Here’s what you need to know

Even though Labor Day has passed, it is still summer! You might be starting to think about installing a new fireplace or upgrading your old wood-burning fireplace. If you are, a gas fireplace is an excellent option to choose from. Fireplaces are known to add value to your home, and gas fireplaces can provide your home with heat during the winter at a fuel-efficient cost and with a stylish ambiance.

Our goal is to inform you of everything you need to know to choose the right gas fireplace and understand the process.

Why A Gas Fireplace?

Efficiency

First and foremost, a gas fireplace has a huge advantage over a wood-burning one because of its energy-efficient nature. Wood fires generally convert about 10 to 30 percent of the fuel’s energy into heat, whereas a gas fireplace converts 75 to 99 percent of a fuel’s energy into heat for your home.

Ease of Use

A gas fireplace is far easier than a wood-burning one to start, maintain, and use. There are no logs to split, carry, take up space, and season. Fires in a gas fireplace do not need to be tended to and fed with more logs and won’t die out if you leave it alone like a wood fire.

Unlike with a wood fire, there is no cleaning ashes or smells of smoke wafting into your home.

Gas fireplaces can be lit with the push of a button on your thermostat or with a remote control. You can also adjust them and put them out with the use of your thermostat.

Heat Output

Because your wall thermostat can control the gas fire, you can also adjust the heat output. If it’s too hot, you can easily adjust the flame to your liking. The same goes if it’s too cold. The thermostat will even maintain the temperature setting for you and adjust the fire accordingly.

Additionally, if you choose a gas fireplace with fixed glass panels and a direct-vent firebox, you can ensure heat doesn’t escape up the flue as it does with a wood fire. This translates to even more heat output when you need it and a greater degree of fuel efficiency.

Style

This comes down to personal choice. You make like the classic look of a traditional fireplace with wood logs. But if you are after a sleek, modern look, then a glass-enclosed gas fireplace may be exactly what you are looking for.

Fireplace Options

If you have decided on installing a gas fireplace, there’s still another step to consider: what kind do you want? There are many different types and styles, each of which has something to offer your home.

Inserts (Vented or Direct Vent)

Inserts are fireplace sets within a metal box that can be installed in an existing fireplace. Access to gas and electric lines must be drilled and then hooked up to the box. The box is then inserted into the fireplace.

Gas fireplaces don’t produce any smoke or odors, but – as with any fire – they still produce dangerous and toxic byproducts. A vented, also known as a direct vent, fireplace is the safest method of getting pollutants such as carbon monoxide out of your home.

Some units have blower options that take the cool air from inside your house, draw it into a separate chamber with a built-in fan, warmed, and then the heated air is blown back into the room along with the radiant heat produced by the fireplace.

Vent-Free (or Ventless)

Ventless fireplaces draw combustion air directly from your room, heat that air, and then send it back out along with the fumes. The exhaust fumes are a serious disadvantage to ventless gas fireplaces, and no flue or other pipe is directing the fumes out of your home.

These types of fireplaces can be up to 99% fuel efficient because most of the heat stays inside the home, but because possible pollutants in the air are a concern, they are tuned to run very cleanly and are limited to 40,000 British Thermal Units (BTU). Meaning they cannot produce as much heat as other fireplaces.

These fireplaces come equipped with an oxygen sensor to automatically shut off if the oxygen in a room drops below a safe threshold. California and some U.S. cities have banned vent-free fireplaces.

Log Sets

Gas log sets are the best gas option if you like the look of a traditional wood-burning fireplace. After the gas lines have been run, a grate and ceramic logs are placed on the firebox floor.  Log sets available today come in all different styles to match the decor.  Media kits are available from river rock, coal, glass beads, to charred oak or birch.

The one drawback is most of the heat created by one of these units is lost because your chimney damper must always remain open so that the fumes can escape your home. Because of this, log sets should be treated as decorative home design choices and not as an option for serious wintertime heating.

