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Chimney cleaning is one of the key step to prevent chimney fires. If you don’t use your fireplace often then you might not be aware as whether your chimney is clean or not.

Indicators for chimney cleaning:

Burned wood odors adventing from the fireplace due to lack of usage.
Fires burn in a poor way or start dumping smoke into the house.
Sight of a black damper above the firebox. Damper can be traced easily as it gets covered with creosote. The presence of black gunk or chunks indicates a presence of creosote built up.

The frequency of chimney cleaning depends on the chimney usage, kind of fires and the type of wood. It’s a good idea to clean chimney every year before cold weather. Some homeowners prefer to get it done by chimney company in spring season and some of the sweeps offer discounts and extra services free of cost at this time. Most of the homeowners hire chimney sweeps as it’s not so easy job and not recommended to do it half-way. Allocate the duty to a certified chimney contractor.

Chimney-Cleaning Log Claims

A chimney-cleaning log works while you burn wood in the fireplace. Burning a fire before using any log softens tar present inside the chimney and makes cleaning log effective. When wood burns then it releases toxic substances that adhere to chimney walls and leads to loosening of tar and build up of creosote buildup or render it less likely to fire. Some of the loosened debris enters in the fireplace.

Logs to Use

Not all logs do as claimed. The Chimney Sweeping Institute of America rate these products to help homeowners take a safety decision. CSIA accepted product logo indicates complete safety of the products. These products are labeled with a chimney cleaning log as not just as an alternative for annual chimney inspection and fireplace cleaning.

Falling Debris Dilemma

In some cases, debris coming out from the walls of the chimney after cleaning log may cause fire and increase the chances of smoke or any other constraint within the chimney. Over time, debris accumulates up and indicates fire hazard and better to get your chimney inspection done by a professional.

The Human Touch

Chimney-cleaning logs are safe but still make sure to clean your chimney manually and by a professional chimney contractor at regular intervals. Chimney sweeps are expert in all types of cleaning and signals the homeowners on any potential problems like cracks within the chimney. They also help to make you aware on whether the cleaning logs have left any debris in any out of the way area of the chimney.

The post How do chimney-cleaning logs work? first appeared on First Class Chimney Services Maryland.

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

The chimneys along with the fireplaces provide us warmth during cold days. They can however, have several ill-effects on our health. Of course, no one should live under fear and take timely steps for chimney cleaning to stay away from chimney and fireplace health hazards. Read on some of the ways that affects our health.

Creosote Exposure

Creosote is an oily black substance that builds up in chimney flue interiors due to incomplete wood combustion. This not only seems nasty but leads to undesirable side effects on our health:

• Skin or Eye irritation: Any form of contact with creosote buildup leads to skin rashes and irritation in eyes. In some cases, it leads to extreme burning sensation with increased chances of sensitivity to light.
• Respiratory Issues: Even indirect inhalation of creosote particles for extended period leads to lung or respiratory problems.
• Abdominal or Mental Problems: Creosote increases the chances to affect kidney or liver and gives rise to abdominal problems. Prolonged creosote exposure causes seizures and confusion to the affected people.
• Cancer: Although, regular chimney inspection and cleaning minimizes the chances of ill-effects of creosote but creosote exposure always increases the chances of skin cancer.

Chimney Soot Inhalation

Chimney soot is source of contamination that comes from incomplete combustion and formed when wood burns at less than 284 degrees and not burned hot enough. The left-over in the form of powdery brown or black dust sticks to the chimney interiors and escapes into the air leads to other serious health risks:

• Lung Hazard: The excessive inhalation of chimney soot can cause lung irritation or serious lung diseases.
• Respiratory Risks: Chimney soot also increases the chances of general respiratory infections.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The incomplete combustion due to lack of oxygen to finish oxidation process leads to formation of carbon monoxide. This is a hazardous gas and its odorless and colorless properties make it arrant hard to detect. Contact a chimney contractor for regular inspection as when carbon monoxide enters into the air, various health issues may emerge:

• Flu-like Symptoms: Even inhaling small amounts of carbon monoxide leads to fatigue, confusion, nausea or headache.
• Organ Issues: The excessive inhalation of carbon monoxide worsens the effects on your health. Breathing in this gas might lead to brain damage or heart problems, and at its worst it can even cause death.

None of these risks are enjoyable to deal. Ignoring chimney cleaning gives rise to many health hazards. So, the underlying message is to take precautions and clean your chimney regularly. Chimney sweeping inspect the internal structures of the damage and remove creosote, soot and other chimney deposits thus reducing the health risks. Make sure to get your chimney detected for carbon monoxide and install a detector for the same. A better knowledge of chimney risks and timely fireplace repair make you enjoys wintertime fires in a responsible way.

