by admin | Apr 1, 2018 | NJ Chimney Sweep
When you are a homeowner you become well aware of the investment worth of your home, from how much you paid for your house to the amount of money you put into renovations to boost its value. There are many things people look for when buying homes, a lot of it being the fine details and condition of your house. One major eye appeal though is the fireplace. Its the beauty of it, the sentimental idea of it, its a vocal point for a home and many people want one. So whether you are looking to be in your home for the long haul, or you know that eventually you might want to sell and move on to your next dream, you want to be sure your chimney is in good condition. You should find the best Trenton chimney sweep, but even if not, here are 3 chimney basics you all should know.
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Trenton Chimney Sweep | What Type of Chimney Do I Have?
I am sure by now you have realized that there are different types of chimneys, and knowing which kind you have is essential to the care and maintenance of your fireplace. There are the three main types of chimneys:
Single-walled Metal- This type of chimney is seen mostly in much older homes. It is single piped chimney coming out the top of your home with a circular top.
Masonry- As we all know what masons are, you can rightfully assume that masonry fireplaces are the common fireplaces we see in homes. You will see the brick built chimney coming out of the top of your home.
Pre-fabricated Metal – Also known as factory built, these kinds of fireplaces are mostly used in commercial buildings.
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How Are My Bricks?
Not many people realize this but the bricks used to build your chimney is not the same as the kind that is used to build the rest of your house! The bricks that should be used when building a fireplace should be fire resistant, able to withstand up to 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, not only do the bricks need to be specialized bricks, but the mortar used also needs to be heat resistant to protect for deterioration. Now, whether your chimney has been built with the proper materials or not, you want to be sure to periodically check your fireplace and chimney. You want to look up the inside your chimney and check for bricks and mortar that may be crumbling or decaying, and if this is the case you need to look into hiring a professional to come in and repair your chimney.
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Trenton Chimney Sweep | How Is My Flue?
How well is your chimney ventilating? When you have a fire this winter if you notice smoke filling up in your living room, even if it is only a little bit, then you are probably having a venting issue. The flue is the ventilation for your chimney and it is inside the lining, which is a liner that protects your chimney from heat and flammable products of the fire, of your chimney allowing the smoke and gasses to exit the home safely. A key note to keep in mind is to always make sure before having a fire that your chimney flue is open! If it is open and you still seem to be having smoke billow back into the room, or weird odors, it is probably time to reach out and hire a professional Trenton Chimney Sweep. Or, if you know how, you can clean the debris and creosote out of your chimney yourself, but be sure to use the proper care and safety methods when doing so!
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by admin | Mar 25, 2018 | NJ Chimney Sweep, Uncategorized
For hundreds, even thousands of years, many families have found comfort and community sitting with one another around their family fireplace. It keeps us warm and brings us together, but as we all know, fire can be dangerous if not properly taken care of. If you are in need and looking for a Lawrence Chimney Sweep, be sure to read these great informational tips for your next fire this winter with your family and friends.
Lawrence Chimney Sweep | Two Types of Fireplaces
There are two most common types of Fireplaces. Masonry fireplaces and factory built fireplaces. It’s very simple to check on your own which kind you have. When you have a brick fireplace and the chimney outside your home is brick, and when you look up the inside of the chimney, it is most likely a masonry fireplace. If it is primarily metal, both on the inside and the outer chimney above your home, then you are most likely dealing with a factory built fireplace.
Lawrence Chimney Sweep | The Way It Works
Nobody realizes but your house itself helps your chimney. Your house is like an air flow system. Air comes into your house through the foundation, and is released through the top of house. Your fireplace needs this airflow. There are many different things that affect the airflow of your home. Wind loading, stack effect, interior mechanical systems, and your fuel burning systems, such as furnaces, water heaters, or fireplaces themselves. We all know that heat rises, as does the warm air in your home. Houses that have been built within the past twenty five years or so have been built more sealed then they used to be, creating a more difficult airflow in homes, but this process is call the stack effect.
