Keeping Your Chimney Safe in Cold Weather

Winter Chimney

It’s not just you who is shivering and ready for warmer weather. Your chimney is likely feeling the effects of wintertime too! In fact, cooler temperatures along with snow and ice can have drastic effects on your chimney. So how can you keep your chimney safe during the winter season? Keep an eye out for these common cold weather problems.

Backdrafts

Nobody wants a smokey home. Especially when that smoke is host to the silent and deadly carbon monoxide. During the winter, your chimney is prone to absorbing the outside temperature. This absorption adds a block of cold, heavy air that can impede the lighter and warmer air…AKA smoke…from exiting the chimney. If this is the only reason you’re experiencing backdrafts, the solution is as simple as holding some kindling past the damper to warm the flue before enjoying your fire.

Cozy Critters

There’s nothing like escaping out from the cold into a cozy, warm interior. Critters such as squirrels and raccoons agree! Since they can’t walk through your front door, they go for the next best option: your chimney. These animals and other debris, such as nesting material for the Spring, can impede smoke from drafting properly and, in some cases, even lead to fire. Luckily, maintaining a regular inspection and chimney cleaning can uncover any cozy critters. And installing a full-width chimney cap can easily keep animals as well as other debris from entering the chimney.

Leaky Chimney

Nobody likes a leaky chimney! Unfortunately, the drastic temperatures of Canadian winters can inflict a lot of masonry damage, ultimately leading to chimney leaks. Water from melting snow enters small cracks present in the bricks and mortar. When the temperature reaches freezing, this moisture expands. The constant cycle of freezing and thawing eventually creates decay inside the structure. Luckily, this damage can be fixed either through brick replacement, tuckpointing, partial chimney rebuilding or, in minor cases, a water-sealant application.

Wondering if Winter’s cold weather has been hard on your chimney’s masonry? Contact us at Cummins Restorations today. We can evaluate any wintertime chimney damage and restore your chimney back to safety in no time!  

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    Holly Bowman XO
    Holly Bowman XO
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    Brian and the Cummins Restoration team did an incredible job tuckpointing the house. Brian fully understood what was needed and wanted and not only was he professional and efficient, but he was a pleasure to work with. I would recommend Cummins Restoration over and over again. Thanks Brian!
    Gina Donnelly
    Gina Donnelly
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    Tuck pointing and threshold repair. Did a great job for a fair price compared to other companies. It's been a few months and you can barely tell where the mortar repair was done.
    M.B Toronto
    M.B Toronto
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    You guys did a terrific job on the tuckpointing, I’d have no problem recommending you to anyone. The front of my house just looks so much better

    Contact us




      Holly Bowman XO
      Holly Bowman XO
      Read More
      Brian and the Cummins Restoration team did an incredible job tuckpointing the house. Brian fully understood what was needed and wanted and not only was he professional and efficient, but he was a pleasure to work with. I would recommend Cummins Restoration over and over again. Thanks Brian!
      Gina Donnelly
      Gina Donnelly
      Read More
      Tuck pointing and threshold repair. Did a great job for a fair price compared to other companies. It's been a few months and you can barely tell where the mortar repair was done.
      M.B Toronto
      M.B Toronto
      Read More
      You guys did a terrific job on the tuckpointing, I’d have no problem recommending you to anyone. The front of my house just looks so much better