It’s that time of year again – the time good old Santa Claus hitches up his sleigh to the reindeer and heads to the homes of every good boy and girl and shimmies down chimneys to leave brightly wrapped presents for the kids. Okay, none of this may be true, but it’s not a bad idea to think it is when it comes to taking care of your chimney.

Let’s look at four ways you can prepare your chimney for Santa and in the process keep it running at max safety and efficiency.

First, Santa needs to be able to get into the chimney

If your chimney is full of accumulated leaves and twigs and dust and bird nests and possibly the bodies of small animals who have died in the chimney, Santa might not even fit into the flue. So, step one in getting your chimney ready for a visit from the Old Man is to have all the obstructions cleaned out.

Doing this will also allow your fires to burn more efficiently and keep smoke drafting up the flue rather than backing up into your home.

Next, Santa can’t afford to get too dirty

Creosote and soot inside a chimney can seriously mar Santa’s pristine red-and-white appearance. If Santa went down a chimney packed with these smoke byproducts, he would emerge looking like he’d been dragged through the mud.

Removing creosote and soot from your chimney also brings the benefit of significantly reducing the chance of a chimney fire – most of which in the U.S. each year start with ignited creosote.

Chimney repairs 

Santa isn’t getting any smaller as the years pass, so your chimney might be a tight fit for him. The last thing you need is for his sizeable girth to push against already compromised bricks and mortar joints and cause the whole chimney to come tumbling down.

Damage from water infiltration, house-settling, seismic events and plain old age can cause chimney masonry to degrade. Once the structure is sufficiently compromised, it can begin to fall apart and create a danger for everyone near it. It would be a good idea to repair damaged masonry before Santa arrives.

Finally, don’t smoke out Santa

You’ve decided to leave a low fire burning in the fireplace during the night. Hopefully you’re burning dry (seasoned) logs that produce minimal smoke. Sure, Santa can come down chimneys when the fireplace is in use, but he’s only human, and if you’re burning wet, unseasoned wood, he’s going to get smoked out before he can drop off the presents and eat whatever snack you left for him.

By burning dry wood only, you create much less smoke, which means less creosote and soot buildup as well as less smoke emissions going out into the atmosphere. Plus, your fires will start easier and burn better.

Of course, it’s unlikely that Santa will be dropping down your chimney this holiday season. But if you go about chimney maintenance as if he really was going to pay you a visit, you’ll have a much cleaner, safer and efficient chimney to enjoy all winter long.

High’s Chimney Service of Gaithersburg, MD, is standing by this winter to help with the very best in certified chimney sweep services, chimney repair and chimney inspection. We’ll get your chimney in great shape for the long winter season – and maybe for a special visit from you-know-who.

The post How to Get Your Chimney Ready for Santa Claus appeared first on Highs Chimney.

Holidays are the perfect time of year to share family traditions around the fireplace or wood stove and create new memories that will last a lifetime. And just because its cold outside doesn’t mean the kids and family are stuck inside without anything to do. You can enjoy many of your favorite outdoor activities and create new ones for the whole family. Instead of watching television, here are a few holiday traditions to partake around the warmth of the hearth. 

Make Some S’mores

S’mores are a favorite campfire tradition that is perfect for enjoying around the fireplace. They are easy to make too. All you need are a bag or two giant puffy marshmallows, wooden or metal skewers, chocolate pieces, and graham crackers. Skewer a giant marshmallow on the stick and dangle it over the fire. Be careful to avoid touching the flames with your marshmallow.

Slowly turn the skewer, so the marshmallow is toasted and golden brown. Then place the marshmallow on top of the chocolate on the bottom half of the graham cracker. Use another graham cracker for the top half while sliding the marshmallow off the skewer to create the sandwich. They are oh so gooey good.

You can also dip your toasted marshmallow in a bowl of melted chocolate and roll in peanuts for a crunchy tasty treat. Or you can enjoy them straight off the stick (after it cools). Yum!

Sing Christmas Carols

Singing Christmas carols is another fun and memorable holiday tradition. It is especially festive when the entire family gathers around the fireplace and joins in. You can also have each family member choose their favorite holiday song.  We Wish You A Merry Christmas, O Holy Night, and the First Noel are some of the most popular songs. And, of course, Jingle Bells is a children’s classic. After singing, enjoy some Christmas cookies with Eggnog or Hot Chocolate. And it’s always better topped with whipped cream.

