Prepare Your Chimney for Hurricane Season: A Guide

As residents of Houston, TX, we’re no strangers to the havoc that hurricanes can wreak on our homes and communities. When we know one is coming, we know to focus on securing windows, doors, and outdoor furniture, as well as ensure any emergency supplies are readily accessible. Unfortunately, one aspect that’s often overlooked is the chimney.

Chimneys are especially vulnerable during severe weather conditions – and neglecting them could lead to significant damage. The good news is that there are things you can do to prepare your chimney for hurricane season. And if you have any questions along the way? The Lords Chimney team is here to help. Call or book online today.

✓ Get Your Chimney Inspection Booked

Regular chimney inspection services are essential year-round, but become particularly crucial before hurricane season. Hire a professional chimney company, like us, to inspect your chimney for any signs of damage or deterioration.

We can check for loose bricks, cracks in the mortar, damaged flue liners, and anything else that might make your chimney more vulnerable. Then, we’ll ensure you have everything you need to stay as protected as possible.

a distant view of a hurricane, a white swirl in a dark blue ocean

Another big perk of booking this maintenance now? If you book an inspection right before a hurricane – or other big storm – hits, it increases the likelihood of getting insurance coverage for any hurricane-related damages. You’ll have proof that, before the storm, the chimney was in good condition…and that any damage was in fact a result of the hurricane.

✓ Invest in a Quality Chimney Cap

The chimney cap plays a crucial role in protecting your chimney from moisture, debris, and wildlife intrusion. Before hurricane season, inspect the chimney cap for any signs of damage or deterioration. Ensure that it’s securely attached to the chimney structure and that the mesh screen is intact to prevent debris buildup. When we come to perform your inspection, we’ll make sure to ensure all looks well, or recommend a suitable replacement, if needed.

You might also consider investing in a high-quality, hurricane-rated chimney cap designed to withstand strong winds and heavy rain. Properly securing the chimney cap will help safeguard your chimney and prevent costly repairs, so be sure to rely on a crew experts to install your new cap.

✓ Make Sure Your Chimney Flashing Is Secure

Flashing is the metal that guards the area where your roof and chimney meet up. Ensuring that the flashing around your chimney is secure before a hurricane is essential for several reasons:

a broken tree that has half fallen onto the roof of a house
  • Preventing Water Intrusion: Flashing is installed to create a watertight seal between the chimney and the roof. If the flashing is loose or damaged, it can allow water to seep into your home during heavy rainfall associated with hurricanes.
  • Minimizing Structural Damage: Loose or damaged flashing can compromise the structural integrity of your chimney and roof. During a hurricane, strong winds can exert significant force on your home’s exterior, including the chimney.
  • Preventing Chimney Leak Damage: In addition to protecting your roof, secure flashing helps prevent chimney leaks. If water is allowed to penetrate the area around the chimney due to loose or damaged flashing, it can seep into the chimney structure and cause damage to the masonry, flue liner, and surrounding materials.
  • Preserving Energy Efficiency: Properly installed and secure flashing also contributes to the energy efficiency of your home. During a hurricane, strong winds can create drafts and air leaks around the chimney if the flashing is not adequately sealed.

✓ Clear Surrounding Debris

During hurricane season, outdoor debris can become airborne projectiles, posing a threat to your chimney and home. Take the time to clear any branches, leaves, or other debris from around your chimney to minimize the risk of damage. Trim overhanging branches that could potentially fall onto the chimney during a storm. Additionally, secure any loose outdoor furniture or equipment that could be swept up by high winds and cause damage to your chimney or roof.

Is Chimney Hurricane Damage Covered By Insurance?

Whether chimney hurricane damage is covered by insurance depends on the specific policy you have and the extent of the damage. In general, most homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for damage caused by hurricanes, including damage to your chimney, as long as it is considered a covered peril.

Review your homeowners insurance policy to understand what types of perils are covered, and remember that, even if chimney damage is covered under your policy, there may be limits to the coverage amount and deductibles that apply.

a person on a laptop with a plant next to it and a paper with an umbrella and the word "insurance" on it

In addition, some homeowners insurance policies may have exclusions for certain types of damage or circumstances. For example, if the damage to your chimney is determined to be the result of neglect or lack of maintenance rather than the direct impact of the hurricane, it may not be covered. Similarly, if your chimney was already in poor condition prior to the hurricane, insurance coverage could be denied. (This is why booking those pre-disaster inspections is such a must!)

Note: If your chimney sustains damage during a hurricane, document the damage thoroughly by taking photographs and keeping records of any repairs or estimates. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim and follow their instructions for the claims process. Be prepared to provide evidence of the damage and cooperate with any inspections or assessments required by your insurer.

Prepare for the Worst With Lords Chimney

Preparing your chimney for hurricane season is a vital aspect of home maintenance here in the Houston, TX area. By taking proactive steps to inspect, reinforce, and secure your chimney, you can minimize the risk of damage and ensure your family’s safety during severe weather events.

