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For most homeowners, a chimney is just that, a chimney.  Much of the population sees their fireplaces and chimneys as an accent piece; a let’s get romantic tool or keep warm when the power goes out.

If not used properly, a chimney can cause your heating bill to skyrocket or perhaps even trigger a fire.  A fireplace and chimney are more than just an opening in the roof.  It has important working parts.

Chimney Dampers

One of those working parts is a chimney damper.  Older homes may have a chimney without a damper, causing the air conditioning to escape in the summer and heated air to disappear in the winter.  Although not legally required, every fireplace should have a damper.

There are two different types of dampers.  The most common type is a simple lever that either slides back and forth or a chain and pulley set that opens a damper at the top of the chimney.  Both types open and close a door or valve, much like a faucet. If the damper is open, it allows all smoke and ash from the burning wood to rise through the chimney, keeping that same smoke and ash from flowing back into the home.

A Chimney Damper’s Job

What many people don’t realize is that fire is a living, breathing thing.  It needs oxygen and fuel, just like plants and animals.  Without either one of those elements, the fire dies or at least slows down drastically.  A fireplace damper controls the fire. The chimney damper dictates the amount of airflow/oxygen the fire gets.  A closed damper allows less oxygen in resulting in the fire goes out.

Is The Chimney Damper Open Or Closed?

The best way to determine if a chimney damper is open or closed, do the following before lighting a fire.  The damper’s handle is in the firebox (where the fire burns) is directly over the flame.  It is generally made of metal and will get hot and cause severe burns.  If you must touch the damper’s handle after the fire is lit, put oven mitts on before touching it.

If your chimney has a chain hanging down, that’s called a top-sealing damper, the process of checking is the same.  Pulling the chain down will close the damper.

Look up into the chimney, and if you can see the walls inside the chimney, then the damper is open, and it’s OK to build a fire.  If you look up and all you see is a large piece of metal and nothing else, your damper is closed.

Call Northeastern Chimney Service

The absolute best way to know what type of damper you have and how to operate it is to call Northeastern Chimney Service.

Our company uses the best equipment and supplies from the area’s top manufacturers. We also have a team of top-notch technicians who will service and inspect your fireplace. For your family’s safety, annual inspections of your fireplace are recommended.

If it’s time to get your chimney inspected, repaired, or a new look, please call us today.

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

During the cold weather months, birds and other animals look for the perfect warm spot to nest. Unfortunately, many animals choose to nest in chimneys. By springtime, many homeowners are wondering “How do I stop birds from coming down my chimney year after year?” Luckily, you can prevent birds from coming down your chimney with a chimney cap.

Does your chimney have a chimney cap? If your chimney does not yet have a chimney cap or if the chimney cap is old or possibly damaged, click here or call 781-893-6611 to contact us. We are a team of certified professionals and we have been serving the Boston and Greater Boston area for over thirty years. We would be happy to come and evaluate the state of your chimney cap and/or remove any nesting critters.

Now, we’ll explain how a chimney cap can solve your animal nesting problems.

How Chimney Caps Prevent Birds from Nesting in Your Chimney

Birds and squirrels typically choose the open space in your chimney flue to create their nests. They are often drawn to the warmth from your fireplace during the winter months and then continue their stay year-round. Not only is the sound of animals nesting in your chimney unnerving, but nests in your chimney can also cause your chimney to be obstructed. Obstructions can block smoke and gas from exiting your chimney which can cause soot damage and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Check out our blog on how to tell if your chimney is obstructed to learn more.

Chimney caps can prevent this type of harmful and potentially dangerous situation from occurring. A chimney cap is made up of 5 pieces – screening on all four sides and a steel lid.  Though they are small and relatively inexpensive to install, many homeowners choose not to install chimney caps. However, we always recommend that chimneys have a chimney cap installed. Not only do they keep animals away, but they also protect your chimney from moisture entry. In addition, chimney caps act as a spark guard, which keeps burning embers from exiting the top of the chimney and onto nearby combustables. Check out our Chimney Cap Guide to learn more about how chimney caps work.

How to Remove Birds and Other Animals From Your Chimney

If you know that there are birds or other animals nesting in your chimney, take action right away. We do not recommend trying to address this issue yourself. It is best to leave climbing on your roof and checking out your chimney to a professional. A Chimney company can come to your property, remove the nest, and sweep your chimney in the process. They can also evaluate why the issue occurred in the first place and work with you to find a solution.

