As Halloween approaches, the leaves begin to fall and the air turns crisp, many of us look forward to cozy evenings by the fireplace. However, before you stoke that first fire of the season, it’s crucial to ensure your fireplace and chimney are in top condition. Don’t let chimney fires turn your cozy season into a nightmare.

Understanding Chimney Fires

Chimney fires are more common than one might think. They occur when creosote, a byproduct of burning wood, accumulates in your chimney and ignites. Creosote is highly flammable, and even a small buildup can lead to a dangerous situation. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), approximately 25,000 chimney fires occur in the United States each year, resulting in property damage, injuries, and even fatalities.

Causes of Chimney Fires

Several factors can contribute to chimney fires. The primary cause is the accumulation of creosote, which can form due to incomplete combustion of wood or burning unseasoned wood. Other causes include chimneys that are too short and blockages in the flue, such as nests from birds or other debris, which can restrict airflow and create hazardous conditions.

Additionally, improper installation or maintenance of your chimney system can lead to dangerous situations. For example, if your chimney is not lined correctly, it can allow heat to escape into your home or catch surrounding materials on fire. A thorough inspection by a certified chimney sweep can identify these issues before they escalate.

The Dangers of Chimney Fires

Chimney fires pose serious risks not only to your home but also to your loved ones. The flames generated during a chimney fire can reach extreme temperatures, potentially igniting structural materials and spreading to the rest of your home. The smoke produced can also contain toxic gases, putting your family’s health at risk.

Even if a chimney fire doesn’t lead to a complete disaster, it can still cause significant damage that may not be immediately visible. Cracks in the flue, damaged chimney liners, and weakened structural integrity can all result from a fire, leading to costly repairs and dangerous situations in the future.

The Importance of Hiring a Certified Chimney Sweep

To prevent these dangers, it’s essential to have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned by a certified professional before the burning season begins. A qualified chimney sweep will thoroughly examine your chimney for any signs of buildup, damage, or obstructions. They will also clean out creosote deposits, ensuring your fireplace operates safely and efficiently.

Moreover, regular inspections can help you identify potential issues early on, allowing you to address them before they become major problems. This proactive approach not only ensures safety but can also save you money in the long run by avoiding costly repairs.

Don’t let the season of cozy fires turn into a nightmare. Schedule an inspection and cleaning of your chimney before you light that first match. By doing so, you’ll not only ensure a safe and warm winter but also enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is protected from the hidden dangers lurking in your chimney.

The post What Could Be Lurking in the Dark? Protect Your Family from Chimney Fires this Halloween first appeared on Southern Chimneys.

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Nothing beats turning on the fireplace to warm up on a cold winter day. Unfortunately, weather, age, and combustion byproducts like creosote can all affect the chimney’s performance and pose a safety risk.

You should plan for professional cleaning with a certified chimney sweep to ensure your chimney runs efficiently and securely. While the chimney sweep will do most of the work, here are some ideas to help you prepare for their visit.

Ensure the chimney is cool.

Do not use your fireplace or stove for 24 hours before the chimney sweep visit. This window allows your fireplace or stove, its components, and the chimney to cool completely, ensuring that your chimney sweeps do not get burned while working.

Remember to recycle any remaining ashes from the fireplace in your garden. You should note that if you don’t do it, the chimney sweep will remove the ashes and dispose of them, and you don’t want this.

Clear the area around the fireplace.

Your chimney sweep will use expert equipment, tools, and supplies to scrub and clean your chimney and fireplace thoroughly. To do this, the technician will need clear access to the fireplace.

To ensure the area is clear, clear the fireplace of any furniture, toys, or other obstructions. You should also cover any surrounding furnishings in case dust or soot particles become airborne during cleaning.

Put away pets and decorative pieces.

You don’t want your pets to be wounded or uncomfortable during the chimney sweep visit, do you?  You also do not want your pet to escape accidentally. To ensure this doesn’t happen, keep your pets in another room to keep them away from the cleaning equipment and avoid their toes or paws from being squashed.

If you are like other homeowners, when the fireplace is not in use, you like to decorate the mantle with portraits, knickknacks, and other items.

While this is good, you should set aside any decorative or fragile things before your cleaning session. This will improve cleaning efficiency while also protecting your valuables from unintentional damage.

Have an off-season appointment.

Chimney cleaning professionals are often swamped with emergency service requests throughout the fire season, from October to March. If feasible, arrange your visit during the off-season, which runs from April to September.