The post Chimney Health Hazards: Things You Should Know first appeared on First Class Chimney Services Maryland.

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

Lining is one of the essential components of chimney and it proves to be a costly affair to replace it. Whenever you are facing the issue to pay the high cost of new flue, it helps to know why a liner should be replaced and what types of chimney lining are available. Read on to know more about chimney relining:

What is Chimney Relining?

Most types of chimney flue or liner begin to deteriorate and make your fireplace hazardous. The use of liners are important as they channel heat and gases up through the top of the chimney and block the heat and prevent fire to any combustible materials. Any type of crack or crumbling in liner makes it important to hire chimney contractor to get chimney relined. The chimney professionals advise on relining and make you aware on the damages by using a special camera for chimney inspection. Relining involves installing a new flue liner.

Types of Chimney Liners

In old houses, we hardly find any lining. But for many decades, liners seem to be a requirement in chimneys to channel the heat and gases up through the chimney in a better way and prevent fires. If your chimney doesn’t have a liner then get one before using fireplace.

Metal Flue Liners

Stainless steel flue liners are considered as the best liners by fire-protection experts as they come with a lifetime guarantee. Some of the other metal liners are also available but none of them are as highly recommended as stainless steel. These flue liners are available in flexible and rigid forms. Although, the cost and installation charges of the chimney company are high for stainless steel liners but many people say that it always proves to be a good investment.

Clay Tile Liners

These liners are the cheapest and traditionally favorite liners. A proper installation of this liner can lasts for more than 50 years also but make sure not to miss the regular chimney cleaning and maintenance. Flue tiles can withstand the heat and deposits of corrosive byproducts while burning any fuel type. With time, clay liner tiles tend to deteriorate. This might lead to carbon monoxide leakage and any types of cracks in liners increases the chances of fire as heat gets transferred to combustible materials surrounding the chimney.

Cast-in-Place Liners

Cast-in-place liners are result of poured-cement processes and creates new flue. These flues can withstand all the ill effects of condensation, heat and acids. Cast-in place liners have best insulation properties and decrease the accumulation of creosote and make the fireplace clean. Some of the chimney contractor believe that cement flues last for minimum of five decades and help to stabilize unsound clay flues as they are poured inside on the chimney walls or on the flue.

Whenever you need chimney relining, always remember that liner is where flames, heat, sparks, smoke and carbon monoxide are channeled out of the doors and any compromise on liner could make these hazardous elements enter into your home. Contact your chimney contractor to get the best chimney liner and schedule for annual chimney inspection.

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

While a fireplace helps to give additional warmth during cold days, most people agree that heat is nice but a fireplace’s real benefit relates more with atmosphere. Entertaining or relaxing by a fire creates an environment that a furnace, boiler or space heater cannot match. This environment tends to degenerate if your fireplace isn’t cleaned properly. A clean fireplace is easy to operate.

Keeping a Clean Fireplace

Most homeowners are attentive about sweeping any remaining ashes around the fireplace that might detract the overall appearance of the room. A clean furnace is really about the components that can’t be seen. Flue and chimney cleaning are essential than removing debris. Chimney cleaning always proves worth the cost of hiring a chimney contractor.

Chimney Cleaning

Fireplace inserts are not so light and weighs more than 400 pounds. All wood stove inserts need to be removed at the time of chimney cleaning. The several aspects of chimney cleaning requires a technique to maneuver the insert with a technique that most homeowners not well-versed. In some cases, there is no need to remove the insert to clean the chimney. The insert can be kept on its place like in case of installation of a full relining collar or a stainless steel pipe that links to the insert till the top of the chimney.
The chimney flue pipe carries hot gases and soot up and away from the fireplace. They are available in two styles: metal and masonry. The metal caps must be present over the flue openings as these hood-like structures prevent rain and snow to enter into the flues and protect the chimney from downdrafts.
The flues are equipped with wire mesh to prevent the entry of any birds or animals in the chimney. This mesh also prevents burning ash to reach the roof and other inflammable materials and can easily be cleaned from time to time.

Ensure Safe Operation with Clean Fireplaces

Leaving the fireplace unattended leads to building up of creosote inside chimney. Some homeowners understand the need of chimney cleaning and maintain clean fireplace. If your fireplace has limited usage then an annual service will fulfill the requirement. People who burn wood often should seek professional service offered by chimney company from time to time. Make sure to inform your chimney contractor about the type of roof access to make prior arrangements for safety equipment before chimney inspection.

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

Many people enjoy the feeling and relaxing ambience of a wood-burning fire. However, when it comes to fire in your home then it is important to keep your family safe. Before using your fireplace, make sure to clean it and make it safe for operation. If you have minimal use of fireplace or stove then an inspection is advised to check out all heating venting systems, stove systems and furnace flues. At the time of chimney inspection, all types of defects or issues are resolved with immediate action.

