How Often Do I Need My Chimney Cleaned?

You'll want to clean you chimney based on how much you use it. Basically, cleaning intervals are based on usage. The more wood burned the more creosote accumulation within. It is recommended to sweep your wood-burning chimney after every face chord of wood burned. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) code 211 says, "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary." Annual inspection with a fireplace chimney sweep as required. This is the National safety standard!

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

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

FAQ: How Often Do I Need My Chimney Cleaned?

If you have a chimney you've probably wondered how often it needs to be cleaned. Read below to learn more!

Cleaning intervals are based on usage. The more wood burned the more creosote accumulation within. It is recommended to sweep your wood-burning chimney after every face chord of wood burned. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) code 211 says, "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary." An annual inspection with a fireplace chimney sweep as required. This is the National safety standard!

Call Superior Chimney today at 877-CHIM-FIX so that we can get your chimney cleaned and ready for the cold season!

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.

Why is Preventative Maintenance Important for My Chimney?

Taking care of your chimney now will help keep your family and home safe. It will also save you money!
Preventative maintenance is key because it helps to prevent issues from occurring, and helps to keep your chimney in tip top shape for years longer! In addition to lengthening your chimney’s life span, preventative maintenance will help to prevent chimney fires.

Preventative Maintenance Steps:
1.    Once a year have your chimney swept by a CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified chimney professional. The chimney sweep will clean any dirt, debris and creosote out of the flue. The chimney technician will also let you know if they notice anything within the chimney that needs to be fixed.
2.    Once a year have your chimney inspected by a CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified chimney technician. A certified chimney sweep will make sure there is no damage to the fire walls, i.e.: cracks and gaps.
3.    Install a chimney cap. This will help prevent animals, nesting, and debris from getting into the chimney. 
4.    Be sure to only burn seasoned wood. Wet wood can cause more creosote to build up and heighten chimney fire risks.

Call Superior Chimney today so that we can schedule a time to inspect your chimney! We can be reached at 877-CHIM-FIX (877-244-6349). We look forward to hearing from you!

“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