Don’t Ignore Chimney Cracks

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Don’t Ignore Chimney Cracks

If you notice water running down the flue or leaks in the attic, these are telltale signs that your chimney may have underlying problems. It’s important not to ignore these signs, as doing so can lead to further damage to your chimney.

While chimneys come in various shapes and sizes, the majority of them, even newer ones, are still constructed using traditional methods with brick and mortar masonry. While advancements have been made in chimney design and safety, the fundamentals of chimney construction have remained largely unchanged over the past few centuries. As a result, the porous nature of the brick and mortar material can lead to water absorption, which gradually degrades the masonry. Protecting your chimney against the elements is crucial to maintaining the integrity of your home.

To ensure the longevity and safety of your chimney, it’s essential to address cracks and other issues as soon as they are detected. Contact us today at (516) 605-1074 for professional chimney repair services. Our team is here to assist you and keep your chimney in optimal condition.

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Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide

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Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide

Similar to fire, carbon monoxide poses a deadly threat. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible toxic gas that claims the lives of approximately 400 people per year, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, many more individuals experience sickness as a result of carbon monoxide exposure.

While carbon monoxide poisoning can occur due to malfunctioning home appliances and heating systems, poorly maintained chimneys can also be a source. The chimney and chimney connector serve as the exhaust system for furnaces. If debris is blocking the chimney, carbon monoxide can accumulate inside the house.

One of the most important rules for fall chimney maintenance is to install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors both inside and outside of bedrooms. It is crucial to replace the batteries in these detectors each season and regularly test their functionality. If a detector is more than 10 years old, it should be replaced to ensure continued effectiveness.

By taking these precautions, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of carbon monoxide. Contact us for professional chimney maintenance services and any further assistance.

Basic Safety Tactics for Your Chimney and Fireplace

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Basic Safety Tactics for Your Chimney and Fireplace

Once your chimney has received the all-clear, it’s important to follow these basic safety tactics to ensure a safe environment for your chimney and fireplace:

Clear the Area: Keep the area in front of the fireplace clear of paper and debris. While it may be tempting to place decorations close to the fireplace during the holidays, it’s important to keep them at a safe distance.

Use a Wire Mesh Screen: If your fireplace doesn’t have a glass door, make sure to use a wire mesh screen to prevent sparks and embers from escaping.

Burn Seasoned Hardwoods: Use seasoned hardwoods that have been split for at least six months to a year. Avoid burning “green” wood, as it creates more creosote. Refrain from burning your Christmas tree (pine can create more creosote) and never throw wrapping paper, boxes, or trash into the fireplace.

Clear the Area Near the Chimney: Ensure that the area near the chimney is clear. If you have trees hanging over the house near the chimney, make sure branches and leaves are at least 15 feet away to minimize fire hazards.

Install a Chimney Cap: Cap your chimney with a top that has wire mesh along the sides. This will help keep out rain, snow, birds, and other critters that may be roaming around on the roof.

Burn Wood Smartly: Avoid burning too much wood at once, as it can lead to chimney cracks and the risk of creosote build-up. Burn wood on a grate placed near the back of the fireplace for optimal burn control.

By following these simple safety tactics, you can enjoy your chimney and fireplace while ensuring the safety of your home and loved ones. Contact us for any chimney services or questions you may have.

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Don’t Neglect Chimney Maintenance in the Summer: Why it’s Important to Maintain Your Chimney Year-Round

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Don't Neglect Chimney Maintenance in the Summer: Why it's Important to Maintain Your Chimney Year-Round

Timing Is Everything: Summer is the time of year when we experience the heaviest rainstorms. By catching minor cracks or repairs early on, you can prevent costly floods. Scheduling a chimney sweep in the summer allows you to beat the rush of fall and ensure timely service. Avoid the difficulty of trying to schedule a chimney service when everyone on your street realizes they need one at the same time.

Why Should I Get My Chimney Swept? Regular chimney sweeping is crucial because as you burn wood in the fireplace, a layer of smoke residue called creosote begins to build up on the surfaces inside your chimney. This creosote is highly flammable and can lead to a dangerous chimney fire if too much builds up. Additionally, routine chimney sweeps can extend the life of your flue system. Creosote and soot contain corrosive chemicals that, when combined with moisture buildup, can prematurely corrode your flue system. By getting your chimney swept regularly, you can mitigate this risk.

