As we enter the holiday season, we want to express our gratitude for you and wish you a blessed Thanksgiving and an abundance of great health and joy.

Talk about crazy new England weather! Do we put a fan or the heat on? The way it’s been we could do both in any given day. However, we all know it is Mid November and the temperature will drop, and we will have winter.

With energy prices expected to skyrocket this winter, local fire officials are urging home heating safety for residents who plan to use fireplaces, wood stoves and other solid fuel heating appliances at home.

Massachusetts fire officials issued a home heating safety reminder after recent reports showing a major jump in oil, natural gas and electricity prices during this winter heating season.

We expect that more people will use their fireplace, wood stove or other solid fuel to heat their homes this winter.

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Here are your best defenses against the rising costs:

Make Sure You Have a Working Damper

A damper is a lever or pulley activated door within your chimney and must remain open while the fireplace is in use.  There are conventional throat dampers that sit right above the firebox or a top sealing damper. Top sealing dampers mount on top of the chimney and seals with a rubber gasket. There is a cable that runs down the flue attaching in the firebox for access. Top sealing dampers are favored because they can save you money on heating and air conditioning costs and help prevent debris from entering.

Proper Venting for Your Heating System

When it comes to chimneys, it’s not “one size fits all” concerning venting your heat or hot water. Most homeowners upgrade their heating equipment for the promise of savings on the fuel costs, but the savings aren’t always there if you’re plugged into an outdated structure.   Whether you’re heating and hot water equipment is months old or years old, retrofitting your venting system is a long term cost-saving decision.

Install a Wood Stove

The design and technology that goes into creating modern wood burning stoves is quite a bit different from that which was found in the stoves of yesterday.

Today’s wood stoves are excellent heat sources as well as being quite nice to look at. The biggest advantage homeowners have with a wood burning stove is the quality of heat the unit gives off. Woods stoves operate on the principal of radiant heat, which warms an area faster and more efficiently than warm air being blown through a home’s vent system. The powerful heat from a wood stove radiates from all sides of the unit as well as the top, sending warmth in all directions.  Want to heat an even bigger area?  Add a blower for even more circulation.

Have the Fireplace Lining Checked

A chimney liner is, in fact, a lining that goes in the flue of the chimney. The flue is a tunnel or passageway located within the chimney structure.  A flue lining is made of clay, ceramic, or metal conduit and is intended to contain the burning products and direct them to the outside atmosphere while protecting the chimney walls from heat and corrosion (similar to an exhaust for a car).  Making sure that your flue lining is intact will improve efficiency within the system.

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Get A Gas Insert

Gas fireplaces are making a major comeback. Let’s consider a fire that needs no tending, requires minimal cleanup, and provides heat for your home. That’s what you get with today’s gas fireplaces. Modern versions are very realistic. They have glowing red embers and tall orange-yellow flames that dance and flicker around ceramic-fiber logs molded from the real thing. Gas inserts are very efficient and quickly contribute added warmth to any space.

The post Rising Fuel Costs – What Are Your Best Defenses? appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

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It is widely known that gas fireplaces are more efficient than traditional fireplaces. Many people buy homes that already have traditional fireplaces, however, or opt for traditional fireplaces because of their beautiful, classic look. The good news is that all types of fireplaces add value to your home and that there are several ways to make traditional fireplaces more efficient. 

Today, we’ll share our pointers on how to make traditional fireplaces more efficient, so that you can enjoy your home’s fireplace without worrying about it wasting your home’s energy. 

 We offer chimney sweeps, chimney inspections and much more. 

Now, we’ll dive into our traditional fireplace efficiency tips. 

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How to Make Traditional Fireplaces More Efficient

Here are some ways that you can ensure that your fireplace is not wasting energy. 

Know When to Close Your Damper

You need to open your chimney damper in order to start a fire. This is an important safety measure that facilitates proper airflow and lets smoke out of your house. When the fire is completely out (with no more embers burning), however, it is best to close the damper to prevent warm air from escaping your home. 

We also recommend having a top sealing damper installed, rather than a conventional damper. Top sealing dampers seal tightly, keeping cold air out during the winter and warm air out during the summer, thus saving you energy. 

