Tuckpointing is a process that removes deteriorated mortar between the bricks of a chimney and replaces it with a strong new mortar compound. While tuckpointing isn’t something that’s needed on a regular basis, it will almost surely be needed at certain times throughout the life of a chimney.

Why tuckpointing is so important

When we think of severely damaged chimneys, we usually think of cracked, loose or missing bricks. But the mortar joints are just as critical as the bricks to the soundness of a chimney.

Mortar often begins to crack and crumble after several decades, simply due to old age. This is a normal occurrence. The deterioration of mortar can be sped up if small cracks start happening. These cracks will allow water to seep in, where it will freeze and expand and start doing significant damage.

 

 

Even if there’s no freezing/expanding, water itself deteriorates mortar over time.

If a chimney with clear signs of mortar issues is ignored, you can eventually be looking at a chimney that leans to one side or partially or completely collapses.

How to tell if your chimney’s mortar needs attention

Here’s a simple checklist you can use to decide if the mortar in your chimney structure needs a professional inspection and possibly tuckpointing.

• Crumbling mortar on the roof near the chimney
• Obviously missing mortar between bricks
• Discolored mortar – do some strips of mortar look different from others?
• Bricks that are loose to the touch
• Cracks in either the mortar or the bricks of the chimney

The next four are signals that there’s a chimney leak. Chimneys often leak due to compromised mortar joints, and often you’ll be aware of the leak before you see the mortar damage.

• Damp sections on the ceiling or walls near the fireplace/chimney
• Strong musty odors coming from the fireplace
• Rusted fireplace damper that squeaks and/or won’t fully open and close
• Water in the firebox

Who should perform tuckpointing services?

Only a licensed and preferably CSIA-certified company should undertake tuckpointing on your chimney. As simple as the job may sound, a variety of things can go wrong during the process and in the years that follow if the worker is unskilled.

A chimney that has been “repaired” incorrectly can become unsafe to operate and unsafe for the people and pets living in its vicinity.

Another very important reason to have tuckpointing work done by credentialed chimney professionals is insurance. Your homeowner’s policy most likely will not cover future chimney damage caused by or associated with a faulty repair job.

When seeking a qualified chimney repair company for tuckpointing or any other chimney service including cleaning, inspection, general repair and chimney rebuilding, keep these five points in mind.

1. Confirm that the company you choose is licensed and fully insured.
2. Look at the company’s website. Do they talk about tuckpointing and brick repair? Not all chimney companies offer all chimney services.
3. Ask for references of local people the company has worked for. Follow up on the references.
4. Look at online reviews, if there are any.
5. Talk with the owner of the company or a representative and get a feel for what it would be like working with this individual. Does he/she have quick and clear answers to your questions? Is he/she more interested in quality than in getting your money?

Fluesbrothers Is Ready to Help Year-Round

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, provides complete tuckpointing service as well as all other chimney repair work. We’re licensed, fully insured and hold certification through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).

When it has to be done right the first time, call Fluesbrothers at (913) 236-7141.

The post What Is Chimney Tuckpointing & When Is it Needed? appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

It is a widely accepted fact, even the best-maintained homes will have problems.  It matters not, new or old, ranch or colonial homes will give owners trouble.  Unfortunately, one part of the home that is continually overlooked and is the chimney and its components.

A few signs inside the home to look for

If the homeowner starts looking for problems inside the home, a few issues are considered problematic.

Faded, moldy, or peeling wallpaper around the chimney is the first sign of trouble.  This indicates there is moisture seeping from the inside of the chimney.  The moisture is the reason for the mold from rainwater.

Another inside problem would be rust on the firebox as well as on the damper.  In the same scenario, moisture is the reason for the rust, and the culprit is rain.

Many significant signs will be on the chimney itself.

If the homeowner has a head for heights, take the initiative, get up on the roof, and take a good look at the condition of bricks and mortar.  What condition are the bricks in?  Do the bricks seem to be flaking or cracking?  If so, chimney techs call this spalling.  Bricks are porous, and if your area is prone to weather or temperature extremes, this flaking or cracking is inevitable.  These temperature fluctuations cause expanding and contracting bricks and mortar.  Look at the crown of the chimney (the very top of the brickwork).  Is it cracked or even broken?  The very same applies here.

