There are many homeowners who believe that they do not need a chimney cap. Although it may seem like an unnecessary addition or an accessory, there are many reasons that it is beneficial to use a chimney cap. Although the chimney can function without one, having one installed is the only way to prevent a number of common chimney problems.
The most common reason that people decide to get a chimney cap is because they have had an animal infestation in their chimney. If the chimney opening is left exposed, different types of rodents, birds, and small animals may build nests inside of the chimney. This is not only annoying, but it can be dangerous. The animals may clog the chimney and, in some cases, could carry diseases that spread into the home.
Chimney caps protect your chimney from animals, birds and debris. Any obstruction in your chimney compromises both safety and efficiency.
Another reason to have a chimney cap is to keep natural debris, such as leaves and twigs, from getting into the chimney. Like animal debris, these things can clog the chimney, which is far more dangerous than it may sound. If the chimney is clogged, it will keep smoke and combustible gasses in the home rather than letting them out. This can lead to any number of health risks as well as an increased risk of fire.
In addition to animals and leaves, it is important to keep excess moisture out of the chimney. This may come in the form of water or snow that gets in when there is not a chimney cap in place. Water in the chimney can cause many problems, ranging from mold to the deterioration of the structure itself. These issues can be quite serious but a chimney cap is a simple way to avoid them.
The chimney cap also helps to keep sparks inside of the chimney rather than letting them out. If sparks get out of the chimney, a breeze can quickly cause them to ignite. This will not only start a fire on the roof of the home in question but the fire could actually spread to other rooftops. This means that not only the home without the chimney cap but the entire neighborhood is put in harm’s way.
One of the most practical reasons for getting a chimney cap is that it prevents a draft. Without a chimney cap, cold air can come in from outside, especially when the fireplace is not in use. This forces the home’s heating system to work harder. As a result, the homeowners spend more money than necessary on energy each year, which is bad for both the budget and the environment.
A chimney cap may seem like an accessory but it actually serves many important functions for the home. It can help prevent any number of situations that can result in health and safety hazards as well as increased risk of fire. It is a small and simple piece that can make it easier for everyone to enjoy a fireplace safely.
Choosing Between a Factory Built Fireplace and a Masonry Fireplace for Your New Home
Building a new home can be a very exciting endeavor but it comes along with many important decisions. In addition to choosing siding and paint colors, new homeowners must decide whether they want a factory built fireplace or a masonry fireplace in their new homes. There are pros and cons to each but, in the end, the decision must be made based on personal preference and a few practicalities.
When choosing a fireplace for a new home, most homeowners are going to be concerned with safety above all else. The good news is that the safety factor will not play into the decision between a factory built or masonry fireplace. Both are equally safe if they are used properly and if foreign objects are not burned in them. In the case of a factory built fireplace, it is important that it is installed exactly according to the directions in order for it to function safely. And for either kind, it is essential to have the chimney swept and inspected once a year.
Both masonry and prefabricated fireplaces are equally as safe, as long as there are annual cleaning and inspections of the chimney.
No matter which option a homeowner goes with, the fireplace will require the same basic maintenance in order to function safely. This means that the fireplace should be inspected and cleaned each year by a professional chimney sweep. The homeowner should also clean out the chimney after each use, leaving just a bit of ash underneath for insulation. If these simple steps are followed, there should be no major issues with either type of fireplace.
One thing to consider in terms of choosing a fireplace is that a masonry fireplace is likely to last longer than a factory built option. This is simply because the material used, brick, is more durable and longer lasting than metal, which is used in most factory built fireplaces. However, homeowners who do choose factory built fireplaces can typically go for many years without having to replace the fireplace or any of its parts.
On the other hand, a factory built fireplace is less expensive than a masonry fireplace. This is, again, because metal is a less expensive material than brick, especially in the quantity used for building a fireplace and chimney. If new homeowners are on a budget and trying to save money, a factory built fireplace is one way that they can accomplish that. They will still be able to enjoy all of the benefits of having a fireplace in their home on a cold winter night.
