More Chimney Sweep Facts

We love interesting chimney sweep facts and superstitions. Here are some more of our favorites about chimney sweeps:

• Wear a top hat like an old time sweep, and you’ll receive good luck.
• Sweeps used to tie with rope a goose and lower it to clean the chimney. (Note: Guardian Chimney does not sweep chimneys with geese).
• Shake a sweep’s hand or touch his coat and the good luck he has will rub off on you.
• Children would steal bristles from a sweep’s brush and carry them around for luck.
• An old wives tale suggested that once a chimney fire occurred, the chimney is cleaned. (Note: This is not true).

If you want to see a professional New York chimney sweep in action, enlist the services of Guardian Chimney by visiting www.ChimneySafetyAuthority.com. 

Chimney Sweep Facts

We chimney sweeps have an interesting profession. We’re so interesting, in fact, that there are a number of interesting chimney sweep facts out there. Here are some of our favorites:

• It’s lucky to meet to a sweep by chance. If you make a wish when you see one, it will come true.
• Lucky is the bridge who sees a sweep on her wedding day.
• The patron saint of chimney sweeps is St. Florian.
• It’s good luck to kiss a sweep.
• When you see a sweep on top of a home, you’ll know that home has been blessed.

Need luck and a New Jersey chimney sweep? Contact Guardian Chimney today by visiting www.GuardianChimney.com.  

More Chimney Cleaning FAQ

I don’t use my chimney. Do I need to have it cleaned?

Yes. Birds and other pests could have taken home in your chimney.

Will a chimney cleaning leave dust all over my house?

A professional sweep should have a vacuum or other system designed for dust control. Your home should be in the same shape it was before the cleaner arrived.

What are the rust stains running down the side of my chimney?

You probably have a prefab fireplaces with a chase top (the metal covering) to block water from entering the chimney’s interior. Sun, rain and others take their effect on the chase top, and time wears the coating off. The metal then begins to rust and rain will carry it down the side, leaving stains. The best way to fix the issue is to replace the top with a new one, as many are now made with stainless steel, which resists rust.

What is a chimney liner?

It’s a stainless steel tube inserted to draft a furnace, woodstove or fireplace. With one, the heat would transfer through brick and mortar, causing the chimney to deteriorate.

What’s the difference between a Level I and Level II inspection?

A Level I Inspection is a visual inspection with basic digital photography, and is recommended for a chimney under continued service. A Level II inspection is required when any changes are made to the system or the property changes hands. It’s done with a closed-circuit video camera.

Guardian Chimney is a New York chimney cleaning company. Learn more about their services at www.ChimneySafetyAuthority.com. 

Chimney Cleaning FAQ

Here are some of the most common questions we get asked about our chimney cleaning services:

What is a chimney sweep?

A chimney sweep is a cleaner of ash, soot and other dirt from chimneys. The term dates back to the Industrial Age, when the number of homes with chimneys grew. In Great Britain, sweeps have become something of a good luck omen, with folklore having it that a bride who sees one on her wedding day is lucky.

What kind of qualifications or certifications do sweeps need to have?

Many states require successful completion of the certified chimney sweep examination from the Chimney Safety Institute of America. To continue education, a New York chimney sweep, New Jersey chimney sweep and ones in other states can take further instruction courses.

How often do I need chimney cleaning services?

It’s recommended by the National Fire Protection Agency that your chimney undergo a yearly inspection, with cleaning and repairs done as necessary. You should also have your wood stoves and/or fireplace inserts, if needed, inspected and cleaned every year. Open fireplaces need a consistent maintenance and cleaning, with experts recommending a cleaning every two to three for each cord of burnt.

Do I need to have my chimney cleaned if I heat with gas?

Yes. Gas is a clean burning fuel and won’t leave ask and soot, but your chimney might become non-functional from bird nets and other debris. Another problem is modern furnaces can cause issues, as most flues are intended to vent older furnaces.

What should I do if my fireplace smells?

The stench is most likely the result of creosote deposits, a natural woodburning byproduct. The summer humidity tends to make the smell worse. A good cleaning usually won’t completely solve the problem, and preferred solutions vary. Air being drawn down the chimney is the real problem, and a damper can help reduce air flow.

Should I have concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning?

The real danger about carbon monoxide is that it’s not easily detected. Your home should be outfitted with at least two carbon monoxide detectors, but these are not a substitute for routine maintenance. Carbon monoxide issues are almost always the result of poor ventilation, with block chimneys being one of the largest causes.

Need a New Jersey chimney sweep? Contact Guardian Chimney by visiting www.GuardianChimney.com. 

Use the Summer to Prep Your Chimney for the Fall

Summer is the best time for chimney repairs and other maintenance. This will have your system prepared for the fall and winter, when you use it most. Here are services to ask your chimney sweep about: 

• Chimney Cleaning
  You should have your chimney cleaned once a year, at bare minimum. Doing so will help prevent fires and other hazards.
• Chimney Relining
  A chimney liner protects the masonry walls from heat, potential damage and corrosion. Stainless steel and aluminum liners help best protect your chimney.  
• Mason Repairs
  Be sure to have your sweep take a look at the pointing, chimney crown and smoke chamber. All these materials can over time deteriorate because of moisture.
• Gas Logs
  Gas logs turn on and off when you want. Once installed, they are permanent, saving you the expense of wood.

Guardian Chimney serves New York and New Jersey with all these services and more. See what we can do for you by visiting www.GuardianChimney.com.

Ways to Prevent Summer Rains from Ruining Your Chimney

Summer weather is mostly gorgeous, but there will be times when the weather decides not to play nice, and make things wet for you and your family. It can also have adverse effects, however, on your chimney.

Water does more damage to chimneys than fire. This might seem odd, but your chimney is exposed to all the elements. The materials used – brick, mortar, tile, steel, cast iron, etc. – can be dilapidated faster if in constant contact with water.

What all can water penetration cause?

• Broken brickwork
• Ruined metal or masonry firebox assemblies
• Corroded dampers
• Rotted wood and wall coverings
• Damaged heating system
• Ruined mortar
• Cracked flue liners

These damages mean money from your wallet for masonry repairs and more.

How can you prevent water from damaging your chimney? At Guardian Chimney, servicing New Jersey and New York chimneys, we’ve found the following works best:

A stainless steel chimney cap

• Chimney Caps
  These are one of the least costly options to prevent water damage. A strong, well built chimney cap prevents water, and most other things, from entering the chimney’s interior.
• Replace or repair your Chimney Crown
  This covers and seals the chimney top from the flue liner to the edge. A proper crown will not crack, as it should be made of a strong cement fixture.
• Waterproofing
  Brick will absorb water, hastening the chimney’s decline. Vapor permeable waterproofing agents will allow water to escape.

For more suggestions on how to prevent your chimney from being damage, contact Guardian Chimney by visiting www.GuardianChimney.com.  

Have Your Chimney Cleaned This Spring & Summer by Guardian Chimney

Your chimney becomes neglected during the warm months. A cozy fire is not needed as much, so we often put the chimney to the back of our mind, and only worry about it when fall arrives.

However, especially in cases where there is no chimney cap, your chimney can become filled with debris, like leaves and animal nests, or suffer water damage from rain entering the chimney flue.

Don’t let this happen. Just because it’s warm inside doesn’t mean your chimney is invulnerable. Contact Guardian Chimney, the New York and New Jersey chimney experts, today at 1.888.688.1388 or visit www.GuardianChimney.com to set up a time for a chimney cleaning or to have a chimney cap installed.