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September 17, 2011
Have you had your Furnace Flue INSPECTED?
• Your oil burner company DOES NOT clean or inspect your furnace flue.
Oil companies clean the internal parts of your furnace or boiler and, in some cases, might also clean your furnace smoke pipe but not the furnace flue.
• Avoid Carbon Monoxide POISONING.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) can escape into the living area of a home if the flue or chimney is cracked, damaged or blocked.
• Annual inspection is the national SAFETY standard.
The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents be inspected at least once a year.
Fireplace Village provides Furnace Flue Safety Inspection and Cleaning Service. Furnace Flue repairs may be covered by your home insurance. Check with your insurance agent.
September 10, 2011
With the temperatures dropping at night and summer vacations wrapping up our thoughts have begun to turn towards autumn. This crisp time of year brings a new set of home maintenance tasks that help you to clean up your property and get it ready for the long months of winter. Make sure that chimney maintenance and chimney cleaning are included in your fall heating check up. This will provide a safer hearth and prime conditions for alternative and zone heating.
Call in a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean the chimney flue, removing any creosote build up. They will also have a look at the condition of your chimney from the outside. If repairs to the masonry need to be done, a fall inspection will allow you the time to schedule it in.
Whether your fireplace or wood stove is the main source of heat in your home or an alternative option, chimney maintenance and cleaning should be an essential part of your fall heating check up. Book an appointment with your local technician today.
August 26, 2011
Chimney liners are a vital element in the operation of your fireplace or wood stove. When the liner has deteriorated, cracked or aged beyond its limit you have a choice of materials for the replacement chimney liner. Clay tile is a traditional choice for the liner, although you can also choose cement or aluminum. Stainless steel chimney liners are a popular and durable choice that delivers various benefits.
Sealed and Smooth
Aged clay tile chimney liners will crack and split, which allows noxious fumes to leak into your home. With a stainless steel liner you will effectively seal those cracks and drastically reduce the chance of them happening ever again.
Affordable
Stainless steel chimney liners are also an affordable option. Easier to install than clay tile liners, the initial installation of stainless steel liners is less expensive. Also, chimney sweeps have an easier time cleaning this type of liner thanks to the round shape. No square corners to catch deposits of creosote makes for a faster, more effective clean that should also cost you less.
Long Lasting
Because stainless steel is corrosion resistant you can expect this liner to last for years virtually problem free. And the complete seal applied to the liner keeps nasty emissions away from your masonry, allowing them to last longer and cutting down on required repairs.
Added Insulation
Insulation can be fitted around the stainless steel liner or stuffed between the liner and the chimney walls. This insulation cuts down on creosote build up by keeping the air hot all the way up the chimney. It also helps to reduce the cold air draft that could come down the chimney when the fireplace or wood stove is not in use. Stainless steel liners should be insulated. Chimney liners are typically certified by outside testing agencies such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL). When testing for certification, chimney liners are insulated. Many chimney sweeps and hearth retailers sell and install chimney liners without insulation. In order for the liner to function as certified it should be installed as tested.
Replacing your existing liner with a new stainless steel chimney liner is a wise choice, offering your home all of these benefits and more.
August 20, 2011
Weather is extremely unpredictable, if nothing else. And although we know fall and winter are approaching it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when. Wise homeowners stay on top of things and book early chimney maintenance appointments. This allows them to be ready for the winter, no matter when that season decides to kick in.
Proper chimney maintenance involves a thorough inspection of the hearth, flue and chimney liner as well as the exterior of your home. Brushes and vacuums will be used to properly remove any creosote build up from the chimney and dispose of it in a safe manner. The inspection will alert you to any problems with the system that could result in dangerous situations and conditions.
Professional technicians book up solid in the fall months as homeowners rush to have their chimney maintenance looked after. Be proactive and book today. This will eliminate the worry about an early winter and have your hearth in tip top shape now.
July 30, 2011
Heavy winds, strong rain and searing temperatures can do a number on your home and the chimney is no exception. Keeping up with regular inspections and chimney maintenance is essential, especially when that chimney is being exposed to extreme weather conditions such as thunderstorms, tornados and hurricanes.
