Month: February 2021

A leaky chimney can be confusing, dangerous and possibly quite expensive to fix if the problem isn’t taken care of in the early stages. When getting estimates to have your chimney leak repaired, consider working with licensed, certified chimney professionals, who bring a wealth of knowledge to every job.

Here’s some of that knowledge.

What causes a leaky chimney?

Chimney technicians generally consider any situation in which water is infiltrating the chimney system a “chimney leak.”  This includes water coming in from the top of the chimney due to damaged or missing chimney cap or water getting into bricks and mortar.

Here are some common direct and indirect causes of chimney leaks:

• Damage to the masonry
• Issues with the chimney cap or no cap in place
• Cracked chimney crown
• Warped or deteriorated chimney flashing
• Earthquakes, house-settling, major hail storms
• Improperly built chimney footing
• Chimney fires
• Gale-force winds
• Ice dams around the chimney base

Get chimney leaks fixed quickly

What starts as a small leak in the chimney system will eventually turn into a major problem that could include widespread masonry deterioration as well as damage to building materials of your home near the chimney structure.

Leaky chimneys don’t get better – they get worse. Fortunately, a skilled chimney services professional can perform a thorough inspection and determine why the leak is happening, where it’s centered and what will be required to resolve it.

Spotting a leaky chimney

If you notice any of these common chimney-leak signs, now is the time to address the problem:

Water in the firebox – could be from major leaks in the masonry or water coming into the top of the flue

White staining on exterior bricks – usually means that water is penetrating the bricks, possibly through cracks

Crumbling mortar on the roof near the chimney – mortar-joint damage doesn’t necessarily mean the chimney is leaking, but it means it may start to before long

Damp sections of walls and ceiling – could point to a leak within the chimney system or some part of the roof

Musty smells coming from the fireplace – creosote and soot inside the flue will give off strong odors when excess moisture is present in the chimney liner

Chimney leak repair

Professional chimney companies have a variety of methods they can use to address and solve chimney leaks including:

• Chimney waterproofing
• Tuckpointing to replace compromised sections of masonry
• Brick repair or replacement
• Flashing repair or installation
• Chimney cap repair or replacement
• Chimney chase top repair or installation
• Chimney crown repair or reconstruction

Start with a chimney inspection

If you notice any of the signs of a leaky chimney we listed above, your first step is to schedule a chimney inspection with a licensed professional. Do this prior to using your fireplace again.

Chimney inspections will zero in on the leak, and they also will spot other types of damage or malfunction within your chimney system that you may not know about. A good inspection is like a scorecard: it tells what’s working, what’s not and what it will take to get everything running safely and efficiently.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, provides CSIA-certified chimney sweeping, chimney inspections and all types of leaky chimney repair and other repair and rebuilding services. Talk with a chimney expert today at (913) 236-7141.

 

The post What the Pros Know About Chimney Leaks appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Chimney and chimney cleaning are popular topics and just like other popular discussions, they are marred by many myths. Here are some of the most common chimney myths:

Pine and other soft woods cause excess creosote

Although, softwood may result to more creosote buildup than hardwood, it doesn’t mean that softwood is the main cause of excess creosote buildup in the chimney. Studies have shown that the main cause of the buildup is burning wood (softwood or hardwood) before its ready for burning.

Chimney contractors recommend that you should ensure that the wood that you burn is dry and seasoned. This way the wood will burn effectively and with less creosote regardless of whether it’s hardwood or softwood.

You don’t need to inspect the chimney if you haven’t been using it

While many people may feel that their chimney is in perfect condition and doesn’t require inspection as they haven’t been using it for a long time, this is wrong—you need to undertake regular chimney inspection whether you have been using the chimney or not.

Even if you haven’t been using it, animals may build nests, the chimney liner may develop cracks, and water may damage the chimney. To be on the safe side you should contact a chimney expert to take a look at the chimney and have a look at it.

You can easily clean the chimney by yourself

While the internet has many valuable videos and tutorials on how to clean the chimney, it’s not as easy as you read or see it in the videos. You need to ensure that you use the right tools to achieve ideal results. You also need to be cautious and keep your house clean throughout the cleaning process. To achieve a clean chimney you need to rent or buy the right chimney cleaning tools. You also need to put in a lot of time and energy into the work.

To avoid this trouble, you should seek professional chimney cleaning services. The chimney cleaner will not only clean the chimney, he/she will also repair chimney defects that might be present.

Conclusion

There are many more myths surrounding chimneys and chimney cleaning that can derail you. Always remember that you should inspect and clean your chimney regardless of whether you have been using it or not. To achieve ideal results, always hire an experienced chimney cleaning company to do the cleaning work for you.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

If you live in a home that was built without a fireplace, there are many practical reasons to install one in your home. Fireplaces are like individual works of art that not only add character to a living space all year long but provide much-needed warmth and comfort during the winter. Fireplaces have also improved considerably and are now more energy-efficient than ever before.  There are energy-efficient wood, pellet, gas, and electric fireplaces. There are also zero-clearance and ventless fireplaces for living spaces that are too small for a traditional fireplace. With energy costs on the rise, a fireplace can reduce your home heating costs when you need it the most. Here are a few more reasons to install a fireplace in your home.

Ambiance

Fireplaces are a charming focal point of the room that naturally draws people into its warm and inviting atmosphere. They are available in a wide assortment of shapes, sizes, styles, and even colors, allowing homeowners to create the perfect ambiance in their home. Whether it’s a traditional wood-burning fireplace, modern gas or pellet fireplace, or a sleek electric fireplace, they are an architectural element that will add character to any living space.

