Time For That Chimney to Have an Inspection!

As chimney professionals, we tend to get giddy this time of year. The summer is drawing to a close, which means that it's almost time for chimney inspections in La Mesa CA. With colder weather coming closer, a fire in the chimney is a great way to bring a new energy into your home without running up your thermostat. If your chimney hasn't been inspected, however, it may be dangerous to put a fire in your fireplace.

Chimney inspections are important because they can catch a variety of threats to your safety. Cracks in the chimney could give way to chimney fires or a toppled chimney. Creosote buildups could result in explosions that put you at risk. Don't let this happen; call an inspector today!

For more tips, contact a professional sweep today!

Get Rid of That Chimney Odor

When the sun beats on your home's roof and chimney all day, there's bound to be a result of this unrelenting solar energy. One of these results can be an unpleasant odor that travels through your chimney into the home. It can smell like stale, musty smoke from years ago. Whatever you think it smells like, you know that you want it gone. And there's only one person who can fix this for you.

Chimney sweeps in Los Angeles CA are the best person to help you with your stinky problem. The cause of the uncomfortable smell is when heat and creosote mix. In the summer months, heat from your chimney flocks to the cool environment of your home. This heat pulls along odors that you want to forget about. A chimney sweep can eliminate this problem for you entirely.

For more tips, contact an expert today!

Why You Shouldn't Put Off Your Chimney Sweep

When you get deeper into your fireplace and chimney system, most cleaning tasks are best performed by Chimney Sweeps in La Mesa CA, who have the training and tools to do the job safely and correctly. This is because, overtime, dampers become coated with soot and smoke byproducts and can stop functioning properly. When a certified chimney technician cleans it though, a thorough inspection of the device also will be performed to spot signs of damage and ensure the seal is tight.

Also, wood-burning fireplaces create a substance known as creosote when in operation. Creosote is sicky and flammable. If regular chimney cleaning isn’t performed, it can build up in the flue and lead to two chimney fires and air-flow obstructions.

Summertime Chimney Sweeping

When the temperature rises above 80 degrees on a regular basis, it can seem silly to direct your attention to your chimneys. The summer is an excellent time to make chimney care a priority, however. The off season is a great time to have schedule appointments, and you may even be able to snag a discount if you catch a technician on a good day.

The truth is a dirty chimney will cause you stress in the summer. A creosote buildup can lead to a noticeable and unpleasant smell that will only be multiplied given the hot sun and high temperatures. This is where chimney sweeping in Los Angeles comes in. They can eliminate buildup right from the source, saving you and your loved ones from hot, stinky chimneys.

Call a professional today to have a cleaning scheduled!

What Happens During a Chimney Inspection?

Chimney Inspections in La Mesa CA should occur regularly, at least every 12 months, depending on your fuel type and how often you use your system. Your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover chimney sweeps as well.

Chimney Inspections is a thorough assessment and diagnosis of the chimney system including the appliance, fireplace and connections. At the very least, it is a visual inspection of the interior and exterior of the system. If you encounter problems or a hazard is detected beyond what the eyes can see, a professional will need to take action.

Do I Need a Chimney Liner?

Chimney Liners in Lawrenceville NJ are actually a very critical part of every chimney. In fireplaces that burn gas, oil or solid fuels, a liner helps guide the combustion by-products out and away from the chimney.

Before the 1940's, homes were typically built without a chimney liner and as a result, chimney and house fires were much more commonplace. A liner provides extra protection to the interior of the chimney and helps guide the gases and particles up and out of the structure. 

There are a few reasons why you may need a new liner. If your chimney currently doesn't have one, if it was installed improperly or if it is deteriorating or defective in some way, you need a new chimney liner.

5 Signs Your Chimney is Too Dirty to Be Safe

Cleaning up around the house can be tough, especially when there's so much to take care of. It's often for this reason that chimney cleaning is often placed on the back burner. While it's okay to occasionally de-prioritize this task, your chimney will eventually require some care from time to time. Without it, risks will start to build up and cause havoc on your home's system.

We asked a chimney sweep in Mechanicsburg PA to tell us what the signs were for when your chimney is too dirty. They told us the following:

• When strong smells emanate from your chimney
• When fire doesn't burn very well
• It seems like it's greasy along your chimney's lining
• You hear animal sounds in the chimney
• You haven't had your chimney cleaned in years

For more tips, follow our chimney blog today!

Is it Time to Clean My Chimney Again?

As an owner of a wood burning fireplace, I never seem to know when the right time to clean my chimney is. It feels like I just had it done recently, but it could be a good time to do it again? The truth is, chimney cleaning is something that needs to be done annually. It's recommended not only for your safety, but also for the smell of your home.