This increases scheduling flexibility and lets the cleaning company service your appliance sooner. A cleaning toward the conclusion of the burning season, in late spring or early summer, eliminates creosote from your chimney before it causes corrosion or an unpleasant odor in your home, which can occur during warm, humid months.

In addition to getting a quick service when you hire professionals during the off-season, it also means that you save money as the cleaning companies charge a discount as they aren’t too busy.

Mark problematic areas in your chimney.

Just because you are hiring a professional doesn’t mean that you should leave everything to them. Instead, you should also take the initiative to inspect your chimney.

When the chimney sweep arrives, he will inquire if you have noticed any foul odors or wetness, as well as other inquiries, to do an initial examination of the chimney’s condition.

It is critical to advise your technician of any problems you have, so make a list to prepare for your sweep session. It will also assist the technician in discovering areas that require immediate care.

What makes a good chimney sweep?

When hiring a chimney sweep for your property, you shouldn’t hire just any contractor. Instead, you should take your time and find a suitable professional for your project.

Some of the things you should look out for include:

Years in service

Not every chimney sweep has been in business for 35 years, but the number of years a company has been in operation is a good indicator of its business methods.

Companies that have a high level of customer satisfaction tend to stay in business longer. Choose a company that has consistently proved its ability to give high-quality service. If you want to try a newer firm, read their ratings before phoning.

Certification

The most prominent governing body that controls the chimney-sweeping industry is the CSIA. The body provides training to keep chimney sweeps up to speed on proper chimney function and safety.

Every chimney service technician should be certified and posted on the CSIA website. Choosing firms with certified specialists ensures that your chimney sweep is a trained professional who understands what to look for while checking and cleaning your chimney.

Customer service

Before cleaning, your chimney sweep should listen to your concerns and answer any questions you may have. Reports of changes in the behavior of your fireplace or chimney, new sounds you heard during a scorching burn, or any other alteration may assist your sweep during an examination. If your sweep is pushy and only wants to get in and out, you may have chosen the wrong firm, so stay away from them.

Use of modern equipment

Modern technology ensures that your chimney sweep comprehensively inspects your chimney. A chimney sweeper should use a high-speed vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove debris and soot around your fireplace.

The sweep should employ (if possible) an HD video recorder that can be dropped down your chimney to inspect for flaws.

You should note that not every chimney is large enough to accommodate the specialist video camera; in this instance, a manual inspection with a flashlight will suffice. The latest equipment enables the sweeper to do an even more thorough job, so, if possible, work with a chimney cleaning services Ellicott City provider using high-quality equipment.

Parting shot

Unfortunately, excessive creosote from filthy chimneys is the leading cause of residential structure fires. Hiring a chimney cleaning professional reduces the fire risk, increases fireplace heating efficiency, and ensures that your chimney and fireplace operate safely over the winter.

You should follow the above tips to eliminate the cleaning professional and always ensure that you hire the most experienced.

The post How to Get Ready For a Chimney Sweep Visit first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Whether you have a gas or wood burning fireplace, cobwebs, dust, and debris gather in the chimney and the fireplace. A customer had shared a story of their gas fireplace. There was a chill in the air, and the couple decided it would be nice to turn on the gas fireplace, relax and watch some TV. They weren’t regular users, probably a few times a season. They opened up the fireplace doors noticed some debris, but decided it wasn’t enough to worry about. So, they turned on the gas fireplace.

Although it was a small amount of debris, it began to spark with little pieces were floating in the air. Then came some unwanted smells. It smelled like something was burning. The couple got concerned by the gas fireplace smell, they turned it off immediately and called Superior Chimney for service. What happened?

Result of the Chimney Sweep

When Superior Chimney came to the home, the certified chimney technician immediately started the inspection to uncover what happened. We found that there was a wasp nest built inside the chimney flue. The burning smell was caused by the smoke and pieces of the debris reaching the wasp nest and burning the outer layers of the nest. Fortunately, the couple turned it off in time before it caught fire.

Once we identified the cause of the burning smell and the evidence of the debris catching fire, we continued with the inspection and sweep of the fireplace, chimney flue and checking the exterior chimney. The 14-point inspection is our thorough checklist ensuring the proper condition as each section needs to work in conjunction with the other. This ensures a good and controlled burn of the fire (even gas).

Gas Fireplaces Do Need to Be Swept     

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, gas fireplaces need to be swept at least once per year if you use it or not. All areas of the chimney continue to deteriorate from the elements or with age and should be repaired in order to maintain the integrity of the chimney. It doesn’t matter if you are burning wood, gas or whatever your fuel source is… there is still real heat and real flames in the fireplace!  Gas fireplaces are not the single and only use of the chimney.

