How to Maintain Your Chimney

There's nothing quite like sitting in front of a roaring fire on a cold winter's night! After all, the yellows, orange and blue flames are almost hypnotic as you watch them reach upward dancing with the air as the smoke drifts up the chimney. Yes, there is much to be said for the beauty of a well maintained fire. But more important, is how well maintained your chimney is.

Each year there are more than 45,000 chimney fires in America causing a staggering $23 million in property loss, not to mention the loss of life. More sobering, is that the large majority, if not all, of these losses can be avoided by taking preventative actions that ensure that the chimney is not at risk for fires. Rather than take the risk of becoming a victim, follow these steps of chimney maintenance. However, keep in mind that these steps do not negate the need for having a professional check and clean your chimney at least once a year!

The 3 C's of Chimney Maintenance

Before getting started on your chimney inspection, be sure to put on protective clothing, as well as eye and ear protection and gloves. In addition, be sure that if you have a wood stove or furnace that the unit has been turned off, and that you open clean out doors slowly as this is where soot will collect. Other items you may want to have on hand are binoculars, a flashlight and a mirror which can be angled to allow you to see up the chimney.

Conditions-Take a close look at the chimney, both inside and out. Do you detect anything that is wrong or looks out of place? If you have a masonry chimney you will need to look for any missing or loose bricks, chipped bricks or masonry joints, cracks, a leaning chimney or anything that does not appear to be safe or part of the original construction. If you note any visible damage, corrosion, bending, stains, or movement of the chimney in windy conditions then you need to call a professional.

Chimney Caps- Does your chimney have a cap on it? Moisture from the elements can seep into the chimney causing the tiles to dissolve and corrosive elements from exhaust to mix together ultimately resulting in weakening the liner. Be sure you have a good chimney cap to prevent this from happening. If you need to purchase a chimney cap, then be sure it is one with a screen mesh and has a lifetime warranty. The screen mesh will prevent animals from getting inside chimney as well as help keep sparks off of the roof. Again, having a cap professionally installed is the only sure way to know the job is done right.

Check for Leaks and Stains-Look for leaks and stains near the fireplace. Pealing wallpaper, dampness near the chimney, and stains on the walls are all signs that the roof flashing is faulty, or that there is missing or damaged flue liners, interior decay, or a surplus of condensation. To properly inspect the chimney, you must look inside as well as outside. When your chimney is professionally inspected, a camera and mirrors are used to ensure that nothing gets overlooked. Without specialized equipment and training, it's not evident when there may be a problem. A professional inspection from a certified service provider ensures that your home remains safe and secure.

If you have any questions or need chimney maintenance or repair, please visit Guardian Chimney or call today at 1-888-688-1388.

Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Guardian Chimney. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Clean and Maintain Your Chimney to Avoid Disaster

Many people don't give much thought to their chimney. It seems like such a quaint addition to the home for use on romantic evening with a roaring fire. What is sometimes not commonly understood is that chimneys are more than just a simple tube for smoke and they need to be cleaned and maintained. Failure to maintain a chimney can result in injury or death.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported recently that upwards of 23,000 uncontrolled fires are caused annually. Most of these are the result of wood stoves, wood fires and related devices and almost 6,000 additional fires were attributed to chimney and chimney connectors related to heating systems connected to a chimney. Upwards of 360 people are injured or killed as a result. But how can you tell if your chimney needs cleaned?

You can easily check if your chimney needs cleaned with a simple test. First, make sure the airflow in the chimney is up. If air is flowing down the chimney, open a window on the same floor and wait until the flow reverses. While wearing goggles and a dust mask take the fireplace poker and scratch the surface above the damper. If the resulting scratch in the creosote is 1/8" deep the chimney needs cleaned. Do not use the chimney if the scratch is 1/4" deep or greater. This level of creosote possess a serious fire hazard.

It is best to hire a professional chimney sweep to clean your chimney. It is possible to do it yourself but the specialized and dirty nature of the job makes it very difficult for you to do a good job. Plus, a professionally will be able to spot mechanical or structural defects that you would be likely to miss.

