Colorado Springs’ older brick homes and seasonal wood-burning demand smart chimney care. You can safely inspect your chimney, check for creosote buildup, and test drafts, but stop if you see cracks, rust, or soot stains. Pelican Chimney LLC handles the risky work so you avoid costly repairs or fire hazards. Start with these simple checks before calling a pro.
4 No-Tool, No-Ladder Checks for Colorado Springs’ Older Brick Homes (Before You Risk a Roof Climb)
Before climbing or using tools, start with these ground-level inspections, perfect for Colorado Springs’ dry climate where creosote dries faster. 1. Visual Inspection: From outside, look for cracked mortar between bricks (common in older homes built before 1980) or rust streaks on the chimney cap. 2. Soot Stain Test: Light a fire, then check the glass door for black streaks, if they appear within 30 minutes, your chimney needs sweeping. 3. Draft Test: Hold a tissue near the damper, if it’s pulled in, your draft is weak (a sign of blockages or poor sealing). Skip these if your chimney has a liner or is taller than two stories, call Pelican Chimney LLC instead. Learn more about chimney liners and their role in Colorado Springs homes>>/services/ See our service list page.
Red Flags in Your Colorado Springs Masonry Chimney: When to Hang Up the DIY Gloves and Call a Sweep
Colorado Springs’ high winds and rapid temperature swings hide dangers. Red flags: Water stains on ceilings (leaking crown or flashing), glowing embers in the firebox (creosote fire risk), or cracks wider than 3/8” in brickwork. If your chimney has a clay liner (common in pre-1990s homes), never inspect it yourself, liners can collapse under weight. Gas fireplaces? Stop DIY entirely, carbon monoxide leaks are silent killers. For these, call Pelican Chimney LLC’s licensed inspectors who handle older masonry safely. See our Colorado Springs service areas>>/areas/colorado-springs/ Background in get in touch for a free estimate.
How to Extend Your Chimney’s Life in Colorado Springs’ Dry Climate (Without Risking Damage)
Colorado Springs’ low humidity speeds up creosote buildup, but these habits slow wear: 1. Burn Hot, Burn Fast: Use seasoned hardwood (oak or hickory) and burn fires at 300°F+ for 2+ hours to minimize creosote. 2. Install a Chimney Cap: Prevents rain and debris, critical for brick chimneys exposed to our 100+ mph windstorms. 3. Seal Gaps: Apply chimney sealant to mortar joints (but avoid DIY repairs on cracked bricks). Pro Tip: If your damper sticks, never force it, rusted hinges need professional lubrication. Need a damper fixed? See our pricing>>/pricing/ Full details in who we are and how we train page.
DIY Mistakes That Ruin Colorado Springs’ Historic Brick Chimneys (And How to Avoid Them)
Never attempt these: Climbing on roofs (Colorado Springs’ steep pitches cause falls), removing creosote with wire brushes (it’s flammable dust), or repointing mortar without a scaffold. Why? One wrong move can void warranties, damage liners, or start a chimney fire. Even cleaning a blocked chimney with a shop vac risks sparking embers into your attic. Pelican Chimney LLC uses rotary brush systems and video inspections to spot hidden issues, like hidden cracks in older brickwork, that DIY tools miss. Compare DIY risks vs. pro services>>/compare/diy-vs-professional-chimney-cleaning/ Take a look at the towns we cover.
When Your Colorado Springs Chimney Needs a Pro: Real-World Signs It’s Past DIY Time
Call us immediately if you see: 1. Rust on the chimney cap or damper (sign of moisture damage), 2. A strong, sweet-smelling gas odor (leaking CO), or 3. Your fire won’t stay lit (blocked flue). For routine checks, schedule a sweep twice a year, once before winter (to prep for Colorado Springs’ cold snaps) and once after spring storms (which loosen debris). Our licensed crews handle masonry repairs, liner replacements, and gas fireplace conversions safely. Get a free estimate>>/contact/, we’ll even inspect your chimney’s structural integrity for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
My Colorado Springs home has a brick chimney built in the 1950s, what’s the first thing I should check for wear?
Start by inspecting the mortar joints between bricks for cracks wider than 3/8”. In Colorado Springs’ dry climate, these cracks let moisture seep in, weakening the masonry over time. If you find sand-colored powder (deteriorating mortar), call Pelican Chimney LLC, we’ll assess if repointing or a chimney cap upgrade is needed. Older homes need extra care, see our tips>>/news/older-colorado-springs-homes-and-chimney-sweep/
I live near Manitou Springs and my fireplace smokes badly when I light it, could it be the chimney or my wood-burning habits?
Smoke issues in Manitou Springs’ high-elevation homes are usually draft problems, check for obstructions (nests, debris) or a blocked flue. If the smoke clears after 5 minutes, your chimney might just need a sweep. But if it persists, your damper may be rusted shut or your chimney cap is missing. Pelican Chimney LLC can test your draft and ensure your flue liner is intact, critical for gas fireplaces too. Learn more about draft issues>>/tips/colorado-springs-chimney-troubleshooting/
My chimney in Black Forest has a metal liner, but I’m not sure if it’s the right type, how can I tell without climbing up?
From the fireplace opening, look for a smooth, shiny metal tube (stainless steel) or a black, ribbed pipe (aluminum). If it’s rusted or dented, it’s failing, especially in Black Forest’s pine-heavy air, which accelerates corrosion. Never DIY liner repairs. Pelican Chimney LLC can inspect your liner’s thickness and replace it if needed. See our Black Forest service area>>/areas/black-forest/