by admin | Aug 11, 2021 | NJ Chimney Inspection, NJ Chimney Sweep
A considerable amount of house fires in Mercer County are caused when creosote cakes up up on the interior of a chimney. Despite that fact, many homeowners continue to disregard this significant risk, and don’t take preventative measures when it comes to Mercer County chimney cleaning. When houses were heated by fireplaces only, prior to the Industrial Revolution, chimney sweeps were in demand as 19th century homeowners realized how important a clean chimney was for avoiding house fires.
Mercer County Chimney Cleaning
In the 21st century, avoiding a house fire is just as important. Even though most contemporary homeowners use their fireplaces for coziness or have remote controlled natural gas flames to fuel their fires, the majority still use wood to burn and are susceptible to creosote buildup in their dampers and flues. Homeowners are urged to have their chimneys inspected for creosote buildup and a chimney cleaning if necessary in the spring of each year.
Chimney fires are characterized by loud cracking or popping noises and a lot of dense smoke from the flue, but often times go undetected by the homeowner. Chimney fires are often explosive, and it is common for neighbors to hear the explosions and alert the homeowner. Chimney fires can burn at extremely high temperatures (up to 2,000 degrees F).
These super-hot fires will weaken masonry chimney structure after creosote residue builds up in sufficient quantities. The conditions that tend to attract creosote buildup include the natural lack of air supply in chimneys, burning wood that lacks enough seasoning, and cool chimney temperatures that occur in four-season environments. Overloading your firebox to get longer fires can also contribute to creosote residue buildup in your chimney.
So, how often do chimney fires happen? Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) statistics indicate there are more than 25,000 chimney fires annually in the US. These cause over $125 million in property damage, but, if they spread to occupied homes the measurement of human deaths and injuries is impossible to compute.
How Often Should You Get Mercer County Chimney Cleaning Service?
You should have an annual chimney inspection by a reputable Mercer County chimney sweep organization. Depending on how often you use your fireplace to burn wood, creosote residue will build up in your chimney. There are many factors that influence the amount of creosote stuck to the walls of your chimney, such as the volume of airflow into your chimney and burning improperly seasoned wood, which encourage such a buildup. Creosote will also buildup in the flue if you have unburned wood in the firebox.
There is not a “hard and firm” rule of thumb on how often to clean your chimney. An examination by an experienced chimney sweep is the only way to learn if your chimney, whether masonry or metal, needs a cleaning.
Modern prefabricated metal chimneys are specially treated to withstand the high temperatures of a chimney fire without suffering severe damage. Should they suffer damage from a chimney fire, the professional recommendation is to no longer use the chimney until you replace the unit.
Forms of Preventative Maintenance:
A common homeowner question: “How can I maintain the safety of my chimney between professional cleanings to avoid chimney fires?” There are things homeowners can do to better avoid often dangerous chimney fires. Here are a few steps Mercer County homeowners can take:
- Do not let ashes gather in the firebox. Clean them out if they are accumulating.
- Be sure to only use seasoned firewood in your fireplace. If you gather it yourself, season it for a year or more before you burn it. If you buy it from a vendor, ensure that the firewood company only offers seasoned wood.
- Ensure the damper is entirely open BEFORE lighting a fire in the firebox.
- Do not burn pressure-treated or painted wood in the fireplace. This will hasten creosote buildup (pressure-treated wood) or potentially create toxic fumes (painted wood) that are dangerous to your family members.
- Put the largest logs on the bottom of the firebox, followed by smaller logs on top. Why? The fire will burn hotter and produce less smoke. Top that pile with kindling (around one inch) and crushed newspaper to get the fire started properly. This method will retard residue buildup in your chimney.
- Have an annual inspection of your chimney by a professional. Hire an experienced, reliable chimney sweep to mechanically clean your chimney, removing tar and creosote.
Can Just Use “Chimney Sweeping Logs?”
It is not really the logs that do much, but the chemicals within them. Some “chimney sweeping log” products claim to assist retarding creosote buildup, and some of them do so. Those that are somewhat effective in maintaining your chimney between cleanings contain chemicals similar to the chemicals used by chimney sweeps for professional cleanings.