In many cases, the choice simply comes down to the homeowners’ sense of aesthetics. With a masonry fireplace, the area surrounding the hearth and the chimney will be made of brick. Those who go with a factory built option will have a structure that is made almost entirely out of metal. Some homeowners prefer the look of one to the other and allow that to be the final factor in making their decision.
Choosing a fireplace for a new home is a big decision because the fireplace will likely be used every day during the cold weather season. When choosing between a masonry fireplace and a factory built fireplace, keep in mind that both options are equally safe if they are properly cleaned and maintained. However, it is also important to remember that a masonry fireplace may last longer, while a factory built fireplace is more affordable. Those who have trouble making a choice can simply decide whether they prefer the look of metal or brick in their home.
Anyone who uses his or her chimney on a regular basis has most likely noticed an odor coming from it at one time or another. In order to know what to do about the problem, it is necessary to know exactly what is causing the problem. There are many different factors that may lead to smells coming from the chimney. Most of them can be easily fixed with some basic chimney maintenance.
A certified sweep can help you identify the cause of the odor and suggest ways to address the problem. Call Basic Chimney today to schedule an appointment.
If a chimney is not properly protected, it becomes the perfect place for birds and rodents to set up their homes. Once they have set up camp, there is any number of ways that odors can find their way into the home. Animal waste will eventually accumulate in the chimney as well as their fur and debris from their nests. A simple way to fix this problem is to install a chimney cap that will block animals from entering the chimney in the first place.
Another common cause of chimney odor is the accumulation of water in the chimney. Excess water often gets into the chimney in the way of rainfall or snow. It becomes a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, which not only smell unpleasant but can also be quite dangerous. Just as animals can be kept out with a chimney cap, this simple structure is a great way to keep excess water from entering the chimney and starting trouble.
When someone burns wood or coal that has been treated in their fireplace, it leaves behind creosote, a combination of chemicals. There are many side effects to a build up of creosote. For example, anyone who is exposed to it is at risk for skin and eye irritation as well as respiratory illness. However, creosote also leaves behind an unpleasant smell, which will eventually enter the home.
Of course, it is important for homeowners to keep in mind that some odor coming out of the chimney is perfectly normal. Whenever there are treated materials burning, there is going to be some ash and soot left behind. This is not something to be concerned about unless it is causing a disturbance in the home. If the smell becomes overwhelming or is irritating family members with allergies, it should be addressed immediately.
The best way to handle chimney odor and to avoid it completely is to have the chimney professionally cleaned at least once a year. This can be done at the start of fireplace season or at the end, it doesn’t matter — as long as it gets done. A professional chimney sweep will have the tools and skills to completely clean the chimney while, at the same time, checking for evidence of any problems that may occur in the near future.
Chimney odor is a perfectly normal part of using a fireplace and chimney. However, there are some instances in which the odor becomes overwhelming and needs to be taken care of by a professional. This may be caused by the accumulation of creosote, excess water, or even by animals that have set up their homes in the chimney. Some of these situations not only cause an unpleasant smell but also put the family at other risks, such as house fire or illness. Here at Basic Chimney, we have your safety and comfort in mind with everything we do.
A chimney is subject to a lot of wear and tear from the weather. It sticks up above the roof of the house and takes the brunt of all the wind, rain, and snow. This will quickly take its toll on any brick or masonry structure. As time goes on the mortar will crack and break off putting the structure of the chimney in jeopardy. If the structure of the chimney fails it could topple onto your roof and possibly fall through. Then you will have new appreciation for the term “hit you like a ton of bricks”. Luckily your certified chimney sweep is more than capable of fixing this issue before it ever gets to that point.
It isn’t unusual for Mother Nature to loosen bricks and mortar over time.
If during the process of inspection your chimney sweep discovers cracked or broken mortar they will being repointing the chimney. Repointing involves removing old broken bits of mortar and replacing it with new mortar. While this sounds like a relatively straight forward process there are some intricacies that require a lot of attention to detail.
