Newly constructed chimneys today are required by law to have a flue liner. They’re not, however, required to also have a chimney cap to protect the chimney. Many chimneys are operated without any kind of covering over the top of the flue, and in every case, trouble is sure to come around sooner or later.

What is a chimney cap?

There are actually two types of components that cover a chimney flue: chimney caps and flue covers. Either type will protect the flue, but a proper full-width chimney cap also covers and protects the vulnerable chimney crown.

Both caps and covers have solid tops and open (usually mesh) sides to allow smoke to leave the chimney. Because chimney caps are the more protective of the two components, It’s important to understand their purpose

6 ways chimney caps protect chimneys

Keep out rain and snow

Without a covering, your chimney flue is open to however much rain and snow is in the air. Moisture inside the flue can damage the chimney liner and fireplace damper through rusting and erosion. Additionally, flue moisture is a common cause of mold outbreaks, which can be dangerous to people and pets.

Prevent animal infestation

Small animals such as squirrels, birds, rodents and raccoons often seek shelter inside chimneys. With no chimney cap, it’s like putting out a welcome mat for them. The nests some of these animals build can cause a drafting obstruction and serve as fuel for a chimney fire. Animals that die inside the flue cause these same problems along with unpleasant odors that will drift into your home.

Block debris

Depending on where your chimney is situated, it may be in the line of falling leaves, twigs, fruit and nuts from nearby trees. This debris, as with nesting materials, will cause a dangerous drafting obstruction. A narrowed flue passage can send smoke and deadly carbon monoxide into your home and put the health of people and pets at risk.

Help to prevent downdrafts

A secure chimney cap is an excellent wind block and helps to prevent wind-based downdrafts that can blow smoke, ash and fiery embers and sparks into your home.

Contain ascending sparks and embers

If there’s no contrary airflow, sparks and embers will rise into the flue during a fire. Depending on their velocity, these particles can exit the flue opening and land on the roof or in the yard. A chimney cap is the best way to keep this from happening.

Protect concrete chimney crowns

A full-width chimney cap keeps water away from the chimney crown. Rain and melting snow can easily get into the small cracks often found in chimney crowns and cause serious problems. Once the crown is broken open, water can move into interior spaces within the flue and inflict system-wide damage.

Have a chimney cap installed

If you’ve been running your fireplace/chimney system without a cap, now is the time to have one installed. The relatively small investment can pay for itself many times over by preventing chimney damage, smoke backups and fires.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, is here to help you keep your chimney safe and fully functional. We install custom full-width chimney caps that protect your chimney and look great while doing it.

Get your questions answered or schedule an appointment by calling (913) 236-7141.

 

The post Why Does Your Chimney Need a Chimney Cap? appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Chimney leaks. Every time it rains, and we’ve had plenty, Superior Chimney experiences an increase in calls about chimney leaks. One of the reasons that it is important to call us versus writing a message on Facebook is to determine if the chimney leak is coming from the chimney or from the roof. To determine the source, we’re going review the causes of a chimney leak.

Chimney Crown the Slab of Cement

Cause #1: The chimney crown is the slab of cement on top of the chimney. The chimney crown acts as a protectant, or a barrier to rain, snow, sun and wind and maybe even a critter or two. Over time, cracks in the chimney crown can form from expansion and contraction which then allow water to find its way into your home.

Solution: There’s two solutions to the problem. First, if the chimney crown has deteriorated enough and the cracks are wide and plentiful, then after a Superior Chimney inspection, the chimney crown may need replacing in order to stop the chimney leak. If the chimney crown has smaller cracks, it just may need to be repaired. A proper assessment from our certified chimney technician will be able to guide you to the correct solution.

Tuckpointing – In Between the Bricks

Cause #2: Rain is a talented weather element. It can make its way into your home through the porous brick and mortar. Brick and mortar expands and contracts as the temperatures rise and fall. Over time, gaps are formed between the mortar and the bricks causing chimney leaks to occur.

Solution: Once a Superior Chimney masonry expert repairs the brick and mortar, its best to waterproof the chimney with Chimney Saver. Chimney Saver acts as a barrier to the weather elements, minimizes deterioration of the brick and mortar and preserves the chimney for the long term.

Chimney Flashing – Where to Roof & Chimney Meet

Causes #3: One of the weakest points for a chimney leak is where the chimney and the roofline meet. Roofers will install chimney flashing to guard against moisture. If the chimney flashing shifts, blows away, or the seal wears away it is a prime source for chimney leaks.