From birds’ nests to squirrels nests, the team at Boston’s Best Chimney has extensive experience in handling unwelcome critters. We would be happy to help you solve your nesting issue and prevent it from happening again. Click here or call 781-893-6611 to get in touch with us.

The post How Do I Stop Birds from Coming Down My Chimney? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Is there white on the bricks of your chimney? Each Spring, we receive a large number of calls from people who are wondering why there is white on the bricks of their chimney. Many people think that it is the natural effect of an aging chimney, but want to check to make sure that it is not a sign of a larger issue.

White staining on the bricks of a chimney is called “efflorescence.” Unfortunately, efflorescence is a symptom of a larger chimney issue. If you are seeing white staining on the bricks of your chimney, it is best to contact a professional for an inspection. Finding a team of reliable professionals is essential, so we’ve created this guide on How to Find a Chimney Service Company to help you as you search.

Best Chimney Services is Boston, Massachusetts area home for residential and commercial chimney service and repair. We are the community’s one-stop chimney service company since 1989, and we’d be thrilled to serve you. Click here or call 781-893-6611 to get in touch with us.

Now, we’ll discuss what causes efflorescence and what to do actions you can take if your chimney has white staining.

What Causes White Staining on Chimney Bricks?

Efflorescence is a white powder-like substance on the bricks of a chimney, which causes discoloration. This substance is actually a collection of minerals that forms as water passes through the bricks of the chimney and deposits them on the surface.  When the moisture being held within the brick evaporates, it leaves the minerals’ crystals on the surface of the chimney, which is the white staining that you see.

Why is Efflorescence an Issue?

Small amounts of efflorescence are not a big deal, but excess staining is a sign that your chimney has water issues. After all, water should not be able to permeate your chimney’s masonry. If the bricks of your chimney are letting in moisture, then it is a sign that your chimney has an underlying issue. There are a host of reasons why this can be happening. Some of them include:

• Cracks in your chimney
• A missing or damaged chimney cap (the chimney cap plays in essential role in protecting your chimney)
• A chimney that is not well sealed
• Age
• Improper construction
• And more

What to Do if There is White Staining on the Bricks of Your Chimney

Since there are many possible causes of white staining on chimneys, it is best to call a professional if you see this issue occurring. An experienced chimney company will evaluate your chimney to determine the root cause and develop a course of action to remedy. Possible solutions may include replacing missing bricks, rebuilding parts of the chimney, re-sealing the chimney, repairing or replacing the chimney cap, and more.

At Boston’s Best Chimney, our team is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, and has the skills needed to diagnose and solve your chimney problems. Click here or call 781-893-6611 to contact us for advice or to set up an appointment.

The post Why is my Chimney Turning White? The Causes of Efflorescence. appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

It’s always a treat when I can get new bath towels. These were probably one of the softest towels I’ve ever purchased. I removed the labels from the towels and put them in the washing machine and then the dryer. It’s always good to wash before use.

As I took the towels from the dryer, the dryer vent lint catcher or trap was overflowing. It looked like half the towel was in the dryer vent lint catcher. Once I removed the huge lint ball, I noticed all sorts of lint that spilled over into the dryers venting system.

I tried to reach as far as I could, and only grabbed a few of the pieces. The rest was sitting at the base near the opening. However, I also saw other lint debris in addition to the towel lint. How do I reach it? But more importantly, how much lint and debris are sitting in there?

5 Effects of Lint Buildup

1. Drying time for your clothes takes longer and longer. If what took 20 minutes to dry now takes 30 to 40…time to get the dryer vent cleaned.
2. Hot, hot, hot. When the clothes and the outside of the dryer feels hot to the touch, the lint build up is causing havoc.
3. What’s that smell? If it smells like something is burning, it just may be. Lint is quite flammable and can build up in the exhaust tube or lint trap. It would be best to have the dryer vent cleaned and checked right away!
4. Vent hood flap isn’t opening. If you have an outside dryer vent that doesn’t open when the dryer is running is a sure sign that something is blocking its path.
5. It’s been a year. If it’s been longer than a year, time to get it checked! This will reduce the risk of any fires or carbon monoxide backup.