The first part of the repointing process is to determine how much of the mortar is damaged. The obvious missing pieces are easy to notice but what may be less immediately apparent is any mortar that may be cracked and/or detached from the existing mortar but still lodged between the bricks. Adhering new mortar to these pieces is essentially pointless as those pieces can just as easily fall out as the bricks expand and contract over time. Once the sweep has determined exactly which pieces are damaged they will remove them.
Once the chimney is devoid of all broken pieces of mortar your chimney sweep can begin to apply new mortar. It is very important to mix mortar that is of a similar type, consistency, and color as the existing mortar. The color is for purely aesthetic purposes but the consistency is another matter. If you try to bond 2 different types of mortar it is difficult to get them to adhere to one another permanently. Once the chimney sweep has mixed the appropriate mortar they can begin filling in the gaps left by the broken and faulty older mortar.
When filling in the gaps it takes special care to make sure that everything is done properly. Too much mortar will put uneven pressure on the bricks during the regular movement caused by weather and temperature change and can cause the bricks themselves to crack. Not enough mortar and they will not hold and the process will have to be repeated. After all this is done the chimney should be re-sealed to prevent water damage which can cause extensive damage to your chimney and if not managed the rest of your home.
It is always a good idea to check your chimney periodically for pieces of broken brick or mortar and if anything seems amiss call your local certified chimney sweep and they will come out and get to work. Of course it is important to have your chimney regularly inspected to make sure a problem like this does not get ignored and progress into an even bigger issue that can threaten the structural stability of your chimney and indeed your entire house.
The Basics of Maintaining Your Prefabricated Fireplace.
A prefabricated fireplace is a great option for someone who does not have a masonry fireplace included in the structure of their home. However, some homeowners do not realize that these structures require just as much attention and maintenance as their counterparts. In order to safely enjoy a prefabricated fireplace, it is absolutely necessary to follow a few important guidelines for maintenance.
When purchasing a prefabricated fireplace, it will be necessary to also purchase a chimney and a cap. What people must keep in mind is that the manufacturers create all three of these pieces to be used together. It is absolutely necessary to only use the chimney and cap that are intended to go with the particular fireplace. Mixing and matching will affect not only the efficiency but also the safety of the entire system and should be avoided at all times.
As with any fireplace, it is necessary to keep a prefabricated fireplace clean in order to have it function properly. Be sure to remove any excess material left in the fireplace, but you will need to leave about one eighth of an inch on the bottom for proper insulation. It is best to double-check the cleanliness of the fireplace before starting a fire and then to clean it thoroughly after putting the fire out.
A properly fitted chimney cap keeps debris, birds and animals from your chimney.
Some people think that their prefabricated fireplace is not vulnerable to the same type of problems as a masonry fireplace. However, this is not the case and it is important to provide some of the same maintenance. For example, birds are just as likely to make their nests in a prefabricated chimney as they are in a masonry one. Be on the lookout for these issues and resolve them as quickly as possible.
In general, it is necessary to monitor normal wear and tear on a prefabricated fireplace a bit more closely than a masonry option. Since they are made out of materials that are not quite as durable as, for example, brick, they will not stand up to as much stress. In order to make sure it is functioning properly at all times, inspect the fireplace regularly and call a professional immediately if there are any unexplained changes.
Although a prefabricated fireplace differs structurally from a masonry fireplace, many of the same safety and maintenance rules apply. For example, it is important to only burn properly dried wood and to not put any foreign material into the fireplace. It is also important to make sure the chimney is clear of obstructions to avoid smoke in the home. Failure to follow these simple rules can cause serious safety hazards.
A prefabricated fireplace is a great option for anyone who does not have a fireplace attached to their home. In order to use it safely, it is important to remember that many of the same safety and maintenance rules apply to a masonry fireplace. In fact, they require a bit more attention because they are not built to withstand the same normal wear and tear as masonry fireplaces. Be sure to only use them with the appropriately compatible pieces, such as the chimney and cap. Keep the fireplace clean at all times and keep in mind that it can have the same issues as other fireplaces, such as dangerous obstructions in the chimney.