Don’t wait until fall to think about chimney maintenance. Take care of your chimney this summer to avoid potential risks and ensure the longevity of your chimney system. Contact us for professional chimney maintenance services.

Why a Functional Chimney Cap is Essential

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Why a Functional Chimney Cap is Essential

A chimney cap is an essential component of your chimney system. Here are five reasons why you need a functional chimney cap installed:

Reduces Moisture: A chimney cap will keep rainwater from coming down your home’s chimney and potentially damage chimneys with stainless steel liners, chimney dampers, and chimney mortar joints. Moisture from rainwater can also produce mold and mildew and create costly damage. We offer professional chimney cap installations that can help prevent these issues.

Keep out animals: Wild animals like birds, raccoons, and squirrels often attempt to make their homes within chimneys. In many cases, these critters will enter the chimney but won’t be able to exit, eventually dying, which can introduce maggots, flies, and unpleasant odors into your home. A properly installed chimney cap, sized accurately, will prevent animals from entering the chimney area.

Block Downdrafts: A chimney cap is designed to help prevent wind-induced downdrafts, which can occur when the wind is blowing in a particular direction. Without a chimney cap, if you’re using a wood-burning fireplace, a wind-induced downdraft has the potential of blowing smoke back into your home.

Stop Sparks and Embers: Chimney caps are also referred to as spark arrestors, as they prevent lit embers or sparks from traveling up the chimney and landing on the roof, which could catch it on fire.

Prevent Debris Build-up: Chimney caps prevent leaves, branches, twigs and other debris from entering a chimney, preventing build-up and expensive damages.

Don’t wait until it’s too late; get a chimney cap installed today. Contact us for more information on professional chimney cap installations.

Tips for Safe and Efficient Wood Burning: A Guide for Fireplace Owners

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Tips for Safe and Efficient Wood Burning: A Guide for Fireplace Owners

Before burning wood in your fireplace, it is essential to have it inspected by a reputable company such as US Chimney Corp. Our experts can inspect your fireplace and chimney to ensure safe and efficient wood burning. Contact us for more information.

To minimize the expense and environmental impact of indoor wood-burning, follow these tips recommended by the American Lung Association:

Only burn seasoned firewood. Never burn painted or treated wood, plastics, glossy magazines, particle board, or plywood as these materials release toxic chemicals into the air, which can be harmful to your health and damage your fireplace.

Allow at least a year for your wood to fully cure before you burn it. This will give the wood enough time to dry completely. You can check if the wood is ready by hitting two pieces together. If you hear a sharp crack, the wood is ready to burn. If you hear a dull thud, it’s not yet ready.

Split your firewood into pieces with diameters of 4-6 inches. Wood dries from the surface inward, so splitting helps the wood dry out faster. The more surface area exposed to the flame, the better the wood will burn.”

By following these tips, you can ensure efficient and safe wood burning while saving money and reducing your environmental impact.

Common Causes of Chimney Leaking

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Common Causes of Chimney Leaking

Cause #1: Rain Entering from the Top
Chimneys without covers are susceptible to rainwater falling directly into them. It’s important to install a chimney cover to not only keep rain out but also prevent birds, animals, and debris from entering. The primary benefit of a chimney cover is to keep the chimney clear because blockages can lead to CO poisoning.

Cause #2: Cracks in the Chimney Crown
The chimney crown, the cement part on top of the chimney, is designed to prevent rain and snow from entering around the flue liners. When cracks develop in the crown, water can seep through them and cause leaks. It is crucial to address these cracks to maintain a watertight seal. Learn more about chimney cleaning to keep your chimney in good condition.

Cause #3: Leaks due to Condensation
Gas fumes, especially at lower temperatures, contain a significant amount of moisture. In an oversized or cold chimney, these fumes can condense on the inside, leading to constant moisture on the bricks. The implementation of a chimney liner can effectively resolve this issue and prevent further leaks.

Cause #4: Problems with Chimney Flashing
Flashing is used to prevent water from entering where the brick structure intersects with the roof or comes close to it. If the flashing is not properly sealed, there is a gap that water can easily flow through. Oftentimes, aluminum flashing is used and sealed with waterproof “stuff,” such as tar. While tar is not the ideal choice, it is frequently used for this purpose.