Enlist the help of our qualified chimney professionals for inspection and maintenance tasks, and stay informed about emergency procedures in case of evacuation. With proper preparation and care, your chimney can weather the storm and continue to provide warmth and comfort for years to come. Ready to get started? Call or schedule online with us now.

Is Your Fireplace Not Giving Enough Heat?

After the holidays and the excitement of a new year settles down, the rest of the winter can feel a bit like a marathon…even here in Houston! However, the chillier weather is good for one thing: unwinding in front of the fireplace with a hot beverage in hand. …but what happens when your fireplace no longer warms the room like it used to? Is it now relegated to be but a decorative relic forever – beautiful and eye-catching, but functionally useless?

Fortunately, this is not the case. In fact, there are quite a few ways to bring back the heat you’ve been missing.

Read on to learn more about how you can boost your fireplace’s efficiency and heat production? Have specific questions that can’t wait? Lords Chimney is here to help. Reach us online by filling out this appointment request form, or give us a call at 855-504-0005.

What Are the Most Common Reasons a Fireplace Isn’t Giving Enough Heat?

That’s a great question – and a pretty crucial one to determine your best approach moving forward. In general, fireplaces and chimney systems can be relatively finicky, and because so much of how and why they operate happens out of sight, it can be tough to determine the cause of a heat production issue. For example, the problem might be in the quality of fuel you’re using, or it could be something with your appliance/structure itself. 

That being said, here are some of the most common reasons why a fireplace is not heating well:

  • There could be a significant buildup of creosote or other debris creating a blockage that makes it much harder for the combustion fumes to escape
  • You might be using unseasoned wood or other materials not intended to be burned in a fireplace
  • Your damper might be faulty and is inhibiting proper airflow
  • The logs could have been stacked incorrectly 
  • Your flue liner might have tears or holes

And while these might be some of the more common reasons your fireplace is not performing the way you’d like or how it once did, they are not the only. It’s important to get in touch with a professional to come and troubleshoot your issues as soon as you notice them. Operating an appliance that is behaving strangely or differently than normal could leave you at risk for numerous dangers, like carbon monoxide exposure or chimney fires.

What Are Some Simple Ways To Improve My Fireplace’s Efficiency?

Ah, yes…the fun part! Just because your fireplace might not be heating the way you’d like right now does not mean you have to bid it farewell. Quite the opposite, actually! An inefficient fireplace might be a nuisance at first, but it can also be a great excuse to re-think your space and what you’re looking to get out of your hearth. While there are some simple things you can try, if all else fails, think of this irritation as a new opportunity to increase the heat and the vibes in your living space. 

Here are some tips that you can try to increase your fireplace’s heat output:

  • Ensure your damper is open and you have adequate airflow. With the pace at which life moves these days, in some ways it’s a wonder that more people don’t forget to check their damper before lighting a fire. This piece of your system is vital in ensuring that the airflow is balanced between the outdoors and the inside of your home.
  • Only burn properly seasoned wood…and make sure it is stacked properly too. Did you know both the “what” and the “how” of the wood you burn matters a great deal in the quality, efficiency, and overall performance of combustion? Not only do you need to make sure you’re only ever using adequately dried (seasoned) timber, but you also should take care to stack your logs from biggest at the bottom to the smallest at the top, so the fire burns accordingly.
  • Have a glass covering or doors installed. A double-whammy! Adding a glass piece to the front of your fireplace (usually available as doors) is an excellent way to both increase the heat production and radiant warmth, while adding a stunning look to the room too.
  • Switch up your fuel type. If you’re currently using wood as a fuel source, perhaps it’s time to consider converting to gas. While it’ll never be able to replace wood in terms of overall ambience, gas is known to be more efficient in heat production. Plus, it’s a lot easier to operate and maintain.
  • Upgrade to an insert. Along similar lines, if you’re interested in really changing things up, while still keeping most of the integrity from your original design, you could look into upgrading to an insert. Available in a handful of different fuel types, inserts are one of the best ways to breathe new life into a tired, old, and drafty fireplace.
original infographic stating 5 tips to improve fireplace heat output

For Excellent Hearth Care in the Greater Houston Area, Trust Lords Chimney

While the tips above certainly give you some things to try and a lot to think about when it comes to an inefficient fireplace, nothing replaces a professional eye’s once-over. The single most important thing you can do for your fireplace system is to stay on top of those preventative maintenance services like chimney sweepings and inspections. When performed on a regular, annual basis, these tasks can help keep you informed, as well as troubleshoot any potential problematic areas before they become an issue.

To learn more about how to make your Houston home’s fireplace heat better or for anything else hearth-related schedule an appointment with Lords Chimney. We’re here to make your home as castle-like as possible. Reach us through our website, or by calling 855-504-0005 – we can’t wait to serve you.