Our Chimney Sweeps Discuss what to Look for when Buying Seasoned Firewood

Seasoned firewood produces less creosote, and therefore reduces your risk of fire. Knowing whether you are purchasing seasoned firewood can be difficult, which is why our chimney sweeps would like to offer you this advice.
Characteristics
Well-seasoned firewood has lost a great deal of water, which ultimately causes it to shrink. Not only does this mean that seasoned firewood is smaller, but it also means that pieces may develop “checks” on their ends. Checks are actually small cracks, and are different from splits in the wood, which are usually deeper and appear in the center.
Other characteristics that well-seasoned firewood may have include:

• Bark that is very loose and peeling away from the rest of the wood
• A silvery patina with no visible yellowing on the log itself
• Being slightly darker in color than freshly-cut firewood

Weight
Another way to determine if wood is seasoned is to feel how heavy it is. Seasoned firewood is lighter, because a great deal of moisture has already evaporated from it. If you aren’t quite sure how much a particular species of wood should weigh, try feeling a piece that has recently been cut if possible.
Find out when Cut
The best way to determine if your firewood is seasoned is to find out when it was cut. Most species take at least six months to properly cure, but nine to 12 months of seasoning will provide you with ideal results. Unless you are buying firewood directly from a supplier, finding out when it was cut may not be possible, in which case you will need to examine it carefully for one of the above signs.
Even when burning seasoned firewood, you will still need chimney cleaning in New York City NY on an annual basis to ensure your safety.

A Riddle About A Chimney? Really?

What can go up a chimney down but not down a chimney up? An umbrella, of course! But the business of chimney sweeping is no laughing matter. Why should we take the conditions that exist inside of our chimney seriously?

• Fire!!! Right before winter we're bombarded by the usual TV ads. Cha-cha-cha chia things, and fireplace logs designed to scour flammable stuff out of the chimneys inner area. That residue deposited by burning logs in the fireplace can catch fire. The National Fire Protection Association calculates that 38% of reported home heating fires between 2007 and 2011 were chimney and/or fireplace related. Don't trust a log to keep you safe. Call a chimney sweeping professional.
• Deadly Danger With No Warning! Cars aren't the only source of deadly carbon monoxide. A chimney experiences debris buildup from birds and trees which clogs the chimney. That clogging inhibits the free exit of everything our fireplace burns. Carbon monoxide is a gas that's colorless, odorless, tasteless, and deadly and lurks in the chimney when we use our fireplace . Like visiting in-laws, we want it to flow out of our home as soon as possible. A well-maintained chimney insures that! 
• An Ounce Of Prevention? Priceless! Regular inspection of our chimney by an expert in the field alerts us to issues we can't see from the outside or may not recognize as a problem if we did see it. Professionals are also on the cutting edge of new products and/or technology regarding chimneys and fireplaces. We are always available for consultation on all chimney related questions. If your chimney problems seem like a riddle, contact your local provider to learn more about chimney sweeping in Los Angeles.

Chimney Sweeps: Their Lore, Legends & Luck

Chimney sweeps have been around for centuries and, during that time, they’ve acquired some fascinating and unique lore, as befits the interesting service they’ve provided.

According to legend, in 1066 a chimney sweep saved the life of King William of Britain. The sweep “swept” the king to safety from a runaway carriage. The grateful king invited his rescuer to the upcoming wedding of his daughter and officially declared all chimney sweeps to be lucky. To this day, it’s considered good luck to invite a sweep to your wedding or other special occasion. Even just seeing a sweep on your wedding day is lucky - especially if he shakes your hand or kisses you!

In fact, many British chimney sweeps make a nice secondary income by dressing in their traditional top hat and tails and appearing at weddings. The tradition of sweeps wearing such formal attire seems to date to the middle of the 19th century when they began receiving the cast-off clothes of town dignitaries; in particular, those from the local funeral director. Such distinctive attire certainly lends an air of dignity to a dirty, but very important, profession. The black color was also very practical considering the amount of soot a sweep came in contact with daily!

The traditional uniform of a German chimney sweep is a black suit and top hat with gold buttons on the jacket. A similar outfit is also traditional amongst sweeps in Poland, Slovenia, and Croatia. A chimney sweep’s jacket often has 13 buttons for luck. In many European countries it’s considered lucky to rub a button when seeing a sweep, although it seems to vary by country as to whether it should be the sweep’s button or your own.

