A fireplace is like a family pet — you love it, but sometimes, it stinks. This post shows you what causes your fireplace and chimney to smell and how to solve the problem.

What Causes Chimney and Fireplace Odor

Creosote Buildup

One of the leading causes of chimney odors is creosote accumulation. Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood and starts as a flaky powder that sticks to the chimney’s interior walls. As it accumulates, it becomes a thick, sticky tar-like substance. At that stage, it’s highly flammable and the source of the strong, smoky odor you smell, particularly during heavy rain or high humidity. 

Moisture Problems

Moisture can enter the chimney through cracks or having a damaged or no chimney cap. Dampness leads to musty odors and can spur mold growth, worsening the smell. Moreover, breathing mold spores can increase allergic reactions and breathing difficulties. 

Animal Debris

Birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other critters seek shelter in chimneys during winter for warmth. They often leave droppings and sometimes die in the chimney, leading to unpleasant odors.

Negative Air Pressure

Modern homes are tightly sealed, leading to negative air pressure inside. This can cause downdrafts in the chimney, pulling in outside air and any foul odors from the chimney into your house. 

How to Fix a Smelly Chimney

Fortunately, most chimney odors can be prevented by following these simple tips.

Regular Cleaning and Inspection

The most effective way to keep your chimney and fireplace from stinking up your home is by hiring a professional chimney sweep for annual cleaning and inspection. Professionals have the proper tools to remove creosote and the training to spot cracks and other issues that could lead to moisture getting in, leading to odors or damage. 

Stay On Top of Repairs and Maintenance

It’s important to repair minor structural damage as soon as you notice the problem. Letting these things go leads to bigger issues that are more expensive to fix down the road. 

The most common forms of chimney damage are cracks in the flue, brickwork issues, cracked crowns, and obstructions. Again, a professional chimney sweep will spot these issues during routine inspections and alert you so you can schedule repairs before they worsen.

Improve Ventilation

Here are a few tips to combat negative air pressure and make your fire burn more efficiently.

• Use a fireplace grate to allow more air movement through the wood.
• Warm the flue before lighting the fire.
• Open a window or door for a few minutes to give the fire fresh air.
• Consult your local chimney specialist about other ways to improve ventilation. 

Install a Chimney Liner

Chimney liners are required for new home constructions, but if you have an older home, you should invest in a flue liner. Flue liners improve energy efficiency, reduce the chance of a chimney fire, and allow smoke and toxic gases to flow out of the home more easily. 

Cap Your Chimney

A good quality chimney cap will prevent moisture and debris from falling in, which can lead to odors and blockages. 

Burn Seasoned Firewood

The more smoke the wood produces when it burns, the faster creosote develops. That’s why it’s crucial to burn dry, seasoned firewood. Greenwood has too much moisture, burns less efficiently, and makes more smoke, leading to creosote. 

Waterproof Your Chimney

Moisture wreaks havoc on a chimney, especially in areas with a freeze-thaw cycle. You can prevent cracks and other damage by investing in applying a waterproofing product. Weatherproofing is cost-effective, lasts for years, and can extend the lifespan of your chimney. 

Call Northeastern Chimney

Northeastern Chimney LLC is the best choice for chimney, fireplace, and stove needs in central Connecticut. We’re fully licensed, insured, and certified.

Whether you need chimney cleaning, liner installation, inspections, masonry repairs, cap installation, waterproofing, flashing repair, firebox rebuilding, or anything in between, you can count on our certified experts to do the job right the first time. 

Contact us today at 860-233-5770. 

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

Few things make a home homier than a warm, crackling fire. And if there’s anything that can ruin that experience, it’s a smelly fireplace. Let’s look at why your fireplace might make your home smell like an ashtray and how to prevent it.

What Causes Fireplace Odors?

Because foul odors come from the fireplace, it’s natural to think that’s the cause, but it’s more likely the chimney, and here’s why.

Creosote Buildup

The main cause of odors is creosote, a byproduct of burning wood. This sticky, tar-like substance produces a strong, smoky smell and is a significant fire hazard.

Moisture and Mold

Chimneys are susceptible to moisture, especially in areas that undergo a freeze/thaw cycle, causing bricks and mortar joints to crack and allowing water to seep in. Moreover, if you don’t have a chimney cap, it’s easy for water, snow, and ice to get in. Excessive moisture leads to mold growth and musty odors.

