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My name is Tom Lopatosky. I'm the President of LOPCO Contracting (www.LopcoContracting.com) and I'm honored to have the opportunity to talk to you about home improvement on a monthly basis. I love answering your questions! Please send them to tom@LopcoContracting.com or call 401-270-2664. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this column!

Why Chimney Maintenance Is SO Important

With Fall in full swing, chimneys are certainly one of the items that are often overlooked when it comes to areas on the outside of our homes needing maintenance.

As December approaches and in preparation for a heavier set gentleman with an enormous red & white suit, toting around large packages in a sack behind him, who (by any means necessary!) is laser focused on squeezing down your chimney - it is safe to say that your chimney had better be in good shape!

If your chimney is not in the best condition, one wrong move by the jolly guy at Christmastime and things could all come tumbling down and become quite messy, quite quickly.

Because chimneys are typically situated far up high, thinking about keeping an eye on your chimney is probably not at the top of your mind on a day-in and day-out basis.

Nor does it necessarily need to be.

However, every once in a while – ideally, at least annually – an inspection of the chimney should be conducted either by yourself (assuming you are able and know what to look for) or by a qualified party who is accustomed to checking out chimneys.

Though there are a variety of items that should be keyed in on, here are some of the ones that I tend to pay attention to when making sure that the portal for our friend from North is in as tip-top shape as possible:

• Chimney flashing: Is the condition of the chimney flashing satisfactory enough to do its job? Is the flashing performing as it should to not allow leaks? Is the lead used as flashing chewed up by squirrels with a beckoning leak waiting to happen?
• Chimney cap: Is the chimney capped properly? Does the chimney have a stainless steel cap, properly anchored, to help in guarding against allowing moisture in and/or protection from birds, squirrels, etc. (one of life’s big mysteries is how these chimney caps do not allow birds and squirrels in, but they allow larger than normal sized humans with big furry coats to seemingly get in with ease…)? Is the cement cap swaddling the steel cap attached to the flue in good condition?
• Mortar joints: are the mortar joints of your chimney in good condition? Are they at the point (no pun intended) where they need to be cut and repointed?
• Flue/Liner situation: Does your chimney have a flue and/or a liner? If so, are they in suitable shape?
• Sealant: When was the last time the brick on the exterior was properly sealed? Every natural brick chimney should be weather sealed every few years to help extend the life of its brick and guard against premature deterioration.

There certainly are a number of items to be conscious of when doing the best you can to take care of your chimney.

Not only will being mindful of your chimney’s maintenance help guard against significant one-time costs heading through the future, but it will also help ensure that on December 24th of each year, when perhaps the most unorthodox entrance into our homes by any welcome guest occurs, is able to safely continue year after year, just as it has since the early 1800s – and there is no better time than the Fall to make sure that your chimney is properly protected!!

About Tom Lopatosky

Tom Lopatosky has run his own RI-based painting and repair business since 1995; LOPCO Contracting – the "Personable, Particular Professionals" – specializes in exterior & interior painting and carpentry. Recently LOPCO Contracting was named ‘RI's Finest Painting Contracting Company’ by ShopInRI Magazine. In 2013, Tom was named “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) and a “40 Under 40” award winner by Providence Business News. He is a member of both the PCA (Painting Contractors Association) and RIBA (Rhode Island Builders Association). Tom has often had weekly ‘Home Improvement Tips’ that have aired on the radio on 630 WPRO AM and on television on WPRI 12. You can catch Tom LIVE on the radio EVERY Saturday, 2pm-3pm, on 630 WPRO AM (99.7 FM) during his weekly PROTalk Home Improvement Radio Show! Tom has also written a book ‘The Care And Maintenance Of A New England Home’ (available on Amazon or through Barnes & Noble), detailing what he believes every New England Homeowner should be acutely aware of while owning a home in the region.