Final Considerations

A gas fireplace can be fueled by natural gas or propane. Natural gas is more efficient, but propane can be used if there’s no gas available.  A plumber will need to be consulted about running gas lines to the fireplace and making the unit’s final connection.

Some fireplaces use pilot lights to get your fire started while others us electronic ignition systems. Electronic ignition systems require a battery backup unit to start a fire in a power outage event. At the same time, pilot lights run continuously and can cost you a small amount each month on your energy bill.

We hope this helps you to make an informed decision about gas fireplaces. Please feel free to call us at 1-617-781-893-6611 to discuss your concerns or questions or schedule visit now!

The post Thinking of Converting from Wood to Gas? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

After many days of rain, I spent time last night dining outside at a local restaurant. Even though it was a bit chilly, it felt great getting some fresh air. As all of our tables were ‘socially distant’, my ears are always aware of interesting conversations around me. The one that caught my attention was the conversation about a stain that formed on the corner ceiling and wall in their family room.

I listened to the person’s thoroughness of trying to uncover the source of the problem. I heard how they cleaned out the gutters, and checked for any missing roofing tiles. Nothing. They called out a roofer to inspect for any problems with the roofing system. Nothing. What didn’t they do? Consider the chimney.

Many people forget that the tallest point on the home is most vulnerable to the elements outside. This past week is a perfect example. The chimney experienced constant rain, high winds, and a drastic change in temperature. That’s a perfect storm for water leaks in a chimney.

Water leaks can appear in many different forms. Here are the top 5:

1. Water stains, discoloration, visible leaks and moisture on the walls or ceilings around the chimney
2. Musty odor coming from the fireplace especially after the rains
3. Hearing the drips of water coming into the chimney, some slow, some much faster
4. Water or condensation inside of the fireplace
5. Problems with the interior or exterior masonry such as cracks or spalling

If any of these experiences are currently happening in and/or around your fireplace, then you need to call Superior Chimney to get that fixed right away.

But Wait! I Don’t Use the Fireplace, or It Hasn’t Been Turned On Yet!

Even though you don’t use the fireplace, or you have a gas fireplace, the elements outside are still active. Rain, snow, hail, wind and temperature change are constantly in motion causing deterioration to the chimney. That’s why it’s important to have the chimney checked each year. As part of the 14-point inspection, a certified technician will carefully check the interior and exterior chimney condition.

Some of the points we’re looking at outside that are the most common causes of water leaks are:

The certified technician will take pictures of the chimney outside. We use these pictures to explain what we look for and inform you of any findings. Once we’re done, we will email the pictures to you for your own personal records.

Remember…

It’s important to remember…chimneys are an integral part of your home, and most home heating systems, with lots of different parts making up their structure. Keep it in good working order by having the chimney 14-point inspection done each year. This way you’ll never need to worry about me listening in on your conversation.

Contact Superior Chimney for a 14-point inspection and chimney sweep at 877-244-6349.

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

The chimney services industry has a lot of unique terminologies, as most industries do. One area of confusion for some homeowners is the difference between chimney rebuilding and chimney tuckpointing. Both operations are performed to restore strength and integrity to your chimney system, but each one has different reasons for being recommended by your chimney sweep or inspector.

What is chimney rebuilding?

Chimney rebuilding can mean:

Rebuilding damaged sections of bricks and mortar

Rebuilding the stack above the roof or the breast below the roof

Rebuilding the entire chimney

When is chimney rebuilding necessary?

Any time your chimney structure is weakened or compromised, some level of rebuilding may be necessary.

 

Many things can damage a chimney’s bricks and mortar including but not limited to:

Chimney fires

Earthquakes

Leaky chimneys

Freeze/thaw cycles

Frequency of fireplace use

Lightning strikes

An improperly built chimney footing

Pounding hail storms

Year after a year of extreme weather temperatures

Old age that leads to brick and mortar decay

Lack of maintenance including annual inspections and chimney sweeping

Lightning, hail, and severe hot and cold temperatures typically affect only the chimney stack. The other causes listed can affect any area within the chimney structure or the entire structure.