Burn the Right Types of Wood

Choosing the correct type of wood to burn will produce more heat and less creosote (a tar-like chemical build-up that needs to be removed from all active chimneys regularly). 

Some woods that we recommend include oak, maple, and birch. All of these are hard woods that burn slowly. Check out our blog about the best woods for firewood for more information! 

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Start Your Fire Correctly

Doing this will create a better, safer fire and prevent energy loss. Here are the steps to starting a fire:

1. Open the damper all of the way so that smoke does not enter your home. 
2. Stuff crumpled newspaper below the grate.
3. Stack your wood in two rows in a criss cross pattern. 
4. Add kindling on top of the stack. 
5. Prime the chimney flue. Light a newspaper and hold it above the damper to do so. This will prevent cold air from flowing down into your house because of negative pressure, saving you energy. 
6. After the draft is reversed, you can light the newspaper to begin the fire. 

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With winter coming up, now’s the time to prepare your home for upcoming snowstorms. Chimneys can be susceptible to damage from snow and ice during the colder months, and it’s important to prepare to make sure you can relax by the fire all season long. Here’s how to keep snow out of your chimney and protect it during the winter months.

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Keeping Snow Out Of Your Chimney

During particularly heavy snowstorms, snow can fall from your roof directly into your chimney. This is because your chimney needs to remain open in order to let smoke out. Snow falling into your chimney will make it very difficult to use your fireplace, and it can also cause water damage.

The best way to keep snow out of your chimney is to install a chimney cap. A chimney cap is a small covering made of metal mesh that sits on top of your chimney. It lets smoke and air out, but the mesh is small enough to prevent snow from getting inside.

Keep Animals and other Debris Out

Chimney caps are also very helpful for keeping debris and even animals from making their way into your fireplace. If you want to light a fire on a particularly cold, snowy day, you’ll need to make sure to prime the flue first. To do this, light the end of a rolled-up newspaper or magazine and hold it just above the flue. The warm air will eventually force the air to rise properly.

If you don’t prime the flue, the air and smoke from your fire won’t rise and the flame won’t stay lit.

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Preparing Your Chimney For Winter

It’s very important to make sure your chimney is prepared for winter to avoid water damage. When snow and ice build up on your roof and in your chimney, the moisture will eventually make its way in between the bricks and mortar of your chimney. The water will then contract and expand as it freezes and melts, causing the bricks and mortar to shift over time. Additionally, if snow and ice don’t drain properly, the excess weight can cause damage to your roof.

Before it starts snowing, have your chimney and fireplace professionally inspected. A professional chimney sweep can identify potential problems with your chimney and instruct you on ways to use your chimney safely during winter. Ideally, your inspection should happen earlier in the year to allow time for repairs if necessary.

However, having your chimney inspected at any time of year is better than skipping it. It’s particularly important to make sure you have flashing on your roof. Flashing is made from thin sheets of metal and creates a seal between your roof and your chimney to prevent water from leaking inside.

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Fireplaces are designed to provide beauty and warmth. You will expect that there are no smelly odors in your home from the fireplace. You will really encounter bad smells, but for a couple of reasons. The majority of issues that cause an odor to emit from the fireplace can be resolved if you hire chimney cleaning services to inspect and repair your chimney.

When you have chimneys, you will realize that the small issues can be a sign of something serious that is already brewing that can lead to future repercussions. Therefore, if there are unusual scents that come from your fireplace, you must help them discover the main cause of the issue before selling it on the market.

Buildup of Creosote

During the yearly chimney inspection, the excess buildup of creosote is removed, which allows proper airflow. However, if you regularly use your fireplace, then the buildup of creosote becomes quicker compared to homes where the fireplaces are occasionally used. This extra layer can fill your home with bad barbeque or asphalt. Even if a layer of creosote and soot is natural when your fireplace is working, keeping your chimney clean helps reduce the possibility of having this odor that is wafting in your home.

