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If your fireplace is sending smoke into your home, you wouldn’t be the first. This is a common problem for folks who regularly use their fireplaces. Fortunately, it’s often an easy problem to solve.

Any time smoke is not moving properly up the chimney, you need to reverse the situation. In some cases, a professional chimney technician will be required; in many other cases, you can do what’s necessary to keep your interior air clean and healthy.

Reasons for a smoky fireplace that you can address

Wet firewood: Wood that hasn’t had time to dry out contains a lot of excess moisture that will create huge amounts of smoke when burned. This may be too much for your chimney to vent efficiently. Solve this issue by using dry (seasoned) firewood. Check logs by banging two together: damp wood makes a thud; dry wood makes a hollow sound.

Damper malfunction: If your fireplace damper is warped, overly rusted or corroded with soot and creosote, it may not be able to open fully. This is a common reason for smoke backing up into the house. Have the damper inspected then cleaned, repaired or replaced. And, of course, never forget to open the damper before starting a fire.

Not enough air flow: If your house is particularly “air-tight,” you might not be getting enough drafting air into the fireplace. Smoke needs a certain amount of air in order to follow its logical path up the flue. If this is your issue, opening a nearby window an inch or so should fix it.

Flue is full of cold air: Cold air is heavier than warm air. If there is cold air in your chimney flue, the warm air with smoke in it from the fire may not be able to move up and out. Try blowing warm air into the flue with a hair dryer, or light a rolled-up newspaper and stick it up into the flue to warm the air.

Many issues with drafting can be solved in the above ways. If none of these actions solve the problem, you may need to consult with a licensed chimney repair technician.

Drafting problems that only a trained chimney pro can solve

Improper construction of the chimney: The chimney flue is supposed to be a certain size to properly draft the fireplace it’s connected to. If your flue was not built correctly, you may experience ongoing drafting issues. A chimney inspection is the place to start, after which you’ll be able to make the necessary modifications.

Outside debris in the flue: If you operate your chimney without a chimney cap, all kinds of debris can get inside the flue and hinder drafting. Nests, falling leaves, twigs, small dead animals and other debris must be carefully removed by a professional chimney sweep to restore drafting efficiency.

Excess creosote buildup: Wood fires cause creosote to form in your chimney flue. Creosote is a flammable substance that clings to the walls of the chimney liner and can build up to the point that smoke starts backing up into your home. Certified chimney sweeps have the necessary tools and training to safely remove creosote from your chimney and reduce drafting problems while lessening the chance of a chimney fire.

If your fireplace is sending smoke into your home, try some of the suggestions here. If nothing works, call High’s Chimney Service of Gaithersburg, MD. We’ll find out what’s causing the problem and get it fixed for you. Give us a call to schedule an appointment with a licensed chimney professional at (301) 519-3500.

The post Help – Smoke Is Coming out of my Fireplace! appeared first on Highs Chimney.

Chimneys are strong and will last for many years, when they’re built well and properly maintained. But even the best chimney won’t last forever. If your chimney is older or has suffered a lot of damage, you may be wondering if you need a new chimney. Here are some things to consider.

Minor issues don’t mean the chimney is ready to be replaced

Smoke backing up in the house, nasty odors coming from the fireplace, a leak here or there – these aren’t necessarily signs your chimney has outlived its usefulness. Many bothersome issues with your chimney can be repaired to make the chimney run like new again.

Water leaks can be fixed and prevented. Damaged components can be replaced with new ones. Drafting issues usually aren’t difficult to solve. Problems with your chimney’s masonry can be remedied through tuckpointing, brick replacement and partial rebuilding.

In certain cases, a chimney will be damaged so badly that it needs to be completely rebuilt in order to operate safely and efficiently. The only way to know the exact state of your chimney is through an inspection performed by a certified chimney technician.

Chimney problems that need to be addressed

The following types of common problems should be addressed before they lead to the need for a complete chimney replacement.

Crumbling bricks and mortar: This can be caused by water damage, lightning strikes, pounding hail, earthquakes and other events. Your chimney inspector will assess the bricks and mortar and recommend the best way to repair the damage.

Leaky chimney: Water leaks start small but can do significant damage to the chimney structure over time. Minor leaks often can be treated with a waterproof sealant; larger leaks may need masonry work or the replacement of certain chimney components.

Component damage: Components such as the chimney cap and chimney flashing are critical in preventing water from getting into the system. Chimney caps block not only water but also debris, which can cause poor drafting. Flashing guards the gap between the chimney and the roof to prevent serious water damage to parts of the home and the chimney masonry below the roof line.