Tuckpointing or repointing

Unlike chimney rebuilding, tuckpointing focuses on just the mortar joints that hold the chimney’s bricks together. The mortar that has started to crumble must be addressed before serious structural compromise happens.

Tuckpointing involves scraping away old, decayed mortar and replacing it with a fresh new compound. It doesn’t require disassembling and then reassembling the chimney or sections of it.

When performed by an experienced chimney sweep or chimney services professional, tuckpointing will restore your chimney’s strength and give it more years of life and performance.

Start with a certified chimney inspection

All chimney industry organizations recommend yearly chimney inspections.

When performed by a CSIA-certified technician, a chimney inspection will tell you:

If damage exists

Why the damage happened

Exactly where the damage is located

The extent of the damage

What will be needed to resolve the problem

Significant structural damage to a chimney typically requires some level of rebuilding to make the chimney safe again. Tuckpointing is a valuable service when the main issue with your chimney is crumbling and decaying mortar.

By scheduling regular inspections, chimney sweeping, and maintenance services, you stand a better chance of avoiding major work on your chimney structure in the future.

Chimney repairs

Good chimney maintenance includes timely repairs. For example, early signs of cracking in the bricks or mortar, damage to the cement chimney crown, warped or missing flashing, and leaks anywhere within the system should be addressed quickly. Minor damage to a chimney isn’t difficult or expensive to have repaired. By resolving leaky chimney issues, you prevent widespread water damage to the chimney and possibly the home.

 

By repairing cracks in the structure, you keep the cracks from enlarging and destroying large sections of the chimney. By keeping your chimney clean and free of creosote, a byproduct of wood fires, you safeguard the inside of your flue and prevent damage from the acids in creosote as well as disastrous chimney fires. If your chimney is damaged – or if you suspect it may be – call Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS. We provide licensed chimney rebuilding, tuckpointing, chimney repairs, chimney inspections, and chimney cleaning. Reach an expert at (913) 236-7141.

The post What’s the Difference between Chimney Rebuilding & Tuckpointing? appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

If you have a flower or vegetable garden, you’ve been spending extra time watering the plants. I’ve had to water twice per day as the heat created extra stress on my growing meals. While outside, it became increasingly annoying with the wasps. I’m sure there has to be a wasp nest nearby as I keep getting pelted in the head, arms and legs.

I’m amazed how much damage these one-inch creatures can do. I decided to look further into their nesting situation. I found one at a back door by the hose. They somehow chewed their way into an entry point, which I thought was just at the door. It wasn’t. It was inside of the brick. I used caulk to close up the hole. Being absolutely resourceful, the wasps made a new exit under the concrete stair.

As I made my way to the vegetables, which I leave in pots due to wild critters harvesting the vegetables before I do, I started to get bombarded again with wasps. I followed the wasps. This time, they chewed through the caulk on the window sill and began to nest. Not just one window, three.

I decided the entire house needed inspection. I looked high and low and so far, so good. However, I didn’t look high enough. I noticed the wasps were flying higher than I was looking. Here we go again. This time a wasp nest in the chimney. As I climbed to get a closer look, the vision become clear…there was a good size nest in my chimney.

Wasps do die off at the end of summer, with the exception of the queen, but they do leave the house behind. The wasp nest is made from chewed wood that is paper thin. Wasp nests are also flammable. When it’s time to turn on your fireplace, a fire can start. If you’ve seen plenty of wasps hanging around your home, it’s best to have a chimney inspection to clear it of any obstructions.      

Wasps that are nesting in a fireplace vent, a popular location, most likely will find their way down the flue and into the fireplace. If your fireplace doors are closed, maybe they’ll stay out, but expect them to find a tiny hole to squeeze through.

