Chimney Maintenance
What is Thermal Shock?
What is Thermal Shock?Rapid temperature change usually caused by a chimney fire that can cause the clay liner to crack. Cracks that are caused in this matter usually run vertical in the flue. According to the NFPA once a liner has become cracked it must be repaired or replaced.
Why are the bricks on my chimney falling apart?
Why are the bricks on my chimney falling apart?The most common cause of this is because your chimney is absorbing water and then the freeze/thaw cycle is breaking apart the bricks, this is called spalling. Call us and we can repair damage and apply a waterproofing sealant to protect you chimney
What is Carbon Monoxide?
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide is a by-product produced when fuel such as gas, wood, or oil is burned. The levels produced are not dangerous when your appliance and venting systems are working properly, but can be deadly if they are not.
Massachusetts Carbon Monoxide Law
Carbon Monoxide is a by-product produced when fuel such as gas, wood, or oil is burned. The levels produced are not dangerous when your appliance and venting systems are working properly, but can be deadly if they are not.
On November 4th 2005 Governor Mitt Romney signed legislation, designed to protect the public from the odorless gas, Carbon Monoxide. This law requires a battery-operated or plug-in type detector in most residences by March 31 2006.
This new legislation is very similar to the law requiring the use of smoke detectors. And will be enforced by the local fire department, upon the sale or transfer of property.
This regulation known as Nicole’s Law, is in memory of Nicole Garofalo a 7-year old who died from carbon monoxide posing after a snow drift block the exhaust vent of the family’s furnace.
My chimney smells when it rains
My chimney smells when it rainsMost of the time this indicates your chimney needs to be cleaned, especially the smoke shelve where the most soot/creosote collects. If the chimney does not have a cap and the flue and smoke shelve are getting wet, just throw in a little reverse draft and your house will smell like soot.
The solution here is to sweep the chimney and clean the smoke shelve, cover the chimney with a cap to keep out water, and apply a crown seal if water is entering through the crown. If you are experiencing a reverse draft this can be solved by installing a energy-saving damper.
Is there anything I can do about the stains on my chimney?
Is there anything I can do about the stains on my chimney?The quick answer is yes, but first we need to know what the steaks are from, if they are white steaks see question below (why is my chimney developing white streaks?) if you have rust stains we can still remove them by applying a chemical cleaner to your chimney exterior, we would also recommend you replace your galvanized cap that is causing the rust stains with a stainless steel one
I have Chimney Swallows living in my chimney, how can I get rid of them?
I have Chimney Swallows living in my chimney, how can I get rid of them?You can’t, the Chimney Swift is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, and could cost you up to $15,000 and six months I jail for tampering with them. The good news is they are only around for a short time from May to August, and best of all they eat mosquitoes.
My chimney is developing white streaks.
My chimney is developing white streaks.
These stains are called efflorescence, and can be caused by a couple of problems.
If the chimney is absorbing water/moisture the stains are caused by salts leaching out of the chimney.
If the chimney flue is oversized or damaged the stains are caused by the flue gases condensing because the become too cool before reaching the top of the chimney, and the water is then absorbed by the chimney and the minerals are leached out through the brick
The solution is to first perform a chimney level 2 inspection to determine what is causing the stains. The results of the inspection will provide corrective action to stop this from occurring, and could be as simple as Appling a water proofing to the bricks exterior or reline the flue to provide a better path for the flue gases to vent from your house.
Example of White Streak caused by gases condensing in the flue and leaching out of the chimney
What Is Creosote?
Creosote is a natural by-product from burning wood; it originates as smoke, tar, and vapor. These organic compounds condense as a liquid in the chimney interior. Creosote is normally black in color with a shiny appearance depending on the amount of tar, vapor, and water. I think I had a chimney fire, what should I do?
I think I had a chimney fire, what should I do?
Not as dumb as it sounds, it is not uncommon that people are unaware they even had a chimney fire, some fires are smothering and last for days, sometimes you can see a small amount of smoke leaving your chimney when you know you don’t have a fire going.
Other signs are pieces of creosote lying near the chimney or on the roof and discoloration of metal components.
After a chimney fire you need to have a level 2 inspection that includes a video camera to inspect the entire flue for damage.
Chimney Tips
It's never too late to have your chimney swept, make sure your chimney is safe. Call now and schedule your sweeping 603-251-1442 |
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