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November 20, 2011
Wood fires create a cozy warmth and comfort that is difficult to match. But they also present certain dangers that could result in injury and property damage. Using your fireplace or wood stove responsibly is the best way to avoid these dangers and regular chimney maintenance is an essential part of the process.
Most experts would agree that wood stoves and fireplace inserts need to be inspected and cleaned at least once per year. If you use the hearth as the main form of heat that inspection should occur more often – perhaps at the beginning and end of each heating season.
A licensed professional should always conduct chimney maintenance. And the use of chimney cleaning products does not replace a thorough inspection and cleaning. Stay safe and enjoy the warmth created by your wood stove or fireplace with responsible and regular chimney maintenance.
November 15, 2011
When it comes to your home and hearth the National Fire Protection Association is the recognized authority on safety. This organization publishes recommendations that apply to every homeowner with a furnace, fireplace and/or stove. The NFPA acknowledges that regular chimney maintenance is of utmost importance and provides a unique and necessary level of safety.
The NFPA recommends that your chimney be inspected on an annual basis. This thorough inspection should be performed by a licensed technician and should include a chimney cleaning. Vents and fireplaces are also to be inspected every year, according to the NFPA. Don’t forget your furnace flue – many technicians offer inspections covering all of the essentials.
These minimum recommendations will provide a safer atmosphere for your family, preventing fires and dangerous conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning. Contact a local professional and have your chimney maintenance looked after before the heating season gets into full swing.
October 12, 2011
Ignoring regular chimney maintenance is not a good plan. You may save a few dollars in the short term, but skipping maintenance can result in one of these three serious issues:
• Creosote Build Up – this sticky soot occurs naturally, but a build up can easily lead to a chimney fire and accelerated corrosion of your stovepipe.
• Masonry Deterioration – aged and slightly damaged bricks will deteriorate quickly in the extreme temperatures of winter.
• Damage to Your Home’s Interior – damaged chimneys may allow excessive moisture into the home, staining drywall or paneling and possibly causing efflorescence on your chimney walls.
Keep your family safe by keeping up with regular chimney maintenance. A reasonable investment will allow you to avoid the dangerous and potentially very expensive occurrences outlined here.
September 27, 2011
Homeowners often wait until fall to schedule chimney maintenance. After the initial inspection and cleaning your chimney sweep or technician may let you know that a mortar crown repair is needed. What does this chimney repair project encompass and why is it necessary?
Mortar crown is the term for the cap on your traditional brick chimney. This concrete-like portion of your chimney keeps the water out and protects the integrity of your brick chimney. If cracks develop or the mortar deteriorates water leakage can occur inside your home, as well as inside the chimney.
Mortar crown repairs need to be tackled immediately, before the wet conditions of later fall and winter are upon us. Your chimney maintenance technician will let you know whether they can handle the repairs or whether you will need to call in a mason. Either way, get this task complete immediately to ensure your chimney will be solid and strong this season.
June 24, 2011
If you relied on your fireplace, gas stove or wood stove for home heating last season, and even if you only used the hearth occasionally, now is the time to book for your annual chimney maintenance. It’s important that your chimney and hearth be fully inspected and the creosote build up removed or you run the very serious risk of a having a chimney fire next season.
Three Good Reasons
Besides being the safest course of action, booking your chimney maintenance in the summer is essential for these three reasons:
* Many companies get fully booked in the fall months. If you have a trusted chimney technician, bring him/her over now to be sure your job is done well.
* Humidity and moisture can create nasty odors in your home thanks to the build up of creosote and soot in your chimney. Clean it out to avoid those smells.
* You will be ready as soon as the weather turns. Getting your maintenance done ahead of time (now) means one less worry at the end of the season. Your hearth will be prepared and your family can look forward to comfort as soon as the cool comes back.
Chimney maintenance can be put off, but why would you want to? Book today and enjoy a safer, more comfortable home now and in the coming months.
April 19, 2011
Highly dangerous and with the potential to inflict serious destruction, chimney fires should be avoided at all costs. Regular and professional chimney maintenance is the only defense against this hazardous situation, but getting educated about the signs and results of chimney fires will also motivate you to avoid the condition.
Signs of a Chimney Fire
Fires in the chimney are a result of a creosote buildup in the flue liner. If you haven’t had your regular chimney maintenance done the risk of fire is much higher. Once they are ignited the fires make loud, cracking noises. You are likely to see the smoke pouring heavily out of the chimney and may even spot some flames peaking from the top. Often your neighbors or people passing in the street spot the signs of a chimney fire.
