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There is nothing quite like the cozy warmth of a crackling fire during a chilly Atlanta evening. However, that cozy atmosphere can quickly disappear if you notice a stubborn chill creeping into your living room even when the fire is out. If you’ve ever sat by your hearth and felt a distinct breeze, you aren’t alone. Many ATL homeowners ask the same frustrating question: Why is cold air coming down my chimney?

A drafty fireplace is more than just a nuisance; it is a sign of energy inefficiency and potential structural issues. In fact, a poorly sealed chimney can cause a home to lose up to 8% of its heated air. To help you reclaim your comfort, the chimney experts at Southern Chimneys have put together this comprehensive guide to the causes and fixes for fireplace drafts.

The Common Culprits: Why Is Your Chimney Leaking Cold Air?

Understanding the physics of your home is the first step toward fixing a draft. Your chimney is essentially a giant straw; under the right conditions, it pulls smoke out, but under the wrong conditions, it pulls cold air in.

A Faulty or Open Damper

The most frequent cause of a draft is the damper. Think of the damper as the “door” to your chimney. If it is left open, warped by high heat, or rusted due to a leak or Atlanta’s humidity, it won’t create an airtight seal. Traditional throat dampers (located just above the firebox) are made of cast iron and are notorious for losing their seal over time.

Imagine a homeowner in Buckhead who hasn’t used their fireplace in two years. During a humid Georgia summer, moisture seeps down the flue and sits on the cast iron damper. Over time, rust “scales” form on the edges. 

When winter arrives and they try to close the damper, those rust deposits prevent a flush seal. Even a gap as small as 1/16th of an inch can allow hundreds of cubic feet of cold air to enter the home every hour.

Negative Air Pressure

Modern homes are built to be incredibly airtight for energy efficiency. While this is great for your power bill, it can create “negative pressure.” If your kitchen exhaust fan or bathroom vents are running, they pull air out of the house. To replace that air, your home will suck air down the path of least resistance—often your chimney.

Let’s say are hosting a dinner party and have the high-powered range hood over your stove running on “High” to clear out cooking smells. Simultaneously, your fireplace, located in the adjacent living room, starts smelling like a campfire and feels freezing cold. 

This is because the range hood is literally “sucking” the cold air down the chimney to replace the air it is blowing out of the kitchen. 

This is a classic case where an inspection can help identify if your home needs supplemental combustion air.

The “Cold Backdraft” Effect

Air naturally moves from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. If your chimney is located on an exterior wall, the masonry can become extremely cold. This cold air is heavier than the warm air inside your home, causing it to “sink” down the flue and push into your living space.

Schedule Your Chimney Inspection

Structural Damage and Cracks

Over time, the freeze-thaw cycles in Georgia can cause the masonry of your chimney to shift. Small cracks in the chimney crown or gaps in the mortar joints can allow outside air to bypass the flue and enter through the walls of the fireplace. This is why regular chimney inspections in Atlanta are vital for older homes in neighborhoods like Candler Park or Virginia-Highland.

For example, a homeowner in a historic Midtown bungalow notices a draft, but the damper is closed tight. After inspection, it’s discovered that the mortar between the bricks (the tuckpointing) has degraded. 

Outside air is entering through the brickwork itself, traveling through the “void” between the chimney liner and the outer brick, and spilling out through the gaps in the hearth. This typically requires a professional repair to seal the envelope of the structure.

Professional Fixes for a Drafty Fireplace

Once you’ve identified the “why,” it’s time to focus on the “how” of fixing it. While some solutions are temporary, others require professional chimney repairs in Atlanta to ensure long-term efficiency.

Install a Top-Sealing Damper

If your throat damper is warped or rusted, don’t just replace it with another metal plate. A top-sealing damper sits at the very top of your chimney and features a rubber gasket. When you pull the handle inside your fireplace, it seals the chimney shut like a Tupperware lid. This keeps the entire flue at a warmer temperature and prevents cold air from ever entering the stack.

Add High-Quality Glass Doors

An open hearth is a massive hole in your home’s insulation. Installing tempered glass fireplace doors creates an additional barrier. Even when the damper is closed, glass doors provide a secondary layer of protection that keeps the “chill” contained within the firebox rather than letting it spill into your room.

