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!

What Causes Rust Stains on the Sides of Chimneys?

Have you ever looked up at your chimney, noticed rust stains on the side, and wondered how they got there? Well, if so, you’ve come to the right place for more information!
Rust stains on masonry chimneys are most commonly the result of chimney flue cap construction materials which rust/corrode (galvanized). Then, rain water will carry the rust down the side of the chimney, staining it. Solution… Call Superior Chimney today for a stainless steel cap replacement!
Rust stains appearing on pre-fabricated chimneys are most typical. Pre-fabricated chimneys have a metal covering, known as a chase top (or cap), which prevents water from getting into the wood framed chimney chase. The metal coverings tend to be cheaply made on-site, and as a result the metal coatings wear off from rain, sun and other elements, which expose the metal. Eventually the metal will begin to rust. Unfortunately, when it rains the water will carry the rust down the side of the chimney, staining it.
How do you solve this? Simple! Replace the old, rusty metal covering from your chimney with a brand new stainless chimney chase top (or cap). Call Superior Chimney today, and our custom shop will fabricate the right stainless steel chase cap replacement for your chimney!

“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

Water and Freeze Thaw Cycles Effect on Masonry Chimneys

Masonry chimneys are constructed of many different materials, all of which are effected by water. Below is a list of some of the different types of materials that are used in building masonry type chimneys.
1. Brick
2. Mortar
3. Concrete
4. Concrete Block
5. Stone
6. Flue Tile
7. Steel and Cast Iron

When water seeps into chimneys it can erode the mortar joints and then weaken the bricks. During winter, the freeze/thaw cycle really affects the material make up of chimneys because it causes the chimney to expand and contract. This causes cracks, missing mortar and gaps.
In order to prevent water damage to your chimney we have two suggestions:
1. Invest in a chimney cap. Chimney caps are rather inexpensive, and are a great way to prevent water from entering your chimney. In addition, a chimney cap prevents birds, raccoons, and other animals from making their home in your chimney!
2. Waterproof your chimney! The plus of using water repelling agents, is that they allow chimneys to breathe! Meaning moisture that is already in the chimney is able to escape, but no new moisture is able to enter.
Call Superior Chimney Services, Corp. at (877) 244-6349, for more information!
                                   

Resource: http://www.mastermasonry.com/chimney.htm

How Firefighters Handle Chimney Fires

Have you ever wondered how firefighters handle chimney fires? Typically, they are the first responders to a chimney fire and as a result they have a lot of chimney fire knowledge!
The most common cause of a chimney fire is creosote buildup. Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood, and is highly combustible. If a chimney has a good amount of creosote in it the creosote can catch on fire causing a chimney fire. You will want to have your chimney cleaned at least once a year to remove any creosote buildup.
Creosote can build up in the following ways:

• Restricted air supply
• Below normal chimney temperatures

Chimney fires have distinct characteristics:

• Rumbling/roaring noise – the sound is similar to a freight train
• Flames and sparks
• Dense smoke
• Combustion seeping through existing cracks in the chimney mortar

It is important to keep in mind that even if your chimney is not displaying the signs listed above you could still have a chimney fire.
Now you might be wondering how firefighters deal with chimney fires. Below are the main steps they follow when extinguishing a chimney fire:

• First and foremost they enter the establishment and rescue all victims.
• Once everyone is safely out of the establishment they monitor the oxygen levels for CO.
• Remove as much smoke from the house as possible.
• Be prepared with a hose in case the fire extends into the structure.
• Close air intakes to stop/slow the flow of oxygen to the flue.
• Extinguish the fire.

Call Superior Chimney Services, Corp. so that we can help to PREVENT a chimney fire in your home! We can be reached at 877-244-6349.

Reference: http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2011/07/chimney-viscuso-terpak.html

Drafty House & Fireplace Cold Draft Entry Solutions

Also known as down drafts. Fireplace cold drafts may be attributed to a multitude of different things. Most fireplace cold drafts are due to internal negative pressures, which are likely induced by other forced air systems & other exhausts in your home. Other fireplace cold draft factors may include exterior barometric pressures, stack location on your home (inside or outside), a whole house chimney (stack) effect, dynamic wind loading, or wind downdrafts.

A true understanding of fireplaces requires extensive knowledge of airflow patterns, pressure differentials, and actual fireplace construction techniques. A Superior Chimney CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) Certified Chimney Sweep can assess your chimney and its termination environment to pin point the cause(s) of your fireplace cold draft and prescribe the resolution.

Heated air has lower density than cold air, so the warm buoyant air in your house wants to rise through the roof, while the cold heavy air in your unused fireplace chimney wants to flow downward causing a drafty house. If there are pathways in the upper stories or roof to allow the rising warm room air to escape, that warm air will flow up and leak out of your house and replacement air will flow down the chimney and in through your fireplace (fireplace cold drafts). The stack effect is more pronounced in taller, leakier houses and in houses with cold draft chimneys(like chimneys on outside walls, exposed to outdoor temperatures for their entire height & length).

Rainy weather also accelerates the stack effect causing fireplace cold drafts, because the wet air entering the chimney is heavier than the dry air in the house.

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