Contact Superior Chimney at 877-244-6349 to get a dryer vent inspection done.

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

To ensure safety and efficiency of your fireplace, you need to undertake chimney inspection. It’s recommended that you hire a chimney contractor to inspect the chimney, but if you have the right tools and basic skills, you can go ahead and inspect the chimney on your own. Here are the areas of the chimney that you should inspect:

Firebox

Look inside the firebox lining and identify cracks, gaps and signs of wear. To see signs of deterioration brush both the sides and bottom of the firebox with a stiff chimney brush.

If the lining is in bad condition, hire a chimney professional to fix it. Fixing the faulty areas ensures that the chimney doesn’t build up a lot of heat that can damage your chimney.

You should also inspect the creosote levels. If creosote is more than 3 mm, ask a chimney sweep to clean it.

Damper

Take a look at the damper door and ensure that it opens and closes smoothly. Also ensure that the damper fits securely in the brackets. Wear protective clothing and safety glasses to protect yourself from creosote and ash buildup that might drop in your eyes. After inspecting the damper leave it in closed position.

Grate

Take a look at the grate and ensure that it’s the correct size. A small grate means that the heat produced may not heat your house the right way. A larger grate is even worse. A large grate takes more wood resulting to large flames that can overheat your fireplace.

As a novice, it’s hard to know whether your grate is of the right size. You should hire a fireplace technician to measure your grate. If the grate is too large, hire a chimney company to replace it with a smaller one.

Flashing

The flashing prevents water from leaking into your house. You should put a lot of emphasis on the condition of your flashing especially if your house is old. The flashing may start leaking due to old age, corrosion and collection of debris.

If your chimney is leaking, ensure that you know the cause of the leakage. If the leakage is due to corrosion, remove the corroded material. If the flashing is old, hire a chimney masonry professional to remove the old one and replace with a new one.

Conclusion

You should inspect all parts of the chimney to have peace of mind that your chimney is safe. In case of any problem, hire a chimney repair professional to fix them.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Just like those scary legends and myths many have told while enjoying a campfire, there are plenty of chimney cleaning myths going around. You may even be familiar with some of them. Chimney cleaning myths is they can be dangerous and make your chimney and fireplace unsafe to operate.  Be careful to avoid falling for these 4 common chimney myths.

Chimney cleaning isn’t necessary if you don’t use the fireplace.

Many homeowners mistakenly believe that you don’t need to clean the chimney if you’re not using the fireplace. However, that is not the case. Even if you’re not using the fireplace, you still need annual chimney inspections and periodic cleaning. That’s because cracks in the chimney cap, masonry, and other components will expose it to moisture that can affect its structural integrity, eventually leading to extensive repairs. Also, small animals, pests, dust, and debris can accumulate in the chimney. The damp and humid conditions and decaying organic matter can create conditions for mold and bacteria to grow. It can give your house a foul odor, attract rodents, and even cause health issues in some individuals, especially those with allergies, asthma, or respiratory conditions.

Metal liners don’t require cleaning.

Many homeowners are under the impression that metal liners are a maintenance-free solution. While metal liners are more durable, provide greater energy efficiency, and require less maintenance, your chimney still requires routine inspections and periodic cleaning. Creosote and other corrosive combustion gases can accumulate on any type of liner, including metal and stainless steel. An accumulation of 1/8″ more of creosote is hazardous and should be removed to prevent a chimney fire. A chimney fire can cause extensive damage to your chimney and home. Although stainless steel liners offer better corrosion resistance, they still require annual inspections for creosote accumulation, corrosive residue, and damages.

It’s easy to clean the chimney yourself.

Chimney cleaning is not as easy it may appear. It requires specialized tools, supplies, and equipment to safely and efficiently remove hardened creosote and other residues without damaging the masonry or components. Also, the interior of the chimney is very narrow and dusty. It is dangerous to clean the chimney without a respirator and protective equipment. A Certified Chimney Sweep® has extensive training and knowledge of the chimney system, including vents and attached heating appliances. They are also trained to spot problems to mitigate the risk of fire, exposure to harmful gases, and chimney repairs.

Burning seasoned wood doesn’t require chimney cleaning.