Read a Christmas Story

Reading your favorite Christmas stories is another favorite holiday pastime. It’s even more fun when each family member takes turns reading aloud. Dim the lights and let the backdrop of the flames in the fireplace light up the room for a more festive experience reminiscent of those moon-lit summertime campfires.

Decorate the Mantle

Decorating the mantle for the holidays is a fun and memorable tradition for the entire family. There is a virtually endless opportunity of decorations limited only by your imagination. Have everyone decorate their own Christmas stocking and hang them on the mantle. You can also decorate the mantle with garland, scented pinecones, family photos, and Christmas lights. Just be careful to use non-combustible materials and don’t let decorations dangle in front of the fire.

Trim the Christmas Tree

Perhaps, the most popular holiday tradition is trimming the Christmas tree. It’s a great way to celebrate the start of the season with the entire family while the wood-burning fireplace is keeping your home warm and toasty. Just be sure to position the tree away from the fireplace to prevent hot embers or excessive heat from igniting the tree. And when the Christmas season ends, remember never to burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace. Check for disposal options in your community.

The post Holiday Traditions to Enjoy Around the Fireplace appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

When your chimney gets dirty you need to clean it. While there are many professionals out there, not all are right for you. To help you out, here are things you should look out for when looking to hire the right chimney sweep:

CSIA certification

The chimney sweep Institute of America (CSIA) certification is proof that a given contractor has the right experience on proper chimney use, maintenance, and repair.

When hiring the contractor, ask them to provide you with written proof of the certification. If working with a company, ask them to give a certificate of the person that will be providing the service.

For you to have peace of mind, don’t hire a person who doesn’t have the certification.

NCGS membership

The contractor you are looking to hire should also be a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG). Although membership to the organization doesn’t mean that the contractor is experienced and an expert, it’s an indication that the professional puts a lot of effort into getting better at their craft.

Studies show that members of the NCSG are well informed about the latest trends in sweeping and masonry repair hence you can rest knowing the contractor you hire will use the latest technologies to clean the chimney.

Verify the insurance plan

An insured contractor gives you peace of mind that you will be compensated in the event of an accident during the cleaning. For example, when they use a tool that damages the chimney.

When hiring the contractor, ensure he/she is experienced and insured. When the contractor gives you the insurance document, take the time to go through it and fully understand what it entails. Ensure that it fully covers your property.

Professionalism

It’s vital that you pay close attention to how professional the contractor is. When you call their phone number, how do they answer the call? Are they professional? When they visit your home, how are they dressed?

A professional technician wears outfits that you can clearly see the organization they work for. An expert technician will also treat you and your home with deference. The technician should also answer all the questions positively and thoroughly.

If you come across a contractor that is rude they aren’t the right people to work with.

Ask for references

An experienced technician should have worked with other clients in the past. Before you hire a technician, ask them to give you a list of at least three clients they have worked with in the recent past.

When you get the risk, don’t just look at it and set it aside. Carefully go through it and even call the clients. Ask them about their experience with the contractor and whether they can recommend the contractor to other people.

To protect yourself, don’t hire a company that doesn’t have references. This is because they are most likely inexperienced or they provide shoddy services and they don’t want you to hear about it from other people.

Promptness

A good company should respond to your queries fast. When you call them and they don’t pick the call, how fast do they get back to you? Remember your time is valuable and should be respected so you shouldn’t work with a company that doesn’t prioritize you.

When you contact a technician, you should set a definite time frame when they will visit your home for inspection. If they say they will call you when they have time, these aren’t the right people to work with.

Work with a company that is eager to start working with you and gives you the precise time when they will visit your home, inspect the house, and start the cleaning.

Prices

While they are often the last things homeowners consider when hiring chimney experts, prices are crucial as they determine the quality of chimney cleaning you get.

You should go for the cheapest contractor in the market to save money, right? Wrong! While you will spend less hiring a cheap contractor, you end up spending more cleaning your chimney. This is because the cheap contractor doesn’t provide a great service.

Since the cheap technician isn’t experienced, he/she might damage your chimney and you end up spending a lot of money on repairs.

You should note you are better off with an experienced technician. While you will pay more for the chimney cleaning services , you will be sure you are getting excellent services.

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

Winter begins December 22nd and that means Snow is Coming!

Boston’s Best Chimney is now taking snow plowing contracts for the winter 2019-2020 season.

