Like any other part of your house, with winter here, you need to understand the ways in which the cold weather affects your chimney. After all, not only do you want to prevent any damage that needs to be repaired later, you’re going to need that chimney to help you through the chilly winter months. Before you find yourself in need of chimney leak repair services in Alpharetta, GA, here are some things you should know.
Beware the Stack Effect
Also known as the chimney effect, the stack effect is when the mixture of cold and warm air results in changes of air pressure within you house. For instance, heated indoor air will want to rise. This fact is exaggerated in the winter when the outside air is colder. The rising air causes differences in air pressure. When the lower part of your home is lower, while the higher parts of your home has higher air pressure, then you have the stack effect. The problem becomes particularly noticeable when you try to light a fire. The higher air pressure from your home’s upper reaches can result in a back draft through your chimney, making it very difficult to start fires, and even sending smoke into the house.
How the Chimney is Affected
Cold air leaking into your home can exacerbate the stack effect, and the chimney is one of the areas most vulnerable to leaking. If your chimney is suffering from leaks and you don’t have it repaired as quickly as possible, the cold air leaking into your home will create a situation where back drafts can occur, making it nearly impossible to sufficiently heat your home and rendering fireplaces useless, and even hazardous.
How to Avoid Chimney Problems When There is a Stack Effect
If you notice cold air entering through your fireplace, or your home becomes overwhelmed by a smoky odor emanating from your chimney, then there is a stack effect pulling cold outside air through leaks in your fireplace. The best way to prevent this is to have the fireplace separated from any exterior wall and built entirely within the house. This is what is known as an interior chimney, and it is impervious to the stack effect.
You’ll need to find the company that provides the best chimney leak repair in Alpharetta, GA, to see the different kinds of designs and styles are available for you to have your own interior chimney. Similarly, if your chimney is not a completely straight chimney – for instance, it has 90° turns or offsets – smoke can get trapped due to the stacking effect, and blow into your house by merely opening the fireplace doors. To resolve this problem, you’ll need your chimney to have a completely straight vertical design.
The important thing is to be aware of the stack effect the instant it becomes a problem, and to have any leaks in your chimney repaired right away. The quicker you can deal with these types of problems, the more money you’ll save, and the more comfortable you’ll be having a working fireplace this winter. Also, if you’re ready to permanently fix the problem, look into options for an interior chimney today! Contact the team at Atlanta Chimney Doctor to learn more!