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Nesting Animals

When the cold weather is coming, animals look for shelter in any way they are able to. Most of the time, this leads to them visiting your chimneys for warmth. The unfortunate thing is that some pungent scents will start to spread through surrounding areas because of that. When it comes to moisture, a chimney cap prevents any animals from visiting your chimney.

Moisture

If there is water inside your chimney, it causes a musty and unpleasant odor. You can eliminate moisture in the chimney by installing a chimney cap. Without a cap, rainwater will get inside the chimney. Aside from causing odor, moisture causes the damper to become rusty and fail to properly open. When it mixes with creosote, moisture damages the flue lining, which results in the need for expensive but unnecessary repairs.

Accumulation of Debris

You might not be thinking that leaves and twigs go into the chimney and they cause unpleasant smells, but this is a common issue. When the outdoor debris becomes trapped in the chimney, it will begin to decompose over time leaving behind a rotting and unpleasant scent. This is another reason to fit chimneys using a cap.

Negative Air Pressure

Even if you have an installed chimney cap, a clean fireplace, and a chimney, you will still smell unpleasant odors if your home has a negative pressure inside. This normally happens in newer homes that are sealed tightly. How will negative air pressure cause bad odors to come inside your house?

There are a lot of pathways that allow air to go inside your home. It can be doors, dryers, windows, dryer exhaust vents, stove range, and roof ventilation, but the most prominent is the chimney. Air is always moving. It will go out of your house through some of the pathways and it is replaced by air that enters through the pathway with little resistance, which is normally the chimney.

Water

If you can smell a musty odor that comes from your fireplace, it could mean that water entered your chimney.

Water causes bad odors, but it can also cause the damper to rust, and damage the flue lining that generates repairs.

A chimney cap will stop the water from going inside your chimney.

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The post Causes of Chimney Odors first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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Most chimney owners know that inspections are essential to keeping your chimney in safe, working order. Many get confused when it comes to the different levels of inspections, however. We frequently receive calls from people asking questions such as, “What is a level 2 chimney inspection” and “What are the different types of chimney inspections?” Chimney owners can opt for level I, II, or III chimney inspections. Today, we’ll dive into the details of level 2 inspections, discussing what they include and when they are needed. 

Some of the residential and commercial chimney services we provide include chimney inspections, chimney sweeps, chimney repairs, chimney masonry work, chimney installations, commercial chimneys, and more. 

Now, we’ll go into the details of level 2 chimney inspections. 

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What Is a Level 2 Chimney Inspection?

In a level 2 inspection, a chimney company will inspect all accessible areas of the chimney from the inside and outside, including attics, basements, and crawl spaces. In addition, they will check all accessible appliances connecting to the chimney. This is commonly done by video scanning the internal venting system. 

The inspection process is as follows:

1. Examine the chimney and venting systems from every access point
2. Climb onto the roof to check for any damage that might not be visible from the ground (as long as weather, roof pitch, or chimney height conditions do not make this impossible)
3. Inspect all accessible areas such as basements, crawl spaces, and attics 
4. Inspect the interior of the chimney using a camera

When Is a Level 2 Chimney Inspection Needed?

If you are buying or selling your home, a level 2 inspection is required and must be performed in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association standards. If this is you, be sure to check out the Chimney Safety Institute of America’s video about getting a chimney inspected in a hot real estate market! 

Level 2 inspections are also used when you are adding or removing connected appliances, replacing appliances with ones that have a different input rating or efficiency rating, or have just experienced damage due to a malfunction or external event. 

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Other Frequently Asked Chimney Inspection Questions

Some other chimney inspection questions that we often receive include the following:

How do you know If your chimney needs to be inspected?

You should have your chimney inspected annually if you are buying or selling your home or if you are having chimney issues. Click here to learn more.

What’s involved in a chimney inspection?

As we mentioned, there are three different levels of inspections: 

• Level I inspections are completed before a chimney flue is swept or when a chimney vent appliance is replaced. These mostly involve visual inspections.
• Level III inspections are only needed in certain circumstances. When performing a level III inspection, a chimney company will remove parts of the chimney as needed. All aspects of level I and II inspections must be completed before level III inspections can be performed. 

Read our blog for more details. 

How often do you need a chimney inspection?