Animals

Birds, squirrels, raccoons, rats, and other small critters find refuge in warm chimneys during winter. They build nests, leave droppings, and sometimes die, leading to unpleasant odors and an unhealthy home environment.

Negative Air Pressure

New homes are tightly sealed, which is excellent for energy efficiency but bad for your fireplace because it causes negative air pressure. Negative air pressure can lead to chimney odors drawing down the chimney and into the home. Negative air pressure also makes it more difficult to maintain a healthy fire because it can’t get enough oxygen.

Ash and Soot

Allowing ash and soot to accumulate in your fireplace can result in odors.

How to Prevent and Eliminate Fireplace Odors

Regular Cleaning and Inspections

Because creosote is the leading cause of chimney and fireplace odors, hire a professional chimney sweep to clean and inspect the chimney at least once a year. Certified chimney sweeps are trained to detect issues like mortar or brick damage that allow water to enter, leading to mold and musty odors, and issues that could be a fire hazard.

Install a Chimney Cap

Many people confuse chimney caps with crowns or chase covers, but they’re different. A cap is a metal component that covers the opening atop the chimney. Caps are vital for stopping rain, debris, and animals from getting in and protecting your chimney from blockages and damage. Keeping water out is key to preventing odors and can extend your chimney’s lifespan.

Balance Indoor Air Pressure

To counteract negative air pressure, open a window slightly in the room with the fireplace or install vents to get better circulation and improve the draft. This can prevent odors from flowing back into your home and make your fire burn more efficiently.

Clean the Hearth

Regularly clean the hearth by removing ashes to prevent odors.

Use Deodorant

You can find fireplace and chimney deodorant products at your hardware store or big box retailer. These products don’t replace annual professional cleaning but can keep it smelling fresh between appointments.

Make an Appointment With Us!

If you need professional chimney cleaning, you’ve come to the right place. Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace is the number one chimney and fireplace company in Kansas City. Our technicians are certified by the National Fireplace Institute and the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

And if you need something beyond cleaning, we’ve got you covered because we do everything from repairs, inspections, rebuilds, installations, and more.

Schedule your chimney cleaning today by calling 913-236-7141.

The post Why Does My Fireplace Smell? appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Did you know that chimneys in the home date back as early as the twelfth century? Between then and now many warm, fond memories have been made alongside a fire. Even before this, fires were enjoyed inside – sometimes even around an open fire. As you can imagine this wasn’t the safest approach. However, in the dark ages, you did what you had to do to keep warm and cook food for your family.

The Origin of Fireplaces

The birth of what we consider a fireplace coincides with the rise of two-story homes. This took away the option to have a fire simply in the middle of a home and let the smoke rise up and out. Rather, there was a new approach: light the fire in a section of the wall. This way it could rise and leave the home unobstructed with holes made throughout the wall. The smoke was still an issue until a flue was created. This helped to draft smoke up and out of the home. Some of the more advanced and wealthy homes even installed hoods. 

14th Century Advancements

Once hoods were introduced to the concept, further advancements were made as well. Full, official chimney structures started to be built into the walls of homes, allowing for more advanced and thorough heating solutions. This even allowed for multiple fireplaces to vent through the same flue system. However, at this point, the flue exit was still pretty minimal, and drafts weren’t completely taken care of.

16th Century Turning Point

Surprisingly, a big push for ventilation improvements came after the Tudor period in England. Lumber and timber supplies became less prominent and more expensive, which meant homeowners were forced to look for alternative sources of heat. The solution was coal. This came with toxic smoke as a byproduct, which begged for more advanced and efficient ventilation systems. Due to the need and throughout the years of technological advancements, the ventilation system continued to improve. 

Today

From there, ventilation was perfected, even when wood was back to the main supply, making wood-burning fireplaces a vital and primary source of heat for many centuries. Even today, in the 21st century, homeowners enjoy fireplaces in the cold months as a supplementary heat source and even for aesthetics. Our ventilation systems are optimized, and we’ve even introduced modern solutions such as gas and electric fireplaces. These allow for ease without compromising the timeless coziness that fireplaces provide for any home. 

Call Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace Today

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace is known in the Kansas City area for its reliable and efficient chimney services. The expert team is known and trusted to perform premium chimney and fireplace services. Between extensive training, certifications, and consistent customer satisfaction, we can get the job done fast without compromising quality. Everything we do from the first call to the finished project; we make sure you are 100% satisfied.

