If you have a fireplace in your house, your chimney needs to be in perfect condition for the toxic gases to escape. A chimney comprises several different components that work together to circulate warm air inside the house and prevent external factors from entering. With time or due to several reasons, your chimney might begin to sound weird. As time passes by, it is important to schedule chimney inspection and maintenance to stop any trouble in its tracks. We will help you diagnose issues related to things falling down your chimney. Try this before calling a professional.

Why Does My Chimney Sound Like Something Is Falling?

In most cases, chimneys tend to have crunchy sandy deposits that fall down. The reason is that chimneys are lined with a plaster called pargeting. The composition of pargeting varies based on the type, needs preferences, and regional construction practices.

Traditionally, pargeting was made using materials like sand, lime, and water. This is because lime mortar tends to have excellent adhesive properties and durability, making it a suitable option for chimneys. The main purpose of pargeting is to protect the inner side of the chimney.

As the wood burns in the fireplace, the extreme temperature and toxic gases tend to affect the inner lining, which is protected by pargeting. At the same time, soot buildup can also take place which is equally corrosive and toxic. It is important to clean up the soot accumulation as it turns harder with time.

In other words, pargeting forms a protective barrier that slows down the deteriorating pace of the chimney. And, it also creates a smooth surface for the gases to easily exit.

Is It Okay Find Debris In Your Fireplace?

Yes, debris falling down the chimney is considered normal in old homes. The reason is that frequent use of fireplaces and chimneys leads to natural wear and tear. Soot buildup also creates small rock-type substances that can land on the carpet and other areas resulting in a fire.

But, the good news about it is that it can be easily prevented. Soot buildup takes place in three stages. The first one is the easiest to counter as the soot is in its initial stages. But, as the accumulation moves up the stage, it can be a lot harder to remove it.

Furthermore, if you do not clean the chimney, you will constantly hear something falling inside. It could also be due to extreme weather conditions like heavy rainfall causing water to wash down the mortar, turning it into powder as it dries and falls.

What Is Brick Spalling?

This is another common phenomenon among chimneys. It is the process that involves water entering masonry materials like brick or concrete causing it to freeze and crack beyond boundaries. The expansion can cause minor or larger chunks of masonry material to flake or peel off.

Spalling can also be caused because of other things like weathering and mechanical pressure. The problem with brick spalling is that sometimes you cannot stop it from happening especially when it takes place due to wear and tear.

You may be able to slow down the process but you cannot stop it from happening altogether. The best way to avoid brick spalling is by preventing moisture and water from entering the chimney.

As mentioned earlier, a chimney comprises several different components. Components like chimney flue prevent water from entering the chimney. These components become damaged or lose their strength with time as rust and other factors result in cracks and damage. This is why your chimney needs to be maintained well. If the flue liner is damaged, hire chimney relining services Ellicott City for flue replacement.

Additionally, the chimney should also be inspected by a professional based on the usage frequency. You might think that you could do it on your own but climbing on the roof each time, especially if it is your first time, can be risky.

Can Birds Fall Down the Chimney?

Yes, birds falling down the chimney is a common occurrence. This usually happens during the summer and spring seasons when birds are looking for warm places to give birth to their offspring. Once they have made it inside, they are unable to get out.

So, if you hear something falling down the chimney during this time, it could be that are birds in the chimney. If you act immediately, you might be able to save and remove them. But, if you leave it ignored, they will die and release a bad odor, forcing you to get the entire chimney thoroughly cleaned.

To stop the birds from entering, you will need to check the chimney flue. It might be that your chimney does not have one. If that is the case, install one as soon as possible. But, if the chimney flue and cap happen to be damaged, you will need to replace it.

The presence of birds inside the chimney can result in fires that could engulf the house pretty quickly.

It Can Also Be Water

With debris, you might also notice the fireplace to be wet in some cases, which would confirm hat the debris is falling due to a leakage that hasn’t been fixed. So, schedule a chimney inspection because various problems can cause leaky chimney so the expert would determine which component is the culprit in this case.

How To Stop Debris From Coming Down My Chimney?

If you have ignored cleaning or sweeping the chimney for a long period of time, the pargeting will become crumbly and you should not be surprised if the bits continue to fall by becoming loose with time. If you have recently purchased a used property, you will need to check if the chimney is in good condition.

Most homeowners do not pay any attention to chimney cleaning as they are either lazy or do not wish to spend any money. Some homeowners also do cosmetic makeovers to hide their flaws. This could turn into a complicated issue in the future as you pay for expensive repairs and replacements.

On the other hand, chimney maintenance is the only way to stop debris from coming down the chimney. If you are willing to spend some time and effort every month cleaning the chimney, you won’t have to call a professional.

However, keep in mind that professional maintenance is not just limited to chimney cleaning but also chimney repairs and replacements. A professional will be able to identify potential issues and fix them right away.

This is a great blessing for those who can afford to hire a professional. The last thing you would want is the chimney waking you up in the middle of the night with debris falling down.

Conclusion

If you hear something falling down the chimney, you need to act immediately. If for some reason, you are not able to do that, you should at least remove any furniture, carpets, or other materials that could catch fire. As a general rule of thumb, you should frequently get the chimney inspected and maintained by chimney contractors Upper Marlboro. This helps put such complications at bay while you sleep peacefully at night.