Smoke drafting issues: The reason smoke backs up into a home could be minor and easy to solve, or it could point to a major issue with your chimney system. Chimneys that were improperly built for the fireplaces they’re connected to often can’t draft smoke efficiently. Your chimney technician will figure out why there’s sluggish drafting and recommend the right solution.

Leaning chimney: If your chimney is leaning to one side, there may be structural damage either above or below the roof line. The problem also may be caused by issues with the chimney footing. A certified chimney inspection is definitely needed for a leaning chimney before any repair work is started.

When you need a new chimney

Licensed chimney professionals can do many things to resolve structural and functional issues with a chimney. The only time to consider building a new chimney is after all other options have been exhausted and your chimney no longer can be repaired in a way that makes it run safely and efficiently.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, can help with any type of chimney damage you may be experiencing. Our CSIA-certified experts understand chimney systems inside and out and know what it takes to get yours running at peak capacity. Talk with a chimney pro today at (913) 236-7141.

The post Do You Need a New Chimney? Here’s how to Tell. appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Chimney venting is when the by-products of combustion are exhausted through the chimney to the atmosphere. This passageway is called the flue.

This applies to both your fireplace (or wood stove), and likely, your heating/hot water equipment. The exhaust for your heating equipment may be installed inside your existing masonry chimney or through a separate stack. Approved condensing boilers can also have PVC or polypropylene venting installed through a vertical vent if the chimney allows.

For a chimney venting project, it is important to hire a chimney company that knows how to collaborate with other teams. Boston’s Best Chimney is experienced in working with engineers, plumbers, and contractors to complete chimney venting projects properly. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to set up a free estimate.

Do All Chimneys Need Ventilation?

Whether your chimney is used or unused, it needs to be ventilated with a properly working chimney flue vent. Moisture problems will still occur if your unused chimney is not ventilated. If your chimney is retired, it should only be sealed at the bottom or the top in order to continue letting air pass through the chimney and prevent moisture from building up inside. Are you thinking about beginning to use an old fireplace again? Check out our fireplace inspection checklist before you begin using your old fireplace.

Get Your Venting Installed!

Chimney venting will keep your building’s interior safe, moisture-free, and without mold. As the Chimney Safety Institute of America says, “you most certainly want to keep your chimney and venting system in mind as an integral part of an efficient system.” If your chimney does not have proper ventilation, do not hesitate to set up a free estimate with us to learn more about this service. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch.

The post Why Chimney Venting is Important appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Ask the average homeowner if they’ve had a chimney fire, and likely they’ll say no. They may be very wrong. Many chimney fires start and go out on their own without people in the home being aware of it. Here are some things you need to know about chimney fires and what they can do to your chimney.

How chimney fires start

Most fires in a chimney begin with ignited creosote, a sticky, flakey or solid substance caused by smoke condensation in the flue. Creosote is highly flammable, with the majority of fires it causes centered in your chimney’s smoke chamber just above the firebox.

Signs of a chimney fire

An active chimney fire may not be a big, blazing event that sends a 4-alarm call to your local fire department. But most fires will give you clues including:

• Excess dense smoke coming from either end of the chimney
• A rumbling sound like from a distant train
• The sound or cracking or ticking

If you notice any of these signs while the fireplace is in use, call 911 immediately and extinguish the fire in the firebox, if you can do so safely.

Signs that a chimney fire has happened

CSIA-certified chimney sweeps regularly see the signs left in the wake of a chimney fire. You can spot some of them yourself.

• Creosote flakes in the firebox, on the roof near the chimney or on the ground
• Chips of flue liner tiles in the firebox
• Discolored or melted roofing material near the chimney
• Obvious damage to your chimney cap, flue cover or chimney chase top
• Warped fireplace damper
• Dark, smoky stains on the masonry near the top of the chimney

How chimney fires can damage your chimney

Your chimney liner – whether it be stainless steel, clay tile or a poured-in-place compound – was designed to withstand a reasonable amount of punishment from heat. But the intense heat from a chimney fire can quickly begin to erode the liner material.

With a damaged chimney liner, the interior masonry of the chimney is now at risk of brick damage. Flammable materials of your house may also be at risk of a fire that’s much more devastating than a chimney fire.

Chimney fires may damage the chimney cap or chase cover, which will then be unable to protect against incoming rain and obstruction-causing debris. A fire can damage parts of the attic or may cause a fire in some of those materials.

