What is a Clothes Dryer Vent Sweep?

Also known as dryer exhaust sweeps, dryer duct cleanings, or dryer vent sweeps – Dryer vent cleanings remove the lint buildup in your vent, which bypasses the lint trap of your dryer unit. This shortens your dryer unit life, extends dry times, and may cause a dryer fire.

Lint Buildup Takes More Energy (Money) To Dry Your Clothes: If your dryer isn't drying your clothes like it used to, you probably don’t need a new dryer (big relief!) – just a standard or pressurized mechanical dryer vent cleaning! A dryer vent clogged with lint reduces airflow so your dryer can't dry clothes as efficiently or quickly as it used to. An inefficient dryer uses more energy, thereby costing you more money. Dryer vent cleanings save you money.

Dryer vent cleaning prevents dryer fires: Dryer fires have been of the leading cause of home fires throughout recent years. A dryer vent clogged (fully or partially) with lint reduces airflow escape. This causes heat build up and then ignition (a dryer fire). Lint is a boy scouts favorite material for starting fires; after all, it is highly flammable! Dryer vent cleanings prevent dryer fires and save lives.

Contact Superior Chimney Services, Corp today at 877-CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349). We will answer your questions and schedule a time to complete a clothes dryer vent sweep.

Fireplace Firebrick Heat Reflector Shields

Today we want to explain what Fireplace Firebrick Heat Reflector Shields are and what they do.

Over time, with use, your firebox rear firewall will crack, pit, fireplace mortar joints begin to fail & recede, and firebricks start to loosen up as a result of direct combustion heat expansion & contraction exposure and/or water intrusion. If not repaired and/or protected, fire worthiness & integrity compromise will soon occur causing the need for fireplace chimney repairs.

Advantages of the heat reflector shield:

    20-40% more heat radiated into your home.
    Prevent expensive fireplace chimney repairs to fireplace mortar & firebricks.
    Preserve & maintain remaining & restored fire worthiness of fireplace mortar & firebricks.
    Covers soot stained rear firewalls improving overall fireplace appearance.

Crack, pit, fireplace mortar joints begin to fail - In an unprotected fireplace, heat is absorbed into the firebox back wall which causes the firebricks to crack and the fireplace mortar that holds the firebricks together to breakdown, leading to expensive fireplace chimney repairs.

Direct combustion heat expansion & contraction exposure - when burning a fire, the fire requires oxygen to burn.  So it draws air in from the room.  As the air is drawn into the firebox, it pushes the heat and flame towards the rear firebricks of your firebox. This causes an immense amount of expansion of the firewall. Then, as the fire dies out, your firebricks begin to contract (cool).  This process is repeated every time you use your fireplace.
   
Water intrusion - your rear firewall will also crack as a result of water leaks coming down from the top of the fireplace chimney.  Firewalls & firebrick are very porous as they are intended to withstand the very high temperatures of combustion.  This means that they are very absorbent of water. Water saturation combined with direct combustion exposure is a recipe for a very fast progressive rate of fire worthiness and integrity breakdown. Superior Chimney's heat shield will protect & aid in fireplace chimney repair prevention.

Worthiness & integrity compromise - If your firewall is beyond repair and preservation, it must be replaced or rebuilt. The heat reflective shield is a recommended install after fireplace chimney repair or reconstruction of the firebox to aid in prevention of fire worthiness & integrity loss re-occurrence.

Superior Chimney's heat shield protects the rear firebricks and fireplace mortar of your firebox from needing fireplace chimney repairs. It prevents direct combustion heat expansion & contraction exposure, which greatly minimizes expansion & contraction of firewall firebricks and fireplace mortar. Furthermore it helps to preserve & maintain remaining & restored integrity.  Your back firewall will no longer absorb all of the heat because the heat reflective shield will radiate the heat back into your home, where it should be!

A fireplace with Superior Chimney's heat reflector shield protecting it; the back wall of the fireplace is exposed to 1/3 less heat.  The heat is radiated into the room where it should be and damage to the fireplace mortar and firebricks is significantly reduced or stopped! You'll feel the difference!