Solution: Getting a certified technician to evaluate the situation and service/seal the chimney flashing is the only course of action to ensure that “chimney leaks” stay away. The materials that make up the chimney flashing all work together to protect this vulnerable roofing area by directing the rain, snow or moisture away from the chimney and eventually away from the house. 

Chimney Cap – The Protector

Cause #4: Chimney caps, or a lack of a chimney cap, can cause a chimney leak, critters to nest and debris to settle directly into your chimney and home. If the chimney cap has shifted, blown off or if the sides or top of the chimney cap is missing, problems in your chimney will begin.

Solution: Chimney caps are the first line of defense to many of these causes. The steel structure of the chimney cap ensures a long durable life on top of the chimney. It also protects from rain, animals searching for a warm or safe place to live and any other moisture ready to enter your home.

Chimney leaks are important to fix right away as they can lead to further deterioration and more repairs or replacement. Be sure to have your chimney swept and inspected each year, if you use it or not, as the exterior elements continue to live, move and breathe whether you use your fireplace or not. Superior Chimneys certified technicians render thorough inspections so that causes of a chimney leak stay as far away from you and your home as possible. Contact us at 877-244-6349 and like us on Facebook!

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

To protect your property from the risk of fire, you should regularly undertake chimney cleaning. There are many methods that you can use to clean the chimney. They include:

Top to bottom chimney cleaning method

Here you need to get to the roof and then insert the brush into the chimney. Using up and down motions you should begin scrubbing the flue. If the brush is short thus can’t reach down the chimney, connect it to the extension rod. You should continue cleaning the chimney in this motion until the entire chimney is clean. To give your chimney a thorough cleaning it’s recommended that you use a vacuum cleaner.

When you are on the roof, be careful that you don’t fall. If you feel that the roof is unsafe for you, avoid cleaning the chimney in the up and down method and use alternative methods.

Cleaning the chimney using the weight method

This is where you attach a weight on the cleaning brush and then drop the weight and the brush from the top of the chimney. Chimney contractors recommend this method of chimney sweeping when the chimney is too long. When attaching the weight, be cautious that it isn’t too large thus giving you difficulty controlling it. Using a weight that is too large can also result to damage of your chimney. To avoid damaging your chimney, carefully lower the weight down the chimney along the inner side walls. You should then move the weight up and down until the entire chimney is clean.

Cleaning the chimney from the bottom up

This cleaning alternative is recommended when the roof is unstable or you are scared of going up the roof. What you need to do is attach your brush to an extension rod and then move the brush in up and down motions while scrubbing clean the chimney. If your chimney is too long, attach another extension rod.

Use the two person’s cleaning method

The cleaning method is loved by many people as it’s fast and highly effective. From its name, it involves two people: one person stays at the base of the chimney while the other goes to the roof. What you need to do is attach a rope to both sides of the brush and pull it up and down the chimney. When using this method, be cautious of the brush that you use. Chimney repair professionals recommend that you avoid a brush that is too small or too large thus causing problems during cleaning.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Most modern appliances come with an owner’s manual.  In that manual, there will be a ‘Troubleshooting’ section to allow the owner to attempt to repair or at least recognize the problem. If you have purchased a home with a gas fireplace and the owner failed to leave the owner’s manual.  This blog will give you some insight as to what the problem might be.

Before anything is done, how long has it been since the last chimney cleaning and inspection?  If you have no idea, for you and your family’s safety, get a chimney inspection.  Doing this may solve many unforeseen issues and let you sleep better at night.

For the sake of discussion, the chimney and gas fireplace has been inspected, and all is well.  Below are some of the problems that might occur and what you can do to address these issues.

 

 

What can you do when the fire doesn’t light?

Check the remote.  If your gas fireplace has a remote, make sure you have fresh batteries.

Check the breaker box.  Check to see if any of the breakers have been tripped.  Yes, even though your fireplace is run by gas, it still needs an electric current to get it started.

Check to see that gas is flowing.  Look to see that the gas valve is open.  Is the valve turned to the ‘ON’ position?

Propane and Natural Gas Tank Troubleshooting

If your gas fireplace runs foon propane, make sure the check the tank.  It could be empty.  Natural gas is a little more confusing.  Make sure all lines are hooked up securely; if all the lines look to be in place, it’s time to call your utility company.

Thermocouple, Thermopile, and the Wiring Replacement

If you have examined the other possibilities, it is time to call a professional.  The wiring is tricky, and unless you are confident in your abilities, this is a problem for the experts.

The Pilot Light

It’s that little blue flame down towards the bottom of the entire gas fireplace apparatus.  That flame is what lights the gas and makes it burn.  Pilot lights are easily blown out by a draft or a failure or interruption of gas flow.  Check the owner’s manual for step-by-step instructions to relight it.  Don’t be ashamed if you need help.  Call a professional.