When hiring a chimney sweep, be sure to inquire about their credentials and training. Are they certified and what kind of training has he or she undergone. Also, be sure to get reference from other satisfied customers. You do not want to be the first or second customer and be on-the-job training for a new chimney sweep. The charge, depending on your area of the country will be around $150 - $200.

Cleaning your chimney is very inexpensive insurance. Have your chimney inspected soon and protect your family from disaster.

For more information on chimney cleaning and more please contact Guardian Chimney or call today at 1-888-688-1388.

Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Guardian Chimney. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Fire Safety With Fireplaces and Chimneys - Inspections Are a Necessary To Save Lives and Property

Chimney and fireplace safety is many times overlooked. Many home owners believe that because a fireplace may only be used a handful of times per year, having a chimney inspected and cleaned regularly is not a priority. Making this assumption has greatly contributed to the loss of property and lives.

A sizeable percentage of chimney service companies will actually admit that a routine inspection or cleaning is necessary only every couple of years. Generally this is a true statement, but it largely depends on how frequently the fireplace and chimney has been used and the specific type of fuel or material being burned. A fireplace utilized more often, such as in northern climates, must be inspected more frequently than a fireplace used sporadically.

Wood is the most commonly used fuel source to burn. A natural byproduct of burning wood is creosote which will be deposited through the chimney stack and flue. It is this creosote that proves to be a fire hazard. Traditional chimney construction of yesteryear was essentially similar to a basic brick oven. The general insulating properties of brick were relied upon to protect the rest of the home. Unfortunately a brick chimney can help to quickly elevate the temperature as it radiates heat into the chimney thereby increasing the chances of igniting the deposited creosote.

Present day materials and efficient burning fireplaces can help minimize the hazards of airborne soot and the amount of byproducts being deposited along the walls of the chimney which allow for improved chimney safety and ease of cleaning. Chimney liners and flue liners of different materials, such as stainless steel simplifies the cleaning and can decrease the risks of extra high temperatures. Having an exterior cleanout door will also aid in the cleanliness during chimney sweeping.

Take note that a fireplace or chimney that is inspected does not necessarily mean that it needs to be cleaned. Many chimney sweep companies offer inspections as a separate service from cleaning. Bundling a chimney inspection with a chimney cleaning package, however, may yield savings and discounts. Surprising both services are exceptionally inexpensive compared to the alternative of having a home go up in flames. Before every winter season the home owner should do their share and perform a visual inspection of the exterior stack and the interior of the fireplace, but this is not necessarily a substitute for a professional inspection. Should any worn mortar, cracking or peeling of the exterior of the chimney stack be visible, the chimney should absolutely be inspected by a professional before first use of the season.

For more information reguarding chimney inspections and maintenance, please visit www.guardianchimney.com or call us at 1-888-688-1388.

Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Guardian Chimney.

Fireplace Efficiency and Chimney Safety

There are several different types of fireplaces and fuel for having a fire. Likewise there are different types of chimneys. The type of chimney with which home owners are probably most familiar is the more prevalent traditional brick chimney. Fireplaces are always a big selling point for a home. Think of all the money that can be saved on heating bills by operating a fireplace.

The truth of the matter is that open masonry fireplaces are not the most efficient at producing heat for the home. Much of the heat is lost up the chimney flue. In recent years, however, there have been advancements in fireplace design and chimney design. There are also newer accessories available on the market, such as fans, which can be incorporated to help direct or circulate the heated air from the fireplace into the home.

In older homes fireplaces and wood stoves were common and almost a necessity. Today many contractors and home builders are doing away with fireplaces altogether. Those homes that have fireplaces need to be properly maintained. Unlike vehicles, fireplace and chimney maintenance is relatively inexpensive. Assuming the chimney stack is in good repair and is not crumbling, regular chimney cleaning is generally only required every couple of years. If the fireplace or wood stove is receives heavy use then more frequent cleanings may be necessary.

