The recent bout of destructive weather has left homeowners scrambling to make repairs to torn roof shingles, eaves, gutters and chimneys.

But even if you were not affected by the storm, September is an ideal time to think about inspecting your roof and chimney before the cold weather arrives.

"The hurricane did a number on a lot of homes, so we’ve been extra busy," said Chet Janiec, owner of Janiec Roofing in Lodi (janiecroofing.biz, 201-797-1189). "But even so, the best times for inspection are in the spring or right before the winter."

Roof Inspection and Repair

The typical life span of a roof is between 18 and 20 years, Janiec said, but problems certainly arise along the way — "Too often, people wait until there’s a leak or some damage." He warned that even a few ripped shingles or loose flashing can result in rotted wood in the frames, electrical wiring mishaps or soggy sheetrock.

Still, procrastination can result in a bigger, more expensive project.

Routine maintenance and minor repairs entail nominal fees for materials and labor, Janiec said, whereas total replacement — especially when the damage involves indoor wall structures — can run thousands.

Flat roofs need to be inspected for worn spots, depressions and proper drainage, and touched up or replaced as necessary.

There are dozens of styles and materials available for installing new roofs or for repairing existing roofs.

"There are designer styles, but most people opt for the standard shingles," Janiec said. He uses GAF products, which carry a lifetime guarantee.

Chimneys, Inside and Out

This time of year also gets you thinking about warm, cozy nights in front of the fireplace. That means having your chimney and fireplace checked for any repairs that might need to be made.

Whether your chimney is an extension of a fireplace or a furnace, it should be cleaned or "swept" at least once a year, for several reasons.

First, creosote — a black, sticky by-product of smoke — often adheres to the inside of the fireplace chimney. Because of its chemical nature, creosote can actually ignite at nearly 3,000 degrees, rapidly causing a chimney fire and potential damage to the rest of the home.

Burning wood at a relatively low temperature (your cooking stove flame is actually hotter than a fireplace) causes incomplete combustion of the oils found naturally in the wood. When the smoke from a fire rises into a chimney, the residual chemicals may stick to the inside of the chimney walls or liner. This residue becomes creosote.

Second, soot and dust build-up can clog a chimney and diminish heat output. A furnace flue may accumulate a layer of sulfuric acid or chlorine, which can cause erosion and big problems down the road.

"A good rule of thumb is to not ever assume your chimney is functioning properly, even if you rarely use it," said Ken Chalmers, owner of Clifton-based Dream Team Construction (dreamteamconstructionnj.com, 1-888-382-2001), Clifton. "Animals, leaves and moisture from a buildup of snow or rain need to be taken care of before safe use of your fireplace."

He also recommended a thorough check for any shifting that may have occurred over the years. "Years ago, chimneys were built with a section near the top made of terracotta," he said. "Over time, these sections sometime move, causing the potential for leaks of carbon monoxide through the seams and even a backdraft."

In addition to a good cleaning, chimney inspection includes checking for leaks in the flashing around the chimney, which can cause wood rot and condensation. This, in turn, can damage electrical wiring and present a fire hazard.

"Every year, hundreds of homes burn down or suffer serious damage from chimney fires," Chalmers said. "Once there’s even a small problem that isn’t addressed, it’s like a cancer that spreads and creates bigger problems."

Servicing also involves checking the damper, which restricts air flow and keeps warm air indoors when the fireplace is not in use. The damper, which works like a lid, is controlled by a chain or metal cable and must be opened before you start a fire so smoke can escape up the chimney.

Chimney pipe is required for venting different types of fireplaces and appliances in your home. Certain types of older homes with fireplaces often have brick and clay chimneys along the exterior of the home. Newer model homes can use steel piping for chimneys instead, which allows the fireplace to be placed in the interior of the home and away from exterior walls. Placing the fireplace in the interior provides better heating efficiency and keeps more heat in the home, instead of going up and out the chimney.

Replace Chimney Pipe with Compatible Replacement Pieces

When replacing chimney pipe it is important that you look for steel piping, like is available on our website, here at Copperfield Chimney Supply, which is compatible with your existing fireplace or other type of appliance. The reason you want compatible piping is to prevent gaps between pieces as well as ensure snug connections to prevent smoke and other gases from escaping out of the chimney.