It is not recommended to try to burn the wasp nest yourself. Even though they may have ‘moved out’, the wasp nest is lightly attached to the wall of the chimney. By opening a flame or heat to a flammable paper product (the nest), there’s a chance that you or your property can get burned. On the chance that a few have remained behind in the nest, they can often turn violent and come right after you.

Let’s keep your house and family wasp free by getting a chimney inspection now. Then when you want to turn on or fire up the fireplace, you’re good to go. Contact us for an inspection at 877.244.6349.

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

Chimney Inspecting and Chimney Cleaning in Atlanta 

You might be wondering how exactly your chimney is important this September. While you might be in shorts and flip-flops, your chimney is still working…always ready to keep your home comfortable and protected. It might not currently be blowing smoke, but it’s definitely storing some residue and it may even be housing some neighborhood birds. 

Getting your chimney inspected while it’s still summer will have you ready for winter before anyone else. Chimney companies like Southern Chimneys start getting really busy around September. The summer months are reserved for smart, proactive homeowners who know to call and take care of things before bookings start to fill up. 

6 Reasons to get your chimney serviced before Fall begins:

1. Easier Appointment – get peace of mind knowing you’re handling things before it’s too late. 
2. Keep the Critters Out – no, really. You’d be surprised who likes to hang out in an unused chimney. 
3. Safety – keeping things clean protects you from fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
4. Catch problems early – proactive people don’t have to worry about the extra cost that comes with putting things off. 
5. Remove the funk (and smoke damage) – believe it or not, that built up residue inside your chimney will produce a smell over time and the more you clean, the less it builds up.
6. It’s a mess – You do not want to do this yourself. 

Hurry up and call Southern Chimneys! Remember, by September winter bookings start to fill up. Let us get you ready for winter this summer. 

The post 6 Reasons to get your chimney inspected BEFORE fall begins! first appeared on Southern Chimneys.

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

The soot and creosote inside a chimney flue have the potential to make a big mess during chimney cleaning. To avoid any kind of worst-case scenario, hire a professional chimney sweep company with a record of positive customer reviews. CSIA-certified chimney sweeps have the training, experience, and equipment to perform chimney cleaning in a way that protects your home interior and leaves it as clean and neat as when they arrived.

How to Prepare for Chimney Sweeping Services

The entire chimney sweeping process can take between 20 minutes to about an hour. Homeowners are asked to prepare the area before chimney professionals arrive. When prep has been done, chimney sweeping services go more quickly. 

The following are some of the ways to ensure that your fireplace is easily accessible and none of your belongings are accidentally damaged as the work is being performed:

• Move décor from the fireplace area
• Remove breakable items from the fireplace mantel and hearth area, as a precaution
• Pull furniture away from the vicinity around the fireplace
• Cover the furniture, just in case
• Provide clear access from the entryway to the fireplace and chimney

How Does a Chimney Sweep Control the Mess?

Chimney professionals use plastic, a drop cloth, and an industrial-strength vacuum designed for chimney sweeping to help prevent the messy work to be performed from affecting your home interior. Between the soot, ashes, burned logs, and creosote being removed from the flue, it is a dirty job.

Chimney Sweeping is a Vital Service

Chimney cleaning helps to keep your home and family safe, especially when you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove. Creosote is a tar-like, highly flammable combustion by-product that sticks to the chimney flue every time you light a fire. Chances of a chimney fire igniting increases as creosote in your chimney builds up, layer after layer. 

 

 

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that homeowners schedule chimney sweeping services when at least 1/8” of creosote is in the flue. With nearly that amount of creosote at the beginning of winter, however, waiting for chimney cleaning could mean wintertime chimney sweeping is needed. This is fine, though it may require a brief interruption in the use of your heating appliance when you need it most. Because chimney professionals are often more in demand in wintertime, chimney sweeping services can be difficult to schedule at a time most convenient for the customer.

