3 Ways to Keep Your Chimney Clean & Safe Between Chimney Sweep Visits

If you use your wood-burning fireplace, the chimney is going to collect its fair share of creosote and soot. There’s nothing you can do about that. But there is something you can do about how much buildup is added to the chimney each burning season.

The reason this is important is because creosote is highly flammable and is the cause of most chimney fires each year in the United States. You should schedule annual service from a certified professional to do the bulk of the cleaning, but you also can do your part to help keep your chimney clean between chimney sweep visits.

First thing to know: smoke = creosote

Creosote is formed when wood smoke condenses in a chimney flue. Although the process can be a little scientific, the simple way to see it is: the more smoke, the more creosote.

If you’ve run a fireplace for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that sometimes wood can burn and produce minimal smoke, while other times a huge amount of smoke comes off the fire. Your goal is to burn fires that produce as little smoke as possible. Here are three ways to do it.

Burn only dry (seasoned) wood

Recently harvested logs still contain considerable moisture, which makes considerable smoke when burned. Logs that have been allowed to dry for six months or more will not produce huge amounts of smoke.

Additionally, hardwoods like walnut, oak, sycamore and ash burn hotter and usually aren’t as smoky as softwoods like pine, redwood, juniper and fir.

Ensure a proper draft (air flow)

For wood to burn efficiently, it needs the right amount of oxygen. Air flow is what allows for intense burns with minimal amounts of the wood left unburned and less smoke created in the process.

Elements that will affect how much air gets to your fireplace fires include:

Air-tight house: If little or no air can flow into your home, little or no air flow is going to be available for your fire. If you suspect this is the case, crack a window or two when using the fireplace.

Faulty damper: The damper that sits above the firebox is there to regulate air flow. If it’s rusted or damaged and can’t fully open, you may not be bringing enough air into your firebox. Have the damper inspected and either repaired or replaced.

Obstructed flue: Leaves, twigs and other tree debris along with the nests of squirrels, birds and other small animals can create a major air-flow obstruction inside a chimney. A proper chimney cap will block these obstructions, so if you have no cap, get one installed. To have obstructions cleaned out, make an appointment with a professional chimney sweep.

Never burn anything except actual firewood in your fireplace

While firewood does produce some smoke that leads to the formation of creosote, it doesn’t produce nearly as much as items such as painted wood, pressed board, cardboard, clothing, plastics and paper products.

It is never advisable to use anything other than tree logs as fuel in a wood fireplace, stove or insert. Aside from excess smoke, these materials can produce fumes that are full of dangerous (and possibly deadly) toxins that should not be inhaled by people or pets.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be helping to keep your chimney clean and efficient between visits from your chimney sweep.

Need help with chimney issues? High’s Chimney Service of Gaithersburg, MD, provides certified chimney sweep, chimney inspection and chimney repair services to ensure the safety and integrity of your chimney/fireplace system. Get your questions answered or schedule an appointment by calling (301) 519-3500.

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Since fireplaces came into fashion, the people who clean the chimneys have been known as chimney sweeps. Many modern professional chimney sweeps perform other important services such as chimney inspection, chimney repair and chimney rebuilding. Let’s look at a few reasons why you might need the services of a trained chimney sweep.

Chimney Leaks

A chimney leak often is the first sign of damage somewhere within the system that could lead to serious deterioration of the chimney masonry or some of its components.

A leaky chimney also can put your home’s building materials at risk. For example, if water is draining down the outside of the chimney and into the house, it can cause damage to insulation, wall boards, rafters, the attic and more.

Common signs of a chimney leak include:

• Dampness or discoloration on the ceiling and walls adjacent to the fireplace
• A rusty damper
• Efflorescence (white staining) on exterior masonry
• Water in the firebox
• Strong, unpleasant odors coming from the firebox

Chimney sweeps can spot the source(s) of the leak and perform any necessary repairs.

Chimney Fire

If you’ve had a chimney fire, the first action you need to take before using the fireplace again is to call a certified chimney sweep for a thorough inspection. Chimney inspections can determine how much damage the fire caused, where the damage is located and what is required to restore the chimney to safety.

