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Nothing beats a wood fire in the fireplace on a cold winter’s night. Or a cool autumn day. Or anytime, really. There’s something special and nostalgic about burning, crackling logs that you just can’t get any other way. If you love your wood fires, here are nine things to know when burning wood.

 Dry vs. wet wood

Seasoned (dry) wood burns better and produces less smoke than wood that hasn’t had time to dry out. Excess smoke means excess creosote in your chimney, and sluggish burns mean an inefficient fire.

Fires need air

For a fire to burn at max capacity, air is needed. Reasons for not enough air getting to your log stack include:
• house is air-tight – crack a window
• damper is not fully open to generate a draft – open the damper
• logs are stacked too close together – remove a few logs so the pile can breathe
• flue has obstructions – have them removed

 Keep the flue clean

Regular chimney sweep services by a CSIA-certified technician are important to keep excess flammable creosote from building up in the flue. Chimney cleaning also removes debris, animal nests and other unwanted items, which allows for more efficient drafting.

 Hardwoods vs. softwoods

Hardwoods such as alder, beech, hickory and maple are denser and burn longer and hotter than softwoods like cedar, juniper, pine and redwood. If you want a shorter, less-intense fire, go with softwoods. For longer-lasting, heat-heavy fires, hardwoods are ideal.

Light from the top

The best way to build a fire in a fireplace or stove is to start the burn with tinder and kindling on top of the log stack. The wood will burn better this way and reach its optimal temperature faster.

The best tinder and kindling for wood fires

Crumpled-up newspaper (not colored print), small twigs and pine needles make excellent tinder. For kindling, you want to use heavier material like larger twigs, branch pieces and wood slivers up to about an inch thick.

What not to use when starting a wood fire

Aside from newspaper tinder, never use non-wood-based items to start a fire. This includes any type of accelerant (lighter fluid, charcoal starter, gasoline) as well as household trash, lacquered/painted wood, magazines, cardboard boxes and clothing.

Don’t overload the firebox

If you pack too many logs in the firebox, the fire will burn too intensely and may cause a chimney fire. Follow the recommendations of your fireplace manufacturer or the advice of a chimney services professional in determining how many logs to use for your fire.

Keep the hearth area clear

Don’t set furnishings or rugs too close to the firebox, and use a fire screen or glass doors to keep popping embers from jumping out of the fireplace. Small children should never be left unattended in a room where a fire is burning.
High’s Chimney Service of Gaithersburg, MD, wants everyone to enjoy their fireplaces in safety. We hope these wood-burning tips have helped. When it’s time for a thorough chimney cleaning to make your fireplace experience even safer, count on our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps to do the job right. Schedule an appointment or get your questions answered by an expert at (301) 519-3500.

The post 9 Things You Should Know When Burning Wood appeared first on Highs Chimney.

When the weather starts turning colder in the fall, it is tempting to light the fireplace. It takes the chill out of the air creating a warm and comfy indoor atmosphere. But before warming up the fireplace, its safe operation should be your top priority. House fires, burns, and carbon monoxide poisoning are potential problems that can arise. So, before you light the first fire of the season, follow these fireplace safety tips.

Chimney Inspection and Cleaning

Is your fireplace safe to operate? There is no way to know for sure without a chimney inspection. Since creosote buildup is the leading cause of chimney fires, you need to be sure there isn’t an excessive accumulation in your chimney. A qualified chimney professional will measure the amount of creosote and recommend cleaning if necessary. But that’s not the only potential hazard. Obstructions, water leaks, and other issues can cause safety issues and reduce heating efficiency. A chimney professional will also visually examine the entire chimney for signs of physical damage, and check for any obstructions. Depending on the inspection results, your chimney professional may recommend cleaning and repairs.