If you have not had your chimney inspected in the past year, you should have it inspected. Also, if your chimney is having performance issues, if you are buying or selling your home, or if you suspect that something is wrong with your chimney, it’s time to book an inspection. Learn more about chimney inspection timelines.

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Have you wondered why chimney inspections are so important? If so, you’re not alone. It’s one of those “out of sight, out of mind” home maintenance tasks that often gets overlooked. However, with an average of 25,000 chimney fires across the country each year, here are the top five reasons why you’ll want to make a chimney inspection one of your top priorities this season.

A cracked flue can lead to a house fire

Your flue is a ceramic or metal tube that runs from your firebox to the outside of your home. It’s surrounded by your masonry, but that doesn’t mean you can simply forget about it. Your flue is essential to preventing house fires, and one that is cracked or damaged will most likely result in some kind of property damage. The only true way to know if your flue is in good condition is via regular chimney inspections.

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Water damage from poor masonry

Likewise, that same masonry that surrounds your flue is susceptible to the elements. As both your brick and mortar are porous materials, water can find its way into these holes, expand during a freeze cycle, and then cause an even bigger crack. Eventually, your masonry will break down from this process which can lead to water damage inside your home. During a chimney inspection, your technician will look for signs of masonry deterioration and make recommendations to prevent it from continuing to happen.

Wildlife blockages

Speaking of the inside of your home, your flue is how dangerous gasses and fumes exit your house. If wildlife somehow makes its way into your flue and takes up residence, this can cause those same gasses to back up into your home.

It’s time to buy or sell

Eventually, you may decide to sell your home. Your home’s new owners will want to know when the last chimney inspection was before closing. However, this doesn’t always happen. You may even have purchased your home not knowing when the last chimney inspection was or what it uncovered. Having one now is both a preventive measure for yourself or if you’re considering selling your property.

Homeowner’s Insurance

Finally, if you were to have an incident that is clearly linked to your chimney, inspections can save you money. How exactly? Some insurance policies will not cover repairs to your home if you skip out on your annual chimney inspection. This will then cost you even more out of pocket as you mitigate the damage.

Schedule your next chimney inspection ASAP

If you don’t know when your last chimney inspection was, or if you’re getting ready to use your fireplace for the first time, put a pause on that and schedule your next chimney inspection and expert chimney cleaning. From house fires to blockages to insurance concerns, there are plenty of reasons to make annual chimney inspections one of your top home priorities.

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

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A lot of homeowners know about their chimney damper because it should be opened before you start a fire, but do not know to tell if the damper is closed or open.

The chimney damper is in the flue and they are placed there to control ventilation. Dampers also send away smoke. Imagine your home that fills up with smoke each time you are lighting a fire. Chimney dampers will also control the intensity of the fire. While your damper is adjusted, there is oxygen that flows through the fire.

You can call a chimney inspection service if you need to have it checked. Here are signs that your chimney is open or closed:

Inspect it Visually

When you perform a visual inspection, you are on the right path. The majority of dampers are in the chimney base’s interior, so you can crouch down and peer up inside your chimney. What are you really looking for? It is a type of metal that should be angled by using the knob or chain to control it to the open or closed position. In case it is too dark, you should use a flashlight or light on the phone. When you peek in, if you can see through the damper and past the interior of your chimney, the damper is open. If you will only see a metal plate, the damper is closed.

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By Creating a Small Fire

You should create a small fire with paper or a tinder at the fireplace. In case it is open, smoke is going to come out of your chimney without issues. However, if the flue is not open, the smoke will not go through a closed flue and go up the chimney. It will instead force its way into your home, which fills the room with smoke.

Check if There are Drafts

Maybe you cannot see the damper or are unsure if it is a little closed or opens all the way. Another way to know is to stick your hand close to the opening of your fireplace. If you feel a breeze, the damper is surely open. If you do not feel any draft, it is closed.

Look for a Damper Handle

In order to tell if the damper is closed or open, you should look for the damper controls. The traditional wood stove is normally a throat damper at the chimney flue’s base. You should look for a metal handle using a rotary-style screw or latch in the chimney throat. Aside from the flue, this handle might be located on the fireplace opening.

