Now that summer is here, it’s a good idea to close the fireplace until the colder weather returns. Closing the fireplace for the season has many benefits. First, it will help prevent the conditioned air in your home from escaping through the chimney saving money on cooling costs. Second, it will keep the rain out of the chimney that can damage interior masonry and cause foul odors in your home. Third, closing the fireplace also prevents small animals and pests from climbing in the flue through a damaged or missing chimney cap. However, there are a few routine maintenance tasks that should be done when closing your wood-burning or gas fireplace for the summer.

Schedule a Chimney Inspection

Your chimney and fireplace need to be inspected annually, and getting it done during the summer will avoid the fall and winter rush when chimney sweeps are busiest. A chimney inspection is necessary to ensure your gas or wood-burning fireplace is safe to operate and is not a health or safety hazard. The chimney sweep will visually inspect the chimney, vents, and attached heating appliances. In addition, the chimney sweep will check ceramic logs, burner, connections, and fittings for gas fireplace owners. The chimney sweep will also check for creosote build-up and obstructions. Any deficiencies found during the inspection, like spalling brick, cracks in the chimney crown, water leaks, or other damages, can be repaired while the fireplace is not in use.

Chimney Cleaning

It’s also a good idea to clean the chimney before closing the fireplace for the summer. Small animals like birds, raccoons, and squirrels may have been hiding out in the chimney. Also, strong winds can blow leaves, twigs, and other debris into the vent. The decaying organic matter, along with the warmer temperatures and humidity, can cause foul odors to permeate your home. It can also attract pests.

Moreover, the creosote accumulating in the chimney throughout the winter hardens into a thick, tarry, and flammable substance that becomes extremely difficult to remove. It also contributes to foul odors.  A professional chimney sweep that is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has the training and professional equipment necessary to safely clean the chimney and your attached heating appliances, including gas and wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves, furnaces, and inserts, per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) industry standards.

Turn off the Pilot Light

Gas fireplace owners should also turn off the pilot light before closing the damper for the summer. Turning off the pilot light will reduce energy costs and wear and tear when you’re not using the fireplace. It is a simple process. First, locate the pilot knob and turn it to the “off” position. Also, turn the gas shutoff valve to the “off” position.

Closing the Damper

Most fireplaces have a damper that is installed in the chimney’s throat above the firebox. It is typically operated by a lever or a rotating screw-type rod. Close the damper by lifting and pulling the handle down or turning the rotating rod to the right. Some fireplaces have a top-mount damper that is installed at the top of the chimney. It is closed by pulling the chain and attaching it to the hook in the firebox. After closing the damper, visually check to ensure it has an airtight seal when shut. An airtight damper seal is essential for reducing energy costs and keeping water out of the chimney and firebox.

If you need help closing the damper or turning off the pilot light, contact the professional chimney sweeps at Fluesbrothers. We’ll be glad to schedule an appointment throughout our Kansas City Metro service area.

The post Do I Need to “Close” My Fireplace During the Summer? appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

When contemplating a backyard fire pit, it can’t be digging a hole in the backyard, throwing in some logs and a match. Aside from the obvious safety recommendations you need to follow just like you do with your fireplaces, inserts, and stoves, several factors need to be put into the equation to have a successful outcome.

• Personal taste
• Budget
• Ample space
• DIY or professionally built
• Local Fire Codes
• Insurance considerations
• Type of fire pit

Personal Fire Pit Taste

Personal taste and budget go hand-in-hand when contemplating any home improvement project.  Search the internet or home improvement publications to get some ideas for the type of materials (stone or brick) available.  Before reaching a final decision, make sure the components you need are available in your area.

What’s Your Budget?

This one is most often the deciding factor on size, style, and design.  There is little satisfaction in putting a budget-breaking fire pit in if it will cause financial ruin, so be realistic with all of your goals.

Do I Have Enough Yard Space For a Fire Pit?