Call Superior Chimney today at 877-CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349). We will answer your questions and schedule a time to inspect your chimney.

How to Protect Your Chimney from Water Leaks

Water is a chimney's worst enemy. Chimney leaks, fireplace leaks, and water damage may be from exterior water intrusion caused by no chimney cap, crown cracks & deterioration, mortar joint deterioration, cracking in the masonry construction, flashing & roof leaks, shoulder slab gaps, foundation cracking, and/or flue gas condensation (over or under sized chimney liners).

Masonry water damage caused by chimney leaks is sometimes a slow, subtle process. Chimney leaks are often not evident until it has become quite serious.

Protect your investment from chimney leaks:

• Have professional grade chimney caps installed.
• Repair or replace a damaged chimney crown.
• Repair deteriorated brick & mortar joints.
• Repair or replace a leaky flashing.
• Have your chimney waterproofed!

Call Superior Chimney Services, Corp. today at 877-CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349). We will answer your questions and schedule a time to inspect your chimney.

Brick Masonry Chimney Rebuilds

Also known as chimney reconstruction, brick chimney repairs, fireplace chimney repairs, partial chimney rebuilds, roof line up chimney rebuilds, or total chimney rebuilds. Cracking, water leaking, element exposure, usage, time, and lack of preventative maintenance render your chimney structurally vulnerable, inviting the need for fireplace chimney repairs, and/or requiring a chimney rebuild. You may have to start over with a chimney rebuild and a waterproofing protection plan.
As odd as it may seem, chimney leaks cause more damage to masonry chimneys than fire. (Chimney leaks cause costly fireplace chimney repair needs - Waterproofing saves you money!)
Superior's chimney rebuilds include set up (scaffolding in most cases), tear down & disposal, Brick Masonry Chimney Rebuilds and code reconstruction of your existing chimney. These classifications are the most common of required chimney rebuilds:

• Partial chimney rebuilds: small chimneys (no scaffolding) or only the top few courses of a large chimney (+ new crown).
• Flashing area up chimney rebuilds: Substantial mortar and/or brick deterioration has eliminated the possibility of a tuck pointing (tuckpointing) restoration. The structure is torn down to the flashing area near the roofline, and then the chimney rebuild commences (+ new crown).
• Total chimney rebuilds: Complete tear down of the outer layer of the brick on a chimney (+ new crown). In most cases the firebox, hearth, and smoke chamber do not have to be removed (minor brick chimney repair is usually sufficient). Total chimney rebuilds are necessary when the chimney is leaning, has severe mortar deterioration or severe brick spalling has occurred from ground level up, etc.

A chimney crown is of the greatest protection for the masonry construction beneath it by helping to prevent the need for fireplace chimney repairs & chimney rebuilding. It is the top element of a masonry chimney rebuild (cement slab). It protects the top of the chimney starting at the fire clay flue liner & hangs over the chimneys edge (drip edge). Most masonry chimneys that have "crowns" are built inadequately. These "crowns" are constructed from common mortar mix, the same mixture used to lay the bricks of the chimney. This mortar is not designed for and will not withstand years of weather abuse without cracking, chipping or deteriorating; situations that allow water to penetrate the chimney and cause the need for fireplace chimney repairs & chimney rebuilds.
All the brick and other materials that make up your home are protected by the roof and eave, all that is, except your chimney. The chimney sticks up above the roof constantly exposed to all the elements; rain, snow, wind, freeze & thaw cycles of winter, etc. Masonry materials deteriorate very quickly when they absorb moisture and are exposed to the freeze & thaw cycles of winter, causing undue stress; integrity loss, fireplace chimney repair & chimney rebuild needs.
Chimney leaks & water penetration cause interior and exterior damage to your home and masonry chimney. Water inside your chimney causes rust in steel and cast iron, weakening or destroying the metal parts, and compromising fire worthiness - all creating fireplace chimney repair or chimney rebuild needs.