For some reason, chimney sweeps with pigs became a lucky charm in certain areas of the world. On New Year’s Day, the sweep would carry his pig through the streets of the town and anyone who wanted to could pay for a wish; the wish was made while plucking a hair from the pig. It’s highly unlikely that the unfortunate pig considered it a lucky day - he probably wished to be far away from the sweep or his chimney! German pigs should be grateful that marzipan chimney sweeps are a popular, and sweet, gift for best wishes for the New Year in Germany.

If your searching for some good luck or some good service, contact a chimney sweep in Long Island NY.

3 Tips for Hiring Chimney Sweeping Services

A home with a fireplace gives it a level of cozy and romance. To keep the home and its occupants safe it is essential to have the chimney maintained properly to avoid fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Maintenance includes an annual inspection and cleaning to keep the chimney in proper working order. It is important to choose a chimney sweeping company wisely.

                                                            

Let’s discuss three things to consider when hiring a chimney sweeping company to perform the work.

1. Professional Certification

It is preferable the chimney sweeping company of choice has a certification from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). The CSIA offers professional certification to individuals that meet the requirements of the institute by successfully completing a rigorous training program. Certified chimney sweeps are also required to renew their certification annually and complete a refresher program.

2. Insurance

It is important the chimney sweeping company carry liability and workers compensation insurance to protect the customer’s property, including home and furniture, in case of accident and damage. A reputable sweeping company will provide documentation upon request and as part of a written estimate. Customers can also verify the information with the insurance carrier.

3. Certified Chimney Sweep on the Job

To be certain the chimney sweeping work is performed properly, it is important to make sure the company assign a certified chimney sweep to be present at the job site at all times. This action assures that completion of the work is according to standards and best chimney sweeping practices.

Looking for more tips? Contact your local chimney cleaning in Long Island.

Why Chimney Sweeping Is More Important Than You Think

When most people think about home maintenance, chimney sweeping is probably low on the list of to do's. But as it turns out, not properly maintaining your chimney might cost you more than you think.

A clean chimney ensures a fully efficient fireplace, which saves homeowners money on heating bills during winter months. Regular chimney sweeps also greatly reduces the amount of smoke that can enter a house while the fireplace is lit.

Saving money and keeping smoke out of the house is definitely a plus, but the largest benefit of chimney sweeping is keeping you and your family safe by reducing the risk of a fire.

Creosote is a chemical produced by fires that coats the chimney walls. Too much creosote left in an unswept chimney could actually catch fire and is very dangerous. Creosote can also block the flow of carbon monoxide leaving homeowners and families at risk. Carbon monoxide is a silent and odorless killer that can strike without warning. According to the CDC, during 1999–2010, a total of 5,149 deaths from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning occurred in the United States, an average of 430 deaths per year. Yikes. 

So, make sure to contact your local chimney sweeps in Los Angeles for a cleaning and inspection soon!

Benefits of Chimney Sweeping

Everyone loves having a fireplace. To continue enjoying the benefits of your fireplace, you must have a chimney sweep done. There are some great benefits to having your chimney cleaned by a professional; the best benefit is that you won't have to do it yourself.

Some benefits of having your chimney swept are below:

·         Prevent a Fire: Fire prevention experts say that homeowners that follow a maintenance routine can prevent their chimneys catching fire.

·         Functioning Efficiently: A clean fireplace will ensure that your fireplace functions at its best.

·         Prevent Buildup: If your chimney isn't cleaned properly, flammable creosote will buildup.

Hiring a chimney sweep in Los Angeles is a very important thing to do. Experts recommend having your chimney cleaned once a year. Some people try to do this job themselves, but that is not recommended. One of the many benefits of hiring a professional is that they can spot things that need to be repaired, and reduce the chances of serious problems that may occur throughout the rest of the year.

Chimney fires can quickly and silently spread to other parts of the home. Heavy creosote can also hinder the flow of carbon monoxide, a dangerous, odorless gas, through the chimney and outside the home. In order to prevent fire, and keep your fireplace running efficiently, hire a professional.

Spring Cleaning

I was getting ready to complete all of my yearly spring chores when I realized that I hadn’t cleaned my chimney since last winter. I knew that I needed to find a chimney sweep in Long Island NY. I was looking for someone who could not only come as soon as possible but they would also be able to teach me tips for maintenance in addition to possibly providing me with business for years to come. My husband thought I was being silly and said ‘why don’t you call just anyone, this year, and next year we can figure out a better system’. Being the very type-A personality that I am, I knew that I wanted to do all of the necessary research regarding a chimney sweep and find the best man to do the job. After a few days of searching, I was able to find someone who fit our needs at a price point that we could comfortably afford.