Chimneys are also used for your appliances such as gas furnace, boiler or water heater. It is the place for the appliances to release toxins such as carbon monoxide from burning natural gas out of your home. Ensuring a smooth transition from these appliances makes for a healthy home.

You’ll Know Everything We Know

If you haven’t had a chimney inspection by Superior Chimney, you’ll be happy to know that we explain what we do and show you pictures of areas of your chimney that you’ve never seen before or up close. We want you to be educated on your chimney. This way you know what to look for if an issue arises. However, if we do find something that needs to be repaired, again the pictures will show you the details of what needs to be done and what it’s supposed to look like. When the repairs are made, again we’ll show you final pictures. These pictures are for you and your property. We email them all to you so you can refer back to them if you ever need.

Let’s get your gas fireplace swept today so you can use it when the chill gets in the air…which is right around the corner. Contact us by calling 877-244-6349

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

I just came inside from blowing leaves off of the lawn. It was crazy how I had to pick leaves out of the bushes, stuck inside the fence, sitting on the window sill and out of the filled gutters. Even if you have gutter guards, the leaves are still stuck on top of the guards and build up in the corners. As some of that was being cleaned up, I can also see the amount of leaves lodged all over the roof. There’s no way that we can go walking around the roof trying to clean up the leaves. Then I saw the big load.

If you have larger trees, you already know what I’m going to say. Leaves were stuck around the bottom of the chimney and lodged inside of the chimney cap. Who knows how many leaves made their way in through the chimney cap. With leaves in the chimney, can it be dangerous?

Leaves in the Chimney, Can It Be Dangerous?

Leaves can certainly be dangerous as they are dry and crack into little pieces. These dry pieces are quite flammable and if they make their way down the chimney flue and get lodged there or even if they make their way all the way down into the fireplace, these dry leaves can cause safety issues in your home.

What Can Be Done?

The first step is to contact Superior Chimney to get your chimney checked out. The certified chimney technician will check the condition of the chimney. We’re looking for brick or stone issues, mortar problems, flashing stability and the condition of the chimney cap. Each of these areas on our 14-point checklist will be reviewed with you upon completion of the full chimney inspection with photos to show you exactly what’s going on with the chimney.

Chimney Cap

Let’s go back to the areas of the chimney outside. The chimney cap is an important part of your chimney. It keeps leaves out, raccoons, squirrels, birds and bats away and any other debris from entering the chimney. It’s important that the chimney cap is secure to your chimney ensuring it doesn’t move. If it’s loose then you’ll have issues with debris getting stuck like mine did. Superior Chimney inspected the condition of the chimney cap and showed me that it would be best to put on a new one. It clearly was due. Now I no longer need to worry about debris or critters coming into the chimney flue or fireplace.

Flashing

Flashing does play a critical role. It ensures that debris, water and snow move away from the chimney. It’s that connecting piece from the chimney to the roofing system. It eliminates those weak spots where water and snow like to get in. With winter coming, it is definitely a good idea to get that checked. You really don’t want a winter leak due to melting snow and ice.

Bricks and Mortar

Bricks and mortar do deteriorate with the outside elements. Getting that checked is a great way to ensure the snow and Fall rain stay outside. One service that is important is waterproofing the chimney, which is Chimney Saver. And save the chimney it does. It keeps the chimney bricks and mortar intact and ensures the deterioration goes a lot slower. It took my chimney eight years before a small piece of mortar was coming loose. That’s how good.

Contact us today at 877-244-6349

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

Your fireplace and chimney may appear basic, but you must inspect plenty of parts regularly to ensure they are in top working condition. To help you out, here are some of the parts of the chimney that you should inspect:

The exterior of the chimney

The exterior of the chimney has many parts that you can inspect. These areas include:

Bricks: The most visible part of a chimney is the brickwork. To maintain the functionality and safety of your fireplace, you’ll need to use good-quality bricks. If yours are old and deteriorating, you should get immediate chimney repair.

Chimney Cap: As the name implies, the chimney cap is a ‘hat’ that rests on top of your chimney. Smoke from your fireplace exits through this part. It protects your chimney from the elements, trash, and animals, reducing the need for cleaning and preventing chimney fires.

Chimney crowns: These are found on the openings of both prefabricated and factory-built chimneys. They’re made of copper, steel, or aluminum.

Chimney flashing: It is often constructed of steel, aluminum, copper, or vinyl and is crucial on your roof. It is installed where your chimney meets your roof to guarantee that moisture does not enter your ceiling or attic and cause a large leak.

