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This week is going to be hot and dry. Two perfect reasons to not think about your fireplace and chimney. Since there is low humidity, the smells coming from the fireplace will be minimal…of course until later this week when humidity levels rise again. It’s been dry, and again a low chance for rain this week, you won’t find a water leak. It’s a perfect fireplace and chimney week.

This past holiday weekend was fairly similar to past years. I play it more low key, enjoying the night air while sitting outside with a couple friends and neighbors. They were wondering why I was more relaxed than usual. I explained just what I said above. What I wasn’t expecting was their response.

“What do you mean?” said my neighbor from across the street. “That’s exactly why I should get my fireplace and chimney swept now.” I didn’t really think of that.

Getting the Fireplace Swept & Checked Now, Means Beating the Fall Rush

Every year in September, we get a cool day, enough to create a little chill. That chill prompts fireplace users, both gas and woodburning, to get their fireplace swept. However, that same chill reminds everyone else to get their fireplace sweep done too. By getting a jump on it now, you’ll be ready to use it way ahead of everyone else.

Work from Home – You’ll Use It More Use

If you’ve been told that you’ll be working from home through the end of the year, (or?) there’s a good chance you’ll be starting up the fireplace more often, and maybe even sooner than what you would normally do. If you work near the fireplace and everyone else will be gone to school or possibly work, then there’s no reason to heat up the entire house. Just heating up the room you’re in will be cozy and affordable. Another great reason to get the fireplace swept and checked…now.

Rid of Any Smells or Smells that have been Building

Fireplaces are a source of ‘interesting’ smells. By the end of the week when humidity strikes, you may smell rotting eggs, musty smell or like something died. That’s from your fireplace. By sweeping it now, this may minimize the smells or help rid the home of foul smells entering the home.

So now’s your chance to get a jump on Fall with sweeping your fireplace and chimney. Contact us at 877-244-6349

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

Greetings,

We hope you had a great holiday weekend! As there is not much use for a fireplace in the summer, we are sure you were not thinking about your fireplace or chimney. There are, however, some important steps that we recommend ensuring that you are ready when cold weather returns. Since we know that about 40% of all home heating fires come from fireplaces and chimneys, now is a great time to get this done. As always, feel free to click here or call us at (781) 893-6611 to contact us about your chimney needs.

Here are six summer chimney maintenance tips that are the most important to consider:

1 – Schedule a Chimney Inspection

A professional chimney sweep is qualified to check your fireplace and chimney, looking for signs of wear and tear, damage, moisture leaks, inefficiencies, blockages, cracks, and more. It can be challenging to discover the damage in the chimney flue without the help of a professional. Failing to detect even the smallest crack in the chimney lining can mean a possible house fire caused by intense heat from the fireplace reaching combustible parts of your home.

2 – Schedule a Chimney Sweeping

A chimney sweeping is not always necessary as they are usually needed with moderate use of a fireplace that burns wood; however, because creosote is deposited in the flue every time, it is essential to have it inspected and swept, if needed annually. Sooty, tar-like creosote is highly flammable; it can catch fire and cause a dangerous chimney fire if not addressed. Additionally, extreme buildup of creosote can cause an obstruction that hinders the draft. Rather than going up and out of the chimney, toxic fumes can enter the home due the obstruction.

3 – Close the Damper

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, be sure the damper is closed when the fireplace is not in use, this is especially important in the summertime. One purpose of the damper is to hinder the flow of air between the chimney and the home. When a damper does not close properly, the effect is similar to having a window open in the house at all times. Energy costs are significantly higher when summer air conditioning and winter heat escape through the chimney. The damper can also help to prevent critters from entering your home through the chimney. The exception would be if you have a gas fireplace – experts recommend that you keep the damper open at all times to prevent gas from building up in your home in the event of a gas leak.

4 – Install a Chimney Cap

A chimney cap is a device that should top every chimney. This affordable essential topper, when complete with mesh, keeps moisture out, animals and birds out, prevents debris from entering the chimney, and serves as a spark guard, so that hot embers won’t catch the roof and other combustible materials on fire.  Although the function remains the same, chimney caps can come in a variety of colors and metals and can add curb-appeal to your home. Learn more about why chimney caps are essential.