Fireplace Do’s and Don’ts

First, only fuel the fire with firewood that has been seasoned for at least six months. The moisture in unseasoned or “green” wood produces a smoky fire. Also, seasoned wood burns hotter, longer, which saves on fuel costs. Also, never throw painted materials, plastic, crates, furniture, Christmas trees, or treated wood into the fireplace. These materials produce toxic gases, which can be dangerous for you and your family. Second, the damper should be fully open when lighting the fireplace to allow smoke and fumes to vent.

Safely Lighting the Fireplace

An easy and safe way to start the fire is to stack your logs in the fireplace. Add your kindling on the top layer of the logs. For kindling, use old newspapers, or dry twigs. You can also use some scraps of soft wood pieces like cedar, fir, or pine. Strike a good quality fireplace match to light the kindling. You should never use chemical fire accelerants to jump-start your logs. The fumes in flammable liquids such as gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene can ignite combustible materials surrounding your fireplace.

Never Leave a Fire Unattended

Never leave a burning fire in the fireplace unattended. Always extinguish the fire before leaving the house or retiring to bed. Close the damper when the fire is out.

Glass Fireplace Door

Installing a glass fireplace door will not only improve the aesthetics of your fireplace, but it also helps keep kids and pets away from the fire. It will also contain the heat in the firebox keeping your living space warmer. A wire mesh screen also comes in handy when you want to open the doors when kids or pets are not around.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector

It is recommended that homeowners install a smoke and carbon monoxide (CO2) detector on every level of their home with a solid or liquid fuel heating appliance. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that can result in deadly consequences. Test the batteries in your smoke and CO2 detectors at least twice annually.

The post Warm Up with Your Fireplace Safely This Fall appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

• A square of stone 

• One or two metal pipes

Chimney caps perform multiple duties for your fireplace and they are quite affordable. At first glance, you assume that the term chimney means the entire structure from top to bottom. Many homeowners may be surprised to know that the chimney is made up of several components.

Chimney caps provide many useful functions to protect the interior of the chimney. There are different types of chimney caps for homeowners to choose from, which we would gladly discuss with you. Due to the height of your chimney and the kind of your chimney, have a professional install your chimney cap.

The opening of the chimney will need to be measured, so the exact size of the cap is installed. The cap will be tightened down, then a caulk will be added around the base, so no water escapes to the chimney. 

Here are just a couple of reasons for having a chimney cap:

• Bats
• Squirrels
• Raccoons
• Rats
• Ducks…yes ducks!

Keeping these pests out is important. Once they get comfortable and settle in they will bother you and can destroy the integrity of your fireplace and even the interior of your attic space due to cracks in the mortar…these feisty little pests are quite adept at creating quite a mess. 

The risk of disease from these animals is eliminated as well. You do not want to be stuck with a sick animal in your chimney in the middle of the winter. Once they begin to build nests and bring in food for their young it can create a number of hazards for your own family.

Chimneys are such an ideal place for pesky wildlife because it is warm, dark, and provides plenty of shelter from the elements. It is much safer to keep out those pesky animals than to pay someone to come extract them.

When the cold air arrives, you want to be safe and warm without the extra cost. Having a chimney cap can stop downdrafts inside your home. Downdrafts affect the temperature in your house and hike up your energy bills at the same time. A wind coming down your chimney can make everyone inside feel a draft of chilliness. A sudden gust of wind can be especially dangerous as it can blow in smoke, embers, and ash right out of your fireplace.

While there is nothing better than a glowing warm fire, the winter winds can channel down the chimney and create quite the mess to the interior of your home. If you want to cut back on the overall cost of your bill and protect the inside of your home as well, invest in a chimney cap today.

• Water in the firebox 
• Dark stained areas in the ceiling or on the walls by your fireplace

The post 6 GREAT REASONS YOU SHOULD HAVE A CHIMNEY CAP INSTALLED appeared first on Quality Fireplace and Chimney Services.

Fall is the best time to educate homeowners and the general public about chimney safety because winter is when most fires happen. It’s when you’re using your fireplace or furnace to heat your home that disaster can happen, especially when the chimney isn’t maintained properly. In order for our friends and neighbors in the Boston, North Shore, and Portland area to have safe and efficient fires this burn season, we offer services to keep the chimney working properly and lasting year after year. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is doing its part to make the public aware of chimney risk and safety by planning and promoting National Chimney Safety Week each year.

