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Are you wondering what creosote buildup is and if it might be a threat to the safety of your chimney? We will explain the different phases of creosote and how to prevent it from building up in your chimney.

Having your chimney swept and inspected annually will help manage and prevent the creosote buildup. At Boston’s Best Chimney, we are here to help you prepare your chimney for the winter. Click here to schedule an appointment today!

The CSIA’s Take on Creosote

The Chimney Safety Institute of America explains that creosote is usually dense to begin with, collecting in the chimney from incomplete combustion or an especially high moisture content in wood. Check out their video which shows different forms of creosote and explains why not only wood burners, but also other types of chimneys need to be concerned about having a chimney fire:

The Phases of Creosote 

As the CSIA video shows, creosote has different Phases. As creosote progresses in its phases, it becomes more and more difficult to clean.

In its first phase, creosote is mostly made up of soot and a chimney brush can remove it. This type of creosote usually forms in ideal conditions: in open fireplaces where the wood combusts well and heat rises throughout the chimney.

Phase two creosote usually forms in wood fireplaces, fireplaces with glass doors, and other situations where airflow is restricted. It is harder and flakier than phase one creosote, and it normally forms more densely. You can usually still clean off phase two creosote with a chimney brush, though it is more difficult to do so.

How to Prevent Creosote Buildup

Thankfully, there are many ways that you can prevent creosote buildup, enabling you to sit back and enjoy your fireplace without the worry of safety issues. Here are some of our tips for preventing creosote.

1. Burn seasoned and dry firewood. Firewood that is old and dried out will produce less smoke than firewood that is new and moist.
2. Do not burn artificial wood. Artificial wood causes more combustion byproducts than real wood, which increases creosote.
3. Make sure that your chimney is warm. Creosote does not solidify as much in warm air, so keeping your chimney warm will help prevent creosote buildup.
4. Give your fire adequate oxygen. Ensure that your fire will have enough oxygen by opening the damper before lighting it.
5. Get your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year. This will dramatically decrease your risk of a chimney fire. A professional chimney sweep will detect any problems that your chimney may have and clean creosote buildup.

Creosote is difficult to manage and often dangerous. Understanding how to prevent creosote buildup and getting your chimney inspected and cleaned at least annually is essential to keeping your home safe and your chimney in good order. If you are interested in getting your chimney inspected or cleaned, click here to set up an appointment.

The post What is Creosote Buildup? How to Keep Your Chimney Safe. appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Let’s face it: There has been a LOT going on this year. Everything is amped up to an eleven and your priorities are most likely out of whack. With homeschooling, quarantining, masking, and disinfecting swirling around your now-drastically-changed life, things like simple home repairs and inspections are likely to fall to the wayside.

Don’t let that happen to your chimney inspection this year. If you put it off all spring, forgot about it during the summer—Well, now the time is up and cold weather is here. Now is the time to be worried about your chimney!

Sure, it looks fine, there’s no smell or water damage evident. Plus, it’s the holiday season approaching and you’re just so busy… In reality, there’s no better time than now to get your chimney inspected! And while you’re at it, mark next year’s calendar too because that chimney inspection should be a regular, annual event.

So, how does your family benefit from an inspection?

Safety – a lack of maintenance can lead to chimney and house fires. A regularly scheduled chimney inspection will prevent this. In fact, an annual chimney and venting system sweeping and inspection is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

Money – Many homes don’t get their chimneys inspected, and they wind up getting them repaired because they didn’t take that time. Being proactive stops this. You will save so much more money on an inspection and sweep than you will when you have to have major repairs done.

Lack of knowledge – …and that’s okay! It’s normal and happens all the time, but most people move into a home or begin renting one with a chimney and have no idea what condition that chimney’s really in. Don’t let that be you. For instance, how’s your cap? Do you even have one? Do you know what it is?

Peace of Mind – The masonry of a chimney is made to last forever and hold up like a house, so chimney damage is something that you can’t really see and, the worse it gets, the more expensive it is to repair. If you get things checked out every year, you don’t have to worry about it!

The post The 4 Things YOU Get From a Chimney Inspection! first appeared on Southern Chimneys.

This post first appeared on https://southernchimneys.com

A chimney without a chimney cap is like a house with no roof. Your chimney is, of course, an exit route for combustion gases. But, without a chimney cap, your chimney is also an open invitation for various unwanted elements that get inside. If there is no chimney cap covering your flue pipe, experts recommend that you contact a qualified chimney sweep without delay. Your chimney should be inspected for signs of damage caused by the lack of protection, and the immediate installation of a chimney cap is needed. Read on to learn more about the purpose and function of a chimney cap.