Is there ample space to enjoy the fire pit?  Many municipalities require the fire pit to be a certain distance from homes (including neighbors), outbuildings, fences, and trees.  Fire pits need to have room between the fire itself and seating.  No one wants to get burned from sitting close to the fire.

DIY vs Hiring a Professional

The choice between a Do-it-Yourself or a professional project is many times the easiest decision.   Is there enough time to complete the project?  What kind of family disruptions will be created in the process of conclusion?  If the budget permits, many times, it’s just easier to let someone else do it.

Check Local Fire Codes

Local Fire Codes may prevent you from having a fire pit at all.  Check with the fire department in your area.  Each region has specific fire codes that must be followed.  Spending the money to build the fire pit and having the fire department say it’s not up to code and you must move it is not a pleasant scenario.  If you live in a wildfire area, these fire mandates may shut down the fire pit before it gets started.

Homeowner’s Insurance Concerns

Insurance considerations may have a say in how much you pay to insure your home and property.   Once again, if you live in a high wildfire, insurance rates may increase.  Often the addition of a sizable fire pit may increase the value of your home and cause rates to escalate.

Fuel Choice

The type of fire pit, not the design, but the fuel, is an option.  This decision cannot be after the firepit has been built but in the planning.  Many people enjoy a crackling fire; with its smells and sounds, it is relaxing.  The drawback is having to have a steady supply of firewood.  There is a propane or natural gas-powered fire pit; some would say it has no romance.  That may be true but, changing the propane tank takes a lot less effort than stacking wood.

Many homeowners think only of the design and the surroundings of a fire pit.  Consider all the above, ask around, and ask the local zoning commission when you have a strategy.  Make sure the design and type of fuel you are planning to use are within the building code.

For more questions, professional advice, and estimates, contact Northeastern Chimney, LLC. Also, give us a call to schedule or inquire about our chimney cleaning, inspections, maintenance and repairs.

Northeastern Chimney, LLC

37 Cody Street

West Hartford, Connecticut 06110

Phone: 860-233-5770

 

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

Just because winter is over, you don’t have to stop enjoying your fireplace. You have a bunch of great options for decorating the fireplace inside and out and making the wall area surrounding the appliance come alive.

We’ll look at some of those options, but first, here are five tasks to accomplish before decorating.

1. Have a safety inspection performed on your fireplace and chimney.
2. Schedule repairs to fix any problems the inspection turns up – do this sooner rather than later in the year when chimney crews are super-busy.
3. Have your chimney cleaned to remove flammable creosote and outside debris.
4. Remember to close the damper to keep inside air from exchanging with outside air.
5. Clean your firebox to remove all ash, soot residue, creosote deposits and smoke stains.

Design ideas for your fireplace & fireplace area

Your fireplace is a big attention-getter when it’s in use, but it can attract just as much attention in the off-season with these ideas.

Decorate the firebox: You can add candles, lights, plants and just about anything else to highlight and beautify a clean, empty firebox.

Cover the firebox: If you don’t want anything in the firebox, cover it with a curtain, hanging beads or a portrait or painting.

Put your mantel to good use: If you don’t have a lovely mantel over your fireplace, consider installing one. Mantels are ideal settings for antiques, kids’ artwork, floral arrangements, spring- and summer-themed decorations, clocks, mirrors, family photos and other attractive items.

Add a fireplace surround: Fireplace surrounds can be purchased pre-made or custom built. They can cover a narrow area around the fireplace, or they can take up an entire wall. You can have your surround made from wood, natural or faux stone, brick, paneling and other materials.

Enhance your fireplace wall: Whether or not you add a surround, you can bring lots of beauty to the wall in which the fireplace sits. Consider tasteful shelving, hanging tapestries, framed posters of landscapes or city skylines, ground-level or suspended potted plants and anything else that you happen to find attractive and engaging.

Think color: If your home has a dominant color scheme, keep this in mind when decorating your fireplace and surrounding area. Whether you use matching or contrasting colors, the idea is for this section of your room to be a logical part of everything else.