5 – Clean out the Ashes

If you leave ash and soot in the fireplace during the off season, you may be lowering your air quality and exposing your home to foul odors. This is especially important if you or a family member has breathing issues like asthma or bronchitis.  Also, your fireplace will simply look much better with the ashes cleaned out.

6 – Upgrade your Aesthetic Appeal

Without having to make a major investment, there are ways to aesthetically upgrade your fireplace during the off season.  A new mantel or fresh coat of paint are just two of numerous ways to make your fireplace more attractive and the focal point of any room.

Follow our summer chimney maintenance tips by proactively taking action while in the off-season. Contact our office at 1-781-893-6611 or click here to choose a fireplace or wood stove, schedule a chimney inspection or sweeping, or for whatever you may need, related to solid-fuel appliances.

The post Off-Season Fireplace and Chimney Maintenance and Use: Six Important Steps appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

If you’re currently finding yourself with a LOT more time on your hands, cleaning your house and taking stock of what needs repairs, be sure to remember there’s a giant, important part of your home that you probably haven’t even thought to clean. 

It’s your chimney!

Oh yeah…your chimney. Boost your chimney and fireplace performance by getting yours inspected now!

Four reasons now’s the time!

1. Keep your home smelling fresh.
   Ever heard of creosote? It’s the buildup that comes from wood fires and turns into dark, cruddy deposits in your chimney. Creosote sitting there in your chimney and it’s going to create a terrible odor that will spread all throughout your house. 
2. Make sure your home’s safe…
   …from critters. Chimneys are also common entry points for a variety of unwanted pests, ranging from squirrels to birds. A properly installed and inspected chimney cap, pan, or shroud will prevent these pesky critters from entering your property and causing problems.
3. Don’t let the water in.
   All of that rainy weather can cause water damage from the buildup of moisture in your chimney. In fact, water might already be puddling up in there. Your chimney can collect debris and water just like your gutters do. Make sure they’re as clean as can be before things get even worse.
4. Get ahead of things.
   Be prepared for upcoming service needs and long-term maintenance. If you get your chimney inspected now and find that there’s damage that needs repairing by fall/winter, you now have a little more time to act. Prevent chronic issues and costly repairs by spotting and fixing problems early.

Feel as fresh, clean, and smart as possible. Give Southern Chimneys a call today. Our technicians will complete an inside and out 18-point inspection and complete a consultation to address and discuss any issues or concerns. 

The post 4 Reasons July is Your Month for a Chimney Inspection first appeared on Southern Chimneys.

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

Chimney Maintenance may seem daunting. Though having a properly working chimney is important, it does not need to be intimidating. By taking care of some tasks on your own and leaving others, such as chimney sweeps and inspections, to professionals, you can feel confident that your chimney is secure and in working order. At Boston’s Best Chimney, we perform inspections, chimney sweeps, and more. Give us a call at (781) 893-6611 or click here if you have concerns about your chimney or would like to set up an appointment with us.

Here is our guide to staying ahead of important fireplace and chimney maintenance:

Clean The Fireplace Interior 

Remove ashes from your fireplace so that there is never more than two inches of ash inside. Wood ashes can draw moisture. Since wood ashes are acidic, the combination of ashes and water can damage the fireplace’s masonry. After each winter, be sure to do a deeper cleaning to remove all ashes from your fireplace. When completely cool, you can use a shovel to scoop up ashes and you can place them in a bag to dispose of. Wood ashes are also compostable. You can gather the remaining bits of ash using a vacuum cleaner.

Get Rid of Soot and Fire Stains

Removing stains from your fireplace will keep it looking fresh and new. All you need is a solution of soap and water and a wire brush. Spray the surface and let it sit for about 45 minutes. Then scrub off the softened residue with the wire brush. 