One problem with chimney fires is that some of them are of short duration and extinguish on their own. Even still, damage to the flue liner, the chimney masonry or adjacent areas of the home may have happened.

Here are chimney fire signs to watch and listen for:

• Huge amounts of dense, black smoke coming from the firebox or out the top of the chimney
• Odd clicking or ticking noises
• The sound of rumbling like from a distant train

If any of these signs occur, call 911 and extinguish the fire in the fireplace, if you can do it safely.

Smoke is backing up into the home

Drafting problems can be caused by several things:

1. Obstructions in the flue: This can include bird and other small-animal nests as well as leaves, twigs and other tree debris.
2. Large creosote buildup in the flue: After a lot of fireplace use, creosote can build up to the point the flue passage is narrowed and smoke drafts inefficiently.
3. Faulty damper: If your fireplace damper won’t fully open, you may experience smoke and carbon monoxide backing up into your home.
4. House is too air-tight: If your home allows little or no air flow, there won’t be enough air to create a proper draft to lift smoke up into the chimney.
5. Wrong-size chimney: For efficient drafting, your chimney flue must be the right size for the fireplace it’s connected to.  Improperly built/installed chimneys and chimney liners are almost sure to cause air-flow issues.

There are other possible reasons for sluggish drafting, and your CSIA-certified chimney sweep can find them and recommend ways to solve the problem.

Has it been more than a year since your last chimney sweep visit?

If so, now is the right time to call a local chimney expert and schedule a thorough cleaning to remove flammable creosote from your flue.  Annual cleaning and inspection is the best way to keep your chimney safe and efficient.

We’ve covered a few of the jobs that chimney sweeps regularly perform. These trained technicians also can help with any other issues you’re having with your chimney, fireplace or stove.

 

 

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, is available year-round to make sure your chimney always performs at its best. Call us at (913) 236-7141.

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While you’re enjoying the warmth of a wood-burning or gas fireplace, the chimney is expelling smoke, toxic fumes, and other organic matter to keep your family safe. When the chimney lacks regular sweeping, many potentially dangerous substances continue to accumulate in the flue that can interfere with its ventilation. It can also affect your health and safety, reduce heating efficiency, and increase chimney repair costs.

Minimize Fire Risk

The combustion process of lighting your wood-burning fireplace, and to some extent, gas fireplaces as well, produces several chemical compounds, including creosote. In its initial stages, creosote is a relatively inert powdery substance that is easily removable with regular chimney sweeping. However, it evolves into a thick, tarry, and highly flammable substance as it continues to accumulate without regular chimney cleanings. Excessive creosote in the chimney is the primary cause of residential structure fires.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Without periodic chimney cleaning, the creosote, soot, and other particulates that build up in the flue increases the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) fumes when using the fireplace. Small animals, leaves, and twigs can also obstruct the flue compromising its ventilation. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even death. More than 4,000 people are hospitalized every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fire safety experts recommend homeowners install a CO detector on each level of their home.

Reduce Chimney Repair Costs

Some of the combustion gases, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrous dioxide that stick to the flue, are acidic. Unless you clean the chimney, these corrosive gases will not only stain the flue and flue liner but can also cause severe masonry damage resulting in expensive repairs. It can also increase the risk of a chimney fire, which can cause excessive masonry damage and allow the heat to transfer to other combustible materials used in home construction.

Remove Foul Odors

Poor ventilation is not the only factor in an unclean chimney. The decaying organic matter and other compounds in the flue can also cause foul odors. The unpleasant smell that starts in the chimney can permeate through your entire house. Since air fresheners will only temporarily mask the odor, a thorough chimney cleaning is the most effective remedy.

Increase in Heating Efficiency

A flue liner that is covered in soot, ash, creosote, and other material reduces the heating efficiency of the fireplace, which wastes energy. Also, the corrosive gases can cause cracks in clay tile liners, further reducing its efficiency.

Regular chimney sweeping is one way to increase heating efficiency and reduce energy costs.