With chimney dampers, you should look for a chain inside the fireplace. Generally, chimney cap dampers are closed if the chain is hooked to the wall surrounding your fireplace. If it hangs freely, then the damper is closed.

You Can Feel a Breeze

When you try to feel the breeze, it is another method that you can use to find out if you have a closed or open flue. Look for your hand in the fireplace and wait to notice in case you can feel the airflow. When you have an open flue, the air is going to flow down the chimney.

You Hear Noises Coming from Outside

If you do not want to stick your head or hand in the fireplace, you can tell if the damper is open or closed by just listening. Outside noises are going to amplify when you have an open damper. If you are quiet and just listen, you will hear outside noises.

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

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Dear Superior Chimney,

I’m concerned about the fireplace smoke that came into my family room. With the cooler temperatures, I was excited to get started with the use of my fireplace. Why was the fireplace smoking? And how can I be sure it doesn’t happen again?

Answer:

These are great questions that many others can benefit from. So, let’s tackle the answer.

To begin, smoke, a byproduct and any tiny pieces from unburned wood is the result of a fireplace burn. A healthy fireplace and chimney work together to push the smoke, byproduct and unburned wood up the chimney flue and out of the home. At the same time… air is “pulled” into the fireplace to keep your fire burning. This critical cycle is called a chimney draft.

Indoor / Outdoor Temperatures

Fireplace smoke backing up in your home can occur when the indoor and outdoor temperatures are similar. When temperatures are approximately 20 degrees different, a strong draft develops, creating a healthy ‘push’ – ‘pull’ effect. When temperatures are too close together, the draft becomes weaker and greater the chance of smoke settling in your home.

Chimney Cap Installation

Chimney caps play an important role with fireplace smoke. If the chimney does not have a chimney cap, then water or snow can enter the chimney flue lowering the temperature at the base (or the fireplace), making it difficult for draft to occur. The chimney cap helps to keep a healthy flow of air going in the chimney. The chimney cap also serves as a deterrent for wind downdrafts, animals, debris, etc.

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Blocked Chimney Flue

You knew this was coming. If the chimney flue is blocked, it’s obvious to assume the fireplace smoke has no place to go…but come back inside. The critical importance of a chimney cap is keeping rain, snow, debris and animals from getting inside of the chimney flue.

In addition, if there’s creosote build up in the chimney flue, this can also be quite dangerous. Creosote is a highly flammable material. Creosote needs to be cleaned and removed from the chimney flue to keep the health of the chimney intact. For these types of issues, it’s best for a certified chimney technician to evaluate the situation.

Other Questions

There are other fireplace smoke questions you can ask yourself to ensure the fireplace smoke stays out of the home. Top 3 Questions include:

1. Is the chimney damper fully open? A partially closed damper can cause the smoke to stay indoors.
2. Is the firewood green or wet from rain or snow?
3. When was the last time the chimney was cleaned? Is it dirty?

If the answer is ‘yes’, you have all or maybe only part of the situation resolved. Again, if smoke is coming in your home, it’s best to have it checked by a certified chimney professional.

Summary

Now that you know what you need to do to keep the fireplace smoke from entering your home, keep your fireplace and chimney healthy with a chimney clean and check with our 14-point inspection. You’ll have peace of mind that you and your family and friends can enjoy a fire in the fireplace. Happy Fall!

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

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As simple as chimneys seem to be, they’re not what you’d call “simple” structures. A lot goes on with a chimney during and after fireplace use, and a lot can go wrong that will lead to dangerous operating conditions. Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, encourages all homeowners to err on the side of safety by scheduling annual chimney inspections.

Why your chimney must be inspected

The following are the four most important reasons to arrange for regular
chimney inspections:

1. Detect creosote buildup

Trained chimney inspectors are able to detect excess creosote inside your chimney flue. Creosote builds up every time a wood fire is burned, and it’s the leading cause of chimney fires each year in the U.S. It’s impossible for the average homeowner to gauge creosote levels in the flue. Let your inspector do this work, and follow his or her recommendation on having your chimney properly cleaned by an experienced chimney sweep.

