Chimney and Fireplace Safety...

Inspections of the Flue and Masonry Can Reduce Fire Hazards

Fireplaces can provide that warm cozy feeling for a family, but that is only if it is in good repair. As the home ages settling will occur for both the main structure and the fireplace. Many times the hearth and fireplace can begin to settle and sag separately. As dangerous as this is the home owner can take steps to protect the home and family.

The first rule of thumb is that if there is any doubt regarding the operating condition of the fireplace, hearth and chimney, the home owner needs to contact a licensed chimney inspection company. Failure to have a chimney and flue inspected can likely end in serious property damage and cause major injury or death to the occupants of the house.

The home owner should make routine inspections of the interior and exterior of the firebox and chimney. The damper should also be in full working order. Any structure which is compromised should not be repaired by the layperson, but should be handled by a qualified and experienced chimney sweep and repair company.

For the protection of the home owner, ensuring the chimney service is fully insured is a start. There are additional checks the home owner can perform. Many chimney repair companies or chimney sweeps and inspection companies will hold additional certifications. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) are just a couple of examples of organizations which assist service companies in providing ongoing training and information on the best methods for servicing chimneys and fireplaces.

Many of the hazards associated with fireplaces can be unknowingly caused by the home owner. After the chimney and other physical parts of the structure has checked out ensuring the proper fuel source is paramount. There are many different types of fuels for varying types of fireplaces and stoves. With regards to the traditional masonry wood burning fireplace, the wood needs to be properly seasoned and stored prior to use.

Moist or "green" wood will not burn as efficiently as properly dried wood and will very likely create an additional fire hazard. It is imperative that the wood being used for the fire has been cut in the spring and dried in preparation for the following winter. Should the stored wood be subjected to excess moisture from rain and snow the results will be rotting wood. Attempting to burn rotted wood is very dangerous as large chunks of wood can break free and tumble out of the fireplace.

One other common oversight which home owners can make is to attempt to dry clothing, such as coats, gloves and shoes, on the hearth in front of the fireplace. Despite most home owners being familiar with "hanging the stockings by the chimney with care...", it is not a wise practice to employ. Sparks and burning ash can easily ignite most every type of clothing or the heat of the fire itself can melt most clothing material.

Although these warnings are not all inclusive, using common sense will go a long way. Whether the chimney structure is new or old, scheduled chimney and flue inspections need to be carried out at regular intervals. The best maintenance schedule will be determined by how frequently the fireplace is placed into use. Some professionals will recommend an inspection every two years while others will state annually. It is best to defer to the professionals and heed their experience.

For additional chimney safety and maintenance information visit Guardian Chimney of Montvale, NJ.

Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. 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.

Chimney Sweeps and Inspections

A House Fire Is Preventable With Proper Regular Home Maintenance

Winter season is practically here and with it comes bitingly cold temperatures. Many home owners do not give the fireplace much thought as long as the smoke does not back up into the home. There is a deadly and frightening risk which most home owners are most likely unaware. It is called the chimney. Whether the heating source uses anything from wood, pellets or coal to gas or oil, the chimney needs to be inspected regularly.

Many chimneys have a flue liner made from clay to help protect the actual brick and mortar of the chimney itself. Quite a few of the older homes have a chimney without any type of liner. Without a liner or even an older liner, the likelihood that erosion, acid-laden residue or creosote poses a serious danger to the property as well as those individuals living in the house.

Over time with any of the above mentioned fuel sources brick and mortar construction will erode. For those chimneys, which were not constructed with a stainless flue liner, years of heating can also contribute to further deterioration of mortar joints by expansion and contraction coupled with moisture. Clay flue liners are just as porous. As these parts age, cracks will begin to appear. Although the chimney and flue may appear to be quite intact and strong to the average home owner's inspection, these breaches can easily allow sparks, burning ash and carbon monoxide to penetrate into the attic and the living quarters. When this does occur the probable outcome is to be disastrous.

Newer chimney liners are designed with the acidity and other potential problems in mind. Existing chimneys can be retro-fitted with these newer stainless steel flue liners. Unfortunately, fitting a chimney with a new liner is not a do-it-yourself type of job. A professional chimney service company such as Guardian Chimney will need to be called.

At the very least a chimney and flue inspection needs to be carried out at regular intervals. Many times the home owner may be able to see some damage to the chimney stack from the exterior. If there are just a couple of cracks in the mortar or brick the inside is quite likely to be a disaster waiting to happen. From a purely financial standpoint, it is wise to contract with a qualified chimney sweep and inspection service. If an insurance company can site the poor condition of the chimney and show negligence on the part of the home owner for lack of proper maintenance, when a fire does occur, the insurance company may be able to deny a fair payment or any at all.

To learn more about chimney sweeps and inspections contact Guardian Chimney.

Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. 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.

Basic Components of Your Chimney

Just as there are many types of chimneys, there are many types of chimney liners. And while the type of material the liners are made from may change, they all have the same purpose: To move combustible products such as smoke and gases, out of the home. If you are building a new home or having a chimney/fireplace added to your residence, you will need to consider the choices then make an informed decision. In addition, depending on what type of chimney you have- whether a factory built or masonry- the type of liner can vary, but only slightly. If you are not sure which type of chimney you have, here is a basic description of each:

• Masonry chimneys are typically built of brick stone or concrete blocks and can incorporate the traditional appearance that most associate with a chimney. These are usually more expensive than the factory-built chimney.
• Factory-built chimneys can be any of the following: Double-wall, mass insulated chimneys which have two layers of stainless steel with insulation between the layers; air cooled chimneys which are designed to allow for air circulation between the layers of metal; air insulated chimneys that like air cooled chimneys, allow for air flow but these work more as an insulator and combination's of any of these types. These usually have just one flue for venting combustible products. In addition, the inner wall of the chimney serves as the chimney flue.
• Regardless of the type of chimney you have, you can choose from an assortment of flues and flue liners. The flue is the vertical passageway that connects each fireplace or heat unit to the actual chimney. Typically, each fireplace and "appliance" will have its own flues. Currently, all building and safety codes require that all chimneys be lined. To help you determine what type of flue(s) will be best, consider these choices:
• Terra-cotta- These liners are made from baked clay, are usually 5/8 of an inch thick and look like 2-foot long square, rectangular of round tubes. These tubes are cemented together, end to end forming a long tube. They are also referred to as a tile or modular liner. Other products used to make the modular liners are volcanic pumice, cement or a combination of fireproof materials.
• Stainless steel- this is very popular for use in relining existing chimneys, but is also used in new construction. Stainless steel liners can have either a flexible or rigid metal tube that is encased in insulation. The metal allows for even constant heating and the insulation adds to level of warmth.
• Aluminum-If you have a gas fired furnace, this is a viable and economical option.
• Cast -in-place liners are a thick layer of cement-like material that is literally applied to the inside of the flue walls. A cast in place liner is installed by inserting a rubber tube into the existing chimney and then pumping the liner material in. Later on the tube is removed leaving a smooth finish.

For chimney maintenance and repair in New York and New Jersey contact Guardian Chimney. 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.