Keep Out the Enemy

Moisture is a chimney’s worst enemy and keeping it out requires a chimney cap and a chimney structure in good working condition. Rain, snow, and sleet flow directly into a chimney flue that doesn’t have a protective chimney cap. The interior of your home can suffer water damage from the inpouring water, in addition to chimney components experiencing accelerated deterioration, including rusting.

Inside the flue, the mixture of water with acidic creosote deposits has the destructive effect of eating away at the chimney liner. When a chimney liner is damaged to even the smallest degree, repair or replacement is a must. A chimney liner must not have a breach because its function is to keep hazardous elements contained within the chimney. Even a small crack in a chimney liner can result in:

• A devastating home fire and
• Occupants in the home being exposed to potentially deadly combustion gases.

Prevent Wildlife Access

Various animals are known to seek warmth and/or shelter inside of chimneys. Raccoons, snakes, squirrels, and birds can get into your home if there is no chimney cap with mesh covering your chimney flue. If your home happens to be in the migratory path of chimney swifts, your chimney could become a federally protected dwelling place for the birds until they and their new offspring move on to their next migratory stop.

The inconvenience of animals inside of a chimney cannot be underestimated. Animal waste, a toxic substance, is deposited inside of your chimney. Some animals are unable to get out once they’ve climbed into a chimney. It is not unusual for a trapped animal to die in a chimney and create a horrendously pervasive odor in the home as it decomposes.

More Benefits of a Chimney Cap

• In addition to keeping water out, a chimney cap will keep out debris that could obstruct the chimney. Twigs, leaves, and other debris can go into your chimney if it does not have a protective chimney cap. The debris can cause toxic combustion fumes to enter your home because of chimney obstruction, and it can also catch fire. Chimney fires are extremely dangerous and the best way to prevent them is with annual chimney inspections, whether or not you have a chimney cap.
• Downdrafts are blasts of cold air that can enter your home and cause your heating costs to rise. Chimney caps prevent downdrafts.
• Another benefit of chimney caps with mesh is that the mesh can serve as a “spark guard.” When hot embers float up to the top of the chimney, instead of possibly starting a roof fire or igniting other combustible materials, a chimney cap can prevent them from exiting.

Two Basic Kinds of Chimney Caps

You can have a flue top chimney cap installed that will provide all of the above-named benefits. A better option is a full-width chimney cap, which offers more appealing aesthetics and also fully protects the chimney crown. The chimney crown is a component of the chimney quite prone to cracking and deteriorating, resulting in destructive moisture damage to the chimney.

Contact the Experts at Northeastern Chimney LLC

The certified chimney sweeps at Northeastern Chimney LLC are kept busy with chimney repairs largely due to damage that results from moisture. You can lower the cost of chimney maintenance significantly by ensuring a strong defense against masonry’s most destructive enemy. The installation of a chimney cap is essential for every chimney, and routine chimney inspections and cleaning also helps to ensure that your chimney is in a state of good repair. Contact the CSIA-certified chimney sweeps at Northeastern Chimney LLC. Call 860-233-5770 today to schedule an appointment.

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

There is no comparison to the soothing sounds and aroma of relaxing beside a natural wood-burning fireplace, especially during the cold winter months. Although many homeowners have switched to gas fireplaces with ceramic logs, it doesn’t have quite the same ambience. A well-maintained wood-burning fireplace not only keeps you warm and cozy, but it’s also a natural focal point increasing the rustic charm of your living space. These are just some of the reasons why homeowners are falling in love all over again with wood-burning fireplaces.

Reduced Energy Bills

The price of electricity increases utility bills in the winter. It can get quite expensive to keep your home warm and comfortable, especially on cold days and nights. Firewood is a low-cost energy source compared to natural gas or electric home heating systems. For example, it costs approximately $4,511 per year for electric heating in Massachusetts. On the other hand, wood fuel saves consumers up to 80% in home energy costs – even less than natural gas heating.  A wood-burning fireplace will pay for itself in approximately two years and produce the much-needed warmth during the winter at a fraction of the electricity cost.