A well maintained chimney should be in good condition, but strong storms can still cause problems. If the masonry is damaged by wind or fallen tree branches be sure to have a technician start the repair right away. Holes, cracks or broken areas that are left alone for too long can spawn many other problems with animals, water damage and rot. Flue and chimney cap damage should also be looked after immediately following the storm. Call a roofing company if the flashing is damaged, since this can result in serious leaks.
In the calm after the storm it is important that any damage be assessed and acted on. Regular chimney maintenance and inspection is vital to hearth performance, but a prompt response is essential after raging weather.
July 20, 2011
The design and shape of your chimney will make a difference to the overall performance of your fireplace or wood stove. A chimney that is too short will not provide sufficient draft for the fireplace. And when chimney design causes the path to be too cold (due to length or placement) it will result in negative draft. The flue also needs to be well chosen and properly connected to ensure efficiency.
If you are installing a new fireplace or renovating an existing hearth have a professional design the chimney to provide the optimum burning conditions. The staff at Fireplace Village has the knowledge and skill necessary to help homeowners with this essential component of their fireplace or wood stove. They will help to design and install the entire hearth system for maximum efficiency and performance, providing a more comfortable home and living space for your family.
July 7, 2011
Since you do not see or smell the smoke in a gas fireplace or gas stove, as you would when using a wood burning hearth appliance, many homeowners wonder whether they need to schedule chimney maintenance. The short answer is yes – chimney maintenance, inspection and cleaning are all necessary no matter what fuel is used in your fireplace or stove. But it may also help to understand why this process is important.
In a wood burning fire you may not consistently get the clean burn that you can expect with gas. Creosote build up is a serious risk in wood burning hearths, but gas fuelled fireplaces and stoves present dangers in your home as well. These dangers can be monitored and handled well with regular chimney maintenance.
Blockages and Build Ups
A gas chimney or vent can be easily blocked by animals, vegetation and even snow. Depending on where your chimney or vent exits the building, these blockages may or may not be easy to spot. Hiring a skilled technician to inspect the chimney and venting system for you is a wise idea and will provide the safest set up for using your gas stove or gas fireplace.
Carbon monoxide is another danger that is present when using gas fireplaces that have not been maintained properly. This poisonous, odorless gas is very dangerous and can leak into your home if the connections inside your chimney are not fitted properly. Gas fireplace and gas stove installation are not recommended for homeowners and chimney and hearth maintenance is a must to prevent exposure to this deadly gas.
Gas fireplaces and gas stoves provide many conveniences. But you will still need to call in the professionals for regular chimney maintenance to provide a safe, happy home for your family.
June 29, 2011
The warm months of summer are one of the best times to book a chimney inspection. Because you are not using your fireplace or wood stove, this process won’t disrupt the comfort level in your home. And a clean chimney won’t produce those musty odors that plague many homes throughout the humid months of summer.
But the number one reason for booking your chimney inspection in the summer is related to repairs and overhauls. If the technician finds a serious problem – whether it’s with the masonry, chimney cap, flue liner or another component – repairs can be done more easily and efficiently now. The chimney professionals aren’t in the middle of their busy season and can take their time doing a careful job. Parts are available and your home will be ready for a clean, safe heating season once all is said and done.
Book your annual chimney inspection in the summer and take advantage of perfect timing. You won’t regret it come October. Call Fireplace Village today and speak to an experienced, professional technician about this important maintenance step.
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.
May 20, 2011
Summer is a wonderful time of year. When you’re not out enjoying the sunshine or away on vacation your family will be having some R&R inside the house. Nasty odors from your chimney can put a serious damper on that enjoyment, permeating the carpet and upholstery and sticking around the house for days. Chimney cleaning is the easiest (and smartest) way to avoid this situation.
A build up of soot on your chimney is inevitable after a long heating season. And when moisture comes down the chimney or hot humid air enters the chimney, that soot will get damp… and smelly.
Homeowners know the odor and dread the conditions that will allow it to invade the house. Only a thorough spring chimney cleaning will clear that soot up and eliminate the circumstances that create those nasty smells. Call Fireplace Village and book your appointment today – anticipate only the sweet smells of summer for your home this year.
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