Addressing these common causes of chimney leaks is crucial to maintain a dry and safe chimney system. If you’re facing any of these issues, it’s recommended to consult professionals for appropriate repairs and solutions.

Chimney Safety Tips From the CSIA

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Chimney Safety Tips From the CSIA

No matter the condition of your fireplace, wood stove, or other chimney-connected appliance, if you don’t understand how your system works, it will be difficult getting it to perform in a way that optimizes both performance and safety.

When trying to light a fire it’s important to remember that your entire house works as a system.

For example, you could have a sparkling new home with a fireplace you could eat out of, but if you don’t understand some basic concepts of thermal dynamics, your first fire could send smoke spilling out into your living room and not up your chimney as intended.

No matter the condition of your fireplace, wood stove, or other chimney-connected appliance, if you don’t understand how your system works, it will be difficult getting it to perform in a way that optimizes both performance and safety.

When trying to light a fire it’s important to remember that your entire house works as a system.

For example, you could have a sparkling new home with a fireplace you could eat out of, but if you don’t understand some basic concepts of thermal dynamics, your first fire could send smoke spilling out into your living room and not up your chimney as intended.

From a young age we are taught that “warm air rises”, so, why then would a fire in a firebox not naturally send smoke straight up the chimney? There could be a number of reasons for this, but here are three common issues with simple solutions:

  1. The damper is closed.
  2. Sufficient draft has not been established — basically, what this means is that the air inside the flue is too cold and heavy for the smoke to push up and out of the chimney. This is a pretty easy fix: grab some newspaper and twist it into a torch, light one end and hold it up as high as you can reach inside the fireplace. You will know that sufficient draft has been established once you see the smoke and flame being pulled up towards the chimney. Once that happens, go ahead and light your fire.
  3. There is too much negative pressure in the house. Are you running a whole-house fan or an exhaust fan in the kitchen or bathroom? Either of these appliances can make establishing an effective draft difficult, especially if your home is relatively new (newer homes tend to be more tightly sealed than older homes).

Don’t risk a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning call the experts US Chimney or visit our website at uschimney.com for an inspection of your chimney system or a new stainless steel chimney liner to ensure that your chimney system is clean and safe. 

A Guide to Understanding the Different Levels of Chimney Inspections

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A Guide to Understanding the Different Levels of Chimney Inspections

To prevent potential fire hazards, it’s crucial to have your chimney inspected annually. While some homeowners think they can perform this service themselves, this is not recommended. Certified technicians have the knowledge and expertise to recognize safety hazards, code violations, and potential problems that an average homeowner may not.

There are three levels of chimney inspections:

Level 1: This is primarily a visual inspection of the exposed components of the chimney system. It’s recommended that you get this inspection annually, regardless of how frequently you use your chimney.

Level 2: This inspection is needed when there may be a problem after the level 1 inspection, or when you are selling your home. It involves sending a specialized camera down your chimney to take video and still images of the interior and provide a more in-depth look into any potential problems.

Level 3: This inspection is only to be done if there was a major catastrophic event, such as an earthquake, tornado or chimney fire. It consists of levels 1 and 2, in addition to an inspection of the interior venting components, which usually requires removing the chimney walls to access the damage.

If you haven’t had your annual level 1 inspection done yet, please contact a certified expert such as US Chimney to ensure the safety of your home and family. Don’t wait until there’s a problem to get your chimney inspected.

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Some Questions To Ask When Having Your Chimney Liner Installed

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Some Questions To Ask When Having Your Chimney Liner Installed

Having a new chimney liner installed is something every home owner will have to experience at one point in their lives. The proper chimney liner installation is necessary to maintaining the wellness of your house and safety of your family. While it is of the utmost importance to contact a trained and reputable company to handle your installation, you should have some background information about your chimney liner. Here are some important questions to ask to better educate yourself when having your liner installed:

  • Why does my chimney need a new liner?
  • Can my chimney liner be repaired?
  • What types of chimney liners are available?
  • How much does it cost to replace a chimney liner?
  • What happens if I don’t replace a damaged chimney liner?
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