If your chimney needs service or repairs, contact us today at 913-236-7141.

The post Chimney Chronicles: Tales of Historic Chimneys and Their Stories appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Now that the winter is here, the fireplace is a source of heat. Many homeowners use their fireplaces as a heat source. It may be an economical choice considering the cost of energy to heat your home. Let us discuss some of the concerns homeowners may have and how to protect them. 

Be aware of the dangers involved in fireplace use. It is important to know the causes of chimney fires and how to protect yourself and your family from them. More than 25,000 chimney fires are incurring with over $125 million in property damage each year.

Chimney Inspection 

An annual chimney inspection is your first defense against chimney fires. A professional company like Northeastern Chimney LLC will inspect your entire chimney. We will ensure a safe fire-burning season. They will discuss a plan for the maintenance of your chimney to protect you from any danger.

Chimney Sweep

A clean chimney will help prevent a chimney fire. Schedule an annual chimney sweep along with your annual inspection. Creosote buildup is a main culprit of chimney fires. Creosote is a flammable tar-like substance that builds up on the inner walls of your chimney. This happens when you burn wood in your fireplace. If not cleaned out regularly, it may catch fire, causing a chimney fire.

Stainless Steel Liner

Invest in a stainless-steel liner. Stainless steel withstands very high temperatures. A liner will also protect your home from seepage of carbon monoxide gas through the bricks in your home. Stainless steel is durable and will last a long time.

Good Seasoned Wood

The fastest and hottest wood is hardwood. Be sure to choose the best wood for your fireplace. Also, be sure that it is thoroughly seasoned. Wood holds a lot of moisture. With moisture, wood will smoke, and the smoke goes up the chimney and causes creosote. Allow wood to season for at least 6 months and up to a year. It is a good idea to buy your wood now for next year. This way you are sure that it is completely dry. Dry wood will burn hottest and creosote buildup will be minimal. 

Heatproof Glass Doors

It is important to protect the inside of your home as well. A good heat-proof glass door is recommended by the experts. Keeping this closed will keep any sparks from falling into the room. 

We can help you with everything including chimneys and fireplaces. Call Northeastern Chimney LLC at 860-233-5770 for your annual chimney sweep and inspection. This is the best preventative action that you can take to keep your home, fireplace, and chimney in perfect working condition. 

As members of the NCSG, we stay on the cutting edge of the latest technologies in sweeping and masonry repair. Click on the logo to visit the NCSG website.

Every one of our chimney sweeps (not just the owner) is fully certified by the CSIA. That means that the sweep we send to your home has proven expertise in the sweeping industry.

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

Fireplace safety is vital to your family and home’s well-being, but do you really understand? In addition to having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors placed fifteen feet from the fireplace, you need to consider chimney safety. Why? One word- creosote. So let’s look at understanding creosote buildup: risks and solutions. 

What is Creosote?

When you burn organic materials such as wood or plants, a chemical byproduct called creosote is produced. It is a combination of tar and other chemicals that sticks to the inside of your chimney and creates a buildup. Over time, there can be quite a creosote buildup inside your chimney.

Why is a Creosote Buildup Unsafe?

Creosote is an extremely flammable substance, and it becomes more dangerous the more there is of it. A hot ember could float upwards and land on the buildup that could spark a chimney fire. The fire may not be confined only to your chimney; it could also spread to your roof and attic, eventually to your whole home. Creosote burns and spreads quickly, giving you little time to escape your house. Creosote is responsible for some twenty-five thousand chimney fires in the United States annually. 

The Three Stages of Creosote Buildup

The First Stage of Creosote Buildup

In the first stage of buildup, a thin coating of creosote flakes begins to build from smoke, making contact with the chimney’s interior. 

The Second Stage of Creosote Buildup

In this buildup stage, creosote takes on a tar-like appearance and becomes harder to remove. In this stage, you can still save your chimney and fireplace.

The Third Stage of Creosote Buildup

In the last stage of creosote, the buildup is thick and restricts air movement, giving you less efficient burns and an increased chance of a chimney fire. By this stage, removing the creosote is much more difficult, and you will probably require a new liner.

How Do I Prevent Creosote Buildup?

The best way to prevent a creosote buildup in your chimney is to have a qualified chimney service inspect and clean it at least once a year. Removing creosote from your chimney will exponentially reduce the chance of a fire. It will also increase airflow so you can have a more efficient burn. If you use your fireplace often, you may want to have it cleaned every few months to prevent creosote from building up.