Having animals in your chimney is one of the most complicated and frustrating situations for a homeowner. Not only can animals cause damage to the chimney, but they can also carry diseases and pests that put the entire family at risk. If someone suspects that animals have set up a home in their chimney, they need to take immediate steps to remove them.
Squirrel Like Chimneys – Baton Rouge LA – Basic Chimney Sweep & Repair
It is possible that you could have animals in your chimneyand not even realize it. One of the most common signs is an unpleasant smell coming from the chimney. This could be caused by a number of things but is most often attributed to animal nests and waste sitting in the chimney over a period of time. Another sure sign that there are animals in the chimney is an scratching or banging sound coming from the fireplace. It isn’t a ghost…it is likely a critter who has made himself comfortable in your heating system.
If someone suspects that an animal lives in their chimney, they should resist the urge to try to get it out themselves. This really isn’t a DIY job for a couple of reasons. There is a good chance that the animal is carrying a disease or pests such as ticks. If the animal has a disease such as rabies, there is a strong possibility that they will attack whoever tries to remove them. Although this job should be handled immediately, it is best to wait until a chimney sweep that is trained to deal with these issues can take care of it. The certified sweep is trained to safely remove birds and animals and to dispose of them if they have died.
Once the animals have been removed from the chimney, it is important to prevent this problem from ever occurring again. The best way to do this is by having a chimney cap installed. This is a simple device that is exactly what it sounds like and prevents any future animals from making their way into the chimney. It is an inexpensive and effective solution to a serious problem.
If there is a strange sound or smell coming from the fireplace, there is a good chance that animals are living in the chimney. If this does prove to be the case, it is important to allow a trained chimney sweep to take care of the situation. Once they have been evicted, it is important to install a chimney cap that will prevent them from returning. This is the best way to ensure safe and efficient heating from your chimney.
Water always finds a way. And when that water gets into your chimney, it can cause real damage. In addition to damage of your chimney, water also produces mold – and those dangers can spread to your physical health. Never touch mold anywhere in your home without first protecting yourself with gloves and a ‘surgical mask’.
Mold can cause reactions that range from irritation of eyes and skin to severe infections and if not treated, long-term health issues. Common indicators of mold exposure are congestion, cough and headache. Since these indicate so many other things, avoiding contact is recommended. Sometimes mold in your chimney produces a musty smell, but regular chimney maintenance can remove and prevent mold.
Keeping Mold Out
Homeowners can contribute greatly to its prevention with some really simple measures that make systems maintenance easier. Before you paint, use a mold-killing primer, especially on ceilings, bathroom walls. Outer interior walls around deck doors and windows are also key areas to monitor. Mold grows fastest in dark damp places, like water-compromised chimneys or ductwork, but “damp” is all it really needs.
Dehumidifiers can help to reduce the dampness in the air. Check with certified HVAC professionals to see whether this might work for you. Do not carpet damp areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms, as the moisture in this area is a tempting breeding ground for mold. Keep your supply registers and return vents vacuumed out and free of obstruction. Resist the urge to hide baseboard registers with furniture; give them room to breathe and keep them clean. All of these measure are particularly helpful in areas of high humidity.
Removing mold from your chimney is a job best left to a professional chimney sweep. Where there is mold, there is water, so the system needs cleaning, inspection, and repair. Wherever water and fire meet, chimney sweeps go. Mold is a danger for you and your pets. Protect those you love by securing annual chimney maintenance.
By Ronald Caillais on June 15th, 2013 | Tagged with: Tags: chimney cleaning, health dangers, mold |
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The chimney sweep appeared when people found they needed to vent their indoor fireplaces. Those same people could afford to pay someone else to keep those vents clean, and a profession was born. By the time the majority could afford the first, the profession had completely changed because of the reduced vent sizes necessitated by their popularity.
Adults could no longer fit into chimneys to remove debris and clean them with special brushes. The profession was now only ‘supervised’ by an adult, and instead, performed by a child, typically an orphan or from a very poor family. Those children were the ones sent up into chimneys, and – because of whom they were – little attention was paid to their safety.