* Repeated and/or improper brick chimney repairs, fireplace chimney repairs, and chimney rebuilds are of the largest causes of needing a chimney rebuild.

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE:

Superior Chimney can apply chimney saver, which has been developed specifically for use as a waterproofing agent on masonry chimneys to aid in preservation of integrity preventing brick chimney repair needs. This formula is vapor permeable, which means that it allows your masonry chimney to breathe out, but not in. Thus, water that has penetrated your masonry chimney, or moisture that has originated from inside, is allowed to escape, while the waterproofing agent prevents water entry from the outside. Read more about masonry Chimney Saver & how it can prevent brick chimney repair needs & chimney rebuilds.
Call Superior Chimney today at 877-CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349). We will answer your questions and schedule a time to inspect your chimney.

Preventing Deteriorated Brickwork on Chimneys

Did you know that deteriorated brickwork weakens the chimney's integrity? If the brickwork on your chimney becomes deteriorated it can allow cold drafts, water and insects to invade your home.

Not to worry, we can help prevent this from happening!

Superior Chimney can apply chimney saver, which has been developed specifically for use as a waterproofing agent on masonry chimneys to aid in preservation of integrity preventing brick chimney repair needs. This formula is vapor permeable, which means that it allows your masonry chimney to breathe out, but not in. Thus, water that has penetrated your masonry chimney, or moisture that has originated from inside, is allowed to escape, while the waterproofing agent prevents water entry from the outside. Read more about masonry Chimney Saver & how it prevents brick chimney repair needs.

Important Tip: Paint, or any non-vapor permeable water sealer, should never be used as a waterproofing agent because it will trap moisture inside your masonry chimney, accelerate deterioration, and cause brick chimney repair needs.

Call Superior Chimney today at 877-CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349). We will answer your questions and schedule a time to inspect your chimney.

Chimney and Fireplace Smoke Problems and Solutions

Have you ever noticed that your fireplace has dark soot stains above where you burn your fire? Does your home ever fill with smoke or smell like smoke while the fireplace is in use? If so, you may have a chimney and fireplace smoke problem. Not to worry, we can help!

There are many reasons that fireplaces smoke. Below is a list of the most common reasons.

• The damper is fully open.
• The firewood is green or wet from rain or snow.
• The chimney is dirty.
• The chimney isn’t tall enough.
• The flue isn’t large enough for the fireplace opening.
• The chimney is on an outside wall of the house.
• The home can be too tight or too loose!
• There’s also a chance there were design problems when the fireplace was built.

Call Superior Chimney Services Corp. today, so one of our CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps can assess your chimney and its termination environment to pin point the cause(s) of your fireplace smoke back up and prescribe the resolution!

Why Get a Chimney Sweep?

Does your house have a chimney? Well, if it hasn’t been swept in over a year, it needs to be! You might say you only use your fireplace on special occasions, or extra cold nights, so you don’t need to have your chimney swept once a year. Well, the truth is, no matter how often you use your chimney it should be swept at least once per year. Why? Read the reasons listed below!

• A CSIA Certified technician will be able to examine your chimney for fire worthiness. If your chimney is blocked by debris, or excess build up it’s a serious fire hazard. Additionally, you could be breathing in fatal amounts of carbon monoxide if all of the smoke is unable to escape.
• It isn’t uncommon for animals such as birds, squirrels, bats and raccoons to live in chimneys. The animals build their nests in chimneys and this causes blockage. Along with the nests, excessive creosote buildup and broken/collapsed chimney liners can clog the chimney. These obstructions have to be removed in order to prevent chimney fires. Freeze & thaw cycles of winter deteriorate chimneys.
• Preventative maintenance is key! If you have cracks in your chimney a licensed professional will find them and repair them before they turn into a bigger issue.

Call Superior Chimney Services, Corp. to schedule a chimney sweep to ensure your chimney is in tip top shape! We can be reached at 877-244-6349.