Chimney liners should be used in your wood burning fireplace chimney. Older chimneys were often built without a liner. The problem with these types of chimneys is that without a liner, your fireplace may end up drawing more air in from the inside, while allowing the heated air to go up and out the chimney. You can also have problems with creosote build up and require more frequent chimney cleanings.

Always Use the Same Manufacturer of Chimney Liners

There are two basic types of chimney liners available on our website, here at Copperfield Chimney Supply, for lining your chimney. You can use all of one type of line or a combination of both rigid and flexible liners, such as using rigid liners at the top and bottom and flexible in the middle. However, it is important to select products from the same manufacturer and not inter-mix products from different manufacturers as there could be compatibility issues.

When you have a wood burning fireplace or stove in your home, it is a good idea to inspect the chimney pipe on a normal basis. You will want to have the chimney cleaned at least once a year before you start using the unit in the fall. Throughout the cold winter months, you will want to watch the amount of ash and building on the pipe and clean it again if necessary. At the end of your normal burning period, you can choose to clean the chimney now, leaving your fireplace ready for next fall.

Replace Worn, Cracked Chimneys with New Stainless Steel Chimney Pipe

When you notice cracks forming within you chimney or in the clay liners, you will want to replace these with stainless steel liners and new chimney pipe, which is available here on our website, at Copperfield Chimney Supply. Using smooth finished pipe helps prevent buildup of the by-products of wood burning fires and increases the amount of time between cleanings during the course of the year.

For over 50 years, Security Chimneys International has been an innovator in the venting field and a market leader. Instrumental in the company's growth has been an ongoing focus on product improvement and the introduction of new, innovative products. This drive for excellence has given rise to the Secure Temp ASHT+, Stainless Steel Class A Chimney, one of the most popular lines of venting products in North America. This high-quality product ensures that end-users benefit from maximum safety and proven corrosion protection.

The arrival of controlled-combustion stoves led to the development of Security's Secure Temp™ asht+ high-temperature chimney. The asht+ was the first Stainless steel clas A chimney listed to standards established for temperatures of 2100°F when used with this type of appliance. Creosote buildup in a chimney can cause fires capable of reaching temperatures of up to 2100°F. The asht+, with its double-wall all-stainless steel chimney and exclusive Secure Plus insulation, minimizes heat loss through the chimney walls, and can withstand that intense heat. The free-floating inner lining is attached only to the male coupler at the top, expanding and contracting freely with temperature fluctuations. The external casing of the Secure Temp ASHT+ carries the structural load.

The use of stainless steel, selected for its resistance to high temperatures and corrosion, lends outstanding durability to the Secure Temp™ asht+ high temperature chimney. It is also available with an aluminum-zinc coated steel casing in 6-, 7-, and 8-inch inner diameters (I.D.). Chimneys in diameters of 5 to 10 inches feature 1 inch of superior-quality, high-density Secure Plus insulation. This exclusive insulation keeps the temperature of the outer casing relatively low, keeping safety features as simple as possible.

All Secure Temp asht+ high-temperature stainless steel chimneys, regardless of diameter, can be installed as close as 2 inches from combustible materials. The ASHT+ (5- to 10-inch diameters) also features fast and easy Twist-Lock assembly. Lengths and universal fittings fit together and lock into place by twisting one-eighth of a turn. No other part is needed to ensure the chimney's structural stability, keeping installation time to a minimum.

Security Chimneys International Ltd.™ warrants the factory-built Secure Temp asht+ stainless steel chimney for an unlimited time from the date of purchase. This warranty is limited to the replacement of chimney components provided they have been properly installed and used as intended.

Click here for all your venting needs

When you are installing a direct vent gas fireplace or stove, you will need to run a vent to vent the by-products, like carbon monoxide, to the outside. Direct vent gas stoves and fireplaces do not require a large chimney to be run up through the roof of the home- they only need an exterior vent. Duravent is one manufacturer which makes direct vent products you can use to install your gas fireplace or stove.

Duravent Flexible Aluminum Gas Vent Pipe and Couplers

When selecting the placement of your gas fireplace, you need to make sure that you have access to an exterior wall of the home on at least one side of the fireplace. You can purchase all your Duravent gas vent products from Copperfield Chimney Supply .