You put it off all spring. You forgot about it during the summer Well, now the time is up and cold weather is here. Now you’re worried about your chimney!

Sure, it looks fine, there’s no smell or water damage evident. Plus, it’s the holiday season approaching and you’re just so busy… In reality, there’s no better time than now to get your chimney inspected! And while you’re at it, mark next year’s calendar too because that chimney inspection should be a regular, annual event. 

Why do you need to get a jump on getting your chimney inspected now?

Safety – a lack of maintenance can lead to chimney and house fires. A regularly scheduled chimney inspection will prevent this. In fact, an annual chimney and venting system sweeping and inspection is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

Money – Many homes don’t get their chimneys inspected, and they wind up getting them repaired because they didn’t take that time. Being proactive stops this. You will save so much more money on an inspection and sweep than you will when you have to have major repairs done.

Lack of knowledge – …and that’s okay! It’s normal and happens all the time, but most people move into a home or begin renting one with a chimney and have no idea what condition that chimney’s really in. Don’t let that be you. For instance, how’s your cap? Do you even have one? Do you know what it is?

Peace of Mind – The masonry of a chimney is made to last forever and hold up like a house, so chimney damage is something that you can’t really see and, the worse it gets, the more expensive it is to repair. If you get things checked out every year, you don’t have to worry about it!

Keeping your chimney and fireplace properly maintained can protect your wallet and home. Give Southern Chimneys a call. We will save you money by doing a great job at the best price. Schedule an inspection with us today and you’ll see why we’re a different kind of chimney services company.

This post first appeared on https://southernchimneys.com

A lot of times when fires in a fireplace are less than spectacular – when they’re too smoky, don’t last very long, produce excess soot and creosote – it’s not the fault of the fireplace. Often, the only problem is the wood that’s being used.

Not all firewood logs are the same. They look pretty similar, but it’s what’s underneath the patterned bark that makes all the difference. Here are a few things to know when choosing firewood for clean-burning, long-lasting fires.

1. Select dry wood

Seasoned, or dry, wood logs burn hotter and more efficiently while creating less smoke than wet, unseasoned wood. Plus, they ignite easier and hold their flames longer.

Fires that produce tons of smoke also produce quite a bit of flammable creosote, which sticks to the walls of the flue and can lead to a chimney fire. In fact, most chimney fires happen because homeowners neglect to have their chimneys properly cleaned and inspected on an annual basis.

Dry wood logs have certain characteristics:

• Grayish or dark color
• A hollow sound when you bang two logs together
• Lightweight, not too heavy
• Cracks/splits at the ends of the logs
• Bark that easily flakes away .

Store your logs the right way

Logs stored outside should be set on some kind of small riser/pallet to keep them off the damp ground. Cover the stack with a waterproof tarp, but leave the ends open so air can circulate within the logs and aid in the drying process.

3. Give your fire what it needs: air

Air (oxygen) is a key component in creating fire. For a fire to build to roaring proportions, a sufficient amount of air is required. Accomplish this by not stacking logs too tightly together in the firebox.

 

Additionally, make sure the house has some circulation (crack a window, if necessary), and keep your chimney free of obstructions and built-up creosote to ensure plenty of draft.

Important note: Chimney cleaning is not a job for the average homeowner. The best choice for this work is a professional chimney sweep who is licensed, insured and certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). This ensures that the job will be done right and safely.

4. Choose the right logs for the desired burn time

Logs from hardwood trees will burn longer and hotter than logs from softwood trees.

Hardwoods include:

• Maple
• Oak
• Beech
• Hickory
• Alder
• Walnut

Softwoods include:

• Douglas fir
• Cedar
• Redwood
• Juniper
• Pine
• Spruce

If you chop your own firewood . . .

After chopping your own wood, exercise patience in the drying process. Depending on the density and moisture, freshly chopped wood can take between six months and a year to fully dry out. Plan accordingly as you build up your supply from season to season.

High’s Chimney Service of Gaithersburg, MD, believes every home should have a stunning fireplace to enjoy during the cold weather and at other times. Part of that enjoyment comes from a fireplace and chimney that are clean and in tip-top shape. Let us help you keep your fireplace or stove working right. We offer certified chimney sweep, chimney inspection, fireplace, stove and chimney repair and all related services. Give us a call today at (301) 519-3500.

 

 

 

The post Clean-Burning & Long-Lasting Fires appeared first on Highs Chimney.

When the weather turns colder, cozying up to the warmth of a crackling fire in the fireplace is something many homeowners enjoy. But not everyone looks forward to lighting it. If this sounds like you, then you’re in luck. The following guide will show you the right way to light a fire in the fireplace and keep it lit.