Wood that has been seasoned or dried for six months or more produces less smoke and creosote due to its low moisture content. Although burning seasoned wood is cleaner than burning green or fresh wood, it still produces creosote that will need to be removed during chimney cleaning. In its initial stage, creosote is a powdery substance that is easy to remove. However, it will harden into a dark, tarry substance known as stage 3 or glazed creosote. Stage 3 creosote is highly flammable and very difficult to remove without professional assistance.

The post Chimney Cleaning Myths You Should Be Wary Of appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

A chimney is a portable outdoor fireplace that is made from clay or cast iron. For the fireplaces to last for long you need to know how to live with them. Here are tips on how to go about it:

Place them at the right place

Clay chimney are the most common and as you know, they can break. To protect them from breaking you should place them in an area that is clear for hanging trees, brushes and branches. You should place them in a flat surface that is fireproof. Best places to place your fireplace are on a rock, bricks, pavers and concrete.

Consider your safety

Just like any other fireplace, the chimney also poses a safety concern. The first safety measure you should take is to place the fireplace in a place where you can see the flames from inside of the house. This will help you control the fire before it gets out of control.

The other thing that you should do is to be cautious of the wood that you use. You should use small logs for the fires. If fire is getting out of the fireplace, it’s probably too much.

To avoid fire you should avoid using firelighters or other accelerants. The firelighters damage the fireplace thus requiring you to call a chimney repair company to repair the fireplace.

Protect the fireplace

As mentioned, the chimney is delicate and you need to protect it for it to last for long. You should protect the unit from rain and frost using a chimenea cover. Chimenea covers are also effective in protecting the fireplace from the harmful UV rays thus ensuring that the paint lasts for long.

Regularly clean the fireplace

Just like your indoor fireplace, you need to clean the chimney. You can hire a chimney cleaning company or clean the fireplace by yourself.

To make your work easier, you should have sand or lava rock at the bottom of the chimney. To remove the ashes you should use a small shovel to remove the sand together with the ashes. When removing the ashes you should be keen that you don’t crack the fireplace.

Conclusion

The chimney serves as a great place to relax with family and friends. For it to last for long you need to put the above tips into consideration. To be certain that the unit is safe and efficient, you should hire a chimney contractor at least once a year to inspect it.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Although rare, chimney fires have devastating consequences. You risk losing your property, injuring yourself or even losing your life.

The fires are characterized by dense smoke that has a strong, hot smell. You will also experience shooting flames coming out of the chimney top. If there is a lot of fire you will hear a low, rumbling sound that resembles the sound of a freight train.

If the chimney is burning slowly, you might not notice it and only be caught by surprise when the chimney collapses on you all over a sudden.

The major cause of chimney fire is creosote buildup. If a lot of creosote has accumulated it can easily catch fire thus burning your house.

How to prevent chimney fire

There are many things that you can do to prevent the fires from occurring. Here are some of the things you can do:

Installation: chimney installation problems can cause chimney fires. If you are constructing a new house, you should hire a qualified chimney contractor to install the chimney for you. This is to ensure that the unit is professionally installed.

If you are buying an already constructed house, you shouldn’t rush to make the payments. You should first ask a certified chimney sweep to inspect the chimney and ensure that its perfectly installed.

Regular cleaning: As mentioned, one of the major causes of chimney fires is a dirty chimney. It’s recommended that you hire a chimney cleaning professional at least once a year to clean the fireplace. If you use the chimney more often, you can hire the professional twice a year.

In addition to cleaning the chimney, the professional should also undertake chimney repair. To save money you should hire a chimney masonry repair professional with both chimney cleaning and repair skills.

Burn the right wood: the wood you use greatly determines the amount of creosote that is deposited. As rule of thumb you should avoid burning fresh wood. Wood contains water that mixes with smoke forming a lot of creosote.

To avoid creosote deposition you should burn seasoned hardwood. Great woods that you should go for are: hickory, oak, ash, beech and maple. For ideal results you should ensure that the wood has been seasoned for at least a year.

In addition to seasoned hardwood burning efficiently and producing a lot of heat, they produce very little creosote thus protecting your house and eliminating the need of regularly hiring a chimney sweeping professional.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

As you drive around any of the suburbs or within the City of Chicago, you will quickly find many homes that were built prior to 1960. Although older homes are beautiful and exhibit characteristics of the time, it also lacks the safety codes that are standard in newer homes built after 1960. Sadly, these codes have changed/improved due to property and life loss.