Boston averages 48 inches of snow every winter. Our skilled and friendly team will make sure your walkways, driveways and lots are clear, safe and keep you in full swing.

Limited Contracts Available! Call (781) 893-6611 or email us today to inquire.

The post Need a Snow Plow This Winter? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Cold temperatures are here and you might be thinking about lighting your first fire in the fireplace. Before you grab a pile of wood and strike a match, we advise that you take time to prepare your chimney and even the wood. This can help prevent dangerous situations arising.

Step 1: Get Your Chimney Inspected

This is perhaps the most important step to preparing for the first fire this season. You want to opt for a professional chimney inspection, which includes the following:

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

If any issues pop up during inspection, don’t delay on making repairs. With the relentless freeze and thaw cycle here in Boston, you might risk further damaging the structure of your chimney by pushing repairs to the backburner.

Now is also a wise time for your annual chimney sweep if you haven’t done it yet. A chimney sweep will remove any creosote buildup, which is a toxic by-product of burning fires. Creosote sticks to a chimney’s interior walls and can catch on fire.

Chimney sweeps also help ensure that there is no blockage from allowing smoke to escape through the chimney. Sticks, leaves, and other debris can block smoke which can send it right back inside your home. This typically happens when a critter such as a bird or even raccoons decide to nest inside your chimney.

Step 2: Be Wise About Wood

When it comes to lighting your first fire of the season, know that not all wood is created equal. While all wood will burn, it does not burn the same. Keep the following in mind when choosing your firewood for the fall and winter seasons:

Hardwood firewoods:

These woods provide a longer and hotter burn. They are cleaner woods since they don’t contain as much sap, but note that they are more expensive. Hardwood firewoods include maple, ash, birch, oak, and most fruit trees.

Softwood firewoods:

The cheapest option available, softwoods burn fast and leave fine ash. We do not recommend using these types of wood regularly.

Types of wood to always avoid burning: pressure-treated lumber, driftwood, compressed paper products such as hardboard, plywood, particleboard, painted or varnished wood.

Step 3: Keep Your Wood Dry

When you’re ready to burn your wood of choice, make sure it’s dry before lighting the batch. Burning wet or sap infused wood will result in less heat, more smoke and more creosote build-up.

It’s also not a good idea to burn wood that is freshly cut or “green”. You should allow wood to dry out for at least 6 months. Dry “seasoned” wood if lighter in weight and will make a hollow sound when hitting two pieces together.

The post How to Prepare for the First Fire of the Season appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

It’s that time of year when homeowners start calling in about chimney inspections. With visions of a warm and cozy fire in your fireplace this fall and winter, a chimney inspection is exceptionally important.

When it comes to chimney inspection technologies, a camera is one of the best choices for equipment. This is why the best chimney service companies in Boston use video cameras during an inspection.

A Better View Inside Your Chimney

One of the most prominent reasons for a camera chimney inspection is getting a better look inside. Even when using a flashlight, the chimney is a dark and often grimy place. It can be next to impossible to see any potential problems inside.

When a chimney camera is inside your chimney, it has a 360-degree view of the interior. It can help spot small cracks and damage that may otherwise be missed without a camera. If the damage is spotted, we can advise on the next best steps for repair.

Ensuring Safety Standards

The camera will also help ensure that your chimney complies with safety standards. By using cameras, lights, and mirrors, a chimney company can confirm that the fireplace is ready for use. This includes discovering creosote buildup inside the chimney which can result in a chimney fire.

Tile Gaps

During a camera chimney inspection, we look to make sure that your chimney is properly lined to the peak. Cracks and gaps can be found inside the flue, which won’t necessarily be found with a visual inspection. These gaps allow for smoke, heat and spark transfer in other areas of the home and can very dangerous. It is important that if you intend to use your fireplace, that you have a camera inspection done before use.

The post Why is a Camera Chimney Inspection Important? appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

It’s finally cold outside as the official start of winter is right around the corner. With the temperature dropping and your heat running, you’re probably thinking about your chimney and fireplace.

Now’s the time to use this quick checklist and get your chimney ready for winter.

Winter is “go-time” for the maintenance and upkeep on your chimney and fireplace, as keeping them clean and protected will lead to a successful heating experience all winter.

