Your fireplace and chimney probably sit idle during the summer months, so that means there’s nothing to worry about, right? Well, not quite. You see, it’s not uncommon for your chimney to suffer issues during the off-season that can affect its performance and your safety once winter arrives. In this article, we look at what can happen to your chimney during summer, so you can fix it and be safe when you fire it up on that first cold day.

Material Damage

Significant chimney damage is easy to spot but often expensive to repair, so it’s in your best interest to address minor issues before they escalate. Early signs of chimney damage include cracks in the brick or mortar, which allow water to seep in, freeze and expand during winter, and cause the damage to worsen. Summer gives you an excellent opportunity to call a professional for a chimney inspection, so you can identify potential problems and fix them before winter.

Foul Odors

Another issue many homeowners encounter is foul odors coming from the chimney. Once summer arrives and the temperatures heat up, it causes odors to flow more freely into the house. If your chimney has excessive soot and creosote buildup, or perhaps a rodent has gotten stuck inside and died, you might notice a significant stink coming from your chimney.

Excessive Creosote

People who rely heavily on their fireplaces during winter must deal with the byproducts of burning wood, one of the most dangerous is creosote. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, “Creosote is formed when volatile gases given off in the burning process combine and condense on their way out of the chimney. Creosote hardens inside chimneys and if it builds up, can clog up.” What makes creosote so dangerous is that it’s highly flammable, and most chimney fires are caused by dirty chimneys.

Storm Damage

One never knows what Mother Nature has in store; sometimes, she likes to remind us who’s boss, sending extreme weather with high winds, lightning, and rain. These weather conditions can wreak havoc on your chimney, not only damaging the bricks and mortar joints, but the flashing, cap, and other vital components. Damaged chimney components allow water to get into the structure, leading to deterioration that may require expensive repairs or a chimney rebuild.

Schedule Chimney Cleaning & Inspection Early

Most homeowners schedule their chimney cleaning, maintenance, and inspection during the fall. However, we recommend doing it in the spring or early summer because chimney sweeps are in high demand just before winter, so it can be a challenge to schedule an appointment.

Another reason to schedule maintenance and cleaning as early as possible is so you have ample time to repair any damage or address any issues found before winter. If your chimney service detects a major problem, you can more easily schedule repairs before they get booked up  during the fall and early winter. Everyone is busy during summer with vacations and shuffling the kids from one activity to another, so it’s easy to put off chimney cleaning until it’s too late and you’re ready to light that fire on that first chilly fall evening.

The post Common Chimney Issues During Summer appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Winter is not the same if you do not have a warm fire where you can gather around on cold nights, which is the reason why homeowners want to have a fireplace. While the fireplace can be the centerpiece of your home, there is a huge possibility that you do not spend a lot of time contemplating your chimney. If you do not give it regular maintenance and care, a chimney that is hazardous and damaged might be hovering above your fireplace. You should be able to increase your chimney’s lifespan.

Aside from a chimney sweep, there are other ways you can increase the lifespan of your chimney. You can read this article until the end to find out more.

Use Hardwoods

Since prepared woods such as maple, oak, birch, and debris produce less sap compared to milder woods, they are going to consume a high temperature for a longer period because they are thick. Other good hardwoods to look for include Boxwood, Iron bark, and Brown Peppermint wood.

Regular Maintenance

Similar to a lot of other expensive parts of your life and homes, such as your roof, your vehicle, and your furnace, chimneys last longer and work best when you give them regular maintenance. Preventive maintenance removes the build-up of creosote over time, and it can identify repairs that you need to make before any serious damage can happen. Some issues have the possibility to make the chimney unusable in case they are not fixed in a timely manner.

Waterproof Your Chimney

Among the biggest culprits of chimney damage and failure come water damage. If water gets into the masonry, mortar, or bricks, it will degrade the material and the chimney’s structural integrity. Chimney caps can be a way to prevent water from going inside the chimney structure, but waterproofing also protects the exterior. If you waterproof your chimney, it can stop water from penetrating any bricks and deflects water from the exterior of your chimney.