The fire safety experts at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend that homeowners schedule annual chimney sweeping—regardless of the amount or complete lack of creosote buildup. It makes good sense to schedule both chimney cleaning and the recommended annual chimney inspection in spring or summer. Chimney professionals have less hectic schedules in warmer months and if chimney repairs are needed, there is time to complete them before cold weather returns.

If you live in Connecticut, Northeastern Chimney LLC is the place to call for reliable chimney sweep services and has been since 1984. Our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps at Northeastern Chimney provide quality chimney cleaning, chimney inspections, chimney repairs, masonry rebuilds, and all of the chimney services you might need—all with a 5-star guarantee. Schedule an appointment with us today by calling 860-233-5770.

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

This is a very valid question, one that a lot of homeowners are wondering about. You don’t have to be a chimney professional to know that all the dust, ash, soot and other remnants inside a fireplace and chimney could wreak havoc on your carpeting and furniture. Fortunately, certified chimney sweeps know this, too, and they know how to keep it from happening.

Chimney cleaning 101

In brief, chimney sweeps are the technicians who perform chimney cleaning. The best among them hold certifications through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and have undergone extensive training.

The reason chimney flues need cleaning on an annual basis is two-fold:

1. Remove flammable creosote: This substance is added to the flue every time a wood fire burns. Creosote is responsible for most chimney fires in the U.S. each year.
2. Remove drafting obstructions: Debris such as leaves, twigs and the nests of small animals will narrow the flue and prevent smoke and carbon monoxide from drafting properly.

To thoroughly clean the inside of a chimney, the professional chimney sweep uses specialized tools such as electric rods and scrapers, hand-held brushes and scrubbers, cleaning solvents and heavy-duty commercial vacuums. All these tools and the sweep’s experience ensure that the job will be done correctly and cleanly.

Preventing a mess during chimney sweeping

While this work can be pretty messy, chimney technicians have a system to protect areas of your home adjacent to the work area. Coverings are laid down on the carpet area outside the chimney. Furnishings are covered as are any other items near the fireplace while work is in progress.

The spread of dust and ash is greatly minimized by the use of the chimney sweep’s vacuum, which is powerful enough to pull in the majority particles that could become airborne and mar carpets, rugs, draperies, furniture and other items.

A good chimney cleaning technician is very aware of the importance of protecting the work environment. He or she is committed to performing an outstanding job in every way from the moment the equipment is brought into the house until the sweep leaves for the next job.

How you can help the chimney cleaning process

Your chimney sweep will take every precaution to keep your home mess-free while cleaning your chimney. You can help the process by making sure the area around the fireplace is free of furniture and other obstacles, giving the sweep plenty of room to work.

If you have friendly (or non-friendly!) dogs, put them in the yard or in a secure room until your technician is finished. Finally, keep an eye on your children and let them know to not bother the chimney sweep or play with any of the “curious” tools laid out around the fireplace.

As with all chimney services including chimney inspection and chimney repair work, chimney sweeping should be a painless process that leaves no sign behind that anybody was even there.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, is committed to providing outstanding results and solutions for your chimney and fireplace, and this includes keeping your home clean and safe during a chimney sweep. Get to know more about our complete list of chimney and fireplace services by calling (913) 236-7141.

The post Will a Chimney Sweep Make a Mess when Cleaning My Chimney? appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

When the cool days of fall roll around, you want to be able to crank up your fireplace with peace of mind. This will happen if you know your fireplace and chimney are clean and in great shape. The best way to enjoy this peace of mind is to schedule an annual chimney cleaning and inspection during the warm months before professional hearth service companies get extremely busy.

There are reasons why you should get necessary chimney work done before temperatures start dropping:

Chimney sweeps often have more scheduling flexibility during spring, summer, and early fall. When the cold weather hits, it seems like everybody jumps on the bandwagon at once to schedule cleanings and inspections. It’s a lot easier and safer for chimney technicians to perform outside repair work during nice weather. Chimney repairs that involve mortar compounds (tuckpointing, smoke chamber parging, crown rebuilding, etc.) can be done better and faster before the cold of winter sets in.