Here’s your checklist of things to do with your chimney this winter:

• Call Southern Chimneys and get an inspection
  This one may seem like a no-brainer, but a lot of people forget to have their chimneys and fireplaces inspected and cleaned. A proper inspection (like the 18-point one done by Southern Chimneys) will make sure everything is looking good for the winter months ahead. You’ll get out that pesky creosote that’s built up inside, you’ll find any cracks or leaks letting moisture or critters in or out, and you can even discuss converting your wood fireplace to gas logs.
• Know your safety!
  It’s the time of year when your fire will be roaring. Are you being safe about it? Make sure you have fire extinguishers nearby and know how to use them. Install smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors if they aren’t already. Have a first aid kit handy as well.
• Be prepared
  What will you do if there’s a major power outage? It happens at least once or twice a winter in the Atlanta area. You should have a generator (with fuel), a battery-operated radio, flashlights, enough food and water for three days, pet supplies, important medications, and at least a half a tank of gas in your vehicle.
• Decorate your fireplace!
  It’s time to put the stockings up! Your fireplace and hearth are usually the star of the show in Christmas decorations.

It’s always smart to get a jump on things and schedule your chimney and fireplace work and inspections long before the weather cools down. But if you’ve waited until now, there might still be time to schedule an inspection before the worst of winter hits. Give us a call at Southern Chimneys and we’ll help answer all your chimney and fireplace wintertime questions.

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

Yesterday, I went to a friend’s house for a ‘dry run’ for
Thanksgiving Day. I have never participated in a dry run, so this was new. A ‘dry
run’ is more about process and timing and not necessarily taste testing the
food. Disappointing, but I think we all got that one down just fine.

When I arrived, everything was in order: dishes, pots, pans,
food prep and serving spaces. I found out that my job for today was to dry run
the family and dining rooms where the tables were to be set up. I did my part
and figured out where the tables and chairs were to go. I, of course, set up
the tables in the family room around the fireplace. Not too close, no need to
cook the turkey twice…or the guests.

Now for the dining room. As I was working out the
configuration, I smelled some smoke. I thought she decided to make a couple of
dishes for me…us…to taste test. It wasn’t smelling so good. Too smoky. I went
into the kitchen to explore the dishes of food to find everything empty. Where
is that smell coming from?

I went from room to room ensuring nothing was burning. Until
I walked into the family room. She lit the fireplace. Smoke
was going into the chimney,
but was also remaining in the house. Problem.

There are lots of reasons for the smoke to come into the
house.

1. It could need a good cleaning or chimney sweep
2. Maybe the damper
   isn’t fully open
3. The firewood could be bad

Instead of wasting time guessing, I told her to call
Superior Chimney 877-244-6349 to inspect and clean the chimney.
At first, she was reluctant and I shared two critical reasons to call: 1. There’s
going to be a house full of guests. No need for the Great American Smoke Out.
2. Clothing, furniture and the carpet will absorb the smoky smell. It’s better
to have guests leave with the smell of oven roasted turkey.

Thankfully, she listened. Superior Chimney should be at my friend’s
house shortly. They’ll inspect the condition of the chimney with their 14-point inspection.
Next, a thorough chimney
cleaning and fireplace
cleaning with all the pictures and explanations she’ll need to understand
where the smoke problem resides. Now when tomorrow comes, we’ll be sniffing up
all the right smells.

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

While lighting fire is as old as cavemen, many people struggle with it. As much as you would want to skip out on it, you have to learn it for you to enjoy having your chimney. To help you out, here are pro tips given by chimney contractors on how to get the fire going without filling your house with smoke or being frustrated about the logs not lighting up:

Work with a clean chimney

A dirty chimney prevents the fire from getting enough air. As you might have guessed, when the fireplace isn’t receiving enough air, fire doesn’t light up.

Before you light the fire, inspect the chimney, and ensure there are no thick ashes that will prevent the fire from lighting up properly. If you have a lot of ash, get rid of it. You also should look out for creosote as it puts the house at the risk of chimney fires. If present, get rid of it immediately.

You can clean the chimney by yourself or hire an expert to help out. When removing the ashes, don’t remove all of it. Leave about an inch of it. This is because it serves as insulation and allows the fire to burn hotter and more efficiently.

Keep the damper open

The damper controls the amount of air flowing through the flue.  If closed, no air gets into the chimney. Feel inside the fireplace for a lever. One direction will close the damper while the other will open it. Leave the damper open to prevent smoke from pouring back into the room.

Does your fireplace have glass doors? Open the doors 15-20 minutes before lighting the fire. This is to allow the insides of the fireplace to get to room temperature. If the outside is cold, the cold air will flow down the chimney and get trapped by the doors.