Safe Chimneys Mean Safe Communities

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and CSIA agree that the safest and most efficient chimneys are those that are cleaned regularly and inspected annually. When a chimney is clean, the air flows more easily, allowing smoke to vent properly. When this process works efficiently, there is less fire risk and less damage to the property and less frequent injuries and deaths due to fire. We believe that even one chimney fire is too many, and we offer comprehensive chimney services year-round to insure that chimneys in our communities are safer. When chimneys and fire appliances are safer, that means our communities are safer. Homeowners in New England count on Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep and have for over 30 years. With a company that puts safety first, makes education and certification a priority, and who offer the highest level of professionalism in the industry, it’s easy to choose Billy Sweet for safer chimneys.

Safer Chimneys Mean Fire Prevention

CSIA has scheduled National Chimney Safety Week for September 29th through October 5th—one week before NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Week and National Chimney Safety Week go hand-in-hand. Fire Prevention Week, running October 6th through 12th is a time for communities to raise awareness about fire prevention and fire preparedness. Not all fires can be prevented, but a little bit of preparation can save lives in the event of a fire. Chimney Safety Week is all about preventing fires, and Fire Prevention Week is all about living through fires!

Fires can occur in more than just chimneys. You can experience an accidental fire in a dorm, hotel or motel, apartment, high-rise condo, manufactured homes, and more. The best way to protect your family and home is to use NFPA’s public education tip safety tip sheets available online. In addition to keeping the chimney, fireplace, furnace, and other heating systems like the dryer maintained properly, it’s important to take other important measures. Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Plan an escape and practice it monthly. Pay attention to problems with your heat systems and alarms. If you’re not sure that your chimney system is working properly, call in the professionals!

Call Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep at 617-469-4528 or request an appointment online to service your chimney and make sure it’s as safe as possible.

The post National Chimney Safety Week is This Month appeared first on Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep.

Fall is a great time to watch college football. We get
together with friends, whom all went to different schools, taking turns hosting.
Happily, it was not our turn. We all settled into our favorite watching spots. One
person is a pacer, one sits VERY close to the flat screen, a couple on the
floor, and a couple sit in different locations after getting up several times.

As I sat on the floor, I noticed a musty smell. There
are plenty of stocking feet around, so I thought that was the source. As one of
the other watchers made their way to various locations to sit, I noticed him
looking at his hand a couple of times and finally moved. He was sitting on the
ledge of the fireplace.

Of course, I had to go investigate. I sat down and placed my
hand on the bricks right outside of the fireplace and the opening next to the
fireplace. It was a bit damp. I placed my hand on the concrete in the opening
next to the fireplace, and it was definitely moist, where I can see moisture on my hand.

Quietly, I opened the fireplace doors and saw where the water was dripping
down the back of the fireplace. Clearly, it was a leak in the chimney.
Chimneys’ are a complex structure and it takes a certified technician to find
the source or sources of the leak. There are lots of different components to a
chimney.

What are common causes of water leaks? Here are
the top 4 most common areas.

1. Chimney isn’t capped or the chimney cap is damaged
2. Chimney crown is cracked
3. Chimney flashing
4. Mortar is cracked,
   missing, damaged

Since the game wasn’t going my way. I decided to leak the news so they can get their chimney inspected by Superior Chimney. I’m happy to report that 2 chimney leaks were found and repaired by a Superior Chimney certified technician. Call Superior Chimney for water leaks at 877-244-6349.

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

While your chimney may appear to be in good condition, homeowners shouldn’t wait until they happen to notice a problem with the chimney. Many exterior chimney issues start gradually making it noticeable only upon closer inspection. Some problems commonly occur on or near the chimney crown and in other areas that may be hidden from view. Also, a few cracked or broken bricks may not seem dangerous, but a trained chimney professional knows that it can lead to health, safety, and structural issues. That’s why these four exterior chimney problems shouldn’t be ignored.