Chimney sweeps in Los Angeles CA know how easy it is to have a buildup of creosote in your chimney. That's why they work with their clients to come up with a good schedule of cleanings that work well for everyone. If you use your chimney a lot, you may even consider biannual cleanings. Ask for a professional opinion to get the best clue.

For more tips on how to keep your chimney safe and sound, follow our chimney cleaning blog!

Cleaning Off Your Automatic Gates

Entry gates add such class and elegance to your front yard. But when that gate starts to rust and collect dirt, the elegance begins to fade. This is why it's so important to keep up with regular cleaning of your automatic gates in Brentwood CA. While it may seem complex to some, it really can be a simple job for the average homeowner.

The main tool you'll need for this job is a garden hose. Depending on the material and color of your gate, a hose could be all you need. Just spray the gate with a medium-strength stream of water to remove any dirt or debris. If you notice any area that's rusting or noisy, apply a liberal amount of oil to the area to keep things moving smoothly. The rest is up to your gate contractor.

For more information on this topic and others, follow our fencing blog today!

Defining "Rackability"

If you're familiar with aluminum fences in Nashville TN, you may have heard of the word "rackability." This type of fence is known for simple installation, making it a popular choice for homeowners and contractors alike. But this one word can throw off the less experienced fence enthusiast, which is why we're going to define it today.

Rackability describes a fence's ability to contour to a landscape. This can describe it's shaping to inclines and declines. Racking, or "raking" in some circles, are just holes that have been put into fence posts and panels that make it easier for fences to handle grade changes.

For more information about fencing, contact a professional contractor today!

Quick Facts About Fireplaces & Stoves

Do you like to use stoves in Flemington NJ? Do you enjoy sitting by a fire? Then it sounds like you are a fan of classic chimney systems. Nothing provides warmth and ambience quite like a cozy stove or fire. They really add functionality and beauty to your home in a way that not many other features can. This is why interior designers always recommend that you include these in your home.

Not only are stoves fun to sit around, but they're also fun to learn about! Check out below for some facts about stoves:

• They can cut down on heating costs
• They can be added to your home without a chimney
• You control how hot they get
• You can add an insert into it if you want

For more chimney facts, contact a licensed sweep today!

Chimney Mistakes to Avoid

A lot of homeowners like to take matters into their own hands when it comes to maintenance projects. While there a few areas where this is feasible, only a professional should do chimney inspections in San Diego CA. This is because there's a lot of things that can go wrong in a chimney, and you don't want to go there! Chimney repair can be expensive if it's substantial enough, so do your best to call a professional about your chimney.

The thing with DIY chimney inspections is that you can make mistakes. The following are the most common mistakes:

• Using cleaning logs
• Burning a tin can in the fireplace
• Hiring unlicensed cleaners
• Failing to clean your chimney every year

For more information about how you can find a professional, call us today!

Why You Should Hire a Certified Chimney Professional

When it comes to fire, would you leave your home in the hands of just any guy with a ladder and a brush? No way! You want someone that has received their Chimney Certification in Bristol PA. Plus, these professionals have to know what they're doing when they stick their heads inside a chimney because they have obtained specialized training and the highest certifications in their field possible.

A certified chimney company should be able to identify all three levels of inspection with ease. If you ask and a professional scratches their head, or can't offer a clear explanation, it's time to look elsewhere!

What is My Chimney Sweep Even Doing?

We've all wondered it before. When a chimney sweep visits your home and sets up their materials, you have a general idea of what's going to go down. But fast forward a few minutes to where they're basically inside your chimney... What are they doing up there, and how is it helping your home? When it comes to chimney sweeping in Los Angeles CA, the better question is this: What aren't they doing?

Many people know about the brushes that the sweep brings along. These bristling tools help to clean off ash from the inside of the chimney. The main thing your sweep is looking for is creosote. This is the name for the buildup of soot, carbon, and ash. The reason they care about it is because it's very flammable and can cause chimney fires. Nobody wants to suffer a chimney fire!

This is why you should have your chimney inspected every year. Follow our blog for more tips!

Which Areas Will the Chimney Sweep Inspect?

When you are transferring property, you should undertake a Chimney Inspection in Bristol PA. A professional will inspect and access your attic, crawl spaces and on top of the roof. A good chimney sweep should inspect all the accessible areas, including:

1. The Cap With a Screen
2. Bricks
3. Flue Line
4. Glass Doors
5. Blower
6. Brick Lining

After a chimney inspection, if the damage is severe, you should consider replacing the missing parts. If the damage is minimal, you should go ahead and take the house and fix the faulty parts. 