Sustainable, Renewable Energy Source

Wood is a clean, sustainable, and renewable energy source when sourced from growers that use sustainable forest management practices. A significant concern for environmentally conscious consumers is the carbon footprint associated with greenhouse gases. The energy produced by oil and gas heating sources increases the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus increasing the carbon footprint. However, wood is a carbon-neutral fuel source and reduces the carbon footprint. That’s because wood heating releases the same amount of carbon dioxide that is absorbed during tree growth.

Wood Heating Not Affected During Winter Power Outages

A winter storm can knock out power when homeowners need it the most. A multi-year study showed that the Northeastern U.S. had a 159% increase, the largest gain in the country in weather-related power outages. Sporadic power outages are expected to increase in areas with aging electric grid systems. A power outage can last anywhere from a few minutes to several days or weeks. While your gas furnace that relies on electricity will be of no use, a wood-burning fireplace will provide continuous warmth when the power is out. It will also provide some light on a dark and chilly night. Just make sure to have a sufficient stock of firewood on-hand before the winter season arrives.

Increases Home Value

An increase in competition among new home developers has led some to cut costs and are foregoing fireplaces in many entry-level homes. A wood-burning fireplace is considered a luxury amenity. Over 60% of luxury homes feature a fireplace, according to a 2019 survey by the National Association of Homebuyers (NAHB). However, most real estate agents agree that homebuyers are always willing to spend more to buy a house with a wood-burning fireplace. The National Association of Real Estate Appraisers estimates that a fireplace increases the home’s resale value by up to 12%. Installing a wood-burning fireplace in your home will make it more desirable when it’s time to sell.

The post Fall in Love with Wood Burning Fireplaces appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

As the children walked home from a fruitful night of trick or treating, they looked up at the sky to  admire the full moon on Halloween night. It’s large size and red-tint color brightened up the cloudless sky. The night sky seemed to place the children in a trance as their hands slowly, almost in unison, reached for the sky as to touch the moon. Its bright red glow illuminated the rooftops but darkened the homes underneath. As they gazed up at the sky, it seemed that the children were forced to stop and stare at the tall structures sticking out from the rooftop.

It was the chimney.

Some of the chimney’s were still and silent, while others had a hint of smoke circling as it exits into the night air. The children never paid attention to the chimney before. They just knew it was there…part of the houses in the neighborhood. On this Halloween night, the chimney made its debut.

“I can’t stop looking!” one child said quietly. “Me neither!” said another. The glow of the moon gave new light to the chimney. The age shown through from the harsh rains, wind and hail from years of standing alone. It’s the forgotten chimney.

The moonlight knew how to expose the chimney’s truths of missing bricks, empty spaces and what looked like creatures entering and exiting from the chimney top. “What’s going on up there?”  The children wondered if ghosts were going in and out of the chimney, knocking the bricks loose.  

The children made their way to a friend’s home and were invited inside to sort through their bag of candy. They were glad they were safe inside. As the friends gathered in the family room to sort through their candy, the aroma of chocolate filled every corner of the room. The pile of chocolate candy grew higher and hirer on the floor, as the smell of chocolate floated into the fireplace and up the chimney. The scent of chocolate was so strong, the neighbors were peeking through their windows.

As the children sat on the floor, winding down their feast of chocolate, they faintly heard the sound of leaves rustling and a small scratching sound. The unfamiliar noise captured the children’s attention as they all stopped at once. Their eyes met one another, yet no one moved. Their gaze moved to the fireplace and up to the chimney. “What was that sound?”    

As they sat quietly on the floor, unable to decide what to do next. “I’ll go get my Mom and Dad.” “Don’t move!” another one said. “I’ll be okay, I’ll crawl out.” The young man made his way to his hands and knees. Gently he picked up one hand and knee, moving in a forward motion. Once out of the family room, he got up and ran to where his parents were sitting.

The brave parents stayed on their feet as they entered the family room listening for the sounds. The looked at each other and knew what was happening. They picked up the phone and the children knew the police would be here any minute to find the ghost in the chimney. I heard Mom and Dad’s voice on the phone, “Hello Superior Chimney, we need for you to inspect our chimney.” The children knew the experts would be out soon and the ghost would be gone.

To get the ghosts, goblins and their candy out of your fireplace and chimney, contact us today at 877-244-6349.

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

The post What’s Your Leaky Chimney Doing to Your Home? first appeared on Southern Chimneys.