The chimney interior

The outside of the chimney may be the most visible aspect of its construction. However, what happens on the inside significantly impacts how well your fireplace functions overall. Some of the interior parts you should pay attention to when doing the inspection include:

The flue: This is a section of your chimney through which smoke escapes. To avoid a safety issue, it is critical to invest in chimney cleaning and proper chimney inspection at least once a year.

The smoke chamber is located just below the chimney, in the sloped area just above the fireplace. Smoke enters this section on its way to escape the chimney. A smoke shelf is installed to collect moisture or debris from the chimney top.

Throat Damper: Also known as a fireplace damper, this is the component of your fireplace that separates it from the chimney. It should be open for smoke clearance when your fireplace operates and closed to prevent cold air, debris, or pests from entering your home.

Chimney liner: The liner for a chimney is typically made of aluminum, steel, or clay. The liner directs smoke from your chimney and encases its walls for further protection. Chimney relining will be necessary as this component fails.

The fireplace

The fireplace is made up of many parts, including:

Firebox: The firebox is the most known portion of the fireplace because it contains the actual fire. The firebox is built into the fireplace mantel and extends into the throat damper and smoke chamber.

Mantel: Also known as the mantelpiece, this frames the fireplace and is frequently decorative. The mantel shelf rests on top of the mantel and is often decorated with photos and household goods.

Hearth: The hearth extends from the firebox and serves as a decorative element of the fireplace. It can also store fireplace equipment and was previously used to cook food near the fire.

Common issues you will come across when inspecting the chimney

Several issues might affect your fireplace and necessitate fireplace services. You must be aware of typical difficulties with your fireplace so that the problem can be addressed before it becomes a safety concern.

The most common issues that you might come across as you inspect your chimney include:

Creosote Build-up: When you use your fireplace, the smoke escapes into the chimney, leaving behind a dark material. This is creosote, and as it accumulates in your chimney, it reduces ventilation.

Unfortunately, it is risky since it can force smoke back into your home or ignite. As a result, it’s critical to contact a reliable chimney cleaner at least once a year to clean it out.

Pest Infestation: Whether it’s a mouse, a squirrel, or a bird, you don’t want any outdoor animals running around in your fireplace or chimney. Animals can cause obstructions in your chimney, increasing the risk of smoke entering your home.

If you inspect the chimney and find animals, there is definitely an area where they are getting in, and you should seal it using a chimney cover.

Closed Damper: The chimney damper is one of the most critical components of your fireplace. It keeps smoke out when you have a fire and cold out when you don’t. For your chimney to function optimally, the damper should be open until your fire is out.

The damper can become trapped due to creosote or other obstructions. To be on the safe side, you have to clean the creosote. As mentioned, ensure that the cleaning is done by an expert who knows what they are doing.

Mortar Issues: The bricks may be the most visible component of your chimney, but the mortar holds everything together. That is why it is critical to ensure that the mortar is performing its duties.

Mortar keeps the bricks in place and keeps moisture out, so if it has to be replaced, it will be unable to protect your chimney as effectively. You should remove and replace the bricks if they appear to be worn out.

Chimney Flue Cracks: Cracks in your chimney flue can be more challenging to detect than other chimney problems. Unfortunately, this type of damage can be a significant issue since heat can escape your chimney through cracks and harm things in your home that are not heat resistant.

In addition, smoke and soot can spread throughout your home, posing significant health risks to your family. To ensure that your flue is running correctly, you should have a professional chimney cleaning services Columbia MD clean your chimney regularly.

The post The Complete Guide to Chimney Inspections: Ensuring Chimney Safety and Efficiency first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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As Fall takes hold, Superior Chimney is on temperature watch. As the Fall months’ progress, and temperatures get to the freezing mark, the season for chimney tuckpointing comes to an end. So, while the temperatures hold out, be sure to get those chimney repairs done now. Why am I so adamant about it? It’s what we’ve seen.

For instance…

We went out to a home that was experiencing a dripping sound, not in…but next to the fireplace. They thought that since the water wasn’t dripping IN the fireplace, it must be something different. They first called a handyman to find and fix the leak in the ‘roof’. When the handyman saw that the leak was really coming from the chimney, he told them he couldn’t help.

The homeowner heard birds and scratching sounds coming from the direction of the fireplace. They didn’t know what to do, so they called an exterminator who told them to call animal control. After animal control visited the home and removed the birds and squirrel from the chimney, they suggested that they call a chimney expert to get the situation looked at.

