How to Tell if You Need Chimney Repair

Many homeowners aren't familiar with their chimneys. That can make it tough to figure out when  you might need chimney repair or service. Here are a few signs to look out for. If you see these, you may need repair or a chimney sweeping in Hampstead NC. 

Shaling or Spalling

Shaling occurs when the flue tile begins to break off. If you see thin slices of chimney tile in the hearth, it's a sign that your flue lining is damaged. The flue lining must remain intact for the fireplace to be used safely. A damaged flue lining may lead to a house fire. A chimney sweep should inspect your flue liner and make sure there are no signs of damage.    

Spalling causes bits of masonry to break off outside the chimney. Moisture that penetrates masonry will force the surface of the concrete, stone or brick to peel, flake off, or pop out. Left unchecked, spalling will eventually cause the chimney to collapse.

Rust

Rust on your damper or firebox is a clear sign of too much moisture in the chimney. Rust points to a larger issue, so a professional chimney sweep should examine your chimney as soon as possible.

A Yard with a Fireplace is the Place to Be

I wanted a chill spot for friends and family to get together and enjoy one another company. I'll admit that I was envious of my neighbors fire pit so I asked them who I should call. My neighbor suggested Outdoor Fireplaces Burleson TX so I gave them a call!

Needless to say, I can see why my neighbor suggested them! They did a fantastic job!!

Get Out and Fix Your Fence

We hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather we've had over the past week. As we start to spend more time outside, we may notice a few things that need some fixing throughout our yard. Fences are no exception to this. Winter weather can take a toll on your fence. That's why now is a great time to make any necessary fixes so your fence is looking the best it can. Here are some tips provided by a Summerfield NC wood fence expert.

• Pressure washers are a great way to clean a wooden fence. They can get rid of hard to remove stains and allow you to wash a large area relatively quickly.
   
• If you're going to paint or stain your fence after washing it, make sure you allow time for your fence to completely dry before applying paint or stain.
  
• If you are tired of cleaning and maintaining your fence every year, consider vinyl fencing. Vinyl tends to require the least maintenance.
   
• If you're going to complete any big changes or upgrades to your fence, make sure you check in with your HOA to make sure your plans follow all codes and standards.

Does Your Building Need a New Elevator?

A common theme I've seen popping up across cities in America is turning old warehouses into apartments. This seems to be really popular in Baltimore Maryland, a place that used to house a ton of industry and is now moving away from that. These old warehouses are being turned into some great living living spaces with a lot of room for tenants.

However, this transition isn't always easy. These buildings are very old, and that means it can be tough making sure they fit all of today's standards and codes. One area we see this a lot is with elevators. These old warehouses tend to have big freight elevators that may not be up to apartment living standard. That's why it's important to make sure your elevator is up to standards. If you think this applies to you, reach out to an expert in elevator modernization in Baltimore MD.

A New Chimney Liner: Best Practices

Some safety and performance issues with fireplaces may be fixed by relining the chimney. During yearly chimney cleaning in Hawaii, chimney liners are inspected for structural defects that can cause fires or escaping gases. If the homeowner is finding pieces of broken clay in the fireplace, or an inspection reveals cracks in the clay, or there is evidence on inspection of flue gas cooling, a new liner is in order.

If the fireplace is performing poorly, a new wood burning stove or fireplace insert can be installed. If installed into an older fireplace, a new liner is recommended. The usual clay liner is 8 by 12 inches in diameter, and the new appliances use a 6 inch diameter flue.

Clay liners can fail due to the effects of the acids in creosote, thermal shock, normal aging, and deterioration from freeze-thaw cycles. If the brick or rock chimney is in good shape, but the clay tile liner is failing, relining with a stainless steel liner is a good option.

Before a new liner is placed, masonry should be repaired and the old clay liner removed. It is critical at this point to remove all old creosote. If it's left in place, it will vent back into the living space when it burns and the new liner is in place.

Stainless steel liners should meet UL Standard 1777 and be listed on the materials. They come in both flexible and rigid forms, and they should have some type of insulation in place. They have specific terminations for top and bottom of the chimney.

New liners also can be poured into place, around a flexible rubber bladder; the cement-like material has insulation incorporated. While more expensive, the poured in place new liner is preferred for historic and heritage buildings.

Some best practices for chimney restoration are available from your chimney experts, so be sure to contact your local provider for more information.

Chimeny Sweeping: Do You Know When It's Necessary?

Unlike most home repairs, there is no set guideline of how to tell if you need to have your chimney swept. Though you may not be able to identify distinguishing characteristics of a dirty chimney as a homeowner, there are a few instances when you should always call your local chimney sweep to clean out the gunk.

For example, moving to a new home... Regardless of how clean the previous tenants may have kept the property, there's a good chance that the chimney didn't get cleaned before they moved out. Burning fires on a regular basis while a chimney is dirty not only impacts the air quality in your home, but also the safety of the chimney itself. When a chimney is clogged with creosote buildup after a few seasons of regular fires, the buildup can ignite, sparking a chimney fire.

Start your life in your new home on a clean foot and get the chimney swept.We suggest you call Chimney Sweep NYC today!

Chimney Inspection: Putting Safety First

Your chimney is more than architectural detail on your rooftop. It is there to remove dangerous flue gases from your furnace, fireplace or wood stove, keeping your indoor air clean and breathable. As a vital component in the anatomy of your home, it's important to ensure it is functioning properly at all times, not only to keep your air safe, but to eliminate the potential for a chimney fire that could severely damage or even destroy your home!

Chimney fires occur from the buildup of creosote within the lining of the chimney. They can be very explosive, hot and loud, or slow-burning and insidious. Even when detected quickly, they burn so hot that they can cause severe damage to the chimney itself and to nearby combustible parts of your home.

Don't take chances with your home and safety, call for an inspection and chimney repair in Hampstead NC. Maintain one of the hardest working parts of your home -- your chimney.