Important Questions About Chimneys and Roofers’ Role

Many people enjoy the warmth of their homes, especially if their fireplace is working fine, providing enough heat within the home. 

Unknowingly, the chimney is the point of attack of all the harmful gases escaping your home’s interior. Most of the time, it is neglected.

Chimneys are integral to heating and evaporation. That’s why they require maintenance to prevent leaking.

However, homeowners get confused about who’s responsible for chimney repair. So we build the following questions for your enlightenment in case you have a bad chimney.

What Is a Chimney? Is It a Part of the Roof?

A chimney is a vertical structure extending to the roof that serves as a channel for spewing smoke, heat, and gases from the boiler, stove, and fireplace. It is a vital component of the HVAC system.

A fireplace is different from a chimney, but it is the bottom part where wood is burned. It is also called an incinerator. The chimney, on the other hand, is a tubelike structure usually made of clay or metal.

Yes, the chimney is a part of the roofing system. Its integrity is dependent on its structure.

Poor installation of a chimney will make it a vulnerable part of the roof. Without proper flashing, it will affect the roof in many ways and could start the process of leaks.

Can a house have no chimney?

A house can have no chimney. But imagine what will happen to your heating system.

The chimney is built for a reason and is designed to control the heat and cold inside your home. If there is no way for the heat from your cooktop to pass in a correct path, it will only scatter around the house, affecting the ceiling, walls, and floor. Further damage is on the lookout.

What is a chimney cricket?

Also called a “saddle”, a chimney cricket is an elevated structure serving as additional flashing to protect the chimney and prevent leaking. It seals the seams that can serve as a pathway for leaks.

Many roofers recommend the addition of a chimney saddle to encourage the flow of water.

We know that the chimney on the roof is exposed to the weather all the time. It is easier for water to flow or drain with a pitched flashing and prevent pooling on the roof. It forms a pointed ridge for water to slide down quickly.

Ensuring that you have an effective chimney cricket, use a sealant and check from time to time because sealants won’t last that long. Plus, the chimney cricket is usually made of metal that is prone to rust. When the metal corrodes, and the sealant wears away, it is easy for the water to get trapped underneath and scatter to the roof’s underlayment.

Do roofers deal with chimneys?

Since chimneys are part of the roofing system, roofers handle chimney repairs. More often, chimneys are neglected because people think they are non-essential roof components.

Knowing that chimneys comprise a small area on the roof, it is automatically attended by repairmen.

However, your chimney should be a part of your roof checkup and repair. Ensure that it is in good condition outdoors. Because what you can’t see on the exterior can be felt in the interior once the flashing and saddle are worn.

And for the case of Birmingham Roofers, chimney repair is part of their roofing services.

Inexperienced family members alone cannot detect the actual problem of the chimney if there is one. Only professional roofers have the skills to identify chimney problems, and they can fix them more efficiently.

Do roofers replace chimney flashing?

Once you start a roof makeover, make it a point to include the chimney. Yes, roofers can replace chimney flashing if needed. Or they can add reinforcement to the flashing or make a chimney saddle instead.

Giving attention to the chimney and its fundamental component will have an impact on your roof’s stability and integrity.

You know what happens when water starts to creep in the underlayment because of poor chimney flashing. Any small crack is an opportunity for damage to evolve.

Taking care of the chimney and the whole roof protects your investment from going to waste.

If you have an upcoming roof repair, you might as well include your chimney.

For more roofing information and roofer, call our roofing contractors here at Birmingham Roofers or our office at this number: 01214 05096.