Cracks in the chimney crown

Its location at the top of the chimney makes the chimney crown susceptible to weather-related damage. The purpose of the crown is to prevent water intrusion. And when cracks develop on the surface moisture can get inside the chimney. It can soften the interior masonry walls increasing the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning and accelerate the deterioration of internal components.

Damaged chimney flashing

The flashing is a thin metal strip that provides a waterproof seal along the seam where the chimney meets the roof. One sign of a problem with the flashing is noticing water leaks on the ceiling above your fireplace. It occurs when the flashing is stressed or damaged, allowing water to enter through the exposed seam. The moisture can cause quite a bit of damage to your roof and chimney, including mold and wood rot. It can also allow small pests like termites to get inside too.

Gaps in mortar joints

Gaps in the mortar joints are another common chimney problem that shouldn’t be ignored. The continued exposure of the brick masonry to the rain and the constant freeze-thaw process causes the mortar to crumble. As the mortar continues to disappear the bricks can become loose and eventually fall from the chimney. It can cause major structural issues if it is not repaired.

Spalled or missing bricks

In addition to gaps in the mortar joints, spalled or even missing bricks is another common problem. Like mortar, bricks are also porous, and it soaks moisture like a sponge. The pounding rain, snow, and sleet can cause tiny holes in the exterior brick surface. Moisture is absorbed in these small crevices. When the trapped moisture freezes, thaws and freezes again, ice crystals inside the crevices gradually expand, eventually causing the bricks to crack. Depending on the extent of the problem, you may notice pieces of brick lying on the ground. Like gaps in the mortar joints, spalling or missing bricks can also result in severe structural issues.

Chimney Repairs

An annual chimney inspection can spot these and other common chimney problems before they develop into more severe issues. Contact us to schedule your chimney inspection today. Our experienced masons can repair external chimney problems so that you can continue to enjoy the safe operation of your fireplace and heating stove.

 

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

The Freeze-Thaw Cycle

During the cold winter months, many homeowners are lighting up their fireplaces to stay warm while keeping their energy costs down.  For many households, it’s as common as making a cup of coffee. But just like we feel the difference when temperatures fluctuate, these changing temperatures influence your chimney too.

What is the freeze-thaw cycle? Chimney bricks are a porous material that can absorb water when tiny cracks appear on the surface. When it rains or snows, moisture collects inside these small holes. As the temperature drops, the water inside these crevices freezes. Since water expands when frozen, the cracks get bigger. Then as the temperature rises again, the ice melts leaving larger holes in the brickwork that can collect ever more moisture. The continued freeze-thaw cycle will eventually cause the bricks to crack and split apart even further. The mortar joints will deteriorate as well, and you may notice gaps in the joints and bricks will begin to separate from the chimney.

The Stack Effect

The stack effect is the difference in air pressure between the air inside your chimney and the air outside. During cold weather, the interior is usually warmer than it is outside. And since hot air rises, the heated air moves up through the chimney resulting in negative pressure. This negative air pressure then sucks cold air from the outside down into your stack, known as a backdraft. Backdrafts can be dangerous as it can force smoke and carbon monoxide into the fireplace and living space. Making sure your damper is in operable condition is critical in helping to minimize the stack effect on windy days. You can do this by partially closing the damper about one-third of the way to help equalize the air pressure while allowing smoke and fumes to ventilate. Also, make sure to close the damper when you are not using the fireplace.  Opening a window will also reduce the stack effect.

Small Animals & Pests

When the temperature drops and gets very cold, especially below freezing, small animals like birds, squirrels, and other critters will see your chimney as an inviting place to escape the bad weather. Once inside, they become trapped and block the flue. These obstructions prevent toxic fumes from venting, forcing smoke and carbon monoxide into your home. Installing a chimney cap with a mesh screen will help prevent small animals and pests from getting into the flue.