The importance of regular chimney inspections and chimney sweeping

There are two times you should contact a local, reputable chimney sweep:

1. When you know or suspect you’ve had a chimney fire
2. Once a year for an inspection and cleaning – whether or not there has been a fire

Only a certified chimney technician can properly clean and inspect your chimney and fireplace and recommend needed repairs before early damage gets out of hand. If you’ve had a chimney fire, your inspector will perform a Level 2 chimney inspection that includes the use of video imaging technology to assess the condition of your liner and interior masonry.

High’s Chimney Service of Gaithersburg, MD, provides licensed chimney sweep, chimney inspection and chimney repair services. Call us at (301) 519-3500 to keep your chimney, home and family safe and secure.

 

The post What a Chimney Fire Does to Your Chimney appeared first on Highs Chimney.

If smoke is billowing out of your fireplace instead of going up your chimney, you have a problem that needs solving. Those combustion gases from fires are toxic, and health issues can result from continued use of a smoky fireplace. There are quite a few reasons a fireplace smokes instead of operating as expected. Whatever the reason turns out to be, it’s best not to use your fireplace until the issue has been resolved. Trusted CSIA-certified chimney sweep technicians have the training to determine the cause of your smoky fireplace. However, among the common causes of a smoking fireplace listed below, you can resolve some of them yourself.

Open the Damper

It is not unusual for a person to get a fire started in the fireplace without first opening the damper. The damper is a metal door just above the firebox that should always be closed when the fireplace is not in use. Otherwise, if the damper is always left open, your heating bill is likely to go up because the heated air from your home will escape through the chimney. The best, though oft-forgotten, first step for use of a fireplace is to open the damper.

Prime the Chimney

When a chimney is on an exterior wall, the chimney flue often fills up with a cold column of air in frigid weather. If you try to start a fire in the fireplace, the reason combustion gases billow into the home is that the cold air is preventing the chimney draft from working. Dispel the cold air with a rolled-up newspaper lit like a torch. Carefully hold it up through the chimney damper to warm up the flue temperature. It may take a couple of times to work; but if the problem is cold air, priming the chimney will do the trick.

Use Seasoned Firewood

Wet or green firewood causes excessively smoky fires because the logs are full of moisture. The only type of firewood that should be burned is seasoned firewood. This means that moisture has been reduced through a drying-out process. Logs are stacked in a way that allows for wind and air to dry them out. It takes around six months to a year or more for firewood to be seasoned.

Offset Negative Air Pressure

Modern homes tend to be very airtight. This causes a problem for fireplaces because air is required for a fireplace to work properly. If an exhaust fan is being used in the house, such as in the kitchen or bathroom, it can disrupt the chimney draft, resulting in a smoky fireplace. A good temporary fix is to crack open a nearby window. Call on your trusted chimney sweep expert for help in finding a long-term solution.

The Flue is Blocked

If your chimney is obstructed, your fireplace will be smoky. Creosote is the number one cause of a blocked chimney. With every wood fire, combustion materials stick to the chimney flue on the way out of the chimney. Annual chimney cleaning is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends getting your chimney cleaned when there is 1/8th of an inch of sooty buildup in the chimney lining.

When chimney cleaning is neglected, the buildup of creosote will eventually cause an obstruction that results in a smoky chimney. Chimney blockage can also be caused by:

• Animal nests;
• Debris such as limbs and leaves; and
• Masonry debris if the masonry is deteriorating due to water intrusion.

Contact the Experts at Northeastern Chimney LLC

The certified chimney sweep professionals at Northeastern Chimney LLC can fix your smoky chimney, even if the problem is as serious as poor chimney construction. If you have a smoky chimney, contact us today to ensure the safety of your home and family. Get all of your chimney services with our 5-star guarantee. Call us at 860-233-5770 to schedule an appointment.

 

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

Welcome to fall colors and temperatures!

As our thoughts turn to get ready for the change of season and staying warm, it is important to think of safety and efficiency.

We don’t expect you know the workings of your chimney or fireplace, so we wanted to touch upon probably the most important function of the chimney – venting. The chimney’s venting system is essential to ensure combustion products exit the home while reducing carbon monoxide risk. This applies to both your fireplace and heating systems.

Without venting, the combustion pollutants remain in the living space or can transfer throughout the home through cracks and gaps. Please read more here to understand the types of venting and what you need to know.