Another way you can reduce creosote buildup is to burn hardwood like oak, birch, and hard maple. These types of wood produce more heat and produce less creosote. They may cost a little more, but you can’t put a price on your family’s safety.

You should also ensure the wood you use is seasoned because it will produce less smoke. 

Fluesbrothers Can Remove Creosote

Our chimney techs can come to your home and inspect and clean your chimney to remove dangerous creosote buildups. Call us today at 913-236-7141 or fill out our contact form if it’s been some time since your chimney has been cleaned. One of our chimney experts will gladly answer any questions about scheduling an appointment. Get creosote out of your chimney now and prevent chimney fires.

The post Understanding Creosote Buildup: Risks and Solutions  appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Do customer reviews matter when you are evaluating a chimney sweep company? According to a 2021 report by PowerReviews, Yes… over 99% of customers read reviews. It is part of the evaluation process for consumers to want to know what they are buying and who to trust prior to making a decision. But is getting 5 stars good enough for customers or are the comments that follow those stars the validation that consumers need?

The Customer Review

As we all know, when you are thinking of purchasing a product or service, you’ll take a look at the reviews. Sometimes the review is just a simple 4/5 or 5/5 rating. But does that tell you enough to make a decision? At Superior Chimney, sure we’re happy to get the 5/5 stars, but it’s the extra time a Superior Chimney customer takes to explain for others why they gave us a 5/5 review.

Let’s first understand where some of Superior Chimney’s reviews are and why these are important.

Where are the Customer Reviews?

Some of the most common online reviews for Superior Chimney are on the following platforms: Google, BBB or Better Business Bureau, Angi, Yelp, Facebook and NextDoor with a few extra reviews on Houzz and Amazon. That’s a lot of platforms for our over 4,000 reviews. And that’s the way we like it. By having a variety of platforms more homeowners can find a reputable company to come into their home and perform services that they know are vital to the safety of their home. That’s because we’re talking about lighting a real fire in the fireplace, gas or wood. Both need to be done and maintained with care annually.

How Important are the Customer Ratings?

According to Search Engine Journal, they asked the question: “When deciding which local business to use, how important are the following factors of the review profile?” 85% state the overall star average rating, 73% care how recent the latest review is, and 60% for the number of reviews. Let’s take a deeper diver into these numbers.

Yes, the stars are important as it shows the overall experience. But again, that extra step with comments that customers write is vital to a new customers evaluation. For instance, here’s what some of our customers say:

On BBB: Aaron J. – 5 stars – 12/07/2023

“Superior Chimney and the technicians were very thorough and respectful of our home. They did not pressure us to make unnecessary changes and were honest in what was a concern for today vs what could wait. I am not a chimney expert, and they took the time to explain why something was needed.”

Megan J. – 5 Stars – a month ago

“I highly recommend. Superior Chimney Services. Brad and Chase specifically.  They are a fantastic team. Work well together especially when my kids tried to “help”. They explained what they were doing in terms I understand. They gave a few different options including their personal recommendations on what they would do with their homes. Brad walked me through everything and made sure I understood what was going on.  They had everything they needed to get the job done quickly and efficiently, and they even cleaned the work space better than it was before they got here. 20 out of 10 stars hands down!!  Will use them again in future homes if needed.”

On BBB there are over 420 customer reviews with a 4.95/5 rating. On Google there are over 1,300 customer reviews with a 4.9/5 rating. These understanding customers are what drives more customers to Superior Chimney. The new customers want the same trust and treatment as what the other homeowners received. And we couldn’t agree more.

The Time It Takes

There is a proven process that is practiced at Superior Chimney to ensure the experience is consistent with each customer. Each chimney technician is Nationally Certified by CSIA. That is a crucial step, but not the only step. Next comes the training, which takes a couple of years with an experienced Superior Chimney technician before they are ready to service a customer’s chimney as a lead technician. The consistency of excellence is part of what we’ve been delivering for over 19 years. That’s why customer reviews are so important. They show not only the recent customer satisfaction, but also the consistency of excellence throughout the years. Nothing has changed, and that’s the way we want to keep it.

What’s Next? Now that the end of the year is near, and you had no time to get the fireplace swept and inspected, start the New Year off safe and warm by getting a Superior Chimney sweep/inspection service. It’ll be comforting to know that over 4,000 customers gave not only 5 stars, but their own words of comfort and ease you can expect.

