A chimney is an important part of your home, but it also needs to be well maintained. Whether you use yours with a wood burning stove or you have a traditional open fire, it is important to keep on top of maintenance of the chimney.

The biggest issue inside the chimney is a build up of creosote deposits. This can lead to fires starting in the chimney if it is left, so this is why it is recommended that you have the chimney swept by a professional at least on an annual basis. They will also be able to check for other problems at the same time, such as things blocking the chimney and also birds nests in it. Anything blocking the chimney causes an obstruction and reduces the flow of air which can then lead to carbon monoxide build up in the home. It is a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector by your fireplace for this reason.

You also need to keep an eye out inside your home for issues with the structure of the chimney itself. Cracks on the flue or fireplace need to be checked out if they are new or if they get larger. If you have a stove, make sure the flue liner is in good condition.

The chimney on the roof also needs to be checked – you will need a professional like this roofers Portsmouth based company https://www.randsroofing.co.uk/roofing-services/roofers-portsmouth/ to do this for you as they will know what to look for. Things like crumbling bricks and damage to the cowl are things that will need to be repaired.