Prevent a Chimney Fire

A chimney fire can be quite thrilling and it leads to loud cracking sounds with lots of smoke and hot odor. Chimney fires aren’t always dramatic enough to alert the neighbors. In some cases, they burn slow and aren’t even visible but they reach high temperatures and might seep into the walls of the house and ignite flammable objects. The flames from a chimney fire might spread into the walls of your house and leads to massive devastation. One of the common reasons behind chimney fire is dirty chimney. With continuous usage, chimneys become clogged with creosote, tar-like substance-a by-product of burning wood. Creosote is black or brown in appearance and it leaves a glazing inside the chimney. This glazing is combustible in nature and it takes just a small amount to ignite the fire. The restricted air supply is one of the major reasons behind build up of creosote and this makes it important to clean your chimney regularly.

Protect Your Health

The burning of fuel produces carbon monoxide. Even the low levels of carbon monoxide leads to dizziness, nausea, headaches, fainting and confusion. A blocked chimney with improper functioning flue leads to buildup of this dangerous gas.CO leads to several deaths every year and blocked chimneys leads to poisoning. This makes it important to go for chimney inspection to ensure that flue is clear while using the chimney. Inhaling the fumes from solid fuel or gas fire leads to serious damage to your health. Hire a chimney company and make sure that your chimney is swept and ensure that the flue-the passage out of house is clear for fumes to escape safely out of the chimney.

Prevent Smoke Damage

The lack of chimney cleaning leads to accumulation of soot around the flue. This makes it hard for the flue to move the smoke upwards. The soot leaves a black film around hearth and soil several things, decorations and carpeting. In some cases, smoke leads to black stain around chimney which can be difficult to remove.
All these reasons make it important to hire a chimney contractor for cleaning and save your family from harmful health hazards.

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

On April 2, an Executive Order was issued by Governor Brian Kemp, directing all Georgia residents to stay at home or at their place of residence and mandating the closing of all nonessential businesses.

Southern Chimneys, LLC falls within the definition of essential business as defined in the Executive Order, and we will remain open during this time. We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest safety standards even during the best times, so we will continue to practice safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll perform our chimney and fireplace inspections, cleanings, and repairs while maintaining social distancing and safety protocols. 

With the number of Coronavirus cases in the area growing rapidly, it’s best that all non-essential employees stay home and stay healthy to stop the spread. If everyone can stay put for a few weeks, we can flatten the curve and get our economy back to “roaring” as it was just a month ago. Remember, washing your hands regularly and covering your face when you sneeze or cough is the best way to prevent spreading the disease. 

For any questions, give our office a call from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, at 678-744-4046. 

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

Learn how we are still able to provide our chimney and fireplace services during the COVID-19 outbreak. As an essential business, we work hard to continue to provide our services so your home can stay safe from chimney/fireplace damage. Click here to contact us for a chimney or a fireplace inspection, cleaning, or maintenance.

The post COVID-19 Update: How We Are Taking Extra Precautions as an Essential Business appeared first on Quality Fireplace and Chimney Services.

Learn about how we provide different services and leverage our qualifications to help with any chimney/fireplace needs. We also talk about the updates happening with COVID-19 and how it will impact different events. Watch this video to learn more! Do you need fireplace or chimney services? Click here to get on our schedule! 

The post How Quality Fireplace and Chimney Services Satisfies Our Customer’s Needs! appeared first on Quality Fireplace and Chimney Services.

Your chimney may be the biggest system in your home besides the central air and heating unit and there’s a lot that can go wrong with it. Because it’s so big and can cause big problems for your home, it’s important to understand just what makes up the chimney system, how it works, and how it can go wrong.

Parts of the Chimney

From bottom to top, there are many parts and materials that make up a fireplace and chimney system. The terms ‘fireplace’ and ‘chimney’ are often used interchangeably, and they work together to get the job done. What we know as the fireplace is actually called the firebox, and what we know as the chimney is actually the flue. These are only two parts of a very large system that must be built and maintained properly. Only then will the system work efficiently and safely.