Get creative: The best thing about any home-decorating or upgrade project is, there are no rules you must follow. What makes sense to you is what you should do. Enlist the help of your family for ideas, and create something that’s truly a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, can’t help you with your fireplace-area decorating, but we can help in other important ways.

Our team of CSIA-certified technicians provides chimney sweep services, licensed chimney inspections and all repairs to chimneys, fireplaces and system components. We serve the greater Kansas City, KS/Kansas City, MO, region with the singular goal of keeping you and your family safe and comfortable.

Schedule a fireplace and chimney cleaning or inspection, learn more about our services and get your questions answered by calling (913) 236-7141.

The post Get the Most out of Your Fireplace during the Warmer Months appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Have you just moved to a new house? Here are fireplace tips that you should consider:

Give high priority to fireplace safety

To have peace of mind that everything is in perfect order it’s recommended that you hire a chimney contractor to inspect the fireplace and fix even the most minor problem that might be there. Modern contractors are advanced in technology where they use videos to inspect the chimney lining. The video cameras come with high resolutions that enable the contractors pick even the smallest problems in the chimney.

In addition to the contractors picking the problems, they should also clean your chimney to ensure your safety.

Install a chimney cap

Most modern chimneys have chimney caps, but the older ones don’t have them. If you look up your chimney and all you can see is a round pipe or clay flue, you need to install a chimney cap. The chimney cap has many functions including:

• Preventing rain from pouring straight into the house thus damaging the flue and causing rust on the dampers
• Preventing unwanted critters from entering your home
• Preventing odor from dead animals that die in the chimney. The cap also prevents odors resulting from animal droppings that are unable to escape the chimney
• When installed with a wire mesh, the chimney functions as a spark guard where it prevents loose sparks from starting fire on your roof.

If your chimney doesn’t have the chimney cap, hire a chimney masonry repair professional to install it for you. The professional may recommend other renovations that might be necessary in keeping your chimney safe.

Fix loose chimney bricks and mortar

If you ask a good number of homeowners they will tell you that their chimneys are permanent. Due to this misconception, most homeowners rarely go up their chimneys. If you are buying an old house, your chimney is also old and you need to take a look at it. Common problems with old chimneys are: loose mortar and bricks. If this is the case with your chimney, hire a chimney repair professional to fix it for you.

During repair, also ask the professional to take a look at the chimney flashing and ensure that it hasn’t rusted. The flashing also shouldn’t let moisture seep through causing structural damage to your room.

Conclusion

These are chimney tips that you should put into consideration as a new home owner. For ideal results, work with a certified and experienced chimney company.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

The fireplace serves as a great place to relax with friends and family. While the fireplace is such an integral part of a home, studies show that the fireplace is one of the most overlooked places in a home as few homeowners undertake fireplace repair.

Since few people pay attention to the fireplace, it tends to deteriorate to a point where it becomes a risk to you and family members. To protect yourself, you need to be wary of warning signs. To help you out, here are signs that your fireplace needs a makeover:

White staining on the chimney

Also known as efflorescence, white staining occurs when salt particles combine with moisture. Excess water in the chimney structure evaporates on the other side of the chimney resulting in a deposit of salt residue. Over time, the salt becomes a powdery substance that is unsightly.

Although, the staining is usually white, compounds in the chimney sometimes cause the salt deposits to turn yellow, green or even brown. Regardless of the color of stain on your fireplace, you need to undertake chimney repair to fix the problem and prevent it from recurring in future. To repair the chimney you need to fix the chimney cap in order to allow rainwater to pour between chimney flue and chimney.

Black staining on the chimney

When you put on fire, smoke is supposed to go up the chimney, but this is not always the case. When there are chimney obstructions or other imperfections, smoke tends to come back to your home. When this happens over a long period of time, the area above the heath gets a black staining which is unsightly to look at.

To avoid this problem hire a chimney sweeping professional that will not only clean the fireplace, but one who will also get rid of obstructions. Sometimes the problem comes about when the chimney is at the wrong height. In such a scenario hire a chimney masonry repair professional to rectify the height problem.

