair that’s needed, you’ll need tools and safety equipment such as scaffolding, harnesses, and ladders. Not only that, but you’ll need materials as well.
On top of that, if you don’t quite know what you’re doing, or if you make a mistake, it could lead to further damage to your home, and you’ll need to pay a professional to come out and make it right.
Finally, you also need to factor in your own time. As the saying goes, time is money, and if you need to take time off work to carry out the repair, then that also needs to be factored in to the overall costs.
Basically, don’t assume that carrying out a DIY repair yourself is always going to be the cheapest option, because in the long run it could cost you more.
DIY Chimney Repair Tips
If you are confident that you’re able to carry out a DIY chimney repair yourself, here are several tips to make the process that little bit easier.
Check Whether You Need a Permit
Typically, when it comes to minor chimney repairs, you shouldn’t need a permit if the repair doesn’t require any major replacements of the chimney.
However, if you are planning on removing any bricks you should first check with your local permitting office just to make sure you don’t need an inspection and/or permit.
Make sure you do your research beforehand. If you need a permit, but carry out the repairs anyways, without obtaining one, you will receive a fine and a great deal more unnecessary stress that you could do without.
Pay Attention to the Weather
Obviously, if you are working on a DIY chimney repair, you’re going to want to choose a dry, bright, and warm day. You don’t want to be working in the pouring rain, in a howling gale, or sub-zero temperatures.
When carrying out a chimney repair, you must make sure that the weather is on your side. Mortar should be applied in dry, warm conditions. If the temperature drops below 40F, you should hold off on applying any mortar as it could crack and won’t dry properly. Needless to say, mortar, or any similar adhesive materials for that matter, also shouldn’t be applied in wet weather.
Look For Signs of Leaks
One of the most common reasons why chimneys need repairing in the first place, is because of a leak. The tricky part is locating the source of the leak.
On a dry, bright, preferably warm day with little wind, using a suitable ladder, climb carefully up onto the roof and inspect the chimney at the top and on the way up. Look for any visible sign of damage such as cracks, loose bricks, loose mortar, discoloration, or signs of disrepair in general.
Be thorough, and don’t assume that you’ve only got the one leak, it could be that there are several. Once you locate any signs of damage, or potential damage, mark the location where the repair is going to need to be carried out.
Always Use the Right Materials
Regardless of what kind of repairs you need to carry out, it’s important to ensure that you gather the right tools, equipment, and material.
You’ll need things like flashlights, safety goggles, a breathing mask, safety gloves, a ladder, mortar, bricks, trowels, sealant, and anything else recommended by experts.
If in Doubt, Bring in the Experts
Finally, if you are in doubt, or if you simply aren’t confident that you can carry out the repair safely, or effectively, go ahead and hire an expert.
Professional chimney repair services deal with these kinds of issues virtually every day. They have the correct materials and equipment and will carry out a neat, professional, and thorough job in a timely manner. They’ll also likely offer a guarantee on their work, so if anything does go wrong, they’ll come out and fix it for no extra charge.