Lower Heating Costs

According to a recent study, Kansas has the 23rd highest utility rates in the country. Installing an energy-efficient fireplace can reduce heating costs and dependency on the utility during the winter. Fireplaces can also be used for zone heating. Instead of heating the entire home with a central heating system, fireplaces warm the occupied rooms. Depending on the model, a fireplace can heat up to 1,000 square feet or more of living space.

Affordability

Fireplaces are more affordable than many people may realize. Just like any other home improvement project, the cost can vary depending on a variety of factors such as location, whether a chimney or vent is required, and type of fuel, for example. While a traditional masonry fireplace is often the most expensive option, pre-fab fireplaces and fireplace inserts are lower-cost alternatives making the addition affordable for any budget.

Increases Home Value

A fireplace is a desirable feature that may even increase your home’s value. A 2016 Angie’s List survey of real estate agents found that a fireplace can increase a home’s value from $1,000 to $4,999.  In a recent home buyers survey, the National Association of Realtors stated that heating and cooling costs were the most important environmental feature. Also, The National Association of Home Builders found that 51% of home buyers consider a gas or wood-burning fireplace to be a desirable home feature.

Stay Warm During a Power Outage

Winter storms and power outages seem to go hand-in-hand. If your home relies on central heating, your ability to stay warm goes out until the power is restored. On the other hand, gas and wood-burning fireplace don’t require electricity and will keep your space warm and cozy and give some light to the room during a power outage.

The post Reasons to Install A Fireplace appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Chicago weather… You never know what to expect. One minute we get reminded what sunshine looks like, and the next, 4-foot snow drifts up against the garage door.

We spoke with a couple of our certified technicians as to what to look out for with all of the recent snow, sleet, freezing temperatures and the little bit of sunshine.

Q: What does the winter freeze-thaw cycle mean? Why is that important for a chimney?

A:  According to the CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America), the freeze thaw cycles is most damaging when water absorbs into the brick and mortar joints, freezes then expands. Then the freeze-thaw cycle happens again and again until cracks form causing the bricks and mortar joints to chip, spall or crumble into small pieces.

Q: Wow, is there a way to stop it, or slow it down? We get a lot of the freeze-thaw cycles here in Chicago.

A: Yes, waterproofing a chimney with a high-quality product will help to protect the chimney from the freeze thaw cycle. Superior Chimney uses a Chimney Saver solution that prevents water from penetrating the bricks and mortar but still allows them to “breathe”.

Q: We get so few days of sunshine it seems. But when we do, the snow begins to melt. What do homeowners need to watch for with melting snow?

A: Leaks are important to identify and repair quickly. One of the most common areas where leaks occur is at the flashing. Flashing is the metal that covers the gap where the chimney protrudes through your roof. If snow/water gets behind the flashing, the water can go directly into your home.

Another area for concern is the chimney crown. The chimney crown is the cement slab right on top of the chimney. When there’s even just a hairline crack, water can make its way into the home.

Q: What are the signs of a water leak in the chimney?

A: If water begins to penetrate the chimney system, you’ll notice signs such as:

• Water dripping into the firebox
• Stains on your interior walls
• Bad odor or a damp smell coming from the fireplace
• Broken pieces of the flue tiles
• Or the white powdery substance called efflorescence outside on the chimney’s bricks.

Q: Can masonry repairs be done in the winter?

A: Some cannot, however, there are many preventative measures that can be implemented until more ideal weather/temperature arrives… these can help to prevent further deterioration and escalated repair costs through the remaining winter months. There are times when chimney repairs cannot be avoided such as large cracks where moisture is easily flowing through the chimney and into your home, or if the chimney is at risk of falling.

The best way to avoid all of these problems is to get an inspection on your chimney annually as advised by CSIA (the Chimney Safety Institute of America), NCSG (the National Chimney Sweep Guild), NFPA (the National Fire Protection Association) and IRC (International Residential Code) due to our geographic freeze and thaw cycles of winter and regardless of gas, wood or frequency of use.

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

One of the most effective ways of maintaining your chimney is sweeping it. Sweeping gets rid of all the carbon and other waste products that might have accumulated in your chimney putting your home at the risk of fire.

Chimney sweep professionals recommend that you should sweep your chimney at the beginning of autumn. This is a great time as the soot has had time to dry during summer and is hard and brittle. Hard soot is easy to remove.

Hiring a professional chimney sweep

While you can sweep your chimney, there are many benefits that come with hiring a professional chimney sweep. These benefits include:

Professional cleaning: chimney cleaners are highly trained and know how to not only clean the chimney, but also how to professionally sweep it. This means that you don’t have to worry when you hire a chimney sweeping technician as you are ensured of the best service.

Chimney repair: in addition to cleaning your chimney, the technicians are also able to identify any faults that might be on your chimney. For example, if there are any cracks in your brick chimney the technicians will identify and repair them at just a small extra charge.

If your chimney is old, they will help you in installing a chimney liner that will prevent your chimney from collapsing. There are many types of liners in the market that you can go with. The most common are:

Concrete: here the chimney professional will install an inflatable template within the full height of the chimney stack and then pours concrete around it. Once the concrete hardens, the technician removes the template leaving a smaller concrete flue that can’t collapse.

Ceramic and clay: it’s expensive to install the ceramic or clay liner as you have to remove sections of the old chimney to install the liner. While the liner is expensive, it’s long lasting.

Stainless steel: here the chimney repair technician installs the liner by dropping it down the existing chimney and capping it off at the top and bottom. To assist with the pull of smoke from the fire and keep the liner in place, the technician insulates around the liner. While this option is cost effective, it’s temporary as you have to reinstall the liner after 10-20 years.

Conclusion

Chimney sweeping is very important for your home. To ensure that it’s done properly you should hire a certified and experienced chimney cleaning expert.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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