Neutral Pressure Plane
With all of this airflow, somewhere in the middle is what they call the NPP, Nuetral Pressure Plane. This is where the negative and positive pressures meet. Below this plane is the negative air pressure, which is why at the foundation your home is trying to pull air in. Above this plane is the positive pressure, which is why air is being forced out through the top of your home.
Wind Loading
Now, wind loading is the change in the air pressure within your home due to the wind hitting the side of your house. We have talked a lot about airflow within the home, now with pressure changes if you open windows on the windy side of the house it will cause a draft up the chimney to help airflow. If you open a window on the opposite side of the house it could create suction and actually pull air and odors down through the chimney into the house. These are some helpful little tips to be aware of when confronting your chimney needs.
Mechanical Devices in Your Home
I am sure you did not realize that the devices in your home such as your dryer and the fans, can also depressurize the area especially around your fireplace. This makes it more difficult for a natural draft airflow to take place. So unless these devices are taking airflow directly from outside via a vent, it could also be throwing off the pressure in your home. If your chimney is ever not getting good airflow it could mean a number of things, such as creosote build up, damage in your chimney, clogged dampers and more. The best thing to do is have regular maintenance by a professional Lawrence Chimney Sweep. Make sure they are knowledgeable and certified chimney sweepers.
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by admin | Mar 17, 2018 | NJ Chimney Sweep
If you have a fireplace in your home I’m sure you are more than aware of the maintenance and upkeep involved. First and foremost it is always best to have a professional West Windsor Chimney Sweep come and check your fireplace and chimney to make sure everything is in order and safe for use.
West Windsor Chimney Sweep |How a Professional Does It
When you have a professional technician come in to inspect and clean your chimney the first thing they will do is put down a drop sheet to keep the soot off the floor. They will also strategically place lighting in the fireplace and chimney for a better view. They will need to plug in some kind of vacuum and will have different brushes among other tools used for cleaning and inspecting.
What Do They Inspect?
The quality of the bricks within your fireplace will need to be checked. They will look to see if you have regular bricks or if your fireplace and chimney were lined with high temperature resistant bricks. If it is regular bricks they will suggest to remove them because they will, if they haven’t already, begin to crack and erode from the heat. They will inspect also the metal bar that is across the top looking to make sure that it is at the right height and placement.
West Windsor Chimney Sweeps | Procedures For Cleaning
First of all they need to make sure to have either a mask or some sort of respirator to filter the air and their breathing from the creosote. While it may be good to sprinkle on your flowers for nutrients, it is not good for your lungs. Creosote is a flammable substance, so while it is of course going to build up within your chimney it needs to be cleaned periodically because of too much builds up it could ignite from the heat and cause serious damage.
Now, with a vacuum going and with the brushes and tools at the ready they will clean down the walls inside your fireplace and chimney. Making sure that the damper is open to the right position, they will also clean the damper ledge to get rid of creosote build up.
Inspecting the Outside
Next, they will inspect the outside of the chimney. Looking for any kind of wear or anything that may be blocking it. If you have trees on your property you want to be sure to trim them to avoid them blocking or falling and damaging your chimney and home itself. If there isn’t already one in place they will install a chimney cap. These are in place to block out anything that may try to get in, whether it be rain, debris, or even animals looking for a home. The cap keeps it out and the mesh around the cap acts to protect from sparks.
When Looking for a Professional
You always, no matter what kind of service you are looking for, want to check for certification. You want to be sure that whoever you hire is up to date on all the safety codes and conduct when dealing with your fireplace and chimney. You need to also be sure they are insured, whether it is damage to your home or to one of their workers you always want to make sure you are covered.
So if you have not had maintenance done, or if you have but you are starting to smell an odor from the fireplace then it is time to call a West Windsor Chimney Sweep.
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by admin | Mar 9, 2018 | NJ Chimney Sweep, Uncategorized
Do you have a wood or coal burning fireplace? If so then you have fireplace that will need to maintained and cleaned regularly. Every family loves a warm fire on a cold winter night, but each fire leaves deposits of soot among other sticky chemicals along the flue pipe of you chimney. These things are highly flammable and need to be cleaned out periodically. Here are some Hopewell Chimney Sweep tips to know if your chimney needs to be cleaned!