Implement Fireplace Safety Measures

According to firstalert.com, you should put at least one smoke detector in every level of your home and a CO detector in every bedroom of your home and outside each sleeping area. There should be both a smoke detector and CO detector in the same area as your fireplace. It is important to check your smoke detector and CO detector every six months to make sure they are working correctly and have fresh batteries. A great way to remember is when it’s time to change the clocks, change the batteries in the smoke detector and co detectors.

In addition, you should have a fire extinguisher near your fireplace (and in your kitchen and garage) in order to keep your home safe. Check out our fireplace safety checklist for more tips on avoiding home fires.

Do An At Home Check-Up

Having your chimney inspected and swept by a professional at least once a year is essential to keeping it safe and well-maintained. That being said, the more aware that you are of what is going on with your chimney, the better. Besides knowing how your chimney works, there are a few things that you can check on your own in between inspections to make sure that everything looks fine. If you are comfortable getting on a ladder, you can take a look at your chimney cap to make sure that it is not clogged by debris and that it is in good condition. You can also make sure that the chimney flashing (the sealant at the point where the chimney meets the roof) is not damaged. 

Finally, take a look at the chimney’s bricks to make sure that the mortar is not cracked. Gaps and cracks in the masonry will allow water to enter these areas and potentially grow mold.We would recommend taking a look at your chimney every spring during your spring cleaning.

Don’t Forget Your Annual Professional Inspection

Our most important chimney maintenance tip is to get your chimney inspected and swept by a professional annually. Having your chimney needs taken care of by a professional ensures that they’ll have the right tools on hand, and find any problems that would be otherwise hidden. 

Boston’s Best Chimney is your one stop chimney company and we specialize in every aspect of chimney maintenance and repair. Contact us here or give us a call at (781) 893-6611 to set up an appointment. 

The post Chimney Care Guide: How to Stay Ahead of Your Fireplace and Chimney Maintenance appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Yes, I know it’s summer. I wash my clothes early in the morning so the heat from the clothes dryer doesn’t cause the air conditioner to turn on or overwork. I also wash clothes early so I’m not interrupted with kids searching the kitchen for something easy to eat.

Last week I washed and dried the clothes like all other weeks, except this time the mud room, where the washer and dryer are kept, along with the kitchen were heating up. It was not 90 degrees outside, and it was 6:00 a.m.

I checked behind the clothes dryer to ensure it was hooked up properly. It was. I checked the lint trap, and it was clean. However, when I looked inside where the lint trap is located, I noticed a build up of lint. Seeing the build up of lint in the dryer reminded me that I haven’t had my dryer vent cleaned in a long while.

As we spend more time working from home, situations like this are becoming more noticeable.

Lint accumulation, whether it be electric or gas, can shorten the life of your clothes dryer, make drying your clothes longer and in some situations, can cause a dryer fire. It’s amazing how many fires are caused in the home each year due to lint build up. Did you know on average, there are over 15,000 fires caused by lint in the dryer vent each year? Lint is highly flammable; your dryer can get quite hot. Then add on carbon monoxide from a gas dryer, and now you have more problems for the entire family.

Take advantage of your work from home situation, and get these things taken care of. It’ll help you save money on energy costs and time to dry the clothes. If you’re like me, we don’t have time to waste. Give us a call today to get that dryer vent cleaned… 877-244-6349.

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

There’s no reason you should live with a fireplace that’s boring and does little or nothing to accent the décor of your home. A fireplace makeover – large-scale or small-scale – can make a stunning difference in the aesthetics of your room and give you yet another reason to enjoy your fireplace.

What is a fireplace makeover?

We’re not talking here about making any changes to the actual fireplace but rather to everything around it. A fireplace makeover or redesign can include adding a new fireplace surround, mantel, glass doors, decorative safety screen, tool set and more. Let’s look at some ideas that might be perfect for your summer makeover project.

Fireplace surrounds

A fireplace surround is a custom-built or pre-made wall treatment that borders your fireplace. Surrounds can be fashioned of real or faux stone, brick, wood, tile and many other attractive materials. Simple surrounds extend just a foot or two from the outside edges of the fireplace. More elaborate surrounds can take up the entire wall and include recessed shelving areas to add your own tasteful touches. Fireplace surrounds can be built or installed around masonry fireplaces or factory-built zero clearance fireplaces.