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

As the holidays are a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate, there is a quiet group of individuals that take their job seriously to ensure the utmost care for each home with a fireplace. Yes, it’s the chimney technician. These special people, for some reason, don’t mind the soot and the dust that naturally accumulates in a fireplace. They gladly come into the home and make the chimney all better. But we can’t forget the masonry workers that spend more time on rooftops than they do the sidewalk fighting the weather elements that batter down on them and the chimney each day. All to make it safe and look good… all at the same time. So, we thank you… our chimney technicians and masonry technicians for doing the dirty work and keeping homes protected and the families safe.

Famous Chimney Technicians

The world’s most famous chimney technician is Bert. No, not Bert and Ernie’s Bert, but Bert in Mary Poppins. Yes, Dick Van Dyke somewhat glamorized chimney sweeps, but he showed the hard work and dirty job that it can be. But he also showed that it’s a special group of individuals that care and stick together for the love for their profession. In Mary Poppins, they celebrated it with a song and dance on rooftops. As Mary Poppins most famous quote says, “Practically Perfect in Every Way”. We all agree with you, Mary Poppins.

I bet most of you forgot about Bill the Lizard. Who? Bill the Lizard was a famous chimney sweep from the wonderful Alice in Wonderland story. Because of Bill’s talents, he is recruited by the White Rabbit and Dodo to go down the chimney, doing the dirty work of the White Rabbit. He didn’t have a huge part, which makes us all ‘curiouser and curiouser!’

A Chimney Sweep is a Good Luck Charm

All over the world, the chimney sweep is considered good luck! In Great Britain for example, a bride would look for a chimney sweep on the wedding day. The tradition continues today with brides keeping the tradition alive by hiring a chimney sweep to attend weddings to ensure good luck in the days and years ahead.

In Germany, a New Year’s Day gift with a chimney sweep symbol signifies good luck for the upcoming year. The chimney sweep symbol or ornament is used (not the chimney sweep themselves) are attached to a gift and given to others as a sign of heath, happiness and good fortune in the year ahead.

In numerous countries throughout Europe, it’s good luck to rub a button on your own clothing when you pass a chimney sweep on the streets. Next time a Superior Chimney truck passes your home, be sure to rub the button on your coat or clothing for good luck!

They Learn So You Don’t Have To

It’s a commitment to want to be full of soot and dust. All Seventeen of our technicians are Nationally Certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). This organization exists so homeowners like you can use/trust reliable, highly trained chimney technicians. As many of our customers have shared all over social media, our chimney technicians are highly skilled, trustworthy and polite. By choosing Superior Chimney, you’ve found your lucky charm. 

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

If you have a chimney in your house, you will encounter several problems. Here are these problems and how to fix them:

Smoking

You should never have smoke in your home after making a fire, whether it’s the first or last of the season.

When your fireplace and chimney vent properly, fire by-products are pushed up and out of the house, while outside air is drawn into the flue to keep the flames alive. This critical air exchange is referred to as the chimney “draft.”

A smoking fireplace is a classic symptom of a poor draft, which can result in a quick-burning fire or fire by-products “back-puffing”—getting backed up in the firebox or flue and issuing into the room as smoke and dangerous gasses such as carbon monoxide.

Many factors can contribute to a draft problem. It’s hard to fix the problem, especially if you have never done it before, so it’s good to work with chimney contractors to help you identify the source of the draft problem and fix it.

Blocked flue

A flue can get clogged by leaf debris, animal nests, or creosote buildup, a dark brown to black coating in the chimney as fire by-products harden.

These impediments come in the way and prevent smoke from getting from the firebox to the outdoors via the flue. The result is the smoke coming back into the houses. 

The situation is even worse when the temperature in the flue rises and creosote builds up. The material can ignite a chimney fire, causing significant structural damage to your home. You don’t want this, do you?

Looking out for nests or debris with a flashlight up your chimney flue can let you know if you have a larger obstruction in the flue. If you notice a significant obstruction, contact a CSIA-certified chimney sweep.

The professional should inspect the chimney and, if necessary, clean it to remove creosote that will have accumulated. They should also remove nests and other debris to prevent back-puffing.

Negative air pressure

A high chimney draft requires neutral air pressure, which means that outside air enters the home at the same pace that interior air escapes it. As a result, you have equal indoor and outdoor air pressure.

This leads fire by-products to depart the flue as outside air enters it.