2. Detect flue obstructions

If you operate your chimney without a chimney cap, it can become a nesting ground for squirrels, birds, racoons and other critters. The nests, as well as the bodies of animals who can’t escape and die in the flue, can create a major drafting problem. Leaves, twigs and other tree debris will only make the issue worse. When the flue is obstructed, smoke and deadly carbon monoxide can spill back into your home. Your inspector will recommend cleaning for an obstructed chimney and the installation of a chimney cap to prevent debris and animals from entering.

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3. Find early signs of damage and malfunction

A basic chimney inspection (Level 1 – see below) includes a look at the concrete chimney crown, chimney cap, chimney chase top (if you have a pre-built chimney), chimney flashing and, of course, the bricks and mortar of the masonry. Damage or malfunction to any of these components or areas can lead to unsafe operating conditions and large repair bills sooner or later. An inspection will tell you when it’s time to schedule repairs.

4. When you’re moving into a new home with a fireplace and chimney

Chimney real estate inspections (Level 2 – see below) are required when a home is being sold. These inspections go further than basic inspections with the addition of a video camera that lets the inspector see down into the chimney flue.

Chimney video inspections can determine if a chimney liner is damaged and could allow intense heat and dangerous gases to leak from the flue. With a proper Level 2 inspection, you’ll know the condition of the chimney before you move into your new home.

The different levels of chimney inspection

There are three levels of chimney inspection as sanctioned by the Chimney
Safety Institute of America (CSIA):

Level 1: The basic inspection.
Level 2: Performed when:

• A new heating appliance is being connected to the chimney or other alterations are being made
• A fire or other event may have caused damage to the chimney
• The home is being sold

Level 3: This inspection usually involves partial or complete dismantling of the chimney and is only performed when severe damage is known to exist.

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Just like a golden crown adorns the head of a royal, a chimney crown adorns the top of your chimney. However, unlike those worn by kings and queens, chimney crowns serve a vital purpose in the makeup and proper function of your chimney. If they are damaged in any way, this can lead to other issues that you want to get taken care of right away. So, is your chimney crown cracked or damaged? Let’s discuss the reasons why and how to repair any problems.

First, what is a crown?

As we previously stated, the crown is at the top of the chimney. Usually, it’s a concrete or metal piece that sits at the opening of your chimney to keep water from seeping into your masonry. It also has a slight overhang to direct water away from the structure instead of running straight down the brick, speeding up deterioration.

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How to tell if there is damage

Most often, damage to your chimney crown will not be visible from the ground. An inspection from a licensed technician is necessary to diagnose the problem and repair any issues. However, there are a few things you could experience that could indicate potential damage to your crown.

The appearance of rust

If you notice rust anywhere on the inside or outside of the chimney and fireplace structure, this is evidence of a leak somewhere in your chimney system. Rust on your firebox or damper means that moisture is getting through cracks somewhere in your chimney.

Visually apparent cracks

As weather and debris wear down the outside of your crown, cracks can form. Bricks and masonry can begin to crack and crumble. This action is known as spalling. This will require tuckpointing, the process of removing damaged mortar and replacing it with new, color-matched materials. While this can be done on your own, it can be tricky to get everything matched correctly, and is a job better left to the professionals.

Water damage

Water damage is a thought that puts fear in the minds of every homeowner. If undetected for a long time, the costs and labor involved in remediation of the damage can be big. This is one reason why a yearly chimney inspection is so important. Your Northeastern Chimney technician will diagnose any issues they see and work to get them fixed before damage sets in or gets worse.

“What if my crown is missing?”

A missing chimney crown needs to be replaced as soon as possible! The lack of a crown leaves your chimney exposed to the elements and allows moisture and other debris to cause even bigger problems.

If left uncorrected, water leaking in from a broken or cracked crown can weaken the structure of your chimney. Structural damage will be harder and more costly to repair if not treated right away. Don’t miss out on using your chimney this season because of damage!

The worst thing that could happen is for you to notice the damage right before you want to use your fireplace for the first time. Sure, you could go ahead and use it anyway but we don’t recommend that.

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