Regardless of light or heavy use, it is recommended that the chimney and flue should be inspected before every winter season when the fireplace will be used. A thorough inspection by a professionally certified chimney sweep will not only cover the interior of the fireplace and flue, but should also include the exterior condition of the chimney itself.

Things that a chimney inspection will take into account are cracks in the mortar and brick, which is a sign of possible dangerous conditions. Blockages, such as birds' nests and debris, are obviously another major problem. One likely solution is to have the chimney service company install some form of chimney cap. Clearly any obstruction provides a major fire and smoke hazard, as well as carbon monoxide poisoning for the home owner and family.

Another major concern is a moderate to heavy build up of creosote which is an immediate red flag indicating that the flue has not been maintained properly. Creosote is commonly referred to as soot, but also appears in other forms within a chimney flue where it is not readily visible. As the wood is consumed by the fire, soot and unburned carbon based by-products will be vented up through the chimney flue. As the temperature cools the higher the ash and soot rise, condensation takes place at the walls of the flue. This soot and ash then becomes deposited on the walls of the flue as soot, black crunchy material or a tar like substance, all of which are very combustible.

Again, a chimney and fireplace inspection should be performed regularly by a professional chimney service company. Many times these companies will offer a complete package, which may include an automatic cleaning, but may not be necessary. It is always best to err on the side of safety. Fortunately, the expense of proper maintenance in this case is affordable.

For additional information on the topic of chimney inspections and fireplace safety visit Guardian Chimney Sweep. Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Guardian Chimney Sweep. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Determining the Best Type of Chimney for Your Home

Chimneys have been in use since the Romans began using tubes to draw the heat out of their bakeries. However, it was not until the 12th century in Europe when homes were built with chimneys. In fact, the oldest English chimney dates back to 1185 and is located in Conisborough Keep in Yorkshire. Chimneys were originally built from brick with venting caps (sometime called chimney pots) to control the downdrafts.

This style of chimney remained popular until the 19th century, when chimney liners were introduced; at which point the bricks were then placed around the liner. In America, chimneys were much the same until the late 1700s when the Rumford chimney was introduced. Today, however, there are 2 basic types of chimneys used in homes: Masonry Chimneys and Factory Built Chimneys.

The Masonry Chimney

The masonry chimney was designed to burn wood but in different ways than fireplaces, stoves or heaters. It typically burns through the wood in a two hour time frame which in turn keeps the home warm for approximately 1 day. The masonry chimney is typically made using a clay tile liner and then enclosed by block, brick or stone. And, while the work can be done by the homeowner, this is not highly recommend as it is imperative the masonry chimney meet specific codes and standards to ensure the safety of the residents. In regards to the chimney flue, it is recommended that the tiles used be made with round tiles rather than rectangular/square as they fit better and do not leak smoke or moisture. There are several advantages of the masonry styled chimney:

• A masonry heater/chimney does not overheat, but rather the heat is passed through to a masonry thermal mass which stores it to be released then radiated out slowly as needed.
• A masonry heater has a clean burn, which does not fill the air with chemicals.
• The masonry heater is extremely efficient, which helps lower energy costs.
• From an aesthetic viewpoint, the masonry heater is more pleasing to look at and can be finished with an assortment of hardware and finishes that can be matched to the homes décor.

The Factory Built Chimney

Factory built chimneys come in a variety styles and are easier to install and cost less. However, some of the factories built chimneys require a specific type of fuel, which can increase the cost of usage. The factory built chimney is sometimes referred to as the 650o chimney as it can accommodate continuous gas temperatures of up to 650o yet still work at peak levels. It was developed in the early 1980s and offers superior insulation and has a liner that is corrosion resistant.

When choosing a chimney be sure to avoid getting a factory chimney listed as a Type A, bracket chimneys, and air-cooled chimney or those that do not have a solid insulation going between the inside and outside layers as these are unsafe.

For additional information on the topic of Chimneys visit Guardian Chimney Sweep. Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Guardian Chimney Sweep. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.