Foundation – Just as the house itself sits on a foundation that holds it up and prevents settlement and shifting as seasons and weather change the soil, the chimney requires a foundation. Oftentimes this foundation is built when the home is built, but not always.
Ash Dump – Some, but not all, chimneys have an ash dump. This is a space beneath the firebox where ashes can be pushed and stored to cool and collect over time. A chimney sweep can remove these ashes as needed through a cleanout door near the foundation—a service that usually isn’t required for several years.
Hearth – The hearth is the floor of the firebox which usually extends from the back of the fireplace out into the room a bit and is made of a particular firebrick and refractory mortar that protects against heat transfer from the fire.
Firebox – The space where the fire sits and burns is called the firebox. It endures the highest temperatures for the longest periods but receives the least attention. The firebox is constructed of firebricks and refractory mortar.
Damper – The damper is a mechanism, usually made of metal, installed at the top of the firebox and opens and closes the flue opening. When the damper is closed, very little air moves through the chimney system. When the flue is open, air flows freely.
Smoke Chamber – The space above the firebox is called the smoke chamber—so named because this is where the particles and gases mingle with the heat to rise up the chimney. It is shaped like an inverted funnel to direct smoke upward and into the flue. Beneath the smoke chamber, there is a shelf (called the smoke shelf) designed to prevent smoke from falling back into the firebox and into the home. The walls of the smoke chamber should be at certain angles and smooth.
Flue – The flue is the interior vent by which smoke and gases travel out of the home. The surface of the flue should be covered with a liner that keeps heat and corrosive chemicals from damaging or moving through the masonry and gives it a seamless, smooth surface for optimum airflow.
Masonry Crown – At the top of the chimney there is a ceiling that extends from the flue opening to the edge of the chimney. The crown is made out of durable material that can withstand harsh temperatures, sunlight, and precipitation. It is also made at a slant so that water runs away from the flow and onto a drip edge, where it drips down onto the flashing at the roof instead of running down the masonry.
Chimney Cap – The chimney cap is the roof of the chimney system. It keeps water, animals, wind, and weather out. The cap is necessary to prevent chimney water damage and animal intrusion. It is often made of copper or stainless steel.

Common Chimney Problems

Even a well-constructed chimney can become damaged over time—especially through particularly rough winters or when subjected to coastal air and moisture.

• Spalling masonry can be particularly devastating to chimneys that stand in coastal regions. This is when the mortar cracks and falls away, causing bricks to loosen and take on water.
• Leaky chimneys can lead to damaged parts of the chimney, but also water damage throughout the house. A chimney leak can occur in any season and cause damage year-round.
• Smoky fireplaces are usually caused by an obstruction, draft issue, or even the wrong firewood being burned in the fireplace! A smoky fireplace doesn’t always require a repair but should always be troubleshot and a professional should be called if the problem persists.
• Liner damage is most often due to an old clay tile liner becoming worn out and breaking apart. You might find pieces of clay tile in your firebox or notice problems like masonry that is hot to the touch. Liner damage can also be caused by a dirty flue or a flue fire.

Whether your system is old or new, whether you have a fireplace, a stove, or an insert, whether you burn wood, pellets, or gas, your chimney is important. It can be a great asset, but can also be very dangerous. Make sure you know the ins and outs of chimney function and maintenance. Make sure your chimney system is safe and efficient. It will work better and for longer.

Call and schedule services with Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep today by calling 617-469-4528

The post Anatomy of Your Chimney (And Common Chimney Problems) appeared first on Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep.

You’ve probably been using this time of quarantine to get a lot done around your house. With everyone under shut-in orders except essential-business employees, residents of Atlanta are becoming home-repair and cleaning experts.

Coronavirus has changed a lot in our lives, but it has not changed your need to have a healthy, working chimney. In reality, there’s no better time than now to get your chimney inspected! And while you’re at it, mark next year’s calendar too because your chimney inspection should be a regular, annual event.

Get a jump on your chimney inspection.
Your chimney was working overtime the last several months, doing its job to keep you warm and dry. Now that the seasons have changed, you should schedule an 18-point inspection from Southern Chimneys now because

• scheduling is wide open and you’ll be able to leisurely find a time that works best for your inspection, rather than fighting to find a time that lines up with a busy inspector’s schedule.
• If you take care of your chimney inspection now, you won’t be scrambling to get it done last minute in the fall or winter.

Here are more reasons to be proactive about your chimney inspection:

Safety – a lack of maintenance can lead to chimney and house fires. A regularly scheduled chimney inspection will prevent this. In fact, an annual chimney and venting system sweeping and inspection is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

Money – Many homes don’t get their chimneys inspected, and they wind up getting them repaired because they didn’t take that time. Being proactive stops this. You will save so much more money on an inspection and sweep than you will when you have to have major repairs done.

Lack of knowledge – …and that’s okay! It’s normal and happens all the time, but most people move into a home or begin renting one with a chimney and have no idea what condition that chimney’s really in. Don’t let that be you. For instance, how’s your cap? Do you even have one? Do you know what it is?

Peace of Mind – The masonry of a chimney is made to last forever and hold up like a house, so chimney damage is something that you can’t really see and, the worse it gets, the more expensive it is to repair. If you get things checked out every year, you don’t have to worry about it!

Do you have what it takes to be proactive and protect your wallet and home?  Give Southern Chimneys a call. We will save you money by doing a great job at the best price. Schedule an inspection with us today and you’ll see why we’re a different kind of chimney services company.

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