Why Professional Chimney Inspections are Essential

While a draft might just feel like a cold breeze, it can sometimes be a symptom of a much more dangerous problem: carbon monoxide. If air is coming down your chimney, it means your chimney isn’t “drawing” correctly. If you light a fire under these conditions, toxic gases could be pushed into your home instead of out the roof.

Southern Chimneys offers CSIA-certified chimney inspections in Atlanta to help homeowners identify these hidden risks. Our team uses advanced camera technology to scope the inside of your flue, looking for creosote buildup, cracked liners, or animal nests that disrupt airflow.

Stop the Shiver: Schedule Your Atlanta Chimney Service Today

Don’t let a drafty chimney turn your living room into a refrigerator this winter. At Southern Chimneys, we have spent decades helping Georgia homeowners improve their fireplace efficiency and home safety. Whether you need a top-sealing damper installation, masonry tuckpointing, or a routine safety sweep, our certified experts provide the most reliable chimney inspections Atlanta has to offer.

Ready to reclaim your warmth? Contact Southern Chimneys today to schedule your professional chimney inspection in Atlanta. Let’s ensure your fireplace is a source of comfort, not a source of cold air this winter season.

Schedule Your Chimney Inspection

Cold Air and Chimneys Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it normal for some cold air to come through the fireplace? 

While fireplaces are naturally less insulated than a solid wall, you should not feel a significant “wind” or draft. If you do, it usually indicates a failing damper or a pressure imbalance in the home. Persistent drafts should be checked via professional chimney sweepers to prevent high energy bills.

2. Can a Dirty Chimney Cause a Draft? 

Yes. Significant creosote buildup or debris (like bird nests) can interfere with the natural upward flow of air. This disruption can cause air to “tumble” back down the flue, bringing cold air and old soot smells into your living room.

3. Will a Chimney Cap Stop Cold Air from Coming Down? 

A chimney cap is excellent for stopping direct downdrafts caused by wind. However, if the cold air is caused by negative pressure or a broken damper, a cap alone won’t solve the issue. A comprehensive inspection can help determine if you need a cap, a new damper, or masonry repairs.

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

The holidays are over, and the tearing down of decorations has begun. We have all been thinking about a New Year’s resolution. I should eat better, go to the gym more, and go to bed earlier… The list goes on and on. 

One thing that you don’t usually have listed in your long lineup of resolutions is the maintenance of your fireplace and chimney. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Now is the perfect time to consider an annual Chimney inspection and sweep.

The snow hasn’t fallen yet, and Northeastern Chimney is still taking appointments for inspections and cleanings. Now is the perfect time to stop putting it off and call us for your chimney maintenance.

What Your Resolution Of a Well-Maintained Chimney Will Bring

• Peace of Mind. Caring for your chimney will bring you the peace of mind that you have done everything in your power to keep your family and friends safe. When you own a fireplace, safety is always first.

• Combat Creosote. A highly flammable byproduct of burning wood. Creosote forms as smoke cools and condenses inside your chimney. This is the leading cause of chimney fires. An annual chimney sweep will clean out that creosote and keep it at bay. 
  • Tips to combat creosote.
    • Burn only seasoned wood.
    • Avoid burning cardboard, paper, or trash in the fireplace.
    • Build hotter fires by using hardwood such as oak, maple, and hickory.

• Common repairs. Throughout the year, your chimney takes a lot of abuse. Here are some of the common issues we see year to year.
  • Cracked or crumbling mortar joints. Tuckpointing may be needed to repair deteriorated mortar. This process is when the damaged mortar is removed and replaced with new mortar.
  • Spalling bricks. Bricks that have flaking, chipping, or breaking apart.
  • Loose and missing bricks.
  • Cracked clay tiles in the lining.
  • Metal liners have corroded. 
  • Leaking chimney.
  • Freeze-thaw effect. This is one of the most damaging forces affecting chimneys in the winter. Water gets into small cracks in the bricks, freezing with cold temperatures, which makes the cracks expand. The cycle repeats as the temperatures fluctuate.
  • Crown and cap damage.
  • Blockage. Often, small animals make their way into your chimney, bringing in their twigs and leaves to make nests. This may cause an obstruction. Starting a fire with an obstruction will not allow the smoke to exit the chimney, causing a negative airflow where the smoke comes down into your home.

