Have you looked up at your chimney cap this winter? We all know that colder temperatures bring icicles. Icicles can be nice to look at, but if they are forming on your chimney cap, you may be putting yourself in a dangerous situation. We here at The Chimney Guy want you to know that there may be a couple reasons why there is ice forming on your chimney cap and we want you to know how we can help you out.
Why Does Ice Form
Ice forms on your chimney cap due to condensation from your fireplace. When you burn fuel, warm air causes smoke, gases, and moisture to rise up your chimney. As smoke, gas, and moisture move up your chimney, the air cools and condensation starts to happen on the inside of your chimney. Some of this condensation reaches your chimney cap and, if it’s below freezing, this condensation will freeze to your chimney cap and accumulate. Eventually, icicles will start to form. Normally, small icicles on your chimney cap aren’t a big problem and will melt off once temperatures rise above freezing. However, we here in the Green Bay and Fox Valley area know that we can go through long stretches of below freezing temperatures. This causes larger amounts of ice to form on chimney caps.
Dangers of Chimney Cap Ice
Ice on your chimney cap becomes a danger when it starts to block the airflow out of your chimney. This can lead to all sorts of issues including poor fire quality, smoke entering your home, or even carbon monoxide poisoning.
There are other issues that could also arise due to ice forming on your chimney cap. First of all, as ice expands, it can damage your chimney cap. A damaged chimney cap can allow water and debris to enter your chimney which can lead to moisture damage and blockages. Another issue that arises is when ice chunks become loose and fall onto objects or people below. Water may also start leaking down your chimney and into your home once the ice starts to melt.
Preventing Ice Buildup
One thing you can do try to do yourself is to check to see if your wood is properly seasoned. If your wood has a high moisture content, there will likely be more condensation and, therefore, more ice.
Depending on the age and layout of your chimney, there may be a several ways to resolve chimney cap ice. Other solutions may involve installing a smaller flue, installing a fresh air intake next to your fireplace, installing a B-vent or it may be as simple as adjusting your humidifier settings. Because airflow and chimney systems are different for each home, you will need to schedule a maintenance inspection with a one of The Chimney Guy’s certified chimney sweeps to determine the cause of and solution for chimney cap ice. Call us at 920-830-1920 or schedule an appointment online today to say goodbye to chimney cap ice.
Recent Comments