September 7, 2010

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Service Your Chimney Before Peak Season

February 25, 2010 By chimneyadmin Leave a Comment

Nothing is more exciting to a chimney sweep company than wood burning season, those cold months of the year when people light up their fireplaces and prepare for hibernation. However, nothing is more frustrating to a homeowner than calling all the chimney sweeps in your area just to hear that they are booked out for a month or two.  Taking the initiative to get your chimney swept early can really help out, and in more ways than one.

Often times, chimney sweep companies will offer discounts for chimney sweeps done in the off season. Discounts of up to $100 have been reported nationwide. The peace of mind of having the service done before you even begin burning it for the season as well as the money off the total cost is priceless.

When it is cold out, most masonry products will freeze. By having your chimney swept before peak season, you will have to opportunity to repair the exterior of the chimney before the weather is bad enough to actually utilize the fireplace. It is a bit of a pickle when the sweep who comes out to your home says that there is damage that must be repaired before the chimney is used, but the temperatures prevent any masonry work to be completed. Service your chimney early to prevent these problems from occurring.

Creosote buildup left over from the burning season actually eats away at the flue system, increasing the likelihood of a repair. This build up in your chimney combined with the heat and humidity that are characteristic of the summer months will corrode away the flue liner and wear away at mortar joints on the top of the chimney.

The humidity of the summer and spring also causes odors. Because the water vapors in the air react with the creosote causing the pungent odor to permeate through your home via the flue system. These odors can also be beaten using Anti-Creo-Soot products to reduce the volume of creosote in the flue system. If  you’re thinking of cleaning your chimney yourself, take a look at our article called Chimney Cleaning Tools – Buyers Guide.

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What is the Difference Between a Level I and Level II Inspection?

February 18, 2010 By chimneyadmin 1 Comment

Although this terminology can be confusing, the difference between these two different levels of inspections, including when and where they are appropriate, is actually quite simple. A Level I inspection is your yearly, routine inspection. Code calls for your chimney to be swept annually.

This level of inspection requires the service technician to inspect all of the readily accessible areas of the chimney, appliance, flue, and connectors. There are thirty three points that are a part of the inspection, and although these points are required for a Level I inspection, the list is not exhaustive.

Sometimes, a service technician is required to go above and beyond the minimum requirements of a Level I inspection in order to determine certain factors concerning the chimney, such as what type of flue system is appropriate for a specific chimney or appliance, or whether or not there is indeed damage at any point in the flue system. These problems may require the service technician to get onto the roof to inspect the top of the chimney or execute any other number of services above and beyond the typical Level I inspection requirements.

A Level II inspection is necessary when a question regarding a chimney cannot be answered by merely inspecting the easily accessible areas of the chimney. Weather conditions that may have caused damage usually require a Level II inspection. A Level II inspection encompasses all aspects of a Level I inspection, the extra steps are merely that, extra.

The sweep will have to move about the house in order to complete a Level II inspection. The roof top, the chimney top, the basement or crawlspace, and the attic will all be inspected. This type of inspection is generally utilized for homes that are on the market, and are required before a home can change hands.

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The Importance of A Chimney Inspection

January 12, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Home & Garden Pic's 224When you have your fireplace serviced, whether you have a regular, open, wood burning fireplace, gas logs, or an insert, many things are being checked out. The flue is checked for combustibles, clearances are checked to be sure that they are up to code, and they evaluate floor protection. Basic installation methods are often not followed and a certified service technician will evaluate your system according to code standards.

Gas logs require regular service. Carbon deposits must be removed and if there is debris or other combustible material in the chimney with will have to be swept and inspected. Dust and other small particles must be removed from the logs and the burner to prevent odors and keep the logs running properly.

Often times a chimney sweep will suggest a creosote removing product, such as Anti-Creo-Soot, to use with every fireplace use to reduce and actively remove creosote glazed in the flue system.

Clearance issues are always of great importance. Combustibles can never be far enough away from the fireplace opening. Pay strict attention to the instructions given with your particular fireplace, as a mantle cleared to be placed 12” above a certain fireplace must be positioned 22” above a particular gas log set.

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