As we turn the calendar to 2026, take into consideration your fireplace maintenance as a resolution. Continue the winter with a safe fireplace that gives you the most efficiency. Now is the time to schedule your professional inspection. Start the New Year right with a call to Northeastern Chimney.

Schedule your inspection or cleaning soon by calling Northeastern Chimney. We service all of Hartford, Tolland, and Litchfield Counties. All our chimney technicians are trained and qualified. We are active in the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG).

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

Special occasions are a great time to visit with family and friends, especially in the winter time as we don’t get the chance to get out often. This past holiday, you would have thought the home would have been hot. The ovens were going, people were everywhere talking, playing games and of course grazing the tables of food. But it was chilly, especially in the family room where most guests gathered. What happened was very uncomfortable. There was a cold draft from the chimney.

What Causes a Cold Draft from the Chimney?

Let’s begin by defining a cold draft. A cold draft from the chimney is caused by uncontrolled airflow that moves down the chimney flue or through gaps in the chimney system. As you can imagine, it occurs during cold or windy days. The top 5 ways a cold draft from the chimney occur is from the stack effect, damper issues, negative pressure that’s inside of the house, missing chimney cap, cracks or gaps in the chimney. There can be a few more, but let’s focus on these 5 issues.

Stack Effect: Early into the evening, the fireplace didn’t have a fire. Because the temperatures were so cold outside, the cold air began to sink down the chimney flue into the family room. This usually occurs when there’s a sudden drop in temperatures, which we had experienced in the Chicagoland area. This is because cold air is heavier than warm air and sinks down the chimney.

Damper Issues: Dampers can experience lots of problems, especially if it is warped or just not sealing properly. This allows the cold air from the outside to easily come into the home.

Negative Pressure Inside of the Houses: Our homes contain clothes dryers, bathroom fans stove range hoods that all pull the air out of the home. They are doing their job. However, the house needs to replace the air and most times that is the chimney. That’s why this is a perfect place for a cold downdraft to occur.

Missing Chimney Cap: A missing chimney cap can allow cold air, cold wind and the chilling moisture to enter the home directly through the chimney. When the chimney cap is missing, wind can be forced down the flue making that cold draft even worse!

Cracks or Gaps in the Chimney: If there is a cracked flue liner, or gaps around the fireplace, this allows for cold air to enter the home. These cracks or gaps can get worse over time causing heat to escape and moisture to build.

How Do You Know if this is Happening to You?

If you literally feel cold air near the fireplace, a whistling sound, a smell coming from the fireplace or your heating bill increase, it’s time to call Superior Chimney for a chimney inspection in order to identify the issues that need to be fixed.

Certified Chimney Sweep

All of our chimney technicians are CSIA certified, meaning they have received the industry ‘gold standard’ for training. Each of our technicians have completed formal training and passed an exam. They follow national inspection protocols and Superior Chimney ensures that they maintain continuing education to keep them abreast of new technologies, processes and procedures. Isn’t it good to know that someone cares for your home as much as we do? Contact us today to get started with a chimney and fireplace inspection.

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

The impact of temperature drop on the chimney can impact the structure and functionality of the chimney. As we have been experiencing in Chicago winters, temperatures have gone from 50 degrees down to 21 degrees during the day, with temperatures falling even further at night. What can you do as a homeowner to watch for, and when to bring in a certified technician from Superior Chimney.

External: Impact of Temperature Drop on the Chimney

Anytime there is a rapid temperature change, it causes the bricks, stones and mortar to expand and contract. These durable materials are still susceptible to thermal shock, especially when it gets wet from ice, rain or melting snow. Because of the drastic change in temperatures, this can cause hairline cracks to begin, and if it goes unnoticed, larger cracks in the masonry will form.