If your house has a negative air pressure, more air enters than escapes, resulting in higher outside air pressure than inside air pressure. The increased air inflow from the exterior drives smoke down the flue until it reaches your home, making it uncomfortable to live in. 

If your fireplace is smokey, open a neighboring window or door while the fireplace is on.

If this reduces or eliminates indoor smoke, your home most likely has negative air pressure that you should address. 

Consider having a mason install an air supply vent at the back of the firebox to alleviate a negative air pressure issue.

This unit brings air from outside to the fire. As a result, you regulate indoor-outdoor air pressure and allow fire by-products to exit the flue.

Water seeping into the flue.

An open flue might easily leak rain or snow. Once there, the water will cool the air in the firebox and limit its ability to rise, decreasing the airflow in the chimney and causing back-puffing.

If your fireplace emits smoke just when its raining or snowing, you might be having a water seepage problem. To avoid a damp flue, install a chimney cap. As a rule of thumb, ensure it’s installed by an experienced professional. 

Poor construction

A flue that is too tiny, a chimney that is too short, or a lintel that is too high are all examples of poor workmanship.

Poor construction could lead to your chimney having a problem. The most common issue with this is the chimney smoking.

Thankfully, installing a smoke guard before the fireplace is an excellent quick remedy.

This guard at the top of the fireplace opening reduces the smoke that enters by limiting the number of fire by-products.

Best practices.

The key to avoiding chimney problems is observing best practices. These practices include:

Use safe fuel

Use well-seasoned hardwood or CSIA-approved logs; as kindling, use dried twigs or branches; and as fuel, use torn old newspaper or pine cones.

Unseasoned firewood or cardboard might produce a large amount of smoke that your chimney cannot adequately expel, so avoid them.

Take advantage of the top-down burn method.

Place the heavy logs in the firebox vertically, then add four to five horizontal layers of kindling, top with fuel and light. Lighting your chimney using this method produces a fast-burning fire that emits little smoke and ensures you are comfortable.

Watch how you place the grate.

When the fireplace grate is too close to the front of the firebox, it is likely to produce a lot of smoke. To avoid this, you should place the grate away from the firebox, which ensures that the chimney doesn’t have a lot of smoke.

Permanently remove ash from the fireplace.

Scoop the remaining ashes into a metal container when the firebox has cooled thoroughly. This leaves your firebox clean and removes ashes that can cause the fireplace to create additional smoke.

Parting shot

These are some of the common problems that your chimney can have. For peace of mind, ensure that the chimney is installed by experienced contractors who know what they are doing. This way, you reduce the chances of having design flaws in your unit.

At least once a year or before the beginning of the heating season, have an experienced contractor undertake chimney inspection Upper Marlboro and cleaning.

Again, when hiring a cleaning professional, don’t hire the first you come across. Instead, take time to do background checks on them and confirm that they know what they are doing.

The post Common Chimney Problems and How to Fix Them first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Your chimney can serve as a cozy shelter for wildlife, including bats, opossums, squirrels, and snakes. These creatures seek refuge from predators and cold weather, but their presence can create a mess inside the chimney. Moreover, their straw nests can become a fire hazard. Unfortunately, it can be tough for some of these animals to escape the chimney, and if they die inside, the organic matter decays, causing an unpleasant odor in your house. Furthermore, their waste can contain toxic contaminants that pose a health risk.

Here are five preventative measures to keep neighborhood wildlife out of your chimney:

Keep Your Chimney Clean

Keeping your chimney clean is vital to avoid attracting pests and critters. A chimney that hasn’t been cleaned in a while can emit a scent that attracts them. You should hire a chimney professional to clean your chimney at least once a year, more often, if you use your fireplace frequently.

Install a Chimney Cap / Chase Cover

A chimney cap is a protective rain hat for a masonry chimney, while a chase top covers a manufactured chimney. Installing a cap or cover with a mesh wire screen is highly recommended to keep animals out of your chimney. This type of cap allows smoke to escape while serving as a barrier to prevent animals from entering. Moreover, it helps deflect rain, snow, and wind, keeping your chimney safe from Mother Nature. 

Seal Holes or Cracks

Even with a chimney cap or chase cover, mice, snakes, and rats can still enter your chimney, squeezing through any holes or cracks, no matter how small. Remember to inspect the masonry or siding for cracks and seal the gaps to keep out unwanted guests.  