Crumbling chimney mortar

Due to environmental factors such as ice, wind, snow and rain, it’s common for the chimney mortar to weaken and start coming off. It’s recommended that you undertake chimney inspection where you inspect all areas of your fireplace. If you notice that the mortar is coming off, ask a chimney contractor to fix it as a weak chimney is a ticking time bomb.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

There is nothing cozier than relaxing beside a warm fireplace on those cold and dreary days. Fireplace home heating in the winter is an economical source of heating, but they also continue to provide a warm and inviting ambiance throughout the year.  It’s why fireplaces continue to be one of the most preferred home features. However, there are a few things homeowners should know about fireplaces to keep their homes and family safe.

Hire a Chimney Sweep to Clean the Fireplace and Chimney.

One of the most important things a homeowner can do to protect their home is to hire a chimney sweep to clean the chimney and fireplace. Creosote, a natural by-product of combustion, adheres to the interior masonry, flue liner, and other components. It hardens into a dark, tarry material that is very flammable.  Although gas fireplaces burn cleaner with significantly less creosote, they still need cleaning. The gases created during combustion are corrosive and can damage the ceramic logs and masonry without regular cleaning. The chimney sweep will also remove any small animals, pests, and debris that may be blocking the flue so that smoke, soot, and fumes aren’t forced out of the fireplace and into the living space.

Make Sure the Chimney Cap is Secure.

Homeowners should also check to ensure the chimney cap is secure. The chimney cap is an accessory that is installed on top of a masonry chimney. In addition to preventing moisture intrusion, it helps keep small animals, pests, leaves, and twigs from getting into the chimney and blocking the flue. However, strong winds and heavy rains can damage the chimney cap causing it to separate from the chimney allowing rainwater to leak in the fireplace.

Repair or Replace Damaged Flashing.

Damaged flashing is one of the most common causes of chimney leaks. The flashing is the sheet metal that seals the seam where the chimney meets the roof. If it is improperly installed, warped, or deteriorating, water will leak through the gaps and damage the attic, roof deck, and ceiling. Water stains around the walls or ceiling near the fireplace signify that the chimney flashing may be damaged.

Look for Damaged Bricks and Mortar.

Bricks and mortar are porous materials that absorb moisture, accelerating its deterioration. The constant freezing and thawing during the winter can take its toll on the masonry, causing cracks in the bricks and mortar. As the water damage progresses, bricks begin to chip, flake, and crumble, and the decaying mortar leaves gaps in the mortar joints. Moisture can leak through these gaps in the masonry and cause significant damage to the chimney, fireplace, and home. When caught early, tuckpointing can repair damaged bricks and mortar. However, severe damage may require a complete or partial chimney rebuild.

Only Burn Seasoned Wood.

Homeowners should only burn wood that has been seasoned or dried for at least six months. Seasoned wood has a much lower moisture content than freshly cut wood. As a result, it will burn cleaner with less creosote. Seasoned wood will also burn hotter and last longer.

Don’t Toss Your Christmas Tree in the Fireplace.

Homeowners should never dispose of a Christmas tree in the fireplace. The pine needles contain sap that is very flammable and can spark a fire, especially when there is already creosote in the chimney. A chimney fire can cause severe damage to your chimney, fireplace, and your home. Check with your local municipality for proper Christmas tree disposal.

Get an Annual Chimney and Fireplace Inspection.

Whether you have a gas or wood-burning fireplace, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends annual chimney inspections. Yearly chimney inspections are necessary to ensure your chimney, vents, and attached heating appliances are not a fire or safety hazard. A professional chimney sweep will also let you know if your chimney and fireplace need cleaning.

The post Things You Should Know About Fireplaces appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that you hire a chimney professional to undertake chimney inspection once a year. Data has shown that less than 1/3 of homeowners do it.

If you are a homeowner and you rarely inspect your chimney, you should know that you put yourself, your property and loved ones at great danger.