Protecting Your Chimney

The cold air, freezing rain, snow, and ice can have a damaging impact on your chimney. These issues will continue to escalate until they are repaired. Preventative measures such as installing a chimney cap, replacing an inoperable damper and waterproofing the masonry will help. But your first line of defense is annual chimney inspections. A visual inspection by a trained and certified professional will help uncover problems like spalling bricks, damaged chimney cap, and other issues. Repairing any deficiencies will help prolong the life of your chimney and keep you’re your home and family safe while enjoying the fireplace.

The post How Cold Weather Impacts Your Chimney appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Scheduling an annual chimney inspection and cleaning is essential for keeping your home and family safe when using a fireplace or heating stove. The National Fire Protection Association, along with other fire safety experts, encourage all homeowners to have an annual chimney inspection and sweep. Even if you are no longer using the fireplace or chimney, an inspection is still recommended to maintain the structural integrity of the chimney and your home. But before you hire a chimney inspector or chimney sweep, ask the following five questions to make sure they are qualified to do the work:

1. Are you licensed and insured?

Professional, reputable contractor will have the required licensing as well as liability and workman’s compensation insurance.  Many chimney contractors display their license numbers on their vehicles, website, and advertisements. For your protection, you should not allow any unlicensed or uninsured contractor to do any work in your home. Otherwise, you can be liable if they get hurt and for any property damage, they may cause, even if they are negligent.

2. What type of training do you have?

The chimney professional should be able to clearly explain the type of training they have mastered under their belt. If they are trained and certified by one of the national industry trade associations such as the Chimney Institute of America, National Chimney Sweep Guild, or the National Fireplace Institute, the provider will gladly show you their credentials.

3. How long have you been in business?

It’s also a good idea to ask the chimney service provider the length of time they have been in business. Hiring an experienced contractor to inspect and clean your chimney will give you peace of mind that potential fire hazards don’t get overlooked and that they have the necessary skills to safely and correctly perform the work.

4. What does your service cover?

You will want to know if the service provider you hire will be performing a chimney inspection, cleaning, or both. A chimney inspection and sweep are two separate services, but they can be done at the same time. Typically, you will first have a visual inspection to look for any potential problems that would make your chimney, fireplace or heating stove unsafe, such as spalling bricks, excessive creosote, and obstructions, to name a few. The inspection should include a top-to-bottom visual review of the chimney interior/exterior structure and any connected heating appliances. The inspector will also determine the extent of the cleaning that will be necessary based on the level of creosote and other stains or debris found in the chimney during the inspection.

5. Do you make repairs?

When you hire a chimney inspector, you want to make sure their company can repair any problems they discover during the inspection. A full-service chimney provider will be able to show you the areas that need repair and give you a written estimate for any necessary work. They should also have experienced masons and chimney experts who are qualified in repairing and restoring chimneys. Also, make sure that their employees will be performing the chimney repairs and are not outsourcing the job to another company.

 

 

The post Go Get A Chimney Sweep Because Fall Is Around The corner appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

The idea of snuggling up to fire on a cold evening is exciting. Unfortunately, you can’t enjoy the fire if the chimney is unsafe. Is this the first time you are buying a house with a chimney? Here are 4 things you should know as given by chimney contractors:

You have to inspect the chimney

Regardless of how beautiful and well maintained the house looks, you will need to check the chimney for any signs of deterioration and fix them. You can’t effectively inspect the fireplace if you have never done it before—you need to hire a professional to do it for you. Hire a chimney expert who will provide you with all the three levels of chimney inspection without any problem.

Only consider buying the house after you have determined that the house is free of any severe signs of deterioration.

You may have to install a chimney cap

Most houses lack a chimney cap which is not only integral to the overall look of the chimney; it’s also a safety feature. When you are buying a house, if you see the top of your chimney is a round pipe or clay flue, it means the fireplace doesn’t have a chimney cap, and you will have to install it.