Although these may seem like obvious signs, there is another scary fact about this dangerous condition. Slow burning fires make much less noise and may not be so easy to spot. They do, however, create incredibly high temperatures similar to the loud and obvious fires.
Results of a Chimney Fire
Both types of fire (silent and spectacular) can melt metal inside your chimney, damage the mortar and tiles or damage a metal flue liner beyond repair. Even those products designed to withstand 2100 degree temperatures may be challenged and damaged when a fire reaches even higher temperatures.
Experts admit that the first chimney fire in your home may not cause any damage, especially if it is over quickly. But then the second fire can easily burn down your home due to the damage inflicted by the first fire.
It’s important to understand that a well maintained chimney will have little to no risk of fire. Without creosote, a chimney fire will be without fuel and regular chimney maintenance will remove the creosote. Schedule your maintenance appointment now, before the risk becomes too much and a fire breaks out.
April 3, 2011
Although it is affordable and can be scheduled around your convenience, some people avoid chimney maintenance. But the danger this puts your family in is certainly not worth the small amount of money and time saved.
If you don’t have your chimney cleaned it could result in a deadly chimney fire. Also, if the creosote build up is not removed it will deteriorate your liner quicker, block the airflow, produce more smoke and make your hearth much less enjoyable.
Not having your chimney inspection done can result in serious damage to the outside of your home as well. Masonry problems can lead to other deterioration on the exterior finishes of your house such as the roof, siding or eaves. You will be surprised at how quickly brick chimney problems can go from something insignificant to something major. Have your chimney inspection done regularly to keep a close eye on the situation.
Chimney maintenance is essential for the safety and health of your family. Stick to an annual schedule and book early to avoid disappointment and delay. Fireplace Village can help take care of your hearth.
March 15, 2011
There are many different chemically based chimney cleaning products on the market. Popular products are burned in your fireplace or wood stove and release chemicals into your chimney that will help to break down creosote build up.
Many people wonder whether using chimney cleaning products will actually help to cut down on the chimney maintenance required, saving them time and money in the long run. The problem is that nothing replaces the expert inspection done by a qualified technician during your annual chimney inspection.
Even if you regularly use these chimney cleaning products, the creosote will still need to be permanently removed. Experts also note that when the build up is flaking off (thanks to the chemicals in those products) it may fall into kinks and corners up and down the length of your chimney. Those pockets of creosote pose a serious risk and can only be removed through physical chimney maintenance.
While they are admittedly helpful, chemically based chimney cleaning products do not replace an actual visit by a trained technician. Use them as directed, but schedule your chimney maintenance as well for a safe, clean hearth.
February 21, 2011
Record snow falls and plummeting temperatures have become the norm through our winters of late. And those conditions have caused more and more people to use their fireplaces and wood stoves on a regular basis. While safe wood burning is important to preventing house fires, regular chimney maintenance is a vital step. When you use the fireplace or stove more you should also plan to have the chimney inspected more often.
Minimal Chimney Maintenance
Those who use their fireplace insert, wood stove or wood burning fireplace should always have the chimney inspected and cleaned once each year. But when the colder temperatures and heavy snowfall have you using the fireplace or stove more often, that maintenance needs to take a step up.
Dangers You Can’t See
Besides creosote build up from frequent use, there are other elements at work that could pose a risk during cold winters and regular use of your hearth. Birds of all kinds and small animals may be trying to escape the bitter cold and will find the warmth of your chimney irresistible. Certain chimneys are easier for birds and mammals to wiggle their way in, but all need to be inspected and cleaned regularly.
A blockage of the chimney will affect the draft, which will make it difficult to operate and cause heavy smoke build up. It can also easily cause a chimney fire, which may result in serious damage to your home.
Also, burning things other than firewood can present a danger way up in your chimney, out of sight. When creosote is allowed to build up (at a rapid rate with frequent use) it can quite easily ignite with the sparks from burning wrapping paper and other items that belong in the recycle bin, not the fireplace.
As you use your fireplace or wood stove more often, remember to increase the frequency of chimney maintenance visits for a safe and comfortable season this year.
December 9, 2010
Every time it rains or snows that water goes straight down your chimney unless it is protected with a properly sized and properly installed chimney cap. Also every time it rains the masonry will absorb the water, breaking it down. There is no quick fix. The proper way to correct the problem is with a high quality roof and flashing water sealant and crown coating. An appropriate roof water sealant and chimney crown coating will stop the masonry from absorbing water.
Fireplace Village sells a wide selection of high quality American Made chimney caps. Fireplace Village provides chimney cleaning, maintenance and repair service. Contact us today to schedule your annual chimney cleaning or chimney repair service. Fireplace Village is the largest full service hearth and chimney store in New England.
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