Mantels

If your fireplace doesn’t have a mantel above it, this one makeover project alone can add significant elegance and beauty to your hearth area. Mantels serve not only as aesthetic pieces but also as shelving for books, portraits, antiques, flowers, kids’ artwork and anything else that enhances your hearth area.

Glass fireplace doors

Sophisticated glass fireplace doors are a perfect finishing touch to any fireplace makeover or refacing project. Along with looking gorgeous, they provide solid protection against drafts and fireplace debris as well as a barrier for young children and pets. Glass doors are available in many shapes, sizes, finishes and design styles, making it easy to find a set that delights you.

Fireplace screens

Another way to raise the aesthetic quality of your fireplace area is with a protective fireplace screen. While a screen won’t control air drafts, it is an excellent way to keep popping embers from getting on carpet, flooring or nearby furniture. Fireplace screens also serve as protection for kids and pets when the fireplace is in use. Lots of styles and colors are available.

Tool sets

What fireplace could be complete without a handsome tool set at the side of the firebox? Tool sets typically include a broom, tongs, a poker and a shovel that add beauty and help you tend your fire.

More fireplace-area remodel/makeover ideas

Add even more luster and charm to your hearth area with:

• A lovely hearth rug
• A sturdy log storage rack
• Stylish matches and a match decanter
• Logbarrow for great looks and convenience in hauling logs
• A designer hearth pad

Summer is the perfect time to plan and execute the fireplace makeover you’ve been dreaming about. High’s Chimney Service of Gaithersburg, MD, can help you find all the items you need and perform all necessary installation or customization work to totally renovate your hearth area. Find out more about a summer fireplace makeover by calling (301) 519-3500.

The post Summer Is the Perfect Time for an Exciting Fireplace Makeover appeared first on Highs Chimney.

A leaning or tilting chimney is an unsafe chimney. This problem can be caused by many different things, but no matter what’s causing it, you should address the issue sooner rather than later. Chimney repair and rebuilding services performed right after you notice a shifting can remedy the problem, restore your chimney to safety and save you a lot of money.

Why do chimneys lean?

A chimney can start to lean for a variety of reasons, some of which can be prevented, some of which can’t and simply need to be repaired by a professional chimney services technician.

Badly built chimney: If a chimney is not constructed properly by professional masons or if inferior bricks and mortar are used, there’s a good chance it will begin to lean at one point and possibly suffer other types of damage.

Masonry damage: Age-worn and decayed bricks or missing sections of bricks and mortar can unbalance a chimney and result in the upper portion of it leaning.

No footing: Older home construction often didn’t include a cement chimney footing. Without a footing, chimneys are prone to begin tilting at one point in their lives.

Insufficient or inferior footing: If the chimney footing is too narrow or shallow, it may crack under the weight of the chimney. Footings built with inferior materials also are more prone to cracks. A cracked footing is a common reason for a tilting chimney.

No footing reinforcement: A footing that wasn’t built with proper reinforcement can begin to crack and cause the chimney to angle to one side.

Soil issues: Loose soil under the footing will shift over time, taking the chimney with it.

Normal house-settling: The normal shifting and settling of the house through the years can lead to a leaning chimney, although this is not the most common cause.

4 signs your chimney is tilting or may tilt soon

If you notice any of these signs, contact a local chimney service expert for an inspection and necessary repairs.

Leaky chimney that presents with water in the firebox, damp patches on walls and ceiling or white staining on the exterior chimney bricks.

Decaying mortar that leaves crumbling and chunks around the base of the exterior chimney or causes bricks to loosen.

Caulking in the gaps between the chimney structure and the outside walls of the house – this likely means the chimney was already leaning when the previous owner lived there.

Warped flashing means water can begin causing damage to areas of the external chimney within the house. It also may mean that the chimney has pulled away from the flashing.