Chimney Cleaning and Inspection

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and fire safety experts recommend homeowners with liquid or solid fuel heating appliances have annual chimney cleanings and inspections. Hiring a qualified chimney sweep is an economical and convenient way to ensure your chimney, fireplace, and other heating appliances are safe to operate.

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Long Maryland winters mean a lot of fireplace use for many people. After months of running your fireplace, it’s not uncommon for minor damage to have occurred as well as the accumulation of excess creosote and soot. Let’s look at some of the reasons that chimneys become damaged and dirty over the winter.

Creosote and Soot

Wood-burning fireplaces create a creosote every time a fire burns. A byproduct of the combustion process, creosote can be flakey, puffy or solid, but in all forms it’s highly flammable. Both creosote and soot in sufficient amounts can ignite and start a chimney fire. Each substance needs to be cleaned out of your chimney once a year by a certified, professional chimney sweep.

Chimney cleaning not only addresses the creosote issue, it addresses any obstructive debris (leaves, twigs, nests of small animals, etc.) that may be hindering efficient smoke-drafting.

Masonry Issues

A thorough chimney inspection at the end of each burning season is a smart move, because severe winter weather and the intense heat from fires can cause various levels of masonry damage. Cracks in mortar joints often lead to serious structural compromise when water moves into the cracks, freezes and expands.

Masonry also can be affected by a cracked or broken chimney liner, which allows corrosive gases to regularly contact internal bricks and mortar. A damaged chimney cap and warped or missing flashing can put chimney masonry at risk for decay. By having your chimney inspected once a year, you can spot early signs of masonry problems and get them fixed before more serious damage occurs.

Chimney Crown Damage

The cement crown at the top of your chimney is prone to cracking, which will lead to the same kind of problems as when bricks and mortar crack. Infiltrating water can cause chimney crowns to deteriorate, especially when the temperatures outside cause the water to freeze and expand, breaking apart the cement. When caught in time, minor chimney crown damage often can be resolved by waterproofing. When severe damage is present, the crown may have to be rebuilt.

Leaky Chimney

After a hard winter, homeowners sometimes notice signs of a leaky chimney. If your chimney is leaking but you don’t know exactly why, schedule an inspection from a CSIA-certified technician. Fixing a leaky chimney isn’t always a complicated job, but the first step must be determining what’s causing the leak and how extensive it is.

Signs of a chimney leak include:

• Water on surfaces inside the firebox
• Unpleasant odors coming from the fireplace
• Efflorescence (white stains) on exterior chimney masonry
• Damp patches and/or discoloration on walls or the ceiling near the chimney
• A fireplace damper that squeaks and won’t open and close properly

Start with a Chimney Inspection

After a busy burning season, your chimney and fireplace may have sustained damage that you aren’t able to see and evaluate. It’s always best to let chimney service experts take a look at your chimney system once a year and then give you recommendations on what kind of chimney repair work is needed to restore safe and efficient operation.

High’s Chimney Service of Gaithersburg, MD, offers basic and comprehensive chimney inspections, chimney repair, chimney sweeping and other key services to keep your chimney running at its best all year long. Get your questions answered or schedule an appointment by calling (301) 519-3500.

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Winters are hard on chimneys, often leaving them with damage that could lead to serious problems if not addressed. For this reason, the best decision you can make for your chimney is to have it professionally inspected after the winter burning season so that any needed repairs can be made well in advance of the next winter.

Here are some of the common ways chimneys can be damaged by winter weather.

Chimney Masonry Damage

Intense cold weather can wreak havoc with chimney masonry. When mortar joints crack because of old age, lightning strikes, pounding hail or for other reasons, water can get into the cracks and start a cycle of deterioration. Freezing water expands, pushing outward against the mortar and causing internal damage. A lot of loose bricks and large sections of crumbling mortar make a chimney unsafe to use or live around.