Trim Back Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs too close to your house can create a bridge for bats, birds, and other animals to enter your chimney. They can also pose a potential fire hazard if an ember happens to fly out of the chimney and lands on nearby branches. Therefore, trimming any overhanging limbs so that they are at least three feet away from your chimney is recommended.

Use Animal Repellents

We consulted a professional trapper to find out whether animal repellents are effective. While repellents can be a preventative measure, they should not be relied upon solely. Other preventive measures like replacing missing or damaged chimney caps, sealing gaps or cracks in the masonry, and regular cleaning are also necessary to keep animals out of your chimney. Various animal repellents, such as sprays, granules, and liquids, are available in the market, which can deter animals from entering your chimney.

Live Animal Removal

If you think you have a live animal in your chimney, don’t try to catch it yourself. It can bite, and you could get sick from bacteria or any disease the animal may carry. Contact your local chimney removal specialist or Northeastern Chimney if you reside in central Connecticut.

Chimney Cap Repair/Installation in Greater Hartford, CT

Northeastern Chimney LLC is your premier CSIA-certified chimney inspection, cleaning, and repair provider in Bristol, Granby, Southington, and central CT townships. Call (860) 233-5770 or contact us online to consult with a Certified Chimney Sweep®.

The post How Animals Use Chimneys and Preventative Measures appeared first on .

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

Winter is here, and you’ve either built your first fire of the season or will soon. However, despite keeping your home warm and cozy and creating a nostalgic atmosphere, there could be a danger lurking in your chimney with the potential to destroy everything. In this blog post, we look at what causes chimney fires and the five steps you can take to prevent them.

What Causes Chimney Fires?

There are an estimated 25,000 chimney fires in the United States annually, some with disastrous outcomes. Chimney fires happen for various reasons, including:

Creosote Buildup

The number one cause of chimney fires is creosote buildup. Creosote is a highly combustible residue that comes from burning wood.

It accumulates on the chimney’s inner walls, starting as a flaky powder and growing into a sticky, tar-like glaze. 

Poor Installation or Damage

If a chimney wasn’t built properly or suffered damage from weather or a seismic event, it could be a fire risk. Cracks, gaps, or deterioration can allow heat to escape and ignite nearby combustible materials. 

Overloading the Fireplace

Some people like spectacular fires in their fireplaces. Whether they’re a firebug at heart or think the bigger the flames, the warmer the home, overloading the fireplace can create more heat and higher temperatures than your fireplace or wood stove can handle, leading to a fire. 

Poor Ventilation

It’s crucial to have good ventilation for your fire to burn efficiently and safely. Poor ventilation leads to overheating, which can increase smoke and creosote buildup. Make sure your damper is fully open, allowing smoke and toxic gas to escape.

Tips for Protecting Yourself Against Chimney Fires

Regular Cleaning and Inspections

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself against chimney fires is to hire a professional sweep for yearly cleaning and inspections. Professionals have the knowledge and tools to thoroughly remove creosote and detect structural issues that could spell trouble down the road. 

Use a Chimney Liner

Depending on where you live, a chimney liner (or flue liner) might be mandatory. But if it’s not, you need to have one installed. Chimney liners protect your home’s combustible components against high temperatures running up the chimney. They also protect the chimney’s masonry materials from the corrosive effects of creosote that could lead to structural damage over time. 

Install a Chimney Cap

A chimney cap prevents debris and animals from getting in and causing obstructions that block airflow. Caps also prevent sparks and embers from escaping the chimney and landing on the roof or other flammable materials.

Burn Seasoned Firewood

Many people think any wood will do when starting a fire. That might be true if you’re stranded in the woods and must stay warm, but it’s another story in the house. Seasoned firewood is dry, which burns more efficiently and produces less smoke. Less smoke means less creosote buildup. 

Experts recommend burning wood that’s been dried for at least six months. Good woods to burn include hardwoods like oak, maple ash, and birch. Avoid burning green wood with high moisture content, treated or painted wood, driftwood, and non-wood items like cardboard, trash, or other materials. 

Call Fluesbrothers Today

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace is the go-to chimney and fireplace specialist in Kansas City because we do it all. Whether you need chimney cleaning, repairs, inspection, rebuilding, fireplace installation, or dryer vent cleaning, we’ve got you covered. 

Our technicians are certified by the National Fireplace Institute and the Chimney Safety Institute of America, so you can be confident knowing their work is accurate and safe. 

Contact us today to schedule cleaning and inspection at 913-236-7141. 

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