Certified chimney inspections

Annual chimney inspections are designed to spot early signs of trouble that could lead to a leaning chimney. Repairs can then be initiated quickly to prevent further damage. Inspections from a CSIA-certified technician also should be scheduled any time you know or suspect there are problems with your chimney structure or its components.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, provides certified chimney repair, chimney inspection, chimney cleaning and chimney rebuilding services year-round. Before your chimney begins to lean, put us to work on it and let us restore safety and top performance to the entire system. To arrange an appointment or to get your questions answered, give us a call at (913) 236-7141.

The post Here’s What You Need to Know if Your Chimney Is Leaning appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

It is like finding hidden treasure when a concealed original fireplace is discovered in an old home. Homeowners seek to restore the historical architecture or put the fireplace back into use with a more updated remodel. Either way, restoring old fireplaces that have long been out of commission is a welcome opportunity for renovators and designers alike. Chimney experts also have an important role in reviving old fireplaces. Read on to learn more.

Why Were Old Fireplaces Enclosed?

Fireplaces were once essential heat sources. When central heating came along in the late 1950s, many fireplaces were put out of commission and sealed behind walls. The alternative was to waste the space with an undesirable relic. Who knew such fireplaces would one day be considered hot commodities?

Chimneys and Structural Issues

If the wall that covered your old fireplace was a complete rebuild, it could be important to consult an expert on structural soundness. If, for instance, the lintel is cracked or missing, knocking through the wall could potentially cause its entire collapse.

The chimney may have been removed, as was a common practice when sealing off fireplaces. Look in the attic or loft for evidence of a chimney or former chimney. It is essential to have a proper chimney and flue in good condition before using a fireplace. If a chimney rebuild is needed, be sure to contact expert chimney masons.

Fireplace Openings Range in Size

The original style and design of an old home often dictates the size of the fireplace opening or “builder’s opening.” In early America, from the 1600s through 1700s, fireplaces were typically walk-ins with a deep, wide, open recess. The openings in pre-Georgian homes were not as big but still quite large. Builder’s openings were as small as a modest three square feet in humble Victorian homes, and even smaller fireplace openings can be found in some houses. In the popular Bungalow style homes built starting in the 1900s, large fireplaces with built-in shelves, benches, or cabinetry were common.

Rumford Fireplaces

A breakthrough in fireplaces came with the invention of the Rumford fireplace. Benjamin Thompson, born in 1753 in Massachusetts, introduced the Rumford in a lengthy essay published under the moniker Count Rumford. The purpose of the fireplace was, essentially, to reduce the amount of smoke in homes while also providing more heat. His invention fulfilled its purpose! Rumford fireplaces took off quickly in popularity, perhaps thanks largely to Thomas Jefferson. He had eight Rumford fireplaces installed in Monticello, his incredible estate that continues to be a popular destination for history lovers.

If there is a Rumford fireplace in your old home, you are in possession of a style currently in revival. Although Rumford fireplaces are quite shallow, they are being recreated or restored in many homes throughout the U.S., where building codes allow. More modern fireplaces are deeper than the Rumford because it is safer to have more space for firewood to roll from a fire without escaping onto the hearth floor.

Call Northeastern Chimney LLC to Put Safety First

At Northeastern Chimney LLC in West Hartford CT, we care about our customers. Contact us for a chimney inspection before using your restored fireplace and chimney system. Each of our chimney sweeps is a CSIA-certified expert in chimneys, including chimney masonry. Give us a call for a chimney rebuild, whether for your restored fireplace or a more contemporary chimney system. We also provide reliable chimney cleaning, chimney maintenance, and chimney repairs. Because we are dedicated to providing the best in chimney services, homeowners throughout the area entrust the safety of their old and new chimney systems to us. Contact us at Northeastern Chimney today by calling 860-233-5770.

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

When the chilly air fills the winter sky, millions of homeowners are stacking wood logs and lighting the fireplace to keep their home warm and cozy.  However, homeowners may be unaware of the chemicals that may be lurking in their chimney. Burning wood produces many chemicals and particulates.  Most of the smoke-filled contaminants vent up the chimney, but some of the residues stick to the interior walls and components. These chemicals include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, and hydrocarbons like creosote and soot. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more toxic chemicals and how to get rid of them.