Chimney venting is when the by-products of combustion are exhausted through the chimney to the atmosphere. This passageway is called the flue.

This applies to both your fireplace (or wood stove), and likely, your heating/hot water equipment. The exhaust for your heating equipment may be installed inside your existing masonry chimney or through a separate stack. Approved condensing boilers can also have PVC or polypropylene venting installed through a vertical vent if the chimney allows.

For a chimney venting project, it is important to hire a chimney company that knows how to collaborate with other teams. Boston’s Best Chimney is experienced in working with engineers, plumbers, and contractors to complete chimney venting projects properly. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to set up a free estimate.

Why Is Chimney Venting Important?

Chimney venting is essential for your chimney. Here are some reasons why:

1. Chimney vents protect the building from heat transfer. Without chimney flue vents, heat can move through the chimney fast enough to cause fires in adjacent combustible materials.
2. Properly installed chimney vents carry gases up and out of the building. Without proper venting, the flue gases can seep into the home causing a fire hazard or carbon monoxide issue.
3. Chimney vents protect the interior masonry from corrosive byproducts of combustion. If flue gases were allowed to penetrate the masonry, the deterioration would accelerate the aging and structural integrity of the chimney.
4. Chimney vents will prepare you for your boiler flue inspection. Did you know that you should get your boiler inspected annually? Having proper chimney vents setup will get you ready to pass this important inspection.

Get Your Venting Installed!

Chimney venting will keep your home safe and equipment operating at maximum efficiency’s interior safe. As the Chimney Safety Institute of America says, “you most certainly want to keep your chimney and venting system in mind as an integral part of an efficient system.” If your chimney does not have proper venting, do not hesitate to set up a free estimate with us to learn more about this service. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch.

The post What Is Chimney Venting? Why Do We Need It? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

It may seem odd to use “art” and “firewood” together, but if you’ve ever suffered from wood fireplace issues caused by using the wrong kind of firewood, you know there’s something to the idea. No matter how excellent your fireplace is, without knowing the ins and outs of firewood, your experience can be far less than satisfactory.

Here are some ideas to help you become a master of the art of firewood.

What kind of wood is it?

Basically, firewood is divided into hardwood and softwood varieties. Hardwoods such as hickory, maple and walnut burn longer and with less smoke and creosote deposits in your chimney than spruce, pine, redwood and other softwoods.

Don’t burn wet wood

Unseasoned (wet) firewood isn’t ready for the fireplace. The high moisture content will cause it to ignite with difficulty and burn sluggishly. It also will produce far more smoke than dry, seasoned wood.

Along with the possibility of excess smoke backing up into your home, unseasoned firewood will add more flammable creosote to your flue. Creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires in America each year, so remember: less smoke = less creosote.

Arranging your logs in the fireplace

A good way to get set up for a fire is to stack logs on a fireplace grate so there’s room beneath them to add kindling (small wood chips, bark, dry grass, tightly crumpled newspaper, etc.). Don’t overfill the firebox or stack the logs too tightly together – they need air circulation to burn fully. You can also add the kindling to the top of the stack and burn downwards.

The logs you use should be about three inches narrower than the width of your firebox – again, to allow plenty of air.

Getting the fire started

Kindling and a match are the only safe and effective ways to start a fire in your fireplace. Items to never use include:

• Lighter fluid, kerosene or any other accelerant
• Clothing
• Metals of any kind
• Painted or pressed wood
• Christmas trees
• Household trash
• Colored newspaper or magazine pages

These items can release a large amount of toxins into the air, and some of them will cause the fire to burn way too hot. Stick with the tried-and-true method of kindling and dry wood.

If fires are sluggish or smoke is backing up

Assuming you’re using seasoned wood and no extra materials in your fireplace, a sluggish fire or one that pushes smoke into your room may point to a drafting issue. Drafting problems can be caused by:

• A house that’s too air-tight – crack a window near the fireplace.
• Obstructions in your chimney flue including excess creosote and soot buildup, tree debris and small-animal nests. Have creosote and other blockages professionally cleaned by a chimney sweep. Prevent these problems by installing a quality chimney cap or flue cover.
• A flue that’s the incorrect size for the fireplace. Have this issue inspected and then modified according to recommendations.
• A broken or dirty damper that won’t fully open.

Following these guidelines will make you a true master of the art of firewood and give you a lifetime of quality fires and lots of comfort and enjoyment.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, can help with any chimney and fireplace needs that arise. We offer CSIA-certified chimney cleaning, fireplace and chimney inspection and all types of repair work to keep your system running optimally and safely. Call us today at (913) 236-7141.