1.Hopewell Chimney Sweep | Does your fire light slowly?
If your fire is taking long to light and when lit it is unable to burn at a strong flame, then that is a good sign you may need to have your fireplace cleaned.
2. Is there smoke filling the room when a fire is lit?
If your fire is creating smoke that is coming out into the room, then it is unable to properly go through the chimney and be released. This is another good tell that you desperately need to have your chimney cleaned. A build up of soot and creosote can be dangerous, and when left uncleaned it could be the cause of a fire backing up your chimney, putting you and your family in danger.
3. Is there smoke filling the house when a fire is lit?
If it has reached the point that not only one room may fill with smoke but it starts filling into other rooms then this is a definite sign you need to have you chimney cleaned. This is not something you want to delay. If you have reached this point then it is imperative if you would like to continue to be able to use your fireplace, that you have it swept. Be safe and call or look into more information for your fireplace needs.
4. Can you feel cold air, and do you smell and foul odors?
When you have no fire going and you have a chance, go up to your fireplace and examine it. Do you feel cold air flow coming through? Do you smell any awful smells? These are both signs that you should have someone come in and sweep your chimney. Try to be aware of these things as a home owner with a fireplace.
Hopewell Chimney Sweep | Do Not Delay
I know many of us might only have a fire once a year during the holiday season, if we are blessed to have enough time in our busy schedules to do so. It may be a luxury, but to keep your chimney clean and in well working condition, it is a necessity. If you are a homeowner then you are well aware that your house is an investment. You have put money into it and one day whether it be you or your children, you are going to be looking to either get money back from this investment or past it on for generations. Do you not want to keep it in the up most condition as possible? Well taking care of your chimney is a part of that maintenance. When a family is looking to purchase a home and they always wanted that beautiful fireplace, they are going to ask if it has been maintained and well taken care of. So do not continue to push off having your chimney cleaned. Hopewell Chimney Sweep is a Mercer County Chimney Sweep company that is here for you. Don’t push it off until a routine maintenance becomes a big issue that costs much more money and time to fix. You want your investment, more importantly your home, to be safe, secure, and clean.
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by admin | Jan 16, 2018 | NJ Chimney Sweep
Finding the best Hopewell Chimney Sweep Company is one of the most important things a homeowner can do for the maintenance of their home. Regularly having your chimney swept will give your house that clean feel and will allow you to avoid various issues that arise from a dirty chimney. Nothing beats a clean burning fire during the chillier months! If you are not sure if your chimney needs a cleaning, check out these signs:
Signs That You Need a Hopewell Chimney Sweep Company
- Cold Air or Strange Odors: If you notice a draft of cold air or strange odors coming from the room where your fireplace is, it’s time for Hopewell chimney sweeping service. Creosote is a material that remains once wood or kindling has been burned in the chimney, and it can build up if the amenity isn’t cleaned regularly. Creosote can clog your chimney and keep the flue from closing properly. This can allow cold air to rush through your chimney, and the wind will bring with it the strange odors into your home.
- Slow to Start: When you light a fire, do you notice a delay before the flame is lit? Additionally, does the fire not burn vibrantly once it’s caught on? These are additional signs that you’re in the should consider Hopewell chimney sweeping service. Debris, creosote, and ashes can clog your fireplace and chimney, leading to slower starting times.
- Smoke Issues: Lastly, when lighting a fire, be wary of smoke in your home. If your chimney is backed up with creosote or debris, smoke can get trapped inside it and filter back into your home. Smoke can then fill the room where the chimney is. If left untreated for too long, it can then seep into the entire house. This is a major health hazard for you and your family that should be avoided at all costs.
Looking for the most Excellent Hopewell Chimney Sweep Company?
If you are looking for the best Hopewell chimney sweeping service, you’ve come to the right place! For well over 20 years, St John has been providing hundreds of satisfied homeowners with safe chimneys and cozy winters. Our licensed and insured company is also a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and most of our quality products come with a lifetime warranty. St John is an honest family owned company that takes pride in our positive reputation in the community. For a free Hopewell Chimney Inspection estimate, contact now at (609) 737-0133 or visit the website.
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