 

 

 

Chimneys also can suffer damage from the inside, when there are breaks or cracks in the chimney liner. In this case, harmful combustion gases can lead to brick and mortar deterioration that the average homeowner won’t be able to spot. A cracked chimney crown (see below), a damaged or missing chimney cap and warped or damaged roof flashing are other ways chimney masonry can be compromised during a long winter. All masonry issues are best addressed by a CSIA-certified chimney inspector.

Damage to the Chimney Crown

When your cement chimney crown begins to crack, water can move in and do the same kind of damage it does to bricks and mortar. Crowns are built at the top of chimneys to protect the bricks below them and the internal flue spaces outside the flue pipes. If only minor cracking is present, the crown often can be waterproofed to avoid further decay. Severely cracked chimney crowns usually need to be rebuilt.

Issues with Leaky Chimneys

Chimney leaks can be caused by masonry damage, crown damage, a compromised or missing chimney cap, warped flashing and more. Most homeowners can spot certain signs of a leaky chimney, but few individuals can easily determine where the leak is coming from and the extent of the damage that’s causing it. If you have any of the following chimney leak symptoms, schedule a chimney inspection prior to using the fireplace again.

• Strong, musty odor coming from the fireplace
• Water on the floor and walls of the firebox
• White discoloration on the exterior chimney masonry
• A damper that can’t be fully opened or closed
• Wetness on sections of walls or the ceiling adjacent to the fireplace

Creosote and Soot

Excess creosote and soot that forms after a long burning season can damage your chimney and lead to a chimney fire. Creosote can be sticky, solid, puffy or flakey and is unavoidable if you use a wood-burning fireplace. Highly flammable, creosote is the cause of most chimney fires in the U.S. each year.

A professional chimney sweep uses electronic brushes and cleaning rods, scrubbers, solvents, vacuums and other equipment to dislodge and remove creosote and soot from chimneys. Sweeps also remove tree debris, small-animal nests and other obstructions that could cause smoke and deadly carbon monoxide to back up into your home.

Schedule a Chimney Inspection

When winter is over, it’s time to have your chimney inspected. With annual inspections, you’ll be able to quickly uncover damage to the chimney structure and its components and get the problems repaired before significant (and expensive) damage occurs.

If it’s been awhile since your chimney was last looked at by a certified professional, contact Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, today.

We provide inspections, chimney sweep services, chimney repair and rebuilding and more. Call us at (913) 236-7141.

The post Has Winter Weather Damaged Your Chimney? Here’s How to Find Out. appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

We hope you and your family are and healthy and finding ways to enjoy each other and your homes. We have been very busy with chimney and water leakage and want to share with you what to you need to know about water leakage and chimneys.

The causes of leaking chimneys can often be narrowed down to five reasons. If your problem isn’t solved by addressing the items on this list, your leak probably isn’t from the chimney!

1. Rain Going Straight in from the Top

Chimneys without covers get a lot of rain falling straight down into them. A chimney cover makes sense to most people. Not only does it keep the rain out, but it keeps birds, animals, and debris out. The greatest value of the chimney cover is really keeping everything out that could block the chimney, which can cause CO poisoning. While it’s true that sometimes an uncovered flue can be the source of water problems, most often, the reason for a leak is only when the liner is metal.

2. Cracks in the Chimney Crown

The chimney crown is the cement part on top of the chimney. The bricks go up around the tile flue liners, but at the top, you need something to stop the rain and snow from just falling in around the tiles. The very purpose of the chimney crown is to keep the rain out. Cracks in the chimney crown can happen from the shifting of the structure or from shrinkage going back to when the crown was put on. When your crown has cracks, the water goes right through those cracks.

3. Chimney Flashing Causes Leaks

The flashing is what keeps water from going into the place where the brick structure comes through the roof. There is a gap between the bricks, and the roof and water will pour through that hole if it’s not sealed up. Flashing is often aluminum that goes in between a couple bricks and bends to go on top of the shingles. Often waterproof material and tar are used to seal those spots. Neither flashing nor tar last forever.

