Do You Need Chimney Repair? Three Signs to Watch For

Buying your first home with a fireplace is exciting, but it isn't without its responsibilities. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the common signs of chimney trouble to help you spot problems between annual inspections and sweeping. Here are a few key things to watch for.

• Bubbling or Wrinkled Wallpaper - If you have wallpaper on the inside wall where the chimney is, watch for any bubbling or wrinkles in the wallpaper. If you start seeing things like this, that is a sure sign that there is moisture seeping in. This is often caused by cracks or other damage in the chimney, so you'll want to address it quickly.
• Damaged Mortar - Mortar is essentially the glue that holds the chimney bricks together. If you see cracks and pieces missing from the mortar, it needs attention right away. Timely chimney repair can help you preserve the structural integrity of your chimney. Sometimes, those cracks are an indication that something is shifting, so you'll want to have the whole assembly inspected and patched right away.
• Cracked Flue Tile - If the flue tiles inside the chimney crack or crumble, that could be a sign of a damaged chimney liner. Since the liner is essential for providing a heat barrier, you need to have this type of problem addressed immediately. Don't light your fireplace or use the chimney until you've had this dealt with.

When you're new to having a fireplace and a chimney, the whole process can seem somewhat intimidating. Understanding these key signs of trouble may help you to identify potential problems before they become serious threats, even if you're not due for another inspection for months.

Contact local Los Angeles CA chimney sweeps for more information on chimney repairs.

Help Replacing Chimney Bricks

I'm planning to sell my house in the upcoming months, so I've been working to complete the necessary repairs to make my house market-ready. I'm a bit of a handyman and enjoy completing most of the repairs around my house on my own. Unfortunately, I have never worked with chimneys so when it came to replacing and repairing the bricks, I decided to contact a local Los Angeles CA chimney repair professional. They were knowledgeable and made my chimney look good as new!

Your Chimney Could Serve as an Open Door to Pests

A fireplace is always a nice addition to a home, even if it is not used all that often. If you live in California, chances are you're not lighting many fires for to purpose of warmth. Having a fireplace in your home could increase your risk of pest infestations, and for this reason the flues of your chimney should be closed whenever possible in order to keep pests out.

If you are unable to close these flues of your fireplace you should contact a professional who specializes in chimney repair in Los Angeles CA. These experts will be able to identify signs of a chimney in need of repair and will be able to solve any issues you have.

Annual Chimney Cleaning

In an effort to keep our costs down in the winter, my family tries to rely on the heat from our fireplace as much as possible. A winter filled with wood burning fires can really take a toll and a chimney, so just to be safe, we always schedule a thorough chimney cleaning to ensure that everything is as safe as possible. If you're chimney is in need of some attention, contact your local Long Island NY chimney sweep today!

My Safe Chimney

I've always felt lucky that my home had a great fireplace and chimney set up. While I may not have used it too often, it was beautiful to look at and was, in fact, functional whenever I decided to actually light a fire. I recently read an article about potential fire hazards that can arise from a neglected chimney. That made me realize that it was time to hire a professional to ensure that my chimney was in good shape and safe to use. I contacted my local Los Angeles CA chimney repair contractor to conduct a full inspection of my home. Luckily, they didn't find any serious issues, but I am really enjoying knowing it is safe! Now I know who to call if I ever require chimney repair in Long Island NY again!

Be Mindful When Hiring a Chimney Service

There are some things you should be aware of before beginning the process of hiring a company for chimney repair in NYC.

Protect your Home

Make sure to fully investigate any company that you are looking at. Going with a company just because it's less expensive than the rest may be a very bad idea. You could end up paying more in the long run.

Solicitation

Hiring a chimney sweep based on a solicitation is not a wise choice. There is a good chance that this could be a scam.

Proper Identification

When the repair person arrives, ask for identification. This will ensure that you are letting the proper person into your home.

Professional

Look for your repair company to have a professional appearance and attitude. Any reputable company will be able to provide these types of professionals.

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.