For jobs such as chimney sweeping, firebox repair, damper replacement, and fireplace insert installation, crews will need to access the interior of your home. It’s easier for you to have people moving in and out of your house when the weather is nice as opposed to during a snow storm.

Key chimney maintenance tasks

Annual chimney maintenance centers around three primary objectives.

Remove flammable creosote and drafting obstructions from the flue

Creosote builds up in your flue every time you burn a fire. It can be sticky, flakey, or solid, but it is highly flammable in all forms. Annual chimney sweep service safely removes creosote with the aid of a variety of specialized brushes, scrubbers, solvents, and vacuums.

Chimney sweeping also removes drafting obstructions such as the nests of small animals and tree debris that may have entered your flue. The smoke that drafts inefficiently can back up into your home and carry with it deadly carbon monoxide. (If your flue contains obstructions from the world outside, a quality chimney cap will prevent future problems.)

Perform a basic chimney safety inspection

Certified chimney technicians perform all CSIA-recognized levels of chimney inspections. The basic inspection you should schedule once a year includes an examination of all visible areas of the chimney/fireplace system including the structural masonry, chimney cap/chase cover, chimney crown, roof flashing, firebox and more. Annual chimney inspections let you get on top of early signs of damage or malfunction and have them fixed before extensive – and expensive – repair work is needed.

Repair damage or address issues uncovered during the inspection

Your chimney inspector will alert you to any issues found during the inspection. Whether these problems are simple or complex, it’s important that they are addressed right away in order to keep your chimney running safely and smoothly.

All this work is best done during the warmer months so there will be plenty of time to engage in repairs and adjustments before firing up your fireplace for another season.

Northeastern Chimney of West Hartford, CT, provides CSIA-certified chimney cleaning, chimney inspections, and chimney repair services. Count on our expert team to help you ensure the safety and efficiency of your chimney every year. Reach us to schedule an appointment or get your questions answered at (860) 233-5770.

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

Getting your fireplace and chimney ready for another winter season involves making sure it’s clean and that the structure and components are all in good shape. For chimneys connected to wood-burning fireplaces and inserts, chimney sweeping is a necessary maintenance task that’s just as important as seeing to any minor repairs that might be needed.

Here are four reasons to schedule chimney cleaning and maintenance before the fall rush

Things are slower in the spring and summer

Chimney sweeps tend to get busy once the cold weather hits. For some reason, that’s the time most people start thinking about what they need to do to get their chimney ready for winter. By scheduling your annual chimney cleaning visit before the weather turns, you have a much better chance of getting your technician to your home at a time that’s convenient for you.

Milder weather is better for certain chimney repairs

Chimney repair work that involves a mortar mixture will be more effective before outside temperatures get seriously cold. This work includes tuckpointing, chimney crown rebuilding, smoke chamber parging, and other select tasks.

Traffic inside your house

Chimney cleaning, damper replacement, fireplace insert installations, firebox repair, and certain other jobs require the technician to access the interior of your home. This foot traffic is less problematic during mild weather than during sloppy, snowy weather.

Safer for the technician

Finally, nice weather makes the outside jobs of repair, component installation, and inspection simpler and safer for your chimney technician.

Why your chimney should be swept once a year

No matter when you’re able to arrange for service, your chimney flue should be professionally cleaned once a year to prevent chimney fires and drafting problems.

CSIA-certified chimney sweeps perform two primary jobs:

Creosote removal: Excess creosote is a chimney fire waiting to happen. Creosote is highly flammable and increases in amount every time you burn wood in your fireplace.

Most fire-safety agencies and chimney-safety organizations in the United States recommend annual chimney sweeping for chimneys that vent wood-burning appliances. The majority of chimney fires are started by creosote, so a yearly visit from a trained chimney sweep is the best way to prevent one of these destructive events.