The flashing of the chimney is the metal sheet that adds extra protection from weather wear and tear.  If the flashing is loose-fitting, that alone can be the cause of any damage to your chimney, especially from rainwater.

The chimney cap is another vital part of the chimney.  If the cap is cracked or bent, trouble is brewing.  Animals can get into your chimney and start damaging the flue.  The cap also protects the elements from ruining the entire chimney by letting in debris, rain, and wind.

The worst part of the damage can happen if any one of these issues is present.  A damaged flue or flue liner can wreak havoc on both the house and the chimney.  If there is a crack or split in the flue, many other problems are just a matter of time.  Sparks and/or smoke can find their way back into the home causing smoke damage, fire, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Northeastern Chimney, LLC has been in business for almost 40 years.  Our focus has always been to provide the best chimney cleaning, chimney and fireplace repairs, and masonry rebuilding throughout central Connecticut.

Our staff has continuing education in the most up-to-date methods and products along with the best equipment for all our chimney cleaning and maintenance.  Our service staff is punctual, polite and we leave the area as clean or cleaner than we found it.

We would encourage all our potential customers to read our customer reviews.  We will be happy to answer all questions in person or over the phone.  Call us today.

 

Northeastern Chimney, LLC

37 Cody Street

 West Hartford, Connecticut 06110

 Phone: 860-233-5770

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

With cold weather expected to arrive in the Kansas City KS/MO and Southern Plains region earlier than usual, many residents are scheduling their annual chimney inspection and cleaning to make sure their fireplace will be safe to operate. However, depending on how often you light the fireplace, it may need additional cleanings. Here are five things you can do to keep your fireplace clean and safe between professional cleanings.

Make Sure Your Chimney Cap is Secure

The chimney cap is an essential device that helps keep rain and snow from dripping into the fireplace. It also helps to prevent downdrafts that can send smoke and carbon monoxide into your home. The chimney cap should also have a mesh screen to prevent leaves, debris, and small animals from entering and obstructing the flue. However, normal wear and tear and exposure to extreme weather conditions can result in chimney cap damage. In some cases, strong gusty winds can dislodge the chimney cap or blow it off the structure, exposing your chimney and fireplace to external elements.   Therefore, it’s a good idea to check to make sure your chimney cap is secure to help keep your fireplace clean and safe between cleanings.

Trim Nearby Trees

Trees with branches overhanging near or against the chimney are a fire and safety hazard. Any leaves or debris that block the flue can increase exposure to smoke and harmful fumes. Also, the heat from the vent or a hot ember that flies out can ignite overhanging limbs and cause a house fire. Tree limbs and leaves should be at least 15 feet away from the top of the chimney, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).

Remove Excess Ashes

Before lighting the first fire of the season, a one-inch layer of ash in the bottom of the fireplace will help start the fire. However, too much ash in the fireplace can have the opposite effect and diminish your fires. When you notice the ash pile is getting high enough to reach the grate, it’s time to remove the excess ashes.  First, allow the fireplace to cool for at least 12 hours. Then, remove the grate and set it aside. When the coals are no longer warm, it is safe to scoop the ashes into a metal container. Finally, sweep or vacuum any remaining debris in the fireplace.

Clean the Firebox and Grate

The combustion gases created when burning wood are corrosive, and you may need to clean the firebox between professional cleanings weekly if you use the fireplace daily. Wear a face mask and eye goggles when cleaning the fireplace so you don’t breathe in the soot and ashes. After removing the ashes and sweeping or vacuuming debris in the fireplace, you can use an all-purpose household cleaner and a medium-bristle brush to remove the soot, stains, and residues that are sticking to the interior masonry walls of the firebox. Then wash the walls with water to rinse any remaining cleaner residue. You can also clean the andirons and grate with the same household cleaner but do it outside to avoid staining your flooring. Before replacing the grate in the fireplace, spread a one-inch layer of ash on the floor of the firebox to make your fires more productive.

Burn Seasoned Wood

Burning only seasoned wood will also help keep your fireplace clean and safe in between professional chimney cleanings. Fresh or “green” lumber has a very high moisture content, usually 60% or more, which creates a lot of smoke and creosote. On the other hand, wood that has been seasoned or dried for at least six months has a much lower moisture content, about 20% or less, resulting in a fire that burns cleaner with less smoke and creosote.