Chimney Inspection and Cleaning

You’re probably anxious to start that fire to take the chill out of the room, but there may be risk factors lurking in the chimney or fireplace. So, you will first need to check to ensure it is safe for use. Hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean the chimney of any obstructions or creosote before lighting the first fire of the season. You will also need to make any necessary chimney repairs too. Then, check the firebox to ensure there isn’t excess ash. Having too much ash inside the firebox can make it challenging to start the fire. About an inch or so of ash will help keep the fire lit and burn more efficiently.

Step by Step Process

To light the fireplace, you need three main ingredients: fuel, kindling, and tinder. For the fuel, you need seasoned firewood logs. For the kindling, gather some large twigs or small branches. You can use old newspapers or pinecones for the tinder.

Prepare the fire bed. A strategic arrangement of your wood, kindling, and tinder is vital. Start with the tinder at the bottom of the pile, add kindling on top of the tinder, and stack some wood logs on top of the kindling. Start with a few seasoned firewood logs; you can add more later. Remember to leave some space between the logs for better air circulation.

Open the damper. The damper must remain open to draw in the oxygen to fuel the fire and allow the smoke and exhaust to vent through the chimney. But don’t forget to close the damper after you extinguish the fire.

Warm up the flue. You can light your fire without warming the flue, but you could experience a draft where smoke may flow back into your home. To warm the flue, light some rolls of newspaper and hold them up inside the flue for around ten to fifteen seconds. It will also reduce air pressure, and oxygen will flow more smoothly.

Lighting the fireplace. Grab your box of long matchsticks. You can pick them up at your local hearth dealer. Strike the matchstick to light the tinder. The tinder will spread the fire to the kindling, and the kindling will slowly ignite the wood. A word of caution – never use a lighter, kerosene, or any flammable liquids or materials to start a fire in the fireplace. It can cause an explosion.

While the firewood is burning, you can add extra logs as necessary to keep the fire lit. Depending on the quality of your wood, each log can burn for about two to three hours.

That’s all there is to it. Use common sense when operating your fireplace. Never leave a burning fireplace unattended. And keep pets and small children away from the fireplace. Finally, always extinguish the fire before leaving your home or going to bed. Now sit back with your favorite hot beverage, relax and enjoy the crackling fire.

 

The post The Right Way to Light a Fire in the Fireplace (and Keep It Lit) appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Natural stone such as fieldstone, marble, granite, and limestone create warm and elegant fireplace surrounds, carved chimneypieces, and mantles. Unfortunately, the stone gets sooty and gritty over time, giving your fireplace a cheap, ugly look.

Do you want to keep your natural stone fireplace looking great? Here are expert tips (given by chimney contractors) you should follow:

Regularly remove soot

Letting soot sit on the fireplace for a long time turns the chimney black. It also puts the chimney at the risk of catching fire. To keep your fireplace in pristine condition, make a habit of regularly cleaning off the soot. The best tool to use in the cleaning is a stiff brush.

When cleaning, use a mask and gloves to protect yourself.

Start with preparing a solution of lukewarm water and natural stone cleanser. You should then dip a paintbrush in the cleaning solution and use it to clean off soot from the chimney surface. After applying the solution on all areas, give it time to interact with the soot then rinse it out with light warm water.

Keep the firebox clean

The best time to clean the firebox is in summer when you aren’t using the chimney. If you have to clean it during the heating season, give the fireplace at least 12 hours to cool.

Before you begin the cleaning, protect the surrounding areas with drop cloths or old sheets. You also should wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy.

After removing the grate and any other remaining log chunks, use a small shovel to scoop out the ashes from the fireplace. If there are any remaining ashes, use a vacuum to remove them.

Once you are done, use a semi-abrasive sponge dipped in mild cleaning detergent to thoroughly wipe down the surfaces of the firebox.

When cleaning, avoid any soap solution as it leaves a residue that dulls the fireplace. You also should stay away from acidic, alkaline, and ammonia-based cleaning agents as they have been shown to damage the stone fireplace and cause mildew.

Remove the stains

Nothing cheapens a natural stone chimney like a stain. During the cleaning, keep your eyes out for any stains. If present, remove them immediately. To do it, make a solution of one-fourth cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and half a gallon of water.

After applying the solution, give it at least 15 minutes to interact with the stain, then rinse it with water and dry it with an old towel.

TSP is harmful to the skin; therefore, always wear gloves to protect your skin. Also, wear a mask to protect yourself from hazardous fume inhalation.

Apply a stone sealer

Stone sealers prevent excess soot and grime from adhering to and penetrating the natural stone. Stone sealers come in a wide range of strengths ideal for different types of stones.

If you aren’t sure about the right type of sealer to go for, ask an expert chimney technician to help you out. While a sealer prevents soot, fluids, and other materials from penetrating deep into the stone, it wears out after time. This means you have to keep on reapplying it to keep your fireplace protected.