Obstruction removal: Debris such as falling leaves and twigs as well as the nests of small animals like squirrels and birds can cause drafting obstructions in chimneys. When airflow is restricted, smoke can back up into your home.

Worse than smoke, however, is the carbon monoxide it contains. This gas is invisible and odorless, but it has been shown to be poisonous and potentially fatal to humans and animals. (Note that if your chimney has no chimney cap or flue cover, installing one of these devices will keep debris out of your chimney.)

The best recipe for a safe and reliable chimney

Keeping your chimney running safely and optimally isn’t hard when you remember to schedule your chimney sweep visits, inspections, and repair work early before winter really digs in. By hiring a company that holds certifications through the Chimney Safety Institute of America, you know the work will be done by highly trained and experienced technicians who care about you and your home.

Is it time to get your chimney cleaned and inspected? High’s Chimney Service of Gaithersburg, MD, provides certified chimney sweep, chimney inspection, and chimney repair services that you can count on. Reach us at (301) 519-3500 with questions or to schedule an appointment.

 

The post Schedule A Chimney Sweep Before The Fall Rush appeared first on Highs Chimney.

Fireplace backdrafting is often a problem on all levels of new homes, especially basement fireplaces. The common issue with newer construction is that homes are far more airtight than they were in former times. Our homes, in effect, breathe, as though living things, and fresh air is exchanged for stagnant, stale air. Negative pressure often results from appliances that push air from the home, as well, including stove exhausts, clothes dryers, and bathroom fans. In the meantime, fireplaces need a supply of air to function properly, and basement fireplaces need air most desperately because of something called the “stack effect.”

What is the Stack Effect?

The stack effect is created in homes due to differences in air pressure, and it has to do with the way air moves into and out of homes. Warm air moves upward, reducing the air pressure in airtight building envelopes unless there is some type of ventilation. The stack effect is more pronounced in summer and winter when indoor-outdoor temperature differences are greatest. Shorter homes have less of a stack effect than taller homes. 

 

Being located at the lowest point, basements are most vulnerable to problems caused by the stack effect. Chimney drafts tend to be weak, which means maintaining an efficient basement fire can be challenging. Instead of air naturally traveling up the chimney, as it is supposed to, basement chimneys often act as the outdoor air supply for the home. Reversing the airflow to enjoy fires from a basement fireplace can be a battle. Fortunately, chimney professionals can help homeowners find solutions to get hearth appliances operating efficiently.

Two Fireplaces, One Chimney Chase

When a basement fireplace shares a chimney chase or exterior chimney with a fireplace on another floor, issues tend to arise. When the upper-level wood-burning fireplace is burned, the smoke will usually exit through the chimney and then get pulled back into the home through the basement fireplace flue.

If smoke is crossing from one flue into the other without having to first go outside, it means there is flue damage and the toxic fumes are escaping into places where they don’t belong. A chimney professional should be called without delay in this case because toxic gases could leak into living areas of the home. Occupants can be exposed to deadly carbon monoxide. 

Stinky Basement Fireplaces

When the basement fireplace becomes the air supply for the home, it means that the unpleasant odors in the flue can create strong basement odors and perhaps spread to other parts of the home, too. The smell can worsen in the following conditions:

• Toxic, highly flammable creosote is a material that gets deposited inside flue linings with every wood fire. The more of the smelly creosote there is in your chimney, the stronger the stinky odor you may smell from your basement fireplace.
• Humid, damp air makes bad smells even worse.

Contact Northeastern Chimney Today

For CSIA-certified chimney sweeps in West Harford, CT, and the surrounding area, contact Northeastern Chimney. We can help by solving drafting problems as well as providing all of the reliable chimney services you may need. Our professional technicians perform chimney inspections, chimney sweeping, masonry repair, chimney cap installation, and much more. Schedule an appointment by calling  860-233-5770 today.

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