The Result of a Chimney Fire

Chimney fires are a common occurrence in many home's across the country, resulting in thousands of dollars in repairs. Contrary to what you may have thought, these types of fires are a slow burn and aren't instantly noticeable. Unfortunately, many don't realize that their chimney is on fire until it's too late. This is why we have chimney sweeps in San Diego CA.

Professional chimney sweeps can prevent chimney fires and save you money. Without them, you risk the following for your home and chimney:

• Creosote build up
• Structural damage
• Masonry failiure
• Siding destruction

To prevent this substantial damage in your home or business, call a professional chimney expert today. Then they can provide you with an estimate for service. 

What to Think About When Choosing a New Roof

Are you looking for a roof replacement, or simply a new roof for your construction project? You'll probably have to call a roofing contractor in Reston VA. Soon you will learn just how many options are available to you when it comes to roofing options.

It's important to include all factors when deciding what kind of roof you want for your home. The value of siding is determined not only by its cost per foot, but also its longevity, durability and upkeep. DIYnetwork estimates that most roofing types appear to be very similar in cost, it is not until you dig deeper into the qualities of each type that you can really begin to understand the value of each.

For more tips, contact an expert today!

Have You Maintained Your Chimney Liner Today?

When it comes to critical parts of your chimney system, the chimney liners in Hopewell NJ are one of the most important features.Their job is to make sure that the walls of the flue are properly sealed and lined so that smoke can't leak out. If smoke does escape the liner through a crack, the structure of your masonry can be negatively impacted.

The longevity of your chimney liner depends on a few factors, but it mainly has to do with the material that the liner is made out of. See below for a breakdown of each:

• Clay liners break easily, and are no longer commonly used in new chimneys
• Metal liners last a very long time, unless they were made with alloy

Contact a professional chimney sweep to have your liner inspected. They can tell you if your flue lining needs replacement or repair. 

3 Reasons Why You Should Clean Your Chimney Early

Many people wait until the beginning of the heating season for them to hire a Chimney Cleaning service in Mechanicsburg PA to clean their chimney. Instead of waiting until the heating season begins for you to clean the chimney, you should start the work early. The reasons for doing this include:

1. Fast Services - Chimney contractors are busy during the heating season and are less likely to provide it to you as fast as you would want it to.
2. Prevent Wearing Out of the Flu - Soot and water make acids greatly affect the mortar joints of the chimney, which puts it at the risk of crumbling down. 
3. Getting Rid of Odors - Odors are in their worst in spring and summer. When you don’t clean the chimney regularly enough, the odors permeate your home and even into your clothes.

When Duct Cleaning is a Necessity

Can you remember the last time you've had your air ducts or dryer vents cleaned? If you have to think about it, you probably are due for another clean! This small but essential home chore is key to keeping your appliances working efficiently and your home safe. Even with the best filters on the market, your ducts are sure to collect debris over time.

This is why dryer vent cleaning in Hawaii is such a necessity. You put yourself - and your neighbors - at risk when you forget to clean them out. If the vents are clogged and heat exhaust continues to build up in your system, you can expect that problems will arise. The best time to clean your system is in the spring and in the fall, so make sure to set aside some time to get this done soon! You'll thank yourself later.

For more tips, contact a chimney expert today. 

What Chimney Sweeps Tackle on the Outside

If you've read our blog through the years, you've probably gotten a good idea of the types of activities that chimney sweeps perform as part of a regular cleaning appointment. What our readers tend to know less about, however, is what your chimney sweeps are up to when they check out the outside of your chimney. Chimney sweeping in Los Angeles CA is a holistic process; all of the different parts of your chimney must be checked in order to know if it's in working condition or not.

Your chimney sweep will check on the following when they look at your home's exterior:

• If there are any cracks in the masonry
• The status of the liner
• The amount of debris that has built up around the edges

Once they check on the above points, they can verify that your system is set for further safe usage. For more tips, contact a professional today!

Stopping a Drafty Fireplace

Is your home extra cold in the winter, especially in the living room? This may be due to the chimney not being properly maintained or cared for. The key is to schedule annual checkups with a professional in chimney cleaning from San Diego CA. These experts can diagnose your chimney and get to the root of the problem.

More often than note, this issue is caused by an outdated damper. Dampers require a tight seal in order to work well. Without a proper seal, cool air is sure to lower into the chimney and into your room! To avoid this, contact a professional who can repair the masrony and help insulate the fireplace.

Fore more tips, follow the Chimney Chief Blog for more tips and tricks!

Why Chimney Liners?

If you've recently had work done by a chimney service, they may have brought up liners. It's natural to think that you're being upsold, but what exactly is a chimney liner - and what does it do? After learning about them, you may find that these things really are worth the effort.