A gas fireplace provides a welcome ambiance at the end of a long day.  Rather than getting kindling and matches, then building a fire, all you need to do is flip a switch.

Homeowners don’t have to worry about sparks flying onto carpets, smoke damage, or scooping up all the ashes.  Just sit back and enjoy the fire.

Northeastern Chimney, LLC is your go-to chimney sweeps, chimney inspector, and chimney repair company.   Northeastern Chimney, LLC has been working in central Connecticut for forty years, keeping homes and families safe.  Even though cleaning chimneys is a dirty job, we pride ourselves on leaving the area around the chimney cleaner than when we came.

Our office staff and technicians are available to answer any questions before, during or after our inspections.  You can depend on us.

Northeastern Chimney, LLC

37 Cody Street

West Hartford, Connecticut 06110

Phone: 860-233-5770

 

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

Chimney swifts are brown and gray birds known for their cigar-shaped bodies and wide, flat beaks. While their natural habitat is in trees, the destruction of forests has resulted in them having an affinity for chimneys as they are warm.

Why you should keep shifts out of your chimney

Regardless of how much you love birds, you should ask a chimney cleaning professional to keep swifts out of your chimney. This is due to the dangers that they pose. One of the dangers is that of diseases. Due to their tendencies to travel long distances and even across continents they are exposed to many microorganisms that can cause diseases to you and your loved ones.

Another reason why you should keep them out of your chimney is because they put your home at the risk of catching fire. When they construct nests, the nests block the chimney flue thus harmful gasses, and smoke doesn’t escape into the environment. This results to creosote getting deposited on the chimney walls. As you know, the more the creosote deposits, the higher the chances of your chimney catching fire.

What to do when you have swifts in your chimney

Birds, including swifts, are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The act states that it’s a federal offense to remove or damage the swift nests before the hatchlings have left. The cool thing is that the birds have short life cycles where the time from nesting to the time that the hatchlings leave the nest is less than 6 weeks. After the six weeks, you should contact a chimney company to remove the nests and clean the entire chimney.

How to keep swifts out of your chimney

Swifts spend their winters in South American then migrate to North America in spring and summer. If you don’t take measures to prevent the birds from getting into your chimney they will come back during summer. One of the ways of ensuring that they don’t find their way into your chimney again installing a chimney cap. All you need to do is hire a chimney masonry repair professional to install it for you.  Since the birds are very small, ensure that you hire a professional who will install a unit that the birds can’t fit through.

In addition to installing chimney caps, you should also inspect the entire chimney and fix any holes that the birds can get through.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Summer is coming to a close.  When the leaves start to change, Old Man Winter isn’t far behind.  It is in these colder months when fireplaces and chimneys are used the most. Before building a fire in your fireplace, one fixture of your chimney stands out from all the others.  That fixture is the chimney damper. This, and other chimney repairs must be made before you use your fireplace.

A damper is a piece of metal above the firebox that controls where the smoke and ash go while the fire is burning.  It opens by a handle or pulling of a chain to let the heat and flying embers escape.  When the damper is closed, it can help keep the cool air in your home and is an extra layer of protection against small animals getting into your house.  If your damper is stuck in either the open or closed position, you are putting your home, and more importantly, your family at risk.

Rusted Open

Several situations can occur if your damper is stuck in the open position due to rust or malfunction.  First, an open damper is an invitation, inviting rodents, birds, and in some cases, snakes to take refuge in your chimney.

Homeowners are also throwing away money on energy bills.  That open damper is allowing the heated air in your house out.  You might as well keep a window open all winter.  If you use central air in your home during the summer, the cool air escapes through that same opening.

Closed damper

About the only positive with a permanently closed damper is you are keeping animals out.  However, leaving the damper closed can lead to severe damage to your home and family.  If a homeowner lights a fire with a closed damper, all the smoke produced will have nowhere to go except into your home.  Smoke damage is costly to remove.  Secondly, and probably the most important, is your fire produces a deadly gas.  You can’t see or smell it, a toxic gas known as Carbon Monoxide.  Allowing smoke to enter your home is bad enough, but Carbon Monoxide can kill just as quickly as a house fire.

Homeowners, if you have not had a chimney inspection done in a while, don’t procrastinate any longer.  Allowing the highly trained technicians from Northeastern Chimney to come into your home and inspect your chimney is a wise choice.