 

The post Master the Art of Firewood appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Is there a problem lurking in your smoke chamber? Most homeowners know that chimney cleaning is essential for minimizing fire and safety risks and prolonging the chimney and fireplace’s life span. However, there is one section of the chimney that is unfamiliar to most homeowners. It’s called the smoke chamber, and it turns out that it gets the least attention, but it is the most at risk of a chimney fire.

What is the smoke chamber?

The smoke chamber is the area just above the damper at the base of the flue. Its purpose is to direct the flow of smoke and gases up the flue where it exits the chimney into the atmosphere. The smoke chamber is built using a corbeled or block technique to prevent fumes from backing up into the living space.

The older corbeled method no longer meets current building code requirements due to an increased fire risk. Corbeling involves staggering the bricks like steps. The jagged edges increase the likelihood that the mortar joints will suffer accelerated deterioration due to its proximity to the heat and gases rising through the narrow chamber.  The deterioration can cause gaps or voids that inhibit venting, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The accumulation of creosote in these areas can also increase fire risk and reduce its structural integrity.

On the other hand, smoke chambers in newer chimneys are built with a smooth surface. The absence of the jagged edges strengthens the mortar joints, increasing safety, efficiency, and performance.

Smoke chamber parging

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends corbeled smoke chambers be parged to correct any deficiencies. Smoke chamber parging is a restorative process that smooths out the jagged surfaces filling in any cracks or gaps in the mortar joints with new mortar material. The restoration process reduces the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning while increasing the fireplace’s performance. In cases with poor construction or extreme deterioration causing a structural issue, a cast in place restoration process may be recommended to repair the corbeling with a smooth, seamless surface. For minor damage when there are no structural issues, a sealant may be used to repair the gaps in the smoke chamber’s mortar joints.

Smoke chamber repair

It is recommended that homeowners have a professional chimney inspection to determine if their smoke chamber needs parging. If a review determines that parging is necessary, the chimney sweep will make the required repair to restore the smoke chamber to meet current local building codes. It will increase safety and will also improve fireplace efficiency, draft, and performance. Contact us to schedule your smoke chamber inspection today!

 

The post Is There a Problem in My Fireplace Smoke Chamber? appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

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Changing of the season is in full swing! Beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaves contrast against dark tree branches make for beautiful scenery. With the winds we’ve experienced this week, along with a bit of rain, brought the first wave of leaves and branches falling to the ground…gutters…roof… and chimney.

Fall Clean Up

Protect your chimney against Fall and Winter damage by trimming away any branches and limbs that overhang the chimney. Keeping the area clear of debris will help save on potential repairs. Here’s why:

• Falling leaves can enter the chimney. Dry leaves are flammable, while wet leaves decay, leaving a musky sweet smell in your home.
• Empty branches can break, splint, crack and fall making their way inside the chimney. In Winter, snow weighs down branches causing them to scrape the sides or top of the chimney. This can affect wear on the mortar, chimney crown and bricks causing the materials to weaken leading to water leaks, faster deterioration and more.

Chimney Obstructions

We all enjoy the shade that the trees provide. It even helps to keep the home cool on those very hot days by providing some shade. But with the good comes a caution. Small twigs, leaves, branches, seeds pods and even acorns fall from the tree and get into the chimney. That’s why it’s vital to have a chimney cap.

We have seen many homemade chimney caps, such as chicken wire or a plastic crate covering the chimney (Yes, it’s true). Although creative, its best to install a professional grade chimney cap. These durable structures help to keep snow, rain, debris and animals from making your chimney their home. A  properly installed chimney cap will also minimize wind downdrafts that can cause smoke to backup from the fireplace.

Trees + Chimney = Drafting

Tree limbs that are close to the chimney may cause drafting problems. This occurs when the tree limb and branches are taller than the chimney itself. These are the branches and limbs that need to be cut back.

Keeping the space clear above the chimney allows the chimney to draft more consistently and help keep the fire inside your home healthy and able to draw out any smoke and gas. This is important for the health of your home, family, and environment.

What’s Next?

 This is a great time to get those trees in shape. Then prepare to enjoy your fireplace, whether it’s woodburning or gas, by ensuring your chimney is clear and free from debris, animals, dry or rotting leaves and branches. Superior Chimney’s technicians are certified by the CSIA organization. Check out our credentials here.

Give us a call today at 877-244-6349.

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

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