4. Bricks Can Seep Water

Bricks and mortar both pass water. The problem is the same as with the crown, the freezing, and thawing all winter with resulting damage, which causes leaks in the house. When water is absorbed into a brick or a mortar joint in the summertime, the water usually dries out after a while. The exceptions would be when that area is in the shade, and those walls stay wet.

5. Chimney Leaks That Aren’t Chimney Leaks

Sometimes, a leak starts in a different place but finds its way to the chimney, and then visibly enters the inside of a room at the point of the chimney.

Water could get into the attic or above your ceiling and either drip to the floor or roll along the long piece of wood that spaces out the roof trusses and runs the length of your house, water can travel and even wind up at the chimney.

Our technicians can identify chimney leaks that may be occurring and can provide the needed repairs. The sooner problems are addressed, the more you can save on potential repairs costs.

SCHEDULE HERE FOR US TO TAKE A LOOK

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The question of whether or not to use chimney sealants is a subject of debate, but most chimney experts seem to agree that it helps in the constant battle against moisture. Most masonry chimneys are built with bricks, which are porous and as prone to absorb moisture as a sponge. The design of chimney stacks helps to keep water away. When various components of the chimney begin to deteriorate, however, the masonry is even more vulnerable to damage.

Why is Moisture Such a Problem?

When excess moisture enters into a chimney structure, the complete deterioration of the bricks is set in motion. The only solution is to remove affected brickwork and rebuild that portion of the chimney. The reason for this has to do with winter weather. Every time there is a freeze and thaw cycle, water inside masonry expands and contracts. This creates movement in the brick, resulting in deterioration. Spalling occurs, which means that brick face breaks and pops off. 

How Does Sealant Help?

Chimney sealant must be applied to masonry that has not already been infiltrated with moisture. Otherwise, a sealant treatment will only accelerate the deterioration process in the bricks because the moisture has more restricted movement. 

It’s important to use the correct type of sealant to waterproof your chimney because bricks, by nature, need to “breathe.” Other sealants fill in bricks’ natural pores, which further traps water vapors. 

“Vapor permeable” chimney sealants are the correct kind to use. These waterproofing products provide the brick exterior with a layer of protection from moisture while still allowing pores to “breathe.” The best option is 100% vapor-permeable sealant.

Application of Sealant 

In addition to using the right chimney sealant, proper application is also crucial for success. Leave sealant application to experienced chimney sweep experts to prevent brick deterioration caused by moisture. Many experts claim that chimney sealant can provide protection against moisture for as long as 15 to 20 years. 

How Can I Tell if My Chimney Has Moisture Damage?

When considering the application of chimney sealant to help reduce your chimney repair costs, the first determination to be made is whether moisture damage has already occurred. Any existing damage must be fixed before applying sealant. It often requires an expert eye to spot water intrusion in a masonry system. There are a few obvious signs that moisture is in your brickwork, however, including the following:

• If there is white staining on your chimney, it is a sign of “effervescence.” This means that, in addition to water in your chimney system, there are also enough minerals containing salt that the evaporation of water vapor on the brick face leaves behind salt deposits. Although the stains do no harm, they are a clear indication that your bricks have been damaged by moisture. Masonry repair is needed.
• Cracks across the bricks on your chimney are evidence of deteriorating masonry likely caused by moisture.
• When piles of broken masonry can be seen around the chimney on the roof or on the ground below, you can be sure your chimney has spalling caused by moisture.

Contact the Experts at Northeastern Chimney Today

At Northeastern Chimney in West Hartford CT, we are the city’s only CSIA-certified chimney sweeps. Customer satisfaction has been the cornerstone of our success since we started out in 1984. Contact us for chimney sealant application, chimney cleaning, chimney inspections, masonry repair, and all of your chimney needs. Call 860-233-5770 today.

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

Because chimney liners are inside the flue, they often get overlooked and forgotten about. This is never a good idea, because chimney liners perform several very important jobs. Like all parts of a chimney, liners can fall into disrepair. For this reason, annual chimney inspections and prompt repair work are critical.

What your chimney liner does

All chimney liners, no matter what materials they’re made of, do three things to keep your chimney, home and family safe.

