Full Safety Inspections
You should schedule a fireplace inspection if.....
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It has been more than one year since you inspected your chimney
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You are having any performance issues with your chimney, fireplace or heating system or if you have recently purchased the home, you should schedule an inspection
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When you have upgraded or changed heating systems, or added a stove or insert
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You have not used your fireplace in a long time, pests may have built nests that could clog your flue or chimney chamber
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You made any changes to your fireplace including a change in the fuel type, change the shape , or switch out the flue, relining, the replacement and addition of any fireplace or the input rating/efficiency
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After an operation malfunction, fire, or weather event
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A property is for sale or transferred to another owner
CHIMNEY CLEANING
Chimney inspections often reveal hidden problems with a chimney structure that could be potentially hazardous. Sweeping of a chimney not only removes layers of creosote from the chimney surface, but it also removes the resulting loose soot and creosote from the chimney, fireplace, or wood stove. A substantial percentage of fireplace and wood stove chimneys do not provide a straight path from the firebox to the outside. The purpose of a chimney sweep is to remove soot, blockages and built-up creosote from your chimney liner, firebox, smoke chamber, and damper. The chimney cleaning will help create a safer operation of your system during the heating system. It takes only a small accumulation of creosote glazing to create the potential for a chimney fire.
Creosote is a highly flammable substance that builds up inside your chimney or liner as a result of burning wood. The rate of accumulation can be higher if you practice poor burning practices or have a burning appliance or stove that is not working well. The CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) says that fireplaces should be cleaned when 1/8″ of sooty buildup is evident inside the chimney and flue system. If any glaze is appearing in the flue, cleaning should be done even if there is less than 1/8″ of build up. Any time an appreciable accumulation of soot and creosote occurs it can be enough to fuel a chimney fire that may damage the chimney and even spread to the roof and home. Furnace flue systems also require cleaning, so don’t neglect regular cleaning of those venting systems.
INSTALLATIONS
Chimney Caps protect your chimney and roof it will also:
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Reduce moisture and will keep rain water from coming down your home’s chimney. Rain can damage chimneys with stainless steel liners, chimney dampers, and chimney mortar joints. Besides water damage the moisture from rain water can produce mold and mildew.
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Keep out animals like birds, raccoons and squirrels. These animals will try to make their homes inside of chimneys. In many cases, these critters will enter the chimney but won’t be able to exit, and they die. This can cause maggots, flies and unpleasant odors in your home.
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Block downdrafts if the wind is blowing in a certain direction, it can introduce a downdraft. Without a chimney cap and if you are using a wood-burning fireplace at the time, a wind-induced downdraft has the potential of blowing smoke back into your home. The flat-shaped top of a chimney cap is designed to help prevent wind-induced downdrafts.
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Stop sparks and embers which mean that the chimney cap helps prevent lit embers or sparks that travel up the chimney from landing on the roof, possibly catching it on fire.
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Prevent debris build-up because Leaves, branches, twigs and other debris can enter a chimney and build up if a chimney cap is not in place.
Chimney Dampers are the most important fireplace accessory because it can conserve energy. Sealing off the chimney during the warm months when it is not in use, that costly air from the air conditioner will stay inside and keep your home cooler. A good shape chimney damper will accomplish this without fail. A damper, along with a good set of tightly-sealed, glass, fireplace doors, will make your home as energy efficient as it can be. The chimney damper is also used in the cold months when the fireplace is not in used. For instance, if you are using a furnace or some other heating source, heat will not escape through the chimney of the unused fireplace.
Gas Logs
VENTED GAS LOGS: Vented gas logs can be installed in most any fireplace capable of burning wood. Vented gas logs must be burned with the damper open. Vented gas logs can also be installed in outdoor fireplaces and fire pits.
Vent-less gas logs can be installed in any fireplace that is fully capable of burning wood and are burned with the damper closed. Vent-less logs can also be installed in some approved vent-less fireboxes, if the firebox is specifically rated for the use of vent-less logs and does not have a specific proprietary vent-less log and burner system supplied by the fireplace manufacturer
Chimney Relining
Chimney Mike uses two types of liners
Terracotta Tiles and Metal.
Terracotta tiles are the most common type of masonry chimney liners. Terracotta times are not pricey, readily available, and perform quite well for open fireplace chimneys that are properly maintained. A chimney with cracked chimney liners must be repaired before use.
Metal chimney liners are usually stainless steel or aluminum. Metal liner are primarily used to upgrade and repair existing chimneys. These liner systems are U.L. tested and listed. If properly installed and maintained are extremely safe and durable. Stainless steel is suitable for wood-burning, gas, or oil applications, while the aluminum is an inexpensive alternative for certain medium efficiency gas applications only.
Masonry Chimney Repairs
Tuck pointing, chimney rebuild, motar wash repair, major and minor manary repair- For more information contact "Dirty" Mike