Routine Glass Cleaning

If your chimney is cutting edge, it can have an air wash framework that will clean the glass. However, in case you have a more seasoned oven, you might have to clean to routinely clean the glass. You can buy expert cleaning liquids or you can take the old course and use paper that has been splashed with malt vinegar.

Chimney Cap

A chimney cap installation is among the most effective ways to preserve your chimney. This is helpful in keeping animals out, as well as water and debris. It is also a great idea to pay for a stainless-steel cap to prevent any rusting. When you prevent things from getting into your chimney, you can prolong the lifespan of your chimney.

Chimney Liner Replacement

Chimney flue liner cracks cause carbon monoxide leaks inside your home and it can cause a lot of bad health issues. A lot of older chimneys are not built-in with chimney liners, which can increase the risk even more. If your chimney does not have a liner, or yours is damaged and old, you must replace it to add more years to your chimney’s lifespan.

Daily Ashpan Cleaning

If you allow debris to develop in the ashpan, it can cause distortion and harm to the mesh so you can try to clear the debris each time after you light the fire.

Stack Cleaning

It would be smart to clear your stack once a year to clean any creosote or ash development. Having a messy pile can ignite a smokestack fire, which causes hazards.

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

A chimney’s flashing is an important component to the chimney system.  When it fails, leaks can happen causing water damage to the structure below.  In the event that your chimney flashing needs to be repaired or replaced, it is best to hire a professional to take care of the job.

What Is Chimney Flashing?

It bridges the roof with the bricks of the chimney. It is usually made of steel, lead, aluminum, or copper. The job of flashing is to prevent water from entering your chimney, roof and home. For that reason, it is usually apparent that chimney flashing needs to be repaired or replaced when water issues occur. Some common warning signs include water droplets inside of the chimney, condensation within the firebox, musty smells coming from the chimney, and water stains on the walls near your chimney. Check out our blog on chimney flashing repairs and replacements to learn more!

Why Hire a Professional to Flash Your Chimney

When you are experiencing chimney flashing warning signs, do not resort to DIY. Call a professional! A professional will confidently diagnose what is going on. Though moisture issues are often due to flashing problems, there are a suite of other chimney problems that can cause water issues. Also, if flashing is the issue, a team of professionals will be able to evaluate the extent of the damage to determine if it needs to be repaired or replaced.

When it comes to chimney flashing installation, there is no room for uncertainty. If you are trying to take care of this job without professional training, you are bound to make mistakes, which can lead to leakage in the future. Plus, why not leave climbing on your roof, a potentially dangerous endeavor, to professionals?

Signs Your Flashing Needs Repair

1. There are water stains on the walls or ceiling near the chimney
2. Water observed on chimney in attic
3. Musty smell coming from the fireplace
4. The chimney in attic is crumbling

Though the basic steps appear straightforward, perfect measurements and installation by a professional are essential to the effectiveness of your chimney flashing!

The post Why Chimney Flashing is Important appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

If you’ve started learning about the different parts of your chimney, you’ve likely heard about the importance of the chimney flue. All of the sections of a chimney work together to make up the way that a chimney works, and the chimney flue is an important part of this system.

Now, we’ll explain what a chimney flue is and other common related questions.

What is a Chimney Flue?

It is the passageway through which smoke and exhaust leave your property. It is critical to line your chimney flue to ensure proper venting. Because soot is a fire hazard, it should be inspected every year and swept by specialists as necessary.

What Does a Chimney Flue Liner Do?

A chimney liner is a lining that goes inside the chimney’s flue. A liner is made of clay, ceramic, or a metal conduit. Its job is to hold burning products and guide them outside of the chimney, while keeping the chimney walls safe from damage caused by exposure to heat and moisture.

Why is Having One Important?

Chimney flues without liners begin to fall apart and leak smoke and exhaust as time goes on. When smoke is not efficiently leaving your chimney, the risk of a chimney fire increases over time. Liners are designed to keep your flue working correctly and to keep your chimney safe overall.

When is Repair Needed?