External: Freeze-Thaw Damage

Mortar, bricks and stones are porous materials, meaning that air and water enter the materials. Sometimes, it leaves or dries out, and other times it stays longer. When the temperatures drop below 32 degrees, any of the trapped water freezes and then expands. This can cause small cracks to start, deterioration of the mortar or spalling which is the flaking of the bricks to occur.

External: Ice Build Up on the Chimney Cap or Chimney Crown

When temperatures are 50 degrees and it rains, water accumulates everywhere, including the highest point on your house, the chimney. The chimney cap and chimney crown are always exposed to the harshest elements. When it rains and temperatures drop during the day or night, freezing occurs and can create ice buildup. This can cause the chimney crown to crack or the chimney cap to loosen.

Internal: Chimney Flue Lining

The temperature swing also affects the chimney flue liner. Some chimney flue liners are made from clay. These are especially susceptible to crack forming from the swing in temperatures. But what also happens whether you have a gas or wood burning fireplace is the formation of condensation which can occur when there is fast cooling after the fire in the fireplace is put out or turned off.

Bring out the Sun!

Well, yes, the sunshine melts the ice and snow, but when temperatures go down at night, what remains wet, will refreeze again. The repeated process places stress on the masonry, bricks and stone.

Chimney Inspections Work

A chimney inspection can help with both safety and preserving the structure of the chimney. When a chimney technician conducts an inspection, they will search for cracks in the bricks and mortar, any spalling or deterioration from the thermal shock and freeze thaw cycle. These areas will be marked for repairs if it gets any worse and before it becomes too expensive to repair.

We can’t forget the biggest intruder in the home: water. The chimney technician will also be checking for water leaks from the chimney flashing, the chimney crown, chimney cap or the efflorescence which is the white material that shows up on the chimney or fireplace.

These are just a couple of key areas that a chimney inspection completes. There are numerous other areas, and this can be found on Superior Chimney’s 14-point inspection guide.

Contact us today, and we’ll set you up for a chimney inspection with photo evidence so you have peace of mind with the safety and security of your home.

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

Stay Warm and Protected from All of Us at Best Chimney!

There’s something about brutal Massachusetts winters – when temperatures drop and the wind chill bites, your fireplace becomes more than ambiance. It’s your comfort, your warmth, your refuge from the cold. Whether you’re working from home, settling in for movie nights, or just trying to lower your heating bills, your fireplace becomes essential.

But here’s the thing: your fireplace isn’t the only thing using your chimney. Your heating appliance and water heater likely use a separate tunnel within the structure to vent flue gasses up and out. And guess what, it’s under constant stress when the temperature drops.

Nothing turns a cozy winter evening into a nightmare faster than a hazardous fireplace, a house that won’t stay warm, or worse – a chimney emergency that leaves you scrambling in the freezing cold. After nearly four decades of keeping families protected and warm through Massachusetts winters, we’ve seen it all. And trust us, you don’t want to be the homeowner whose chimney fails when you need it most.

The good news? A little preparation now means peace of mind all winter long.

The Winter Chimney Disasters We’ve Seen (So You Don’t Have To)

We’ve gotten emergency calls. The panicked homeowners. The freezing families waiting for repairs. The most common culprits?

Obstructions

The most common finding with our no-heat calls. Falling debris, animal nests and soot buildup are all common causes of obstructions for both heating and fireplaces flues.

Creosote buildup

That tar-like substance that accumulates in your chimney from burning wood. It’s highly flammable and can cause chimney fires. During winter when you’re using your fireplace constantly, the risk multiplies.

Damaged chimney caps or crowns

Fall weather takes a toll. Cracks and gaps let water in, which freezes, expands, and causes structural damage. New England weather is a perfect environment to expedite this cycle.

Poor draft issues

If your chimney hasn’t been used in months, draft problems can send smoke pouring into your home instead of outside.

What Smart Homeowners Do Before Winter’s Deep Freeze

The homeowners who stay warm all winter? They don’t leave things to chance.

They schedule their chimney inspection before they start relying heavily on it – before the brutal cold sets in, and before problems become emergencies. A professional inspection catches problems while there’s still time to fix them. We check for creosote buildup, blockages, and draft issues.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspections and sweepings as needed for good reasons.

