Your chimney is one of the most wonderful features in your home. It keeps you comfortable and warm on cold, snowy days. It adds atmosphere to your room and is a great place to settle in with a good book on the weekend. However, as with anything in your home that relies on fire or electricity to operate, it can rapidly turn from an asset into a hazard. Maintenance and repairs are critical to avoid unsafe conditions in your chimney.

When you live in Maryland, your chimney is exposed to many harsh weather conditions over the course of the year including rain, snow and ice. At Chimney Sweeps of Sherwood Forest, we help Maryland homeowners just like you with quality chimney services including cleaning, preventative maintenance and repair. If you need chimney repair in Columbia, MD, we can take care of anything you require and get the job done on time and for the right price. Your safety is our top priority.

What Are the Signs That You Need Chimney Repair?

As a homeowner with a chimney, you should ensure that you are always familiar with the signs that indicate your chimney might need to be repaired. Some of the signs are very obvious, while others are challenging to notice until they have worsened. Some of the signs that you need chimney repair in Columbia, MD that you should know include:

• Pooling water or visible moisture in the fireplace
• Visible damage to the chimney crown like breakage, crumbling or cracking
• Wallpaper or paint around the chimney that is peeling, stained or damaged
• Rust on the damper or firebox
• Bricks with spalling, or that are pitting and crumbling easily when touched
• White staining (also known as efflorescence) on the interior or exterior of the chimney
• Missing or damaged mortar joints in between bricks or masonry
• Shaling, or thin pieces of tile from the inside of your chimney, collecting in the fireplace

What Types of Chimney Repair Does Chimney Sweeps of Sherwood Forest Offer?

Chimney Sweeps of Sherwood Forest offers a broad range of services for chimney repair in Columbia, MD, including:

• Brick Spalling: Spalling and pitting are very common in masonry on older homes. Spalling occurs when moisture enters the bricks and temperatures then drop below freezing. Because water expands when it freezes, it can do damage to the brick and lead to a pitted appearance. Depending on the severity of the spalling, you might need minor repair or complete rebuilding.
• Leak Repair: One of the most common services we offer for chimney repair in Columbia, MD is addressing leaks. There are many different reasons why your chimney might be leaking, and we understand how to quickly locate and address the problem.
• Chimney Caps: We can take care of replacing or repairing your chimney cap to keep moisture, outdoor debris, wildlife and other debris out of your chimney. A chimney cap is a great way to prolong the lifespan of your chimney and keep it in the best condition possible.
• Damper Repair or Replacement: Older chimneys often have throat dampers, which have fallen out of favor compared to top sealing dampers. Our team can take care of installing or repairing a top sealing damper in your chimney for better energy efficiency and a tighter seal.
• Chimney Relining: Any chimney that has a damaged flue liner or that is completely missing a lining is a hazard, and it can also increase your risk of experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning. Chimney Sweeps of Sherwood Forest can take care of installing a new chimney liner for you.
• Chimney Pointing or Repointing: If your chimney has mortar that is damaged, crumbling or missing entirely, you might need to have repointing done to ensure it will block out moisture again.

Where Can I Find Chimney Repair in Columbia, MD?

Chimney Sweeps of Sherwood Forest is proud to serve the I-70/I-270 corridor from West Baltimore to Gaithersburg, MD. We are detail-oriented and dedicated to keeping all of our customers safe and satisfied. We have more than 30 years of experience, and we offer a comprehensive range of residential and commercial chimney services. To schedule your chimney inspection or chimney repair in Columbia, MD, call us today at (888) 244-6349.