Property owners have been urged to ensure that there is no water inside their fireplaces, as the liquid may lead to defects.
Water that enters a home's flue accessories could also lead to mould growth, which can lower the efficiency of heating appliances and should be removed immediately, according to the St Thomas Times-Journal.
The article noted: "Water inside the fire place would indicate that some part of the chimney, chimney cap or flashing is leaking or there's a need for an animal guard/rain hat to be installed."
As well as this, homeowners have been urged to check that there are no animals inside their chimney openings, as they can cause flue damage and lead to bad odours circulating throughout the property.
Now that spring has arrived, residents have the perfect opportunity to assess their flue accessories and ensure that their homes are free of any potential chimney faults.