Northeastern Chimney, LLC has been servicing and repairing chimneys in Central Connecticut for almost 40 years.  We are proud to be a contributing partner to the community.  We also appreciate all the wonderful chimney sweeping reviews our customers have left on our website.

Every member of our staff is knowledgeable and skilled in handling all types of chimney issues.  We do general inspections as well as cleaning, repairing, and servicing your chimney.

If you own an older home and you are not sure about the condition of your chimney, please give us a call; we are always glad to help.

 

Northeastern Chimney, LLC

37 Cody Street

West Hartford, Connecticut 06110

Phone: 860-233-5770

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

As long as the building codes in your area allow it, there is no reason you can’t install an outdoor fireplace in your home. To have a great experience you need to consider a number of factors that include:

The role of the outdoor fireplace

There are many reasons why you can consider installing an outdoor fireplace: maybe you want somewhere to relax in the evening, you want somewhere to prepare your meals or any other reason. Different fireplaces require different features. To install the right fireplace you should consult your chimney contractor. The professional will also advise you on the best place install the fireplace.

Best fuel for the outdoor fireplace

Just like the indoor fireplace, you can use different types of fuel. You can use gas, electric or wood. Two of the most common fuel options that you can go with are gas and wood. A gas burning fireplace is great as it doesn’t require you to keep on starting the fire. It also doesn’t accumulate plenty of creosote thus you don’t need to keep on hiring a chimney cleaning professional to clean it. Its main flaw is that it might be restricted in your area since it poses a great fire hazard especially when there is a gas leak. Gas fireplaces also don’t burn as hot as their wood-burning counterparts.

A wood burning fireplace provides your home with a warm look. You can also locate it in almost any area of your home. While the units provide plenty of heat and the food prepared on it is tasty, it produces a lot of smoke thus you have to undertake chimney sweeping more regularly.

How the fireplace complements your home design

In addition to the outdoor fireplace being functional, it also should complement your home design. This calls for you to work with your chimney company and settle on the best design for your home. The cool thing is that there are plenty of designs in the market that you can choose from. As rule of thumb, go with a design that looks good in your home.

Conclusion

There are many factors that you need to consider before installing an outdoor fireplace. When installing it ensure that you work with experienced chimney masonry professionals. Just like with other fireplaces, you need to take good care of your unit for it to last for long. One of the most important things that you need to do is to undertake regular chimney inspection.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Time to fire it up and be safe

For fireplace and stove owners, fall is an exciting time — it means that most fireplaces will soon be used for the first time since last season, and family and friends gather around the hearth for warmth and coziness. It is crucial that fireplace owners take the appropriate precautions to ensure their appliance is ready to be used safely.

In recognition of National Fireplace Month, we are promoting the most important consideration: fireplace safety. The two most popular types of fireplaces are gas fireplaces and wood-burning fireplaces. While some safety measures are similar for both, like ensuring your home is outfitted with smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, there are a few key differences. An informed fireplace owner is a safer homeowner.

Safety for Wood-Burning Fireplaces

About 47 percent of hearths, including fireplaces, burn wood. People love wood-burning fireplaces for many reasons – the pleasure of building fires, the crackling sounds, and the natural scents of wood. Wood-burning fireplaces require your involvement, and there are several ways to ensure it’s a safe experience for everyone.

Building and Enjoying Fires

Be picky about the wood you burn. To avoid smoke and minimize creosote build-up in your chimney, make sure it’s dry and seasoned properly. Be sure your fireplace has a safety barrier screen or curtain to prevent embers from leaving the firebox.

Fully understand how your fireplace works. The flue (or damper) must be open before starting fires, or you will have a house full of smoke. Keep it open until the fire is diminished and all embers are completely burned.

Don’t leave the house or go to bed with a fire still burning. If you leave the room and have small children, have someone watch them or take them with you.

Fireplace Upkeep

Remove ash from the firebox between fires. When ash forms a thick layer, it can restrict airflow and cause smoke.

Have your chimney swept annually to avoid creosote build-up, which can lead to dangerous chimney fires.

Safety for Gas Fireplaces

Of all hearth products, approximately 37 percent are fueled by gas. Gas is convenient, doesn’t require much interaction or maintenance, and the fuel is relatively inexpensive. There are a few necessary safety precautions to keep top of mind.

All gas inserts should have a safety barrier screen on the glass, as it can get very hot. Screens reduce the risk of serious burns by preventing skin from coming into direct contact with the glass.

All parts of a fireplace can get hot, so keep children and pets a safe distance away.

Fireplaces remain hot even after they are turned off, so continue to use caution until it’s completely cooled.

Fireplaces have earned the reputation as one of the most requested home amenities today.