The post Keep a Fireplace Clean & Safe Between Cleanings appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

To prevent fires and maintain your good health you need to regularly clean their chimney. Professional chimney cleaning is expensive thus plenty of homeowners make excuses to avoid hiring a professional to clean their chimneys. Here are some of the excuses that can result to chimney damage:

I only burn seasoned wood thus don’t need to clean the chimney

Chimney professionals recommend that you burn seasoned wood. This is wood that has been drying for the last 1-2 years. In addition to giving you plenty of heat, it doesn’t deposit plenty of creosote thus you don’t have to regularly hire a chimney sweep. While this is the case, it doesn’t mean that you should never clean your chimney. Remember that even if the wood is burning more efficiently, it’s releasing some creosote that can be fatal if plenty of it accumulates. Regards of whether you are burning seasoned wood or not you should hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney at least once a year.

I don’t have to hire a chimney sweep as I clean the chimney by myself

While you can clean the chimney by yourself and it works efficiently, it’s always recommended that you hire a professional to do the work. In addition to the professional having the necessary skills to give your chimney a clean look, he/she also has the necessary tools to properly clean the chimney. Most of the chimney technicians not only clean the chimney they also inspect it for problems. If there are problems they fix them thus preventing bigger and expensive problems from coming up.

I use chemicals to prevent soot buildup thus don’t need to clean the chimney

There are plenty of chemicals in the market that reduce buildup of creosote. There are other homeowners that use sweeping logs to reduce the buildup. While the logs and chemicals are effective in reducing the amount of creosote that gets deposited, they don’t get rid of any of the creosote—they simply reduce the deposition. This means that if you stay for long without cleaning the chimney plenty of creosote will be deposited thus putting your house at the risk of fire.

If you read the instructions given on the chimney logs and chemicals, you will find that you shouldn’t use them as a replacement for professional chimney sweeping. To be on the safe side always hire a chimney company even if you are using the chemicals.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Getting your kitchen renovated is an exciting project and it may give you the chance to change the layout of your kitchen for the better. Many people take this opportunity to buy a new stove and to rethink its placement, along with the setup of their kitchen range hoods. We often get the question, “Can you vent your kitchen range hood through your chimney?” The answer to this question is “yes” – sometimes, and “no” other times. Today we’ll explain the different circumstances in which it is okay to vent your kitchen range hood through your chimney and when doing so does not work.

Do you need residential or commercial chimney work completed? At Boston’s Best Chimney, we are an all-service chimney company with over 30 years of experience serving the Boston, MA and Greater Boston, MA areas. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to contact us.

 The Job of a Kitchen Range Hood

Before we dive into kitchen range hood venting options, we wanted to explain the purpose of a kitchen range hood.

When you cook, odors, grease and smoke are released into the air. Instead of letting them linger, kitchen range hoods have fans that suck the air through a filter. This makes your kitchen less pungent and helps you to stay more comfortable, since heat is being taken out of the room. Kitchen range hoods improve the air quality, especially in commercial kitchens and make cleaning up easier.

 Can You Vent Your Kitchen Range Hood Through Your Chimney?

You can vent your kitchen range hood through your chimney under certain circumstances. In order to do so, there has to be an unused flue without issues within your chimney that is large enough to vent the proposed hood.  Because different kitchen vents have different requirements, knowing in advance whether you have this chute available is key so you can shop within those parameters.

If you are interested in venting your chimney range hood through your chimney, it is best to contact our team. We will come in to take a look at your chimney to determine if doing this is possible.

 Other Chimney Care Tips

If you are taking the time to consider your chimney as a venting option, you should also note when your last chimney inspection took place. At Boston’s Best Chimney, we recommend having your chimney inspected yearly. If you have an old fireplace that you are going to begin using, be sure to follow our fireplace inspection checklist first.

In addition, we recommend having your chimney cleaned once a year or as needed. To learn more, read our blog on why you may need a chimney cleaning and what a chimney cleaning entails.

Contact Boston’s Best Chimney for Your Chimney Needs

Whether you need chimney venting work, a chimney inspection or sweep, or another chimney service, Boston’s Best Chimney is here for you. Our team prioritizes excellent service and safety. In fact, each team member is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch with us.

The post Can You Vent Your Kitchen Range Hood Through Your Chimney? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

When you think of summer, you think of hot and humid days and the last thing that you want to be doing is curling up in front of the fireplace. The reality of New England is quite different, however. Though there are plenty of hot, sunny days between May and September, there are also many cloudy and cool days and evenings to enjoy as well.