Here are some of the reasons why you should religiously inspect your chimney annually:

Prevent fire

According to NFPA, 55% of fires result due to chimney problems. Most of the chimney fires result due to excessive creosote buildup. When you light fire in the chimney, excessive heat increases the temperature of creosote which damages the chimney lining.

If creosote isn’t removed, the chimney lining continues getting damaged until fire gets to combustible materials in the chimney.

Since the chimney fire burns at high temperatures, it sometimes gets impossible to put it out. In some cases, home occupants are unable to leave in time.

To avoid putting your property and family members at risk, hire a chimney contractor to inspect the chimney for problems including creosote levels. In addition to inspecting the fireplace, the professional will also clean it and fix any problems that might be there.

Avoid expensive chimney repairs

Just like any other part of your house that is in constant use, the chimney also deteriorates overtime. Common chimney problems include:

• Damaged flue lining
• Broken bricks
• Damaged chimney flashing resulting to leaking
• Cracked mortar
• Damaged chimney cap

These damages don’t happen overnight—they happen slowly over the life of the chimney. When you hire a chimney professional to inspect your chimney, the professional identifies the problematic areas soon enough before the condition gets worse.

If the flue lining is damaged, the professional undertakes chimney relining.

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is fatal if you inhale high levels of it. If you have a gas or wood burning fireplace, you should be cautious of it. Some of the things that can bring about carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Deteriorating chimney
• Blocked chimney
• Broken connector pipe
• Rusted heat exchanger

When you hire a chimney repair professional to inspect your fireplace, he/she is able to identify the problems and fix them before they become catastrophic.

One way of protecting yourself from the poisonous gas is installing carbon monoxide detectors. The professional will help you identify the best places to install the detectors. He/she will also help you install them.

 

 

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

How Long Do Chimneys Last? When to Have Your Chimney Rebuilt.

The Real Estate market is booming in New England and most are looking at homes with chimneys. Fireplaces add a charming look to any house and they provide warmth and a place to gather during the long winter months. Many homebuyers want to know, “how long do chimneys last” in order to decide if negotiating chimney repair during the purchasing process is warranted. Homeowners wonder the same thing as they try to keep up with regular chimney maintenance. Today, we will dive into how long the typical chimney lasts, along with how to know when to have your chimney rebuilt.

At Boston’s Best Chimney, we are a full-service chimney company. We are experts in chimney masonry repairs and rebuilds and we also perform chimney sweeps and chimney inspections. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Now, we’ll explore how long chimneys last and when to have your chimney rebuilt.

 How Long Do Chimneys Last?

If a chimney has been correctly built and cared for, it can be expected to last for 50 to 100 years! But here’s the thing, many chimneys have not been properly cared for throughout their lifetime, however. It is therefore essential to have your chimney inspected before you move into a new home and annually afterwards. A good chimney company will help you evaluate the state of your chimney to see if it has any damage and to explain the steps needed to keep your chimney safe and working well.

Some factors that can impact the duration of your chimney’s life include:

• Waterproofing: If your chimney has been waterproofed over time, it will last longer. Brick is a strong and long-lasting material, but moisture will break it down. Waterproofing your chimney will ensure that it is kept safe from water.
• Location: If your chimney is located in the middle of the house it will likely last longer than a chimney that runs up the side of the house which is exposed to the elements.
• Chimney cap: Whether or not you have a chimney cap will affect the life of your chimney. Chimney caps keep out debris and rain, which will prevent the bricks from decaying. Check out our Ultimate Chimney Cap guide for more information on this important chimney feature.