Remove sealer scratches

Due to poor installation or using harsh/abrasive cleaning products, the sealer can wear out. For you to keep your fireplace looking great, get rid of the scratches as soon as they happen. A great option is using polishing stone. Carefully apply the stone on the affected areas, and you will remove the scratches.

Undertake regular inspections and repair

It’s common for your fireplace to develop problems. For example, it might start smoking. You also might begin finding it hard to light a fire. For you to keep your fireplace in great shape, regularly inspect it and fix any issues that might be there.

If you have the skills, go ahead and inspect and repair it but for ideal results, let an expert chimney cleaning services Columbia MD professional do it for you.

When hiring the professional, ensure he/she is certified and experienced to do the work. The last thing you want is someone who will cause more problems than were there. Since you will be spending a substantial amount of time with the contractor, you don’t want someone with a dull personality. Get someone who is fun to be with.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

Cold drafts coming into the home through the chimney, down into the fireplace and into your living area has been the concern among many callers to Superior Chimney. We thought it would be a useful to share the cause of cold drafts or cold air entering your home from gas fireplace and wood burning fireplace.

What is a Downdraft?

A downdraft occurs when cold air blows across / down the chimney. Since cold air is dense or heavy, it will fall down into the chimney and ultimately makes its way into your home.

Can Down Drafting be Prevented?

Some may say to simply install glass doors in front of the
fireplace, however, that’s not solving the problem. Cold air will
remain in the chimney and slowly leak into the home. Here are a couple of
preventative measures for keeping cold air out.

Chimney
Cap – A chimney cap works to minimize wind downdrafts. It also prevents
snow, rain and animals from entering while keeping any sparks from leaving
the chimney. A Superior Chimney technician will check to ensure the chimney cap is
installed and working properly.  

Damper or Chimney Flue – A damper is another great way to prevent cold drafts from entering the home. It seals in the heat in cold temperatures and air conditioning in the summer. Dampers also seal out animals, rain, snow, wind and hail and also prevents sparks from going outside of the home.

What to do if You Feel a Cold Draft?

To uncover and solve the problem of cold air or downdrafts entering your home, have a CSIA Certified Chimney technician from Superior Chimney come to your home and evaluate the situation. We’ll take pictures of what we find up on the roof so you can be aware of your situation to make an educated decision. Call us at 877-244-6349 to get started.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

During the season of fuel and fires, ventilation and maintenance, it’s important to not cut corners. Cutting corners when it comes to your fireplace and chimney can result in serious damage to your home, costly services to your chimney system, and even injury and possible loss of life. In order for your chimney to work safely and efficiently all winter long and year after year, it must be maintained properly and used correctly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) help to keep fire in its place by educating responsible homeowners to schedule routine chimney sweeps and annual chimney inspections. This ensures the safest and most efficient systems.

The Danger of Dirty Chimneys

When a fire burns in your fireplace it constantly produces soot and creosote and deposits them into the chimney flue. Soot is merely carbon, harmless unless it’s allowed to buildup and cause an obstruction. Creosote is produced when organic materials are burned and is made up mostly of tar, a sticky, flammable substance. It builds upon itself until a significant buildup occurs, slowing the flow of air through the flue. As efficiency drops, the buildup worsens and hot air begins to stall in the system. As temperatures increase, the creosote boils and the water evaporates leaving a concentrated, hardened mass when the creosote cools. This buildup called “glazed creosote” is highly flammable, obstructs airflow, and is difficult to remove. Because of this, creosote should be removed before it reaches 1/8 inch in thickness. A standard chimney sweep can remove creosote, but glazed creosote requires a special industrial solvent that transforms the creosote as it’s absorbed.

Creosote buildup is not the only danger of a dirty chimney. If your chimney isn’t cleaned on a regular basis the creosote and soot can hide liner damage, allowing the heat to transfer through the masonry and onto the other building materials of the home. This can create a serious fire hazard. Additionally, without a routine sweep, you might have accumulated any number of things in your flue or fireplace. Animals, sticks and leaves, and unburned wood are all things that we find in neglected chimney systems—all contributing to unwelcome odors and ventilation problems.

The Importance of Inspections

It’s so important to have your chimney inspected as well as cleaned that most chimney companies include a basic level one inspection with every cleaning! An inspection will ensure that the system is safe and efficient for another year of use. However, who completes the inspection is vital. Only a certified chimney sweep should inspect your chimney system. An amateur won’t know where to look and a homeowner won’t recognize the signs of a problem until it’s too late. Every chimney should undergo a CSIA inspection annually. This is a complete diagnostic assessment of the chimney from top to bottom. Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep offers level one, two, and three CSIA inspections for homeowners in and around Boston, North Shore, and Portland. Not only do we inspect every chimney that we sweep, but we sweep every chimney we inspect.