When the passageway can no longer perform the function of carrying flue gasses up and out, it’s time for replacement. Signs your flue is in need of repair include:

• Poor draft
• Falling debris
• Soot staining
• Loss of hot water
• Heating equipment won’t stay on

The post What is a Chimney Flue: Your Chimney Flue Guide appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

The chimney liner is a vital part of the infrastructure of the home. In many municipalities in Illinois, it is required that a chimney liner be installed and in good working order to sell your home. So, before you go anywhere, let’s first talk about the chimney liner, what it does and why it’s important to have it installed and in good working order before to purchase a new home or try to sell the one you are in.

What is a Chimney Liner?

A chimney liner goes from the bottom of the chimney to the top for the purpose of guiding smoke, fire and other combustibles from the home – it is your firewall!  The guidance of harmful smoke, or other leave-behinds, toward the outside of the home keeps people and pets safe. There are various types of chimney liners that are present in homes today.

• Fire Clay – Fire clay tiles were a popular choice starting in the early 1900s. The tiles do not last very long as extreme temperatures force them to dry, crack and deteriorate.  They are highly susceptible to cracking when exposed to water and the freeze / thaw cycles of winter
• Aluminum – aluminum liners are somewhat durable; however, they are not made for fireplace chimneys. Circumstantially, they are the “cheaper” solution for gas furnaces, some boilers and water heaters.
• Stainless steel – stainless steel liners are the most durable and best suited material for all chimneys and wood burning fireplaces. If it can hold up to wood burning, then stainless steel liners are a perfect solution for all chimney and fireplaces as well.

The best way to identify what is currently in your chimney flue is to have a certified chimney technician evaluate the health of your chimney and report the type of material protecting your home from the sides of the chimney walls. Begin the process by contacting Superior Chimney at 877-244-6349.

Top 2 Signs that the Chimney Needs a Chimney Liner

If you are thinking about selling your home and wonder if you’ll need to make the investment before you put it on the market, here are a few, of many, signs that can help you determine if you need a chimney liner.

1. Chimney walls are deteriorating or discoloring
2. Condensation / Saturation (water or moisture in the chimney or on surrounding home construction materials/walls)

Inspections

If you are looking for a new home, be sure to get a complete inspection. Ask Certified Chimney Technician to look inside the fireplace and chimney to ensure the fireplace is up to code. You can likely and easily negotiate it into the real estate contract.

Caring for the Chimney and the Chimney Liner

Now that you know how critical the chimney liner is to your home, let’s get your chimney checked out. With it being warmer months, you won’t be using the fireplace. This is a perfect time to get the chimney swept, inspected and if you need a chimney liner…installed. Now when the cooler/colder weather comes around, you’ll be ready to enjoy the fire with your family and friends with peace of mind.

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

When a chimney is built well, its masonry should offer stability and performance for many years. Masonry is comprised of two parts: bricks and mortar. While bricks may last for a century, the mortar that holds the bricks together may begin to fail in 25 years or less.

Tuckpointing basics

In simple terms, tuckpointing involves removing old, crumbling mortar within a chimney’s masonry and replacing it with a strong, long-lasting compound. Old mortar is scraped or ground out, and the new mortar is selected to closely match the color of the original mortar.

A proper tuckpointing job brings three benefits:

1. The chimney looks clean and handsome once again.
2. The chimney is now protected from intruding water and moisture, which is the central problem in the majority of chimney repair issues.
3. The chimney is now strengthened and far less likely to lean or collapse.

Benefit #1 is pretty self-explanatory. Let’s look at #2 and #3.

How water from rain and snow damages your chimney

Water is not a good mix with bricks and mortar. When cracks or crumbling begin in a chimney’s masonry, water can seep in and begin a cycle of deterioration.

In the Kansas City area, we get a lot of freezing temperatures in the winter. When this happens, moisture inside the bricks and mortar freezes and then expands, as frozen water will do. The result is further cracking and decay.

Incoming water can cause damage to a chimney liner and interior masonry. It can also eventually get to walls, flooring, attics and other home building materials and cause rotting.
For these and many other reasons, tuckpointing – and brick replacement, when necessary – are strongly recommended in the early stages of damage, before it gets out of hand.