By opening the doors and allowing warm air from the room rising up the chimney, you start the draft moving upwards.

Leave enough space

Many homeowners have the impression that they get more heat by stocking more logs into the chimney, but this isn’t the case. When you stock a lot of logs, you don’t leave enough room for oxygen to circulate. As a result, the fire doesn’t burn to its maximum.

In some cases, if you have stocked too many logs, the fire keeps on extinguishing. The fire needs space to burn, so leave enough room for it.

Choose dry, seasoned wood

The wood you burn has a significant impact on how fast you light up the fire, how hot the fire gets, and the amount of creosote deposited on the fireplace.

For you to have an easy time lighting up the fire, always go with dry, seasoned wood. This is wood that has been air-dried for at least six months. In addition to the wood lighting up fast, it also produces a lot of heat hence keeping your house warm.

Seasoned wood also doesn’t produce a lot of soot, so you don’t keep on cleaning the fireplace.

Try an igniter log

An igniter log eliminates the need for kindling or newspaper. When using it, remember you have to prime the flue and even clean the chimney. After this, put up the screen and get the fire going.

You can buy the igniter logs from your local store or order them online.

Buy a light n Go Log

If you have been having problems lighting up the fire up to this point, consider buying a light n Go log. These logs are chemical-free and burn for over an hour and a half. Again, you can buy them from your local store or online.

After the fire starts, add big logs

Once the fire starts going, you will start seeing red, glowing embers. At this point, start adding large logs. According to chimney repair Annapolis professionals, larger logs produce more heat and burn for a long time without having to keep on moving them around.

When placing the logs, ensure they can’t roll out of the fireplace. You can do this by having a heavy mesh spar resistant curtain or any other protective barrier in front of the fireplace. Regardless of how well the fire lights up, never leave it unattended.

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

Now that winter is here; firewood displays are a common sight in retailers and big box stores. It’s easy to buy. Just drive in, load up and drive away. But the wood selection varies depending on the region of the country. So how do you know if you are getting the best firewood for your fireplace or wood stove? Here is our guide for selecting the best fuel for cleaner-burning and longer-lasting fires.

Why Dry Firewood is Best

When a tree is freshly cut, the wood contains a lot of moisture – up to 45 percent, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). And it’s this moisture content that creates more smoke and creosote while also lowering the temperature of the fire. It’s like throwing water on the fire. You not only will need to burn more wood to keep the fire going, but it will also create a dirtier fireplace or wood stove with more creosote, soot, and ash.

On the other hand, seasoned or dry wood has much less moisture, about 25 percent or less. Since you are burning wood rather than water, the fire will burn hotter for a longer time.

 

You will also have a cleaner-burning fire and use less wood fuel. So, look for wood that has been seasoned (dried) for at least six months or more. The drier, the better.

How to Pick the Best Firewood in the Lot

When picking out the best firewood for your fireplace or wood stove, get up close to the stack and inspect the ends first. You want to look for signs of dryness like cracking or warping. The wood should also appear faded and dull. Also, there should be very little bark remaining, if at all. And any remaining bark should easily peel off. Wood that has been split open should feel dry to the touch. If it doesn’t move on, it still has too much moisture.

You can also invest in a water moisture meter. A water moisture meter is a handy device that measures the water content without damaging the logs. It’s a quick and easy way to detect which logs have the lowest moisture content.

What is a Cord of Wood?

Firewood is commonly sold by the cord, i.e., a full cord, ¼ cord, 1/3 cord, and so on. A cord of wood equates to 128 cubic feet. You measure cubic feet by multiplying the length, height, and depth of the firewood. Thus, a stack of wood that is 4 feet tall x 4 feet deep x 8 feet high is a full cord.

Storing Firewood

When storing firewood, it should be stacked off the ground and in a dry, ventilated space, like a shed or garage. If you must store wood outside, cover it to prevent exposure to rain and pests, which can cause rotting.

Hardwoods Vs. Softwoods

You can regulate the heat of your wood-burning fireplace or stove by selecting the type of wood. Hardwoods are denser and burn hotter. While softwoods burn faster at lower temperatures.

Hardwoods

• Ash
• Hickory
• Oak
• Yellow Birch

Softwoods

• Balsam
• Hemlock
• Pine
• Red Alder

 

 

 

 

The post Best Firewood for Clean-Burning, Long-Lasting Fires appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.