Your Winter Chimney Safety Checklist

• Schedule your chimney inspection now – Winter is here, and the last thing you want is to discover problems when you desperately need heat.
• Get a professional cleaning – Even if your chimney “looks fine,” creosote and debris you can’t see can cause serious problems.
• Check your chimney cap – Make sure it’s intact and securely fastened. A missing or damaged cap is an open invitation to animals and weather damage.
• Inspect your firebox and damper – Look for cracks, loose bricks, or a damper that doesn’t close properly. These issues affect both safety and efficiency.
• Stock quality firewood – Keep it dry and covered. Store it at least 20 feet from your home to avoid pest problems.
• Install or test your carbon monoxide detectors – Fresh batteries in every detector, especially near sleeping areas.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby – Hope you never need it, but you’ll be grateful it’s there if you do.

The Real Cost of Skipping Chimney Maintenance

We get it. Everyone’s busy. Adding one more thing to your to-do list feels overwhelming.

But here’s what skipping maintenance costs:

A chimney fire can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage and insurance doesn’t always cover neglect. You’re left in the freezing cold while contractors rebuild and repair fire damage to your home.

Carbon monoxide poisoning sends people to the hospital. Smoke damage ruins furniture, carpets, and treasured belongings. The peace of mind alone is priceless.

Ready to Stay Protected and Warm This Winter?

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Schedule your chimney inspection and sweeping today. Our experienced team will make sure your chimney is ready to keep your family warm through the coldest months ahead.

Wishing you and yours a warm, safe winter season.

The post Why Winter is Actually the WORST Time to Skip Chimney Maintenance appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

The post Who Provides the Best Gas Fireplace Service in Quincy? appeared first on Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep.

Ready, Set, Go! We are now in December. If you haven’t stopped to breathe, you may want to do that now. What are you forgetting about? Have you prepared for your fire to glow all season long? If you have not, today is the day to contact Northeastern Chimney to have your chimney inspected and cleaned.

Professionals like Northeastern Chimney recommend that you have your chimney inspected and swept annually. This will give you the peace of mind that you’ve done everything you needed to do to get your chimney ready for Santa.

What To Expect From An Inspection and Chimney Sweep?

• A thorough cleaning of your chimney. 
• Check for water damage. The naked eye cannot see the damage that water can cause. Our team uses cameras to see the length of your chimney.
• Identify any damage to mortar and masonry. 
• Caps, flashing, and a crown. We will view your chimney from top to bottom. If damage is identified, we will provide you with options for quick repairs. 
• Structural integrity. We will identify cracks, liner deterioration, and water damage that can be hazardous to the chimney structure.
• Identify creosote buildup. Creosote is a tar-like byproduct of burning wood in your fireplace. Creosote is flammable. It is essential to remove this from the chimney regularly to avoid chimney fires.
• Ensure proper ventilation to protect toxic carbon monoxide from entering your home.
• Your technician will also identify any debris in your chimney. Chimney obstructions can cause all kinds of trouble. From chimney fires to poor ventilation, which can cause inefficient fires. 

Advantages of Annual Inspection.

• Insurance Compliance. You may not realize it, but if you have a chimney fire and haven’t had an annual inspection, your insurance company may not cover the damage. Check with your policy to see if you are covered. 
• Peace of Mind. Knowing that your fireplace is safe will let you sleep at night without concern.
• Cost savings. If our technician informs you that they have found damage, it is advised to have it repaired. Any damage repaired early will surely save you money. The longer you leave the damage, the worse it will get and the more costly it will become.

Keep The Smoke At Bay

Don’t chase Santa away with a smoky fire. Of course, the fire will be cooled off, so the magic of Christmas Eve can happen. Santa will slide right down in his magical way. Here are some tips to keep your fire burning smoke-free.

• Burn only seasoned wood.
• Never throw garbage into the fire. This would include wrapping paper and cardboard.
• When choosing wood to burn, select hardwood such as hickory, oak, or maple.

Schedule your inspection or cleaning soon by calling Northeastern Chimney. We service all of Hartford, Tolland, and Litchfield Counties. All our chimney technicians are trained and qualified. We are active in the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG). 