As many of the chimneys were masonry based, it wasn’t until homes built after 1950 that metal hearth systems were installed. Let’s take a look at some of the challenges faced with a vintage chimney.

Chimney Lining

Older chimney’s lack the metal lining needed for safety. Superior Chimney recommends a chimney lining for numerous reasons. Here are the top 3:

1. Gases can leak into the home and heat can transfer to adjacent home construction materials
2. Bring your chimney up to current/safer building code standards
3. If you’re burning wood in the fireplace, tar and creosote is forming

House Continues to Settle

You might have heard the phrase, ‘the house is settling’, meaning that the ground on the sides and under the home shifts a bit. Sometimes we’ll see small hairline cracks in the basement walls and/or floor.  Over the years, your chimney may experience mortar cracks, cracked bricks or even a separation of the bricks to the mortar. Getting an annual inspection will help to identify any issues before they become large and/or expensive.

Weather Elements Cause Deterioration

The weather elements of hot, cold, wind and rain do cause the mortar to deteriorate. As you’ve read from us many times, mortar is a perfect place for water leaks to occur. Disappearing mortar can also cause bricks to loosen, especially if the deterioration is deep within the bricks.

Longevity from the Chimney with Waterproofing

The old brick chimney structure may still be intact, but remember, old bricks absorb lots of water from rain and snow. The best way to preserve the brick and mortar is with a waterproofing solution like our Chimney Saver product. The Chimney Saver prevents water into the brick, minimizes deterioration and future repair costs.

Give your old chimney some new life with the care from our Certified Chimney Technicians. Contact us today at 877-244-6349.

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

Although masonry chimneys are durable structures, wear and tear, seasonal temperature changes, and intense storms can damage the masonry, chimney cap, flashing, and other components allowing water to leak inside the chimney. It can also increase the risk of fire and exposure to harmful gases making your fireplace unsafe to operate. If you suspect a chimney leak, it is essential to hire a Certified Chimney Sweep® to quickly find the source of the chimney leak to prevent significant water damage that can lead to extensive repairs.  Here are four common sources of chimney leaks.

Chimney Cap is Damaged or Missing

One of the most common causes of a chimney leak is a damaged or missing chimney cap.  The chimney cap is installed on top of the chimney to keep rain and snow out of the flue. Its constant exposure to seasonal weather changes can eventually cause the chimney cap to crack, corrode, or rust allowing water to leak in the chimney and fireplace. Strong wind gusts can cause it to separate from the chimney. If you notice water dripping in the fireplace or pooling in the firebox, your chimney cap may be damaged or missing.

Chimney Flashing is Worn or Installed Incorrectly

Another common cause of a chimney leak is damaged or improperly installed flashing. The flashing is the sheet metal covering the gap with a water-tight seal where the chimney and roof meet. Improper installation, normal wear and tear, and periodic bouts with inclement weather conditions can damage the flashing allowing water to seep through the gaps between the chimney and roof.  Some of the signs of a flashing problem are water stains on the ceiling and walls around the fireplace. Damaged flashing requires immediate repair to prevent extensive water damage to the attic and roof deck.

There are Cracks in the Masonry

Masonry chimneys are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. Its exposure to freezing rain, snow, and ice can cause cracks in the bricks and gaps in the mortar joints providing multiple entry sources where water can leak in the chimney. As the masonry damage continues to progress, bricks will begin to flake, chip, and crumble. The deteriorating mortar can cause bricks to separate from the chimney leaving gaping holes in the structure. Extensive water damage can also result in a partial or complete chimney collapse causing significant damage to your home.

The Damper Doesn’t Close Completely

When the damper is closed, it should form an airtight seal to prevent energy loss when you’re not using the fireplace. It also keeps the fireplace dry when it’s raining outside.  If the damper or gasket is worn or damaged, moisture can leak inside the fireplace. Creosote build-up on the damper can also interfere with its operation allowing water to leak inside.

Preventing Chimney Leaks

Annual chimney inspections are the most effective way to prevent chimney leaks. The chimney technician will examine the entire structure for damages that can lead to a chimney leak.  If any damage or leaks are discovered, repairing them quickly will prevent further chimney damage and more expensive repairs later.  Your chimney professional can also apply a vapor-permeable waterproof sealant to protect the exterior masonry from water damage.

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