 When to Have Your Chimney Rebuilt

Though many issues can be solved with chimney masonry repair, chimneys need to be completely rebuilt in certain circumstances. Some signs that your chimney is beyond the point of repair include:

• Large cracks in the bricks: This is a sign that your chimney is no longer structurally sound.
• Efflorescence (white streaks on your chimney’s bricks): If this is addressed quickly, it won’t necessarily ruin your chimney. If efflorescence is ignored, the underlying cause will break down your chimney over time.
• Spalling bricks: When bricks or pieces of bricks begin to fall from your chimney, this is a major red flag that your chimney’s bricks are filled with water and deteriorating, which will threaten the integrity of your chimney’s structure.
• Tilted chimney: If your chimney appears to be leaning, this clearly indicates that there is structural damage that should be addressed immediately.

 Call Boston’s Best Chimney with Your Chimney Rebuilding Questions

As we mentioned, it is best to have your chimney inspected annually and swept annually or as needed. If we find that your chimney has a masonry issue, we can then help to see whether you need your chimney rebuilt or repointed. If you would like to schedule a chimney inspection, click here or call (781) 893-6611 to contact us.

The post How Long Do Chimneys Last? When to Have Your Chimney Rebuilt. appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Should I Waterproof My Chimney?

Our customers often ask us “Should I waterproof my chimney?” The short answer to this question is “absolutely!” Waterproofing your chimney is a preventative measure that prolongs the life of the chimney’s masonry. As strong and sturdy as your chimney may be, it must withstand year-round precipitation. From rain to snow, your chimney takes on the elements and needs an extra layer of protection. That is where waterproofing comes in.

Do you suspect that your chimney currently has masonry damage? Check out our blog on Signs That You Need Chimney Masonry Repair to learn about common issues that can be addressed during chimney  masonry repair.

At Boston’s Best Chimney, we are a one stop chimney service company located in the Boston, Massachusetts area. We perform chimney waterproofing, masonry work, chimney sweeps, and more. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch with us.

Waterproofing Agents on Masonry Chimneys

Our team of chimney experts uses ChimneySaver Water-Base Water Repellent to waterproof chimneys. Unlike products that you may find at the hardware store, ChimneySaver is 100% vapor permeable. This means that it prevents water vapors from being trapped and causing internal damage.

It also offers protection from efflorescence (those white streaks that you often see on chimneys) and damage that comes from freezing and thawing by not allowing water to become trapped within the brick structure and expanding/contracting.

To dive into the science of how this works, according to ChimneySaver, this is how their water-base repellent works:

The repellent “reacts with the minerals in masonry in the presence of ultraviolet light and atmospheric moisture. This reaction forms strong permanent bonds beneath the surface and creates a hydrophobic zone that prevents water molecules from penetrating, while allowing free migration of water vapors. The chemical bonds formed in this process allow ChimneySaver Water-Base Water Repellent to become an integral part of the substrate and provide long term water repellent protection.”

As a waterproofing agent for masonry chimneys, ChimneySaver Water-Base Water Repellent stands out among other products in the market and we are confident and proud to use it when waterproofing chimneys.

Have You Waterproofed Your Boston, MA Area Chimney?

If you have not yet waterproofed your chimney, we highly encourage you to do so. This preventative measure will make your chimney last longer and save you time and money on masonry repairs down the road. We are located in Dedham, MA and we serve the Boston and Greater Boston, MA areas. Don’t hesitate to click here or call (781) 893-6611 to ask us questions or schedule an appointment.

The post The Importance of Waterproofing Your Chimney appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

The configuration of metal parts are cut, shaped and installed in the mortar joints of the chimney and sit between the roofing material and the chimney. Then caulk is used to seal the edge of the flashing to the chimney material. This provides a tight seal so water can’t get behind the flashing.

However, with weather conditions and time, the sealant will dry out and crack. Another reason why it’s important to have your chimney inspected each year by Superior Chimney.

Repair or Replace the Chimney Flashing

As we all know, living in our weather conditions can definitely take a toll on everything, including the flashing. It’s important to get the exterior of the chimney and the flashing checked each year. Weather has a way of eroding the flashing seal which can miraculously disappear in areas.

Well, now you know all about chimney flashing. That metal configuration that has a very important job. Be sure to take care of it with a yearly 14-point inspection by Superior Chimney.

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