The post Is Your Chimney Ready for Santa? A Last-Minute Safety Checklist appeared first on .

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

When it’s the holidays or just cold outside, the fireplace is going to be used with more frequency. As it should! Family and friends love to hang around the fireplace listening to the crackling sound of the fire. It just warms the room. But if you’re using it all the time, when should you clean the chimney, before heavy use or after?

When Should You Clean the Chimney, Before Heavy Use or After?

The best time to clean your chimney and fireplace is in the Spring and Summer months. What’s interesting, is that most homeowners get their chimney inspected in the Fall, right before heavy use. However, getting the chimney cleaned and inspected in the Spring and Summer ensures that it is clear of debris and creosote, and ready for the Fall.

What are the Benefits Getting It Cleaned and Checked?

Safety: Fireplaces are active fire areas whether it be for woodburning or gas. Keeping the area safe means that a certified professional will remove blockages such as debris or animal nests, and creosote which is a flammable material that builds up on the side of the chimney flue. This needs to be removed each year.

Quiet Time: Getting the chimney cleaned and checked in the quiet season is best because it will work towards your schedule of convenience.

Ready to Go: Preparing for the next time you’re going to use your fireplace is key. Getting it cleaned and checked will give you peace of mind that you can start it up whenever you want. For instance, who would have known that we would have snow in October. Wouldn’t that be great to know that you can use it?

It’s Not Just Us…

The National Fire Protection Association NFPA highly recommends at least an annual inspection be done regardless if you use it a little or a lot. Because your home uses the fireplace chimney stack as well, meaning the appliances in your home use the chimney for its own flue to rid your home of gasses. This is essential to keep your home healthy and those that live in it, safe.

Take the time to schedule your chimney clean and check and get our 14-point chimney inspection where we will take pictures of areas you can’t see, so you know first hand the health of your home. Our chimney technicians are all certified, taking care of your home to ensure it’s safe and sound.

Check out our credentials at CSIA and see for yourself the list of our certified chimney technicians. That should give you peace of mind that there is proof of what we do each day to keep your home clean and safe.

When should you clean the chimney, before heavy use or after? It’s before. Schedule it up today. Give us a call at 877-244-6349 to schedule your clean and check. Better safe today than have a worrisome tomorrow.

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

A chimney cap has a job to do. But has it ever stopped Santa Claus? According to holiday lore, nothing can stop Santa’s deliveries at holiday time. He simply uses a little Christmas magic to slip past the chimney cap. But what if the chimney cap is tight and secure (which it’s supposed to be…) Santa’s magic can give him access to the door, window, or other workarounds. No worries for you and the family. Your home stays protected year-round, and Santa still makes the delivery. With that very important information about Santa solved, then the question that needs to be answered is, what is the purpose of a chimney cap?

The Purpose of a Chimney Cap

As we all know and can see, the fire belongs in the fireplace whether it be a wood burning fire or gas enabled. The chimney flue, which you don’t see, is located directly above the fireplace so the rising smoke has a place to go and exit your home. However, don’t forget, that the chimney flue serves another purpose. Other appliances from your home can use the same chimney, different flue, to exit as your fireplace. These appliances can include gasses from the furnace, water heater, boiler or other fuel burning appliances.

The Function of the Chimney Cap

Let’s get down to the chimney cap itself. The chimney cap has numerous functions that help to protect your home.

• Protect from a downdraft – This is when air comes rushing down the chimney flue and into your home. If it’s winter, it definitely won’t be warm air.
• Protect from the weather elements – Rain, snow, and sleet seem to never just come straight down. We’re in the Chicagoland area, so wind always accompany rain, sleet and snow. That means it’s going to hit the chimney and chimney cap from various angles. This is where the elements are going to challenge the chimney cap, trying to find ways to getting past its guard. Keeping a tight and secure chimney cap to the chimney is vitally important for protection.
• Visitors such as animals – When the temperatures begin to change and even throughout the winter season, animals are searching for a nice, warm place for themselves and their family. You definitely do not want to start a fire or turn on the gas fireplace when critters are living in the chimney. The screen sides of the chimney cap keep the critters from crawling in – Raccoons, squirrels, birds and bats, to name just a few
• Protect from the collection of debris – When the leaves fall, wind blows, you can count on twigs, leaves and other items to blow through the air and land on the chimney. If there’s no chimney cap, magic (not necessarily Santa’s) directs the debris right down the chimney.
• Spark Arrestor – When sparks from your fire get carried by draft all the way up to the top of the chimney, just as they get carried pretty high up in the sky when you are at a bonfire, a quality professional chimney cap “arrests” or extinguishes these sparks before they land on your roof and such… Yeah, a big deal!