As injuries and deaths of children began to rise in the performance of their jobs, some took heed and laws were passed. Although children were the first ‘professional’ sweeps, the real profession in its modern form was shaped at this point. Recognized dangers to both sweeps and homeowners — due to a lack of ongoing inspection of their chimneys — gave rise to present-day certifying institutions.
True For All Time
It was clear that even children could be trained to brush soot off the flue liner without causing damage. The problem, obviously, was that they were not trained to inspect the chimney either before or after cleaning it. Quickly in and out, they failed to detect cracks in flue tiles or evidence of water damage.
Even if they saw it, these easily trainable ‘sweeps’ had no idea what it might mean and, frankly, did not care. They were earning their porridge and mat and it is, no doubt, that basic need to survive that motivates uncertified sweeps today. Homeowners, however, also have a basic right to survive, which is why you should always choose a CSIA certified sweep.
By Ronald Caillais on April 26th, 2013 | Tagged with: Tags: chimney sweep history, csia certified |
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It could be a number of things, and it is good that you are not taking it lightly because it signals an unsafe fireplace system. A chimney should remove smells from the home, not introduce them, so something is interfering with proper draft. Whatever it is needs to be corrected and the chimney needs to be inspected before you can safely build a fire.
Damp and Musty
If it is a stale, damp smell, check around the fireplace carefully for other signs of water entry. Look for stains on the ceiling and walls around it, and feel the walls of the fireplace, to check for obvious dampness. Make sure your chimney cap is still up there and if you are up to it, inspect the mortar and flashing for cracks or gaps.
Smoky and Acrid
This could be either creosote deposits heating up or a nest obstructing the chimney and sending smoke back into the house. Either one of these really needs to be checked by a certified chimney sweep to ensure it is done properly and safely. Some nests are protected by law and can only be removed with a permit, and the dangers of creosote are well known.
Rotting and Foul
A critter probably got stuck in the chimney. Even if it is within reach, you probably do not want to deal with this yourself either. Since its being there indicates a real problem with the chimney, you can let the professional that checks it do the dirty work. A different kind of “rotting and foul” might be the smell of mold, and you are back to water damage.
Whatever It Is, It’s Bad
Regardless of what accounts for the smell, the chimney is not drafting properly and the fireplace cannot be used. Furthermore, whatever its cause, more serious ramifications have to be prevented by a professional inspection of the chimney. As a result, that smell coming from your chimney is an announcement that you need a CSIA certified sweep.
By Ronald Caillais on April 19th, 2013 | Tagged with: Tags: creosote, smelly fireplace, water damage |
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Hot air rises; that basic principle is the underpinning of your home’s chimney, which is there to channel fireplace smoke out of the house. It does so with proper up-drafting, but that depends on correct sizing and installation. Flue liners have to be sized for the fireplaces they vent and chimneys need to be of the right height for them to work efficiently.
The Right Height Needs To Be De-Coded
The construction of your home’s chimney also has to protect the house from the heat it carries. That means proper clearances have to be provided, so that the chimney does not transfer heat to the home’s flammable structural elements. Local codes govern both clearances and chimney height, but heights that meet code do not necessarily leave the chimney top where it needs to be.
Your chimney works best when its top is high enough to leave it in low-density air. That is what creates the ambient up-draft that can be felt in a well functioning fireplace system. Local codes may be satisfied with lower tops, but – raised to the height that is actually right for your fireplace, your chimney works better.
Drink Up! The Way Your Chimney Works
Warm air rises until it meets air that is either less dense or hotter than itself. It is drawn by – and into – that absence of air, if you will, like soda being sucked through a straw. If that straw is too big, too small, or extends too far above the rim of the glass, it is going to prove more frustrating than helpful.
Unless you are content for it to take ages to drain that glass, you need a proper straw. That means a flue liner sized for your fireplace and a properly constructed chimney of the right height. Explaining how it works is easy enough, but installing and correctly capping a chimney, we will leave to chimney professionals.