On the first floor of the home, the homeowner noticed a buildup of mold on one of their walls. The owner used some bleach to kill the mold, but it eventually came back. The homeowner tried to find where the mold was coming from, and had a few ‘experts’ in. Finally, a neighbor asked about the chimney. Since the homeowner forgot about that, he called to have it checked.

These are the stories that come in each day to Superior Chimney. It’s because the chimney is an afterthought for homeowners. If you don’t see your chimney, you don’t think anything can go wrong. And we know! You’re not the only one. 

What to do Next…

When a certified technician comes to your home, we will inspect the firebox, chimney flue all the way up to the chimney outside. We have a specific 14-point checklist for chimney inspections which include the chimney exterior. This is a thorough inspection ensuring the health of your home.

Because we’re talking about chimney tuckpointing, let’s talk about the areas that need special attention.

Chimney Bricks / Stone and Mortar: During an inspection, we’re searching for hairline cracks, missing mortar and loose bricks or stone. These are critical areas for water to make its way into your home. The damage it can cause can be anywhere from stains on the ceiling to chipped paint and mold growth. Of course, the sound of dripping water is a dead giveaway.

Chimney Crown: This is the slab of concrete above the bricks or stone. It deters the outside elements from entering your home or breaking down the bricks or stone faster than necessary. However, the chimney crown can also cracks and will allow water in. Either way, we all know water can find a way into the smallest of areas.

Chimney Cap: The chimney cap is what sits on top of the chimney allowing smoke and toxins to escape. The chimney cap should be secured to the chimney so debris, water, and critters stay out and keep the chimney clear.

Chimney Flashing: This is the point where the roof and the chimney meet. The flashing acts as a barrier and directs the water and debris away from the chimney. If the flashing comes away from the chimney, water can enter and begin to find an entrance to your home. Keeping this area tight is key to avoiding water leaks.

Bottom line…

Getting the chimney tuckpointing done now will ensure a dry home. They key areas can be inspected by you…if you want to climb on the roof. However, the expert training and hands-on experience make it easy for us to quickly identify problems (if there is any) before they start.

The best part is that we take pictures and show you what it looks like up there and explain any issues or potential problems that may come up. We believe it’s important to educate you on the chimney so you can keep the inside of your home safe and dry.

Contact us today 877-244-6349

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

Sunday, September 22 was the first day of Fall. As summer is a popular season in Chicagoland, the Fall season flirts with being the favorite season. That’s because it’s not too hot, not too cold, the beautiful colors begin to change and we begin to notice our fireplace again. Those chilly nights do make us think of a crackling fire. What we’re not prepared for is the cold draft in the chimney. When that happens, that’s when there’s a problem with the chimney.

What is a Cold Draft in the Chimney?

Cold draft in the chimney is basically caused when the chimney liner is full of cold air and doesn’t let the smoke rise through the chimney liner so it can go out of the home. As we all know, hot air rises, but that also is resisted by cold air that pushes down. Same thing here, the cold air continues to push down toward the fireplace, allowing you to feel the cold air.

Another cause for a cold draft in the chimney is negative air pressure. For the smoke from the fireplace to flow up and out of the chimney, there has to be enough air flowing through, otherwise the smoke and cold air will leak into your home.

Finally, a cold draft in the chimney can be caused by an obstruction. An obstruction can be debris caught in the chimney cap, or a bird’s nest, other critter nest or creosote buildup. The chimney cap plays a critical role, which is why making sure you have one is vital to the health of your chimney.

How to Fix a Fireplace Cold Draft?

One thing that you can do quickly on your own is to check if you have a chimney cap on top of your chimney outside. The chimney cap is what covers the hole outside and guards against rain, snow, debris and critters from entering your home. Now you may say, “Yes, of course I have one.” And you may be right…but not anymore. It may actually be missing. This happens, especially in Chicagoland when those winds kick up. If the chimney cap is loose, it may blow off, or become tilted on an angle or end up on its side. If that looks ‘pretty good’, then the next step is to get a certified chimney technician to inspect the problem.

Chimney Inspection by a Certified Technician

The best way to fix a cold draft in the fireplace is with a certified chimney technician. They are trained by the CSIA, the Chimney Safety Institute of America, and receives years of hands on training with a lead partner before venturing out on their own.

Why is it important?

A certified chimney technician understands the importance of safety and to ensure compliance with Residential Codes. Our certified technicians are trained to identify potential hazards in your chimney and fireplace such as creosote and toxic gasses. Creosote is flammable and can start a fire in your home. The toxic gasses, well we’ll leave that to your imagination.

Contact us today to ensure a safe and healthy home.

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