We want you to enjoy the warmth and glow! Let us help keep you safe and warm this fall and winter.

The post October is National Fireplace Month! appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Smoke not only stains your fireplace, it also makes your house unlivable. To be comfortable you should take measures to prevent your fireplace from smoking. Just like in medicine, you can’t treat a condition if you don’t know its cause. Here are a few of the common causes of a smoky fireplace and how to fix it:

The fireplace is too big

A large fireplace is beautiful and a great addition to your home. While the units are great to have, chimney sweeping professionals report that large fireplaces are the prime cause of a smoky chimney. When the fireplace opening is too large for the size of the flue, the chimney can’t adequately remove the combustion byproducts. The cool thing is that there are plenty of things that you can do to fix the problem. Some of the things that you can do include: install a smoke guard, glass door, rebuild the firebox, install fireplace inserts and raise the fire by laying a brick row on the floor of the fireplace.

Inadequate ventilation in the house

The fireplace can be properly designed and constructed but it will smoke if the house is inadequately ventilated. To fix the problem you need to increase the amount of air in the house by opening windows in the room.

The fireplace is of the wrong height

Just as size, a chimney that is of the wrong height will result to smoking. According to chimney contractors, a chimney should extend at least two feet higher than anything within a 10-foot radius. If the chimney doesn’t have these specifications it will most likely smoke. To fix the problem you should ask a contractor to take a look at the chimney and fix the problem. The professional should lay a few bricks on the floor of the chimney thus fixing the height problem.

The fireplace is dirty

It’s recommended that you undertake chimney cleaning at least once a year but few homeowners do it. This results in the buildup of creosote that can block the chimney thus preventing the chimney from effectively eliminating smoke. It’s easy to fix this problem as all you need to do is hire a chimney sweep to get rid of the creosote. In addition to getting rid of the smoking problem, cleaning the chimney also prevents the chimney from catching fire.

Conclusion

These are the major causes of a smoking chimney and how to fix it. For ideal results, work with an experienced and professional chimney expert.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Fireplaces are cozy, stylish, and can add value to your home while serving as the perfect hangout spot during the cold weather months. If a fireplace is not safe, however, it will hardly be considered a relaxing part of your home.

At Boston’s Best Chimney, our priority is to keep your chimney safe. In fact, our technicians are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, a certification designed to help homeowners find “reliable, experienced, highly-trained chimney and venting professionals.” Chimney sweeps and inspections are two of the many services that we offer to help homeowners to be sure that their chimneys are in working order. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to schedule an appointment with us.

Today, we’ll go over what you should do if you see sparks coming out of your chimney and we’ll give you some chimney safety tips to help you avoid dangerous chimney situations.

What To Do If There Are Sparks Coming Out of Your Chimney

When it comes to chimney safety, it is always best to err on the side of caution. If you see sparks coming out of your chimney, it is safe to assume that you’re experiencing a chimney fire. Call the fire department and make sure that everybody is out of the home.  Extinguishing the fire in the fireplace before leaving is not a bad idea – just be sure not to close the damper prior to leaving.

It is best to let the fire department take over to assess the situation and put out the internal fire if needed. Even if you are not sure if your chimney is on fire, or if the fire goes out before the fire department arrives, calling the fire department is still the best choice.

After the incident is over, be sure to call a chimney company to have your chimney inspected before using it again as excess heat generated during a chimney fire can produce cracks in the flue lining.

What Causes Chimney Fires

One of the main causes of chimney fires is the build up of creosote, which is flammable and will quickly compromise the safety of your fireplace. Check out our blog on creosote buildup to learn more about the different types of creosote and the effects of creosote on your chimney.

Also, animal nesting inside of your chimney can also lead to fires beginning when embers come in contact with the nests. That is why every homeowner with a chimney needs a chimney cap to prevent animals from making their homes inside of your chimney.

How to Prevent Chimney Fires

We recommend having your chimney inspected and swept annually. This will prevent creosote build up and ensure that your chimney is in a proper state to use each winter. There are also some steps that you can take to stay ahead of fireplace maintenance, such as cleaning your fireplace’s interior, getting rid of soot and stains, and implementing safety measures such as installing a CO detector and checking your smoke alarm ’s batteries.

In addition, it is important to only burn seasoned, untreated wood that has dried out for at least six months in your fireplace.

These steps are the best way to ensure that you don’t experience a chimney fire. If you have questions on chimney safety or if you would like to schedule a chimney inspection or sweep, click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch with our team.

The post What to Do If Sparks Are Coming Out of Your Chimney appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.