Chimneys should stand up straight

Mortar joint deterioration is a common cause of leaning chimneys. After a chimney has begun to tilt, it isn’t going to right itself. Rather, it’s going to eventually lean to the point where it literally falls.
Of course, you wouldn’t let your chimney get to the about-to-collapse stage, but many homeowners will allow mortar to keep crumbling for years and years before addressing the problem.

Like with all chimney repairs, tuckpointing is best performed early. If your chimney is more than 20 years old, keep an eye on the masonry mortar and contact a tuckpointing specialist if you notice crumbling and cracks.

How chimney bricks and mortar become damaged

Old age is sure to eventually take its toll on chimney masonry. Other causes of damage include:

• Lightning strikes
• Major hail storms
• Freezing and thawing (as mentioned above)
• House-settling
• Problems with the chimney footing, which cause shifting
• Gale-force winds
• Chimney fires, many of which you may not even know about

The post Chimney Tuckpointing: How it Can Save Your Chimney appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Summer is a great time to get a start on or finish those home repair projects that you’ve been meaning to tackle. This includes everything from long overdue landscaping to painting a fence to taking care of issues with your chimney. This is especially true with the latter as you’re not likely to be using your fireplace at all when it’s hot outside. Of course, it also means that summer is a great time for an inspection and to address any problems your Northeastern Chimney technician discovers with your masonry. Here are the five most common repairs a technician will deal with when visiting your home.

Tuckpointing

Over time, brick and mortar can wear down. The method to remove and replace this kind of damage is known as tuckpointing.  Little things such as cracks in your bricks or flaking mortar can weaken the structural integrity of your chimney. Eventually, this will lead to problems down the line. An experienced chimney technician will first perform an inspection. Then, they’ll repair this damage by removing the affected area and replacing it with color-matched new brick and mortar, leaving your chimney to look as good as new.

Repairing your crown

The crown of your chimney is exposed to the elements day in and day out. It also protects the chimney from allowing water to get inside and cause problems. Because of this, it is a very important component that should always be working properly. Cracks and damage are a recipe for disaster. After an inspection uncovers the problem, your technician will either repair the crown and seal or (depending on the extent of the damage) replace it completely.

Replacing a missing cap

The same can be said for the chimney cap. If your cap is missing, birds, insects, other small animals, moisture, and other kinds of debris can find their way into your chimney. Eventually, their intrusion will lead to odor, damage, and worst of all, a potential fire. Replacing a chimney cap is one common and also easy repair that can be taken care of during the summer.

Fixing a broken damper

You may not think about your damper because it’s up inside the flue. But, if it’s broken, you might find out the hard way in terms of increased heating costs. Worse yet, if your damper is stuck in the closed position, daggers smoke and gases will back up inside of your home. The damper acts somewhat like a lid on the chimney, preventing heat from escaping when the fireplace is not being used and allowing fumes to escape when you’re using it.

Overhaul of the firebox

No one wants to experience a house fire. Overhauling the firebox is critical to improving safety. Heat and chemicals can break down the inner parts of your firebox and allow the heat to escape into the walls of your home with disastrous consequences. Additionally, this can cause a decrease in efficiency. However, because you’re not using your chimney during the summer, this is the best time to replace this critically important component of your fireplace system.

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

A chimney cap is a protective covering that can go over your chimney. Normally, they are made of steel mesh with copper and come in different styles to match the outer part of your home. On the mesh ring, there is a cap that is helpful in protecting your chimney against downdrafts and rain.

Nobody really thinks about their fireplace when it is hot outside, but everyone has to because when the cold weather starts to set in, they look for a fireplace. Some people even hire chimney sweep to have theirs checked in preparation for the cold months.

Read on to know more about why you need to install a chimney cap and how it helps you.

Saves You Money

When it becomes chilly, you will want to feel warm and bundle up. In case you do not have a chimney cap, it may be difficult to get warm. The reason behind this is that when it is windy and cold, downdrafts are affecting the temperature in your home and your energy bills will start to shoot up.

These cold gusts are uncomfortable, and they can cause ember, smoke, and ash to blow inside your house and cause damage. If there is a chimney cap, the temperature in your home will become more stable, and you will have lower energy bills.