*Every chimney needs a cap for the same reasons, and more, that every home needs a roof!

Installing a Chimney Cap

Installing a chimney cap is simple, if you know what to do. It’s important to pick the right size and type as it sits directly on the chimney or flue opening. The bolts need to be snug and secure so it doesn’t move. The best way to ensure protection of your chimney flue and home is the have a Superior Chimney certified technician install a chimney cap. Contact us at 877-244-6349. Remember, a chimney cap will not affect Santa, be sure to let the kiddies know. And for you, now you know what the Purpose of a Chimney Cap in Winter is. Happy Holidays!

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

As we move into colder weather, families are starting to use their fireplaces and wood-burning stoves more often. With the added use of their fireplaces, the danger of creosote build-up becomes apparent. Creosote doesn’t just form soot; it forms crystals. When wood is burned in a fireplace, vapors form a hard, tar-like substance that clings to the flue walls. This creosote is highly flammable; even a small amount of accumulated creosote can ignite.

How To Protect Your Chimney Flue From Creosote Build-up?

There is no absolute solution to keep creosote from collecting in your chimney. However, there are things that you can do to help slow the build-up. Here are a few tips. 

• Burn only well-seasoned wood. When choosing wood, choose hardwoods such as hickory, maple, or oak. Do not burn trash in your fireplace or artificial logs, as they can create excessive soot and creosote. 
• Ensure proper airflow. Keep your damper fully open when burning a fire and allow sufficient airflow. If your fireplace has glass doors, open them to allow adequate air intake. 
• Warm the flue. Before you attempt to burn a fire, light a rolled-up piece of newspaper. Hold it near the damper to warm the flue. This will reverse the draft and prevent condensation. This condensation is a major contributor to creosote build-up.

Risks of Excessive Creosote.

• Chimney Fires. As mentioned, a minimal amount of creosote, about 1/8th inch, can easily ignite. Creosote burns extremely hot, posing a serious fire hazard. 
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Creosote can cause a blockage, leading to a carbon monoxide leak back into your living space.
• Smoke Damage. Billowing smoke can come into the home if there is a fire or a blockage in the chimney flue. Thick build-up narrows the opening, obstructing the natural flow of smoke. This may cause damage to upholstery, carpets, and decor.
• Costly Repairs. Structural chimney repairs can be expensive. If creosote build-up causes a fire, the damage can be severe. 
• Poor heating efficiency. Fires burn less efficiently due to a build-up of creosote. A clean flue improves efficiency. 

Prevention and Maintenance.

• What to expect with an inspection and chimney sweep?
  • Identify any blockage – creosote, debris, leaves, animal remains.
  • Remove creosote build-up.
  • Structural issues, if any, will be identified, including loose masonry, cracks, damage to flue tiles, and damage to chimney caps or crowns.  
  • Give you a clean bill of health for your fire to burn safely. 
• How often should I have my chimney inspected and swept?
  • Professions such as Northeastern Chimney Inc. suggest that homeowners have an annual chimney sweep and inspection.
• When is the best time to schedule my inspection and sweep?
  • If you haven’t had one in the past year, now is the best time to schedule one.
  • Some prefer to have their chimney swept before the burning season.
  • Others think that after the burning season, you are ready to pack away your chimney until next year.

Whichever time of year you decide is best, as long as you get one yearly.

Schedule your inspection or cleaning soon by calling Northeastern Chimney. We service all of Hartford, Tolland, and Litchfield Counties. All our chimney technicians are trained and qualified. We are active in the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG).

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