Spring is nearly on the horizon and property owners will soon be thinking about jobs around the home which need completing.
One of the most important could be to take care of the chimney, especially if it is showing signs of weeds growing out from between the brickwork.
This will need the attention of an expert, who will be able to work at height to rid the chimney of any plants, while some re-pointing of the cement may also need to be undertaken.
A chimney cowl will also be a useful addition, particularly when birds return to these shores and fly from roof to roof.
One of these fittings should prevent animals and other debris falling down the chimney and into the room where the fireplace is based.
If the chimney is not looked after, then this could lead to serious problems, which in turn might cost a lot more money in the long-run to fix.
A new roof is not a cheap option if a chimney were to collapse, while falling bricks also cause safety problems for people and objects below.