How to Prep Your Fireplace for the Cold Season

Fall has arrived, and you know what that means – chilly weather! Now is the time of year to start prepping your fireplace for the cold season. Read the tips below to learn about the best ways to prep your fireplace for the season!

• Call Superior Chimney Services, Corp. so that we can sweep & inspect your chimney. When we sweep your chimney we remove creosote and soot that has built up over the past year.
• Be sure the damper opens and closes sufficiently & efficiently.
• Are there cracks in the fire mortar of the brickwork in your fireplace? If so, have the cracks repaired immediately! If you don’t, a fire could occur.
• Make sure raccoons, squirrels, birds or bats and other small animals haven’t made a home in your chimney! If they have, make sure the animals are removed, and have a chimney cap installed to keep more animals from inhabiting your chimney.
• Be sure to have plenty of wood stocked up for the winter months. Don’t worry about having too much because you can always save it for summer campouts, or for next winter.

Call Superior Chimney today at 877-CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349). We will answer your questions and schedule a time to inspect your chimney.

Resources: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-prepare-your-fireplace-or-woodstove-for-win.html

Why Do Chimneys Emit Fireplace Smell over the Summer?

During the summer have you ever noticed a smoky or almost campfire type smell in your home? If so, don’t fret, this isn’t unusual and can be prevented!

Fireplace smells come from creosote deposits in your chimney, a natural byproduct of burning wood. Chimney odors are usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high, on rainy days, and/or when the air conditioner is running. A good chimney sweep may help minimize your fireplace smell, but will not solve your problem.

Creosote absorbs into the porous masonry construction inside your chimney, embedding the fireplace smell beyond the masonry's surface (much like the walls of your firebox stain black with use). A chimney sweep will remove the surface buildup of creosote to prevent an ignition (chimney fire), but the chimney odors remain absorbed into the masonry surface causing fireplace smells.

The real problem is air coming down the chimney, a symptom of overall pressure problems. As air moves down through your chimney, it brings the inner fireplace smells & chimney odors along with it. It is likely that your chimney is just the victim of a negative pressure problem.

Some causes of pressure change & fireplace smells entry are:

• Inefficient damper closures.
• New furnace, boiler, and/or water heater.
• New windows and/or doors.
• Home additions.
• A change in your roofing ventilation (attic fan).
• Stove range exhaust fans.
• Dryer vent exhausts.
• A neighboring structure's height increase.
• When you burn upstairs do you get chimney smoke or fireplace smells downstairs?

Call Superior Chimney today at 877-CHIM-FIX so that we can assess your chimney and its environment to find the cause(s) of your fireplace smell and prescribe the resolution.

“Spring Cleaning” for Your Chimney

Spring is almost here, and you know what that means, cleaning! Today, we aren’t going to talk about regular spring cleaning; we are going to talk about ‘spring cleaning” for your chimney. With the warm weather right around the corner (hopefully!) you will want to have your chimney swept, for both maintenance and aesthetic reasons.

During the summer your chimney may begin to smell if it hasn’t been swept out. The rain and humidity can cause the odor of creosote accumulations to spike during the warmer humid months. The smell will flow through the chimney and to the interior living space of your home. Having your chimney swept during the spring will help to eliminate this smell.

Winters freeze-thaw cycle will inevitably damage the exterior of your chimney. In the springtime, having the cracks repaired and/or seals replenished will make a world of difference in the appearance & longevity of your chimneys structure.

Also, consider that spring is the best time to have masonry work done - chimney or otherwise.  If your chimney appears to be crumbing, cracking or has seen better days it is time for a restoration plan.  Beat the fall rush (the end of construction season for the year) and take advantage of “early bird” type offers and flexibility of scheduling in the beginning of masonry season this spring!

Call Superior Chimney today to see how you chimney has “weathered” this past winters freeze & thaw cycles! We look forward to hearing from you at 1-877-CHIM-FIX (1-877-244-6349).

Resources:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=20070323&id=xJIzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UyEGAAAAIBAJ&pg=5687,2841041