Just like the other parts of the house, the chimney develops issues. To help you out, here are some of the most common chimney problems as given by chimney repair professionals:

Common chimney problems

Mortar issues: The most common mortar problems are missing or damaged mortar. The burning elements often damage the mortar. If you have noticed mortar problems, you should fix them as soon as possible to prevent the water from getting in the house through the cracks.

Remember that while the cracks might seem small at the moment, they tend to enlarge over time due to the regular freeze and thaw cycles. When the cracks are too big, the bricks might get loose or even fall bringing the entire chimney down.

Spalling: Chimney spalling comes about when the water enters the brick or the stone and forces the masonry out. The cool thing is that you can easily identify the spalling problems.

All you need to do is look for flakes and pieces of masonry that have fallen. If you leave this problem unfixed, you risk the entire chimney crumbling.

Smoke in the chimney: If you are having smoke in the fireplace, it means that there is a problem in the flue. The creosote levels might be too high, or there might be a bird or animal blocking the flue thus preventing the chimney from expelling the smoke.

To fix this problem, you should hire a chimney contractor who will inspect the unit and remove the blocking material.

While you are waiting for the contractor to get to your home, you should open the window and door so that the smoke can get out.

Carbon monoxide: Carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless gas that comes about when there is incomplete combustion. The problem will also result when there is improper venting.

To fix this problem, hire a chimney inspection professional to check the carbon monoxide levels and fix any venting issues that might be present.

You also should consider installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home that will notify you when the carbon monoxide levels are too high.

How to avoid being caught unaware by the chimney problems

To avoid being caught by surprise by the chimney problems, you should make a habit of hiring a chimney company at least once a year to inspect the unit and fix any issues that might be present.

You also should be on the lookout for any issues that might put you and your family at risk. If you notice any problem, contact a professional as soon as possible.