A chimney cap has many roles:

• It prevents rain from pouring straight into the chimney leading to flue damage and damper rust
• Keeps unwanted critters from getting into your house
• Prevents dead animal smell from getting into the house
• Acts as a spark guard where it prevents loose sparks from starting fire on the roof.

Hire a chimney expert to install the chimney cap.

You need to clean the chimney

If people were living in the house, chances are that they didn’t clean the house before they left. Dirty chimneys are a ticking time bomb. As wood burns, it produces smoke that sticks on the chimney surfaces. If you allow the residue to build up, it produces creosote that is highly flammable and puts your chimney at the risk of a chimney fire.

After inspecting the chimney and determining no signs of severe deterioration, you should now go ahead and clean it. Have the fireplace cleaned by an experienced chimney cleaning services provider.

Chimney cleaning is messy, strenuous, and consumes a lot of time. Experts are not only accustomed to withstanding the mess, but they also have the right tools; therefore, they complete their work fast and with precision.

Even if you are buying a new house, you will need to clean it. Many home buyers have the impression that they don’t have clean the chimney as no one has ever lived there before.

Even if no fire has been lit there, if the house has been in the market for a long time, animals and birds might have built nests in it. Some birds and animals might also have died up there. This leads to a chimney blockage that puts your house at the risk of fire.

The chimney technician you hire will remove the dead animals and birds and their nests.

You need to learn how to use and maintain the fireplace

As a new chimney owner, you need to learn how to use and maintain the fireplace properly. If you have never used a chimney before, you need to know the right fuel to use. If using wood, go for seasoned wood that has been air-dried for at least six months.

If you see inserts in the fireplace, you need to know what type they are and how to use them.

You need to clean the chimney regularly. At least once a year, ask an experienced chimney sweep Annapolis to inspect the chimney and if dirty clean it. Don’t go for cheap contractors as they often don’t clean the fireplace as well as they should, which puts the house at the risk of catching fire.

While the chimney makes a house feel like a home, it poses serious safety issues; therefore, you need to equip it for fire safety. Every floor, including the sleeping areas, should have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that you should regularly inspect and replace their batteries.

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

You might love the sound of soothing rain, but the drip drip drip sound isn’t so soothing when it’s coming from your chimney. Unfortunately, the metal flashing around your chimney is prone to leaks. These leaks can lead to major issues such as structural damage to the roof and chimney if neglected.

When your chimney flashing fails, one way to repair this area is by using FlashSeal. This is a new product to Boston Best Chimney and we’re delighted to show you how it works.

What is FlashSeal?

FlashSeal is a long-lasting sealant that prevents water from leaking into your attic. It goes around the base of the chimney which protects the chimney itself as well as the roofing. The goal is to fill in every nook and cranny with sealant so water doesn’t penetrate into the home. Think of it as dressing your chimney in a heavy duty rain coat that keeps your attic nice and dry.

The Key to Safeguarding Your Chimney from Moisture

When it comes to protecting your chimney from the elements, there are three areas to think about:

• The crown: Without proper protection from the crown, water can leak directly down into the chimney during a rainstorm. Furthermore, blowing wind with rain can also send water down your chimney.
• Masonry: Chimney bricks act like sponges and absorb water. Make sure that your chimney bricks are properly treated and waterproofed. For example, Boston Best Chimney uses a professional grade waterproof product that allows moisture to escape, keeping your masonry in tip-top shape.
• Flashing: This is why FlashSeal is such an important product for the health of your chimney. The chimney’s flashing is one of the most susceptible areas for leaks in the home, but FlashSeal provides the perfect amount of protection to keep your home dry.

Keep Your Home Dry with FlashSeal

FlashSeal is available now! If you’re noticing signs of leaks such as stained ceilings and interior walls, water in your chimney as well as your attic, it’s wise to get a chimney inspection and even a sweep to prepare for cold weather. Contact us today to learn more!

The post New Product: Fix Chimney Leaks in a Flash with FlashSeal appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.