Quality chimney liners allow smoke and combustion gases to draft properly

Chimney liners are sized to correctly fit your flue and the appliance (fireplace, etc.) that’s attached to it. The right-sized flue allows for proper drafting, which causes fires to burn better and create less smoke. Efficient drafting also keeps combustion gases including deadly carbon monoxide from backing up into the home.

 

 

Liners protect the chimney structure

When fires burn, the gases they create are toxic and acidic – so much so that they can eventually eat away at the internal bricks and mortar of your chimney. A cracked chimney liner puts not only the chimney structure at risk but also other parts of the home.

Liners protect adjacent building materials

If the intense heat and gases from fires are allowed to get past the chimney liner, they may come into contact with vulnerable wall boards, insulation, rafters and other materials used to construct your home. Many home fires each year are caused by severely damaged chimney liners.

Chimney inspections

There’s virtually no way the average homeowner can evaluate the condition of his or her chimney liner. If it’s been more than a year since your chimney and its liner were last inspected, it’s a good idea to schedule one soon.

Chimney inspectors who are certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) can determine if there is damage to your liner and how bad the damage is. Experienced inspectors are familiar with all types of chimneys and liners, and they can use specialized video camera technology to see parts of the chimney liner that couldn’t be seen otherwise.

Chimney liner repair & installation

A thorough inspection will tell you if chimney liner repair is a sufficient solution. When a chimney liner has suffered major damage, the smartest move is to have a new liner installed.

If a chimney liner replacement is called for, your inspector will help choose the best type for your needs and budget. Modern stainless steel liners are considered superior, although clay tile and cast-in-place liners are still being used effectively in homes across America. 

Chimneys in many older homes weren’t built with a liner. If you have one of these homes and aren’t sure whether or not the chimney is lined, schedule an inspection before you start using your fireplace next season.

Northeastern Chimney of West Hartford, CT, can help with all levels of chimney liner repair/installation, masonry repair and rebuilding, chimney inspections, chimney sweep services and more. Speak with a certified chimney expert at (860) 233-5770.

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

Our team of chimney technicians continue to be hard at work cleaning and inspecting chimney’s after the winter months. Winter can be hard on all of us, but it’s hardest on the chimney. The chimney is the tallest point on the house, it’s the first to get rained on, the first to break the wind, and the first to feel the heat from the sun (when it chooses to show itself). With so many firsts, it’s also first to need repair.

14 Points…Inspection, That Is.

Part of the 14 Point certified chimney inspection with photo documentation is that our chimney technicians check the inside AND the outside of the chimney. The chimney inspection gives you details of the health of your chimney from the winter freezing, contracting, thawing and now expanding from warmer weather. We’ll check for wear & tear, the condition of the bricks and mortar as well as the flashing, the material that connects the roofing system to the chimney.

What is that Sound?

Now that you’ve had plenty of time to be at home during a rainstorm, you may have heard that annoying sound of dripping water. Have you said, “What is that sound?” or “Where is that noise coming from?” It’s probably a leak from the chimney down into the fireplace, or even the storage box next to the chimney.

Water is amazing. It gets into the smallest of cracks or any type of opening. If there is one in the chimney cap, chimney crown or even in the mortar, water will find it. We have to remember that the masonry is very porous and absorbs water. That’s why we talk about expansion and contraction of materials during the winter, late-fall and early-spring months. The repetitive expansion and contraction motion is what creates cracks.

Repair & Protect!

By having a Superior Chimney technician clean and inspect the chimney inside and outside, we can identify issues and get smaller issues repaired right away. The longer the leak and crack is exposed, the greater the problem it will become.

Once all the repairs are complete, you can take it one wise-step further and waterproofing the chimney. Chimney Saver minimizes brick masonry deterioration by causing water to bead-off of the masonry rather than absorb into it. It also reduces any future repairs by allowing your chimney to enter the next freeze thaw cycle of winter in a dry state, rather than saturated.

Give us a call today at 877-244-6349

This way, you’ve taken care of your home and prevented a bigger repair bill from progressing. See you soon!

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