To break it down to the bare essentials, chimney liners from Hopewell NJ are the coating found in the interior of your chimney that helps to prevent buildup. It also provides insulation and prevents the structure from cracking or toppling over. It's important to have these, as they can help keep your chimney upright and working. Without one, your chimney may be subject to damage and decay.

For more information about this topic, contact a professional chimney sweep today!

Why It's Not Too Late To Have Your Chimney Looked At

So it's two months into the New Year and you still haven't checked off chimney services from your 2019 resolutions list. No worries - you still have time, but you shouldn't wait! Throughout the year, chimneys can suffer from a buildup of soot, ash and creosote. Having your chimney swept and looked at by a certified Chimney Repair professional in Bristol PA is the best way to keep your chimney system clean and working safely and efficiently.

All chimneys and fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected at least once per year to keep your home safe from the risk of a fire and lower the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. Plus, a cleaner chimney and fireplace means a cleaner home. A dirty chimney can cause smoke to back up into your home, leaving dust and small particles all over your furniture.

3 Common Causes of Chimney Odor

Fireplaces and chimneys, although they add warmth and monetary value to your home, sometimes have a strange odor. While smelly chimneys can be frustrating for homeowners, you certainly do not have to live with them! A Chimney Sweep professional in York PA can help get you back to enjoying being fireside. These are the 3 most common culprits of chimney odors:

1. Creosote in the chimney is a normal result of burning wood. Creosote odor is hard to miss, as it smells strong and acrid, kind of like hot asphalt.
2. Your chimney can collect natural debris from nearby trees. When debris begins to accumulate in your chimney system and goes unchecked, it can form a dangerous chimney clog and an odor.
3. Birds and other animals in your chimney can cause many issues, including foul chimney odors. An animal that becomes trapped and dies in the chimney will likely cause a decaying smell.

The Common Issues With Gas Fireplaces

Even though you aren't a professional in chimney sweeping in Los Angeles CA, that doesn't mean you shouldn't learn more about your fireplace systems. This is especially true if you have a gas fireplace at home. Many people with these appliances feel as though they've avoided all of the trouble associated with a traditional wood-burning fireplace. This couldn't be further from the truth, however, as there are lots of challenges that come with gas fireplaces.

To get a better idea of what to expect from your gas fireplace, read the following list. It describes the top issues that arise for owners of gas fireplaces.

• The smell of gas will fill your home
• The pilot light won't work right
• Problems will occur in the thermocouple or thermophile
• Soot buildup

If you have any more problems with your chimney, call a professional sweep today!

3 Reasons Why You Should Get Your Chimney Inspected

If you haven't already, now is the time to start preparing your chimney for the cold weather. It is time to ensure your chimney is safe to use and know that you’ll get optimal performance from it this season.

As a homeowner with a chimney, you should hire a Chimney Service in Lower Makefield PA to sweep and inspect your chimney's performance. A technician will clear any buildup of creosote or debris, which could cause a chimney fire or cause smoke to go back into the house.

Also, you need to make sure your chimney is protected from winter weather. Your chimney needs a cap to prevent water from running down it. This also works to keep animals and debris out.

If you notice any deficiencies in your chimney, address those problems. Chimney damage only get worse during the winter months, as your chimney deals endures moisture and freezing temperatures from the outside and extreme heat from the inside.

What Cleaning Your Dryer Vent Can Do For You

Regardless of how often you use it, your dryer is definitely something that requires more care than you give credit for. In addition to drying your clothes, it also removes lint from clothing that was extracted from the washing machine. You see, when clothes are in the washer, the intense spin cycles cause small bits of fabric to break off. These fabrics stay on the surface of your wet clothes, however, and will release these while in the dryer. You may know this as dryer lint!

Dryer lint builds up, and not just in the lint tray that you clean out between loads of laundry. Your dryer vent carries moisture and lint from your clothes out of your home. This intense heat needs to be released, or else it will be trapped in your dryer. By cleaning out your dryer vent, you can prevent a fire from starting in your laundry room.

To receive dryer vent cleaning in Hawaii, call an HVAC expert today!

What Happens During a Chimney Sweep?

Every fireplace and chimney needs regular maintenance. Routine maintenance helps to keep your chimney system working properly and it also helps to prevent deterioration, leaks and winter damage. By preventing damage and fire, you can save yourself substantial costs and risks by scheduling a Chimney Sweep in NYC.

Chimney sweeping should occur regularly depending on your fuel type and how often you use your system. It is best for your chimney to be cleaned at least every 12 months. This keeps the air flowing better and your chimney venting properly. During a chimney sweep, brushes and a vacuuming system are used to clear away creosote, soot and other debris from the inside of your chimney system. This includes the firebox, smoke chamber and flue.