Prevents Fires

The only fire that should be happening is the one inside your fireplace. Chimney caps can be useful for controlling the sparks and preventing any fire. There are times when a fire can throw sparks up your chimney and then out the flue. This cap will potentially catch fire on your roof, which cause terrible damage. The protection a chimney cap offers will go both ways: it is outfitted using a mesh that will keep embers wherever they are and it protects the environment from very dangerous situations.

Keeps Water Out

Moisture is the worst nightmare of any chimney. When water has an easy path inside your chimney, the problems that will rise if you do not care about it can end up costing thousands of repairs.

Your brick and mortar deteriorate faster and your damper and liner will become damaged. In addition, whenever there is water buildup inside your home, the mold and mildew growth will become greater.

A chimney cap keeps the rainwater out of the chimney which leads to a longer and healthier life for every aspect of your chimney and fireplace.

Keeps Animals Out

Sure, some critters are cute, but you would not want a raccoon or baby bird to end up in your chimney. Even if you might question whether animals would be drawn to your chimney, from which smoke gusts, dark shoots, and warm environment attract them.

When animals go into their chimney, they can become stuck and this causes extreme clogging, as well as bad odors. Installing a cap helps you prevent animals from going inside your chimney, and it saves you from the costs of cleaning.

Prevents Flue Blockage

If your gutters are cleaned out every year, you will know how much debris can land on your roof. The leaves from nearby trees, branches, twigs, and other materials will build up and lead to problems. However, that is stopping all the debris from making its way down your chimney.

Without a chimney cap, debris can build up in your chimney. When your flue is blocked, it can lead to smoke and carbon monoxide back drafting that will go inside your home.

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

The efflorescence is the white material that you see on a chimney that is in the form of a powdery mass. Your chimney will have efflorescence when the moisture picks up the minerals, then carries them to the masonry surface, and then leaves them behind as tiny crystals on the surface while the moisture evaporates. These minerals do not cause harm, and all you have to do is brush them away.

It is common to have a small amount of efflorescence, but if it becomes excessive, you should contact the chimney cleaning services so they can take care of it. The rainfall that soaks the brick can cause efflorescence. Read on to know more.

Power Wash it

Yes, you can power wash it. However, when you spray the efflorescent deposits using a power washer, you are not really removing the white stains effectively from the bricks. If you try washing the efflorescence off using a light-powered hose, you should be careful about using a high-pressure spray, which causes more damage to the surface.

Using a power washer on the roof is not the best way to go. It can fall and should only be handled by professionals with the right safety gear.

Brushing

By using a strong brush, you can easily remove efflorescence. In order to clean the efflorescence brick, it is important to do this in dry and warm weather. During this time, moisture can bring more salts to the brick’s surface, and you can use a dry brush to remove the salts.

Using clear water repellents, acrylic coatings and silicone can also help you get rid of efflorescence. The coating absorbs water on a masonry surface and it prevents efflorescence from happening again. In addition, the warm water and white vinegar combination have been known to take out efflorescence.

Use Abrasives

You can try rubbing the salt off by using an abrasive material or a rotary tool, or a sandblaster. All of this could be effective, but it can damage the surface.

Protecting brickwork of your chimney is important. Any damages that are done during the cleaning process cause another problem that did not exist in the past.

If you do this successfully, the porous surface should be sealed properly to prevent any future damage from happening. Scrubbing, scraping, or sanding off all the white salt deposits is not going to stop water from going inside the mortar joins. So, your problem will just get worst.

Rinse the Surface Again

You should rinse the surface of the building with water once again. After that, use a dry and fresh cloth to clean the surface again. Make sure the surface is dry in order to minimize the efflorescence.

Apply coatings about 1/8 to ¼ inches below the building’s surface. This will prevent water evaporation and passing through the treated area like soluble salts and vapor.