If you are a chimney owner in Boston, Massachusetts, or in the Greater Boston area, Boston’s Best Chimney is here to serve you. We offer chimney sweeps, chimney inspections and more. Let us use our more than thirty years of experience to take care of your residential or commercial chimney needs. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch with us!

Now, we’ll fill you in on fireplace care during the summer.

Should I Be Using My Fireplace in the Summer?

The short answer is, yes! As we mentioned, weather greatly varies in New England, so if there’s a cool evening when you want to feel cozy, go ahead and light up your fireplace, however there are things to look out for.

Poor Draft

A fireplace updraft is created with a temperature differential – cooler outside temperature and warm internal flue temperatures.  If the outside air is too warm, the fireplace may not draft properly.  Test the flue first by lighting newspaper and holding it in the throat area to see if the smoke goes up or back into the living space. If your fireplace is smelling during the summer, this can be related to draft issues, or simply mean that you need a chimney sweep.

Campfire Smell

September is arguably the most beautiful weather month, but watch out for those cool nights and warm days.  Having a fire on the eve of a hot humid day is usually the perfect storm for campfire odor the next day.  Sometimes even closing the damper will not help if the humidity is really high.

Creosote Buildup

Creosote buildup is directly affected by time, temperature and turbulence.  The residence time of the smoke, at what temperature the fire is burning and the route in which it vents.  If you are not able to establish a strong draft, the tar fog can linger, creating excess creosote.

Whether you’re using your fireplace in the summer or not, your chimney should be inspected annually and swept as needed. It can be hard to find chimney companies with availability in the months leading up to winter. For that reason the summer is a perfect time to get your chimney maintenance needs taken care of.

Contact Boston’s Best Chimney for Your Chimney Needs

At Boston’s Best Chimney, we are a one-stop chimney service company. Our team is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and ready to help you. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to contact us with questions or to schedule an appointment today.

 

The post Should I Be Using My Fireplace During the Summer? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Even though summer is not a time during which people use their fireplaces, there are still some summer chimney tips that homeowners should know. One important piece of knowledge to have is what to do about your chimney damper. Clients often ask us “Should I keep my chimney damper open or closed during the summer?” Today, we’ll dive into what you should do with your chimney damper during the summer and why.

At Boston’s Best Chimney, we are a one stop chimney service company specializing in every aspect of chimney maintenance and repair. Whether you are looking for a chimney inspection, a chimney sweep, chimney masonry work, or another service, we can help you. We serve Boston, Massachusetts and the Greater Boston area and are ready to assist you. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to contact us.

Before we discuss what to do with your chimney damper during the summer, we’ll give you some background information on chimney dampers.

What is a Chimney Damper and How Does it Work?

The chimney damper is the mechanism that opens and closes to give you access to the flue (venting passageway).  Your chimney damper is an important chimney component that seals off the outside from the inside.   With the door shut, it discourages cold air from entering the home when the fireplace is not in use.  Similarly, it keeps conditioned air in the summer months from escaping from the chimney flue   Prior to starting a fire, the fireplace damper should be opened to allow smoke to escape.

Should I Keep My Chimney Damper Open or Closed During the Summer?

One of our off-season fireplace and chimney maintenance tips is to close your chimney damper when it is not in use. This can reduce your energy bills by preventing warm air from the outside from entering your home. If you have your damper open, it is like having a window open while your air conditioner is running.

Keeping your damper closed during the summer can also help keep critters out during a time of the year when wildlife is abundant.

Finally, any creosote that may be in your chimney may begin to smell if the damper is open and lets in hot air. This is one reason why people complain about their fireplace smelling during the summer. Regardless of whether or not creosote is causing your fireplace to smell, it is essential to have your chimney swept once a year to prevent creosote build up, which only becomes more difficult to remove over time.

When to Keep Your Damper Open

The exception to our recommendation to keep your damper closed in the summer is if you have a gas fireplace log set. The damper either needs to be permanently removed or fixed in the open position to prevent carbon monoxide leakage.

Call Boston’s Best Chimney for Your Boston, MA Area Chimney Needs

Summer is a great time to service your chimney. If your chimney needs to be swept or inspected, or if you have any other chimney needs or questions, do not hesitate to click here or call (781) 893-6611 to contact us.

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