If your chimney system hasn’t changed or shown any problems in the last year, our technician will complete a level one inspection. This is an inspection of all the readily accessible portions of the system. The video scan is usually only available for a level two inspection, but we check every chimney with video surveillance. We use a Chim-Scan camera system and Wohler Vis2000-Pro for an inside look at the flue.

A level two inspection is necessary in the following conditions; if there have been changes made to the chimney system, if it’s presented problems, and before the sale or transfer of the property. It includes everything from a level one inspection as well as everything accessible through doors and passageways.

A level three inspection is only necessary when a serious hazard is suspected, but at this point, it is the only thing to get your system up and going again.

Common Chimney Dangers

Besides creosote buildup, there are numerous problems that can arise when a chimney isn’t properly cleaned and maintained. At Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep we diagnose winter damage most often—masonry damage that results in a serious drop in efficiency and rise in fire risk. Another common hazard that we see quite often is a damaged firebox. The firebox is the space that holds the fire. It endures the highest temperatures for the longest amounts of time but gets very little attention. Though many focus only on flue fires, the fire hazard associated with a damaged firebox may be the most serious. Prolonged heat exposure through damaged firebricks can cause structural damage as support beams become brittle with heat damage. A similar danger can arise when the liner is damaged and heat transfers through the masonry. Insulation in walls and attics can ignite as heat moves from the chimney into the home.

As with most residential fires, chimney and fireplace fires can be prevented. It is our goal to help our customers, friends, and neighbors in our service area to stay safer and warmer this winter by offering services that prevent fires.

Schedule your services now by calling 617-469-4528 or schedule an appointment online today.

The post Keep Your Fire In Its Place This Winter appeared first on Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep.

After installing a fireplace, most homeowners think the only thing they have to do is to clean it. Far from this, as chimneys develop a gamut of problems that put you and your loved ones at risk. Some of the things that can go wrong with your fireplace as given by chimney contractors include:

Cracked firebox

The firebox is the area where you light a fire. The area is made from special bricks designed to stand fire at extreme temperatures. Just like the flue, the firebox develops gaps and cracks. A damaged firebox has the same effects as a damaged chimney flue:

• Chimney loses a lot of heat
• Increased creosote deposition
• Risk of carbon monoxide intoxication

For you to fix the problem, find new bricks that closely resemble the original color. After completing the brickwork, cover the area with a layer of waterproof caulking, that will keep the chimney from water damage.

The layer will also prevent heat and gas from escaping through the gaps.

Just like with the chimney flue, you can do the work by yourself if you have the skills or hire an expert to help you out. When hiring a chimney technician, ensure the professional is experienced and won’t cause more chimney problems than were originally there.

The price charged by the contractors will guide you on how experienced they are. If they are too cheap, they are most likely inexperienced and won’t give you an excellent service.

You are better off hiring an experienced contractor. While they will charge a higher fee, they provide you with peace of mind as you know the chimney is correctly repaired, and you don’t have to keep worrying it crumbing.

Cracking of the flue

Modern chimneys have a flue lining made of clay. Due to old age or inadequate maintenance, the flue liners crack or develop gaps. A damaged flue leads to heat loss; hence, you spend a lot of money heating your home. The damaged flue also easily collects creosote, so you have to keep on cleaning the chimney.

If the gaps are significant, carbon monoxide and other harmful gases accumulate in the gaps putting you and your loved ones in danger of inhaling the toxic gases.

With basic home improvement skills, you can fix the problem by yourself, but for perfect results, ask a chimney expert to help you out. Depending on the extent of damage, you may have to seal the gap, but if the damage is extensive, you have to replace the damaged bricks.

When choosing bricks, go for those that match the color of the original chimney.

Smoking chimney

When the chimney is constructed correctly, adequately maintained, and there isn’t any negative pressure, the smoke from the fireplace should always rise up the chimney. If the chimney always smokes when you light fire, you have a problem you should address as soon as possible.

The chimney smokes due to the use of the wrong firewood. A damaged chimney also tends to keep on smoking. For you to fix the problem, get seasoned wood. In addition to the wood producing little smoke, it also creates a lot of heat, so you easily keep your house warm.

To raise the center of the frame, raise the height of the log grate by placing a brick under the grill. You also should consider investing is a smoke guard that prevents smoke from getting back into the house. When buying the guard, go for a black colored one as it easily hides in the fireplace.

If this doesn’t fix the smoking, raise the chimney stack. You do this by placing a metal pipe on the top of the flue.

Too much creosote in the chimney

Creosote is the tar-like material made up of highly flammable materials. When you have a lot of creosote in the fireplace, it means you don’t clean the chimney as frequently as you should. You also might be burning the wrong wood.

To reduce the creosote, hire a chimney sweep Columbia MD at least once a year to inspect the creosote levels and remove the excess. You also should watch the quality of the wood you are using. For minimal creosote deposition, use wood that has been air-dried for at least six months.

This post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com