Chemical Products

Chemical treatments like muriatic acid, but the downsides can be severe, and you need to be cautious when it comes to using it for a couple of reasons:

1. Muriatic acid contains a lot of toxic chemicals
2. The acid causes any metal in the area to start rusting
3. The effectiveness is less than 100%

Causes:

• Presence of water-soluble salts inside the wall
• There is enough water in the wall to render a soluble solution
• A path for the soluble salts to penetrate through the surface where the moisture will evaporate, which leaves efflorescence on the surface

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

Chimney Health Hazards: Things You Should Know

Our chimneys, in conjunction with the fireplaces they support, help to provide us with much warmth during the colder months. They can, however, have various adverse effects on our health. Of course, one shouldn’t live in fear of this, though it is wise to have a working knowledge of chimney and fireplace health hazards. Let’s look at some ways in which your chimney may be more foe than friend.

Creosote Exposure

Creosote is an oily black substance that can potentially build up inside your chimney flue because of incomplete wood combustion (can be removed with a chimney cleaning). Not only does this stuff sound nasty, but it can also produce some undesirable health effects, such as:

Skin Irritation.

Physical contact with creosote buildup can cause rashes and other major skin issues.

Eye Irritation.

Creosote debris that gets on/in the eyes will irritate them, sometimes to the point of feeling burning sensations or actual chemical burns. Sensitivity to light is also possible.

Respiratory Problems.

Breathing in creosote particles for a length of time often catches up with the person exposed, as lung and other respiratory issues may develop.

Abdominal Issues.

Creosote carries with it the potential to irritate both one’s kidneys and liver.

Mental Problems.

Serious exposure to creosote will cause seizures and confusion in some people.

Cancer.

Though this greatest health effect has not occurred often from chimney use, creosote exposure does have the potential to cause skin cancer.

Chimney Soot Inhalation

Chimney soot is another contaminant resulting from incomplete combustion, and it forms when wood does not burn hot enough (less than 284 degrees). This powdery brown or black dust sticks to the inside of chimneys (sometimes escaping into the air) and carries a few risks similar to creosote, such as:

Lung Hazard.

Like creosote, if chimney soot is inhaled in great enough amounts, it has the potential to either irritate the lungs or cause lung diseases.

Respiratory Risks.

In conjunction with lung problems, general respiratory infections may crop up due to soot inhalation.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless, making it notoriously hard to detect. The gas is a result of incomplete combustion due to insufficient oxygen to finish oxidation. In this case, it doesn’t make it to the carbon dioxide form. When Carbon monoxide makes it into the air, several health problems may emerge:

Flu-like Symptoms.

Carbon monoxide taken into the body in small amounts may mirror flu characteristics, including fatigue, nausea, confusion or headache.

Organ Troubles.

The more carbon monoxide you inhale, the worse the impacts on your health. Breathing in large quantities (At once or over time) of this gas may result in brain damage or heart problems, and at its worst even death.

Chimney Swifts and Histoplasmosis

Chimney swifts are small, brownish black birds with an affinity for taking up residence inside residential chimneys. The birds themselves are little more than annoying, though what they leave behind may cause problems. Their droppings may cause histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection caused by histplasma capsulatum, a fungus. Symptoms generally look like a mild illness or flu, and include:

Chronic Cough.

Coughing a lot? It might be a sign of a larger problem from your chimney.

Chest Pain.

Chest pain is never something to ignore, and if you knowingly have chimney swifts, it may be worth it to mention to the doctor.

Fever, Chills or Sweats.

Though usually associated with the flu, these symptoms may be the result of extreme buildup of histplasma capsulatum in your chimney.

Lack of Appetite and Weight Loss.

While you may simply be under the weather when this happens, if this or any of the above symptoms have joined forces, those chimney swifts may be to blame.

None of these things are particularly enjoyable to cope with. So, the underlying message is simple: take precautions and clean your chimney. Chimney sweeps can determine with a chimney inspection if any internal structures of your chimney are damaged, contributing to buildup problems. Additionally, chimney sweeps will remove creosote, soot and chimney swift deposits, resulting in decreased health risks. You may also consider having your home checked for carbon monoxide and also install a carbon monoxide detector. With a better knowledge of chimney risks, you can now enjoy wintertime fires more responsibly!

The post Chimney Health Hazards appeared first on Highs Chimney.