Carbon Monoxide

Burning wood and gas creates carbon monoxide (CO), a tasteless, colorless, and odorless gas that can have deadly consequences if the fumes back up into your living space.  A flue obstruction, closed damper, cracks in the flue liner, and masonry damage can cause ventilation issues in the chimney and increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of exposure include headache, nausea, and dizziness. Homeowners using wood or gas fireplaces and heating stoves should install a CO detector on every level of their home. Test your CO detectors once a month and replace the batteries twice per year. Having an annual chimney inspection will help uncover ventilation and drafting issues and other chimney problems that will need to be corrected to reduce the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide and other contaminants.

Creosote

Creosote is a volatile organic compound that is derived from burning wood. Creosote also contains phenols. Phenol is an aromatic and acidic compound that will burn the skin on contact. It crystallizes into a white powdery substance, so creosote is easily removed in its initial stage. However, when the creosote remains in the chimney, it becomes progressively more volatile. In the final step, it is a thick, tarry, and flammable material that is extremely difficult to remove.  Excessive creosote in the chimney is the primary cause of residential structure fires damaging more than 25,000 homes annually. The majority of chimney fires can be avoided by scheduling a professional chimney sweep to clean the chimney annually. Many homeowners also use creosote sweeping logs in between professional cleanings.

Creosote Sweeping Logs

There are several creosote removers for consumer use on the market, including popular creosote sweeping logs. Creosote removal products contain chemical compounds that adhere to the creosote reducing it to a powdery or flaky material that  Homeowners need to know that these products contain toxic chemicals and should only be used according to manufacturer instructions. Also, using creosote removal products, including sweeping logs, are not a substitute for professional chimney cleaning. Homeowners should hire a qualified chimney sweep to clean the chimney at least once per year.

The post  These Chemicals May Be Lurking in Your Chimney   appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

According to a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey, 48% of homes in New England have at least one fireplace. Do fireplaces increase a home’s value, though? In an Angie’s List study over 70% of real estate agents said that they see a home value increase in houses containing fireplaces. Whether you are thinking of selling your home soon or in the distant future, having a fireplace can increase its value. If you have a fireplace that has not been inspected or swept within the past year, contact us here or give us a call at (781) 893-6611 so that we can make sure that your fireplace and chimney are safe and properly working. Here are some of the reasons why having a fireplace in your home can increase its value:

Aesthetic Value

Fireplaces add aesthetic value to your home. Having a cozy space for your family to gather, especially during the many months of chilly New England weather, is an asset. Though many home trends come and go, fireplaces add a unique design element that is timeless. Real Estate agents say that even buyers that are not necessarily looking for a home with a fireplace are usually excited to find a home with a fireplace and tend to make it the focal point of their new space.

Warmth in the Cold Months 

Properly working fireplaces will add heat to your home during the cold winter months in an energy efficient manner. This is a huge selling point for home buyers looking to save money during the long winters. We recommend gas inserts over logs to optimize heat efficiency. If you sense that your home is losing heat from your chimney during the winter, it is a sign that your chimney should be inspected. Call us at (781) 893-6611or click here if you would like your chimney checked to ensure that it provides the benefit of energy efficient heat in the winter.

Environmental Appeal

Today, people are more environmentally conscious than ever. Therefore, the environmental benefits of fireplaces are important to highlight when explaining the value of a home with a fireplace. Efficient fireplaces allow you to use less fossil fuel than regular home heating systems, making this a desirable perk of a home with a fireplace.

If your home has a fireplace, you can be sure that it will be a valued feature when you are ready to sell. Buyers will want to be sure that your chimney and fireplace are maintained and safe, however. Have you had your chimney inspected within the past year? Best Chimney is your one stop chimney service company and we are here to serve you.  If you have not had your chimney checked lately, or if you suspect issues with your chimney contact us here or give us a call at (781) 893-6611.

The post Does a Fireplace Add Value to a Home? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.