This post first appeared on https://southernchimneys.com

With the cold weather months approaching, now is the time to have work done to your chimney. Having a chimney that is well-functioning and ready for use is essential to your home’s safety. An updated chimney will also make the fall and winter more enjoyable and cozy as you spend time at home and inside with your loved ones.

Do you need work done to your chimney or is it time for your annual chimney inspection? Call us at (781) 893-6611 or click here to contact us.

In the current economic climate, we want to help our customers get the chimney repairs and updates that they need. That is why we are now offering chimney financing. Here are the details of our two money-saving offers:

1.

2.

As you prepare for your first fire of the season, be sure to get your chimney inspected to look for the following:

•     Combustible deposits
•     Signs of deteriorating brickwork
•     Proper clearances to combustible materials
•     Signs of water penetration

Having a safe chimney is key to having a safe home. It is our priority to help you keep your chimney working well and we want to support our customers during this challenging time by making your chimney updates more affordable. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch.

*Loans provided by EnerBank USA, Member FDIC, (1245 Brickyard Rd., Suite 600, Salt Lake City, UT 84106) on approved credit, for a limited time. Repayment terms vary from 24 to 132 months. Interest waived if repaid in 365 days. 17.99% fixed APR, effective as of August 1, 2020, subject to change. Interest starts accruing when the loan closes.

**Loans provided by EnerBank USA, Member FDIC, (1245 Brickyard Rd., Suite 600, Salt Lake City, UT 84106) on approved credit, for a limited time. Repayment term is 60 months. 6.99% fixed APR. Minimum loan amounts apply. The first monthly payment will be due 30 days after the loan closes.

The post Learn About Best Chimney’s Financing appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

When you hear the term “certified chimney sweep,” it’s usually in reference to a person who carries a professional certification through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Certification is important when you’re hiring a person to clean your chimney because it validates their knowledge and training in a variety of areas including:

• Heating appliance ventilation systems
• Chimney fire prevention
• Creosote removal
• Carbon monoxide issues
• Fireplace safety
• General safety and maintenance of chimneys and fireplaces

CSIA-certification training

CSIA certifications aren’t just given away. In order to become CSIA-certified, an individual must undergo a multi-faceted training process culminating with the passing of very complex examinations.

The certified chimney sweep is similar to a licensed doctor: the average person understands a fair amount about the body, but only a qualified physician can diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries.

Certified chimney sweeps have learned to diagnose and treat the many damages and malfunctions that can happen during the life of a chimney. They’ve proven their expertise, which is the only way they can carry the CSIA certification.

What is the Chimney Safety Institute of America?

The CSIA was founded in 1983 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and professional credentialing of those working in the hearth services industry. It is run and managed by a board of directors whose members possess extensive industry knowledge, both academic and hands-on.

Since its inception, it has been the recognized leader in chimney service and venting education. Credentials that can be earned through the CSIA include CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician, and CSIA Master Chimney Sweep.

To maintain any of these credentials, the chimney professional must continue his or her education and pass rigorous recertification exams every three years.

What do chimney sweeps do?

Professional chimney sweeps perform many services, the primary of which is chimney cleaning. This work involves the use of hand-held and electric scrubbers and brushes, cleaning rods, specialized solvents and industry-grade vacuums to remove flammable creosote and drafting obstructions from chimneys.

Often, certified chimney sweeps perform fireplace and chimney inspections and handle the various repair and rebuilding work a chimney may need during its lifetime.

Hiring a chimney sweep

When looking to hire someone to clean your chimney, perform a safety inspection or make repairs, follow these guidelines.

1. Ensure that a CSIA-certified chimney sweep will be present at every job.
2. Check the company’s credentials including how long they’ve been in business and their reputation within the community.
3. Look at the company’s website and see how they describe their work and the scope of their services.
4. Request and view proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance.
5. Ask about their warranties covering both their work and parts they use in repairing your chimney or fireplace.
6. Request references from local customers and follow up on these references.

Your chimney is too important to trust to an individual who is not thoroughly trained to work on it. Errors during chimney cleaning, inspections and repairs can lead to major issues down the line including risks to the safety of everyone living in your home and the home itself.

Northeastern Chimney of West Hartford, CT, employs CSIA-certified chimney sweeps who provide expert chimney cleaning, masonry, structural and chimney component repair, and all three CSIA-recognized levels of chimney inspections. Call (860) 233-5770 with questions or to schedule an appointment.

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

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.