Chimney Check

It’s the season to talk about chimney inspection. At the height of winter, this is one area of a home that gets a lot of use. Accordingly, chimneys should be maintained carefully, by dedicated professionals, until warm weather returns. And given what the Farmer’s Almanac folks had to say already, it’s going to be a good while before outside temperatures rise.

There are several areas of a fireplace system that should be inspected beyond the foundation, ash dump, firebox and hearth. These include but are not limited to the damper, lintel, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, flue and mortar crown. They all work together to bring heat into the home while simultaneously expelling potentially harmful byproducts.

For more information, check out Chimney Sweeping in Los Angeles.

Fun Facts About Chimneys!

You may know a lot--or a little--about chimneys, but there is always more to learn. We spoke to Winthrop ME chimney service professionals who filled us in on some fun, little-known facts about our chimneys. Here are a few of the best ones:

- The reason the smoke from your fireplace goes up into the chimney instead of inside your home is because of the nature of heat: it rises. While doing this, it creates an updraft and takes all of the smoke with it.
- Chimney fires have the potential to reach 2,000 degrees Farenheit.
- Chimneys did not become common in homes until the 16th century. However, they were first introduced in northern Europe in the 12th century.
- The world's tallest chimney is located in Kazakhstan, and stands at 1,377 feet.
- Hard woods, like hickory or white oak, burn for the longest amount of time.

For more information on chimneys and how they work, make sure to keep up with our blog!

How Do Chimney Fires Start?

If your house has a chimney and you've ever received chimney sweep services, you may have heard about the dangers of chimney fires. You may have been told of the destruction they can cause to your home and the dangers they pose to you and your family members; but do you know how they begin?

Chimney fires start as a result of dirt. Creosote builds up in the lining of your chimney's walls as a result of a restricted air supply, unseasoned wood, or cold temperatures. Since it's difficult to monitor these conditions on your own, it's imperative to have routine chimney inspections. A professional chimney sweep who specializes in chimney cleaning in Carlisle PA can help determine if your chimney needs cleaning.

A chimney fire is no joke! It is a problem that should be handled with preventative caution as opposed to reactive damage control. Contact a professional today.

Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace

A wood burning fireplace can save a lot of money on heating costs and give your home a  wonderful aesthetic on the inside. After all, nothing beats the warm crackle of a wood fire. But, if improperly installed or maintained, a wood burning fireplace can be a potential fire hazard. If embers are popping our of an unscreened fire, this can cause a fire in your home. Make sure you have a screen on at all times and that there isn't creosote build up in the fireplace. If you have any questions or need an inspection, contact a professional who deals with fireplaces in Princeton NJ.

Time To Clean Your Dryer Vents

It is really important to get your dryer vents cleaned out annually to prevent fires from occurring in your home. You should inspect the dryer vents for any blockages every six months and get a good cleaning every year. If you notice that your clothes do not completely dry during one drying cycle or they have a musty odor, this means they dryer vent is blocked by debris and will need a cleaning. Contact a professional in dryer vent cleaning in Hawaii to learn more about this and schedule an appointment.

Preparing your Fireplace for its First Fire

Your fireplace may have been out of work over the past few months, but as it gets colder and you start craving having a crackling fire in your fireplace again, there are a few steps you should take before doing so. First, you need to make sure that your chimney is working properly. It's a good idea to have a professional chimney sweep with experience in NYC chimney repair take a look at your fireplace and chimney once a year, so have this done before anything else. The professionals will also check for cracks or missing mortar that could be signs of deterioration.

When selecting the wood to burn your fire with, choose a dense wood. Oak logs that have been split and stored somewhere high and dry produce the most ideal flames. You don't want to have too high of flames, because a fire that's too hot or large can crack the chimney. This would be a nightmare to fix and could be very dangerous to your home. 

When Was your Last Chimney Inspection?

The CSIA offers a succinct explanation of the root cause of chimney fires:

"Fireplaces and wood stoves are designed to safely contain wood-fuel fires, while providing heat for a home. The chimneys that serve them have the job of expelling the by-products of combustion – the substances produced when wood burns. These include smoke, water vapor, gases, unburned wood particles, hydrocarbon, tar fog and assorted minerals. As these substances exit the fireplace or wood stove, and flow up into the relatively cooler chimney, condensation occurs. The resulting residue that sticks to the inner walls of the chimney is called creosote."

It's pretty clear that a chimney fire is a very bad thing. Even those that go undetected can cause lasting, serious safety issues after they have gone out. Having your flue cleaned annually will remove creosote buildup and keep your flue open. This will cut down on the chances of a fire starting. Having your chimney periodically inspected will identify any problems caused by chimney fires. Protect your home and family and call chimney repairs in Los Angeles.