The chemicals are carried up the flue by the rising exhaust from the safe fire in your fireplace. These logs break down the residue coating the inside of your chimney, but many experts have a problem with the marketing strategy for these products.
If you read the “fine print” disclosures for these logs, you will see that the chemicals imbedded in them are labelled “might reduce creosote by as much as 60 percent.” However, experts refute this by saying, “The use of chimney sweeping logs alone is not an adequate substitute for mechanical chimney cleaning and inspection because it does not provide for the same level of protection to the chimney system. Every time you burn wood in your fireplace or wood stove, tar and creosote are formed and over time build up on the inside of your chimney.”
The bottom line is to not rely solely on chimney sweeping logs rather than hiring a professional Mercer County chimney sweep to clean your chimney. While they can help you maintain your chimney between professional chimney sweep cleanings, they do not replace the need for regular chimney inspections and cleanings.
Looking for the Best Mercer County Chimney Sweep?
If you’re looking for the best Mercer County chimney sweep, contact St John Chimney Sweeps right away. At St John Chimney Sweeps we offer 100% customer satisfaction. We have been in business for over 15 years, and St John Chimney Sweeps is the only name you need to know for a full-service chimney sweeping and installation in the New Jersey area. Our employees have had extensive training and have earned many certificates that help them do their job with full expertise. We are efficient and provide a full explanation of the work we need to complete. Our licensed and insured company is also a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. We have been supplying expert sweeps, repairs and installation services to homeowners all across the state of New Jersey. Call us at (609)737-0133 to find out more about our free estimates. Let us take care of all your chimney needs!
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by admin | Feb 5, 2020 | NJ Chimney Sweep
Do you know the last time you hired someone for a chimney sweep? A chimney is in a vital part of every home that provides ventilation for smoke and flue gases that come from your fireplace or stove. Sometimes, your water heater or furnace flue also ventilates through your chimney, but at times can be vented through a separate vent flue or smaller chimney. Below are some top reasons why regular chimney sweeps are so important.
Regular Chimney Sweeps Prevent Chimney Fires:
Creosote, a type of combustion residue, is highly flammable and will build up on the inside of your fireplace chimney flue. Our chimney cleaning service providers can inspect and clean out your chimney to prevent chimney fires. We will send a certified chimney sweep in the Mercer County NJ area to help to safely service your home to keep you safe and warm.
Routine Chimney Sweeps Minimize Carbon Monoxide Risks:
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of combustion and needs to be vented safely out the flue. If your chimney flue or boiler/furnace b vent has a blockage or defect, these dangerous gases can leak into your home. Call our Alexandria & Richmond chimney sweep professionals to come out and help with your annual chimney inspection to make sure that your family is protected from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Chimney Maintenance Eliminates Odors:
After using your fireplace for the winter, you should look into chimney cleaning services and schedule an appointment. If you wait until fall, then your chimney can often give off smoky or stinky odors during the warmer months of spring and summer. Our certified chimney sweep in Richmond VA and the Alexandria DC metro area can help you clean out your chimney to prevent these odors.
Chimney Sweeping Increases Your Chimney’s Lifespan:
As your Alexandria and Richmond chimney sweep experts, we advise scheduling an annual chimney inspection to help catch unseen issues with your chimney. This is crucial because if flaws in your chimney are not quickly addressed, over time this can lead to expensive repairs. A good example of this is water penetration that freezes and thaws in a cycle that is very destructive to your chimney. Other chimney repairs like chimney spalling or loose mortar should also be quickly fixed.
Regular Chimney Sweeps Keep Out Unwanted Visitors:
It is important to have a certified chimney sweep come and inspection your chimney to make sure there aren’t any raccoons, squirrels or birds living or trapped inside. These animals can cause dangerous blockages that can hinder proper venting. Contact our certified chimney sweep today to inspect your chimney and install a chimney cap if you don’t already have one to keep out the critters.
Looking for the Best Chimney Sweep Service in Central NJ?
if you’re searching for the best Mercer County chimney sweeping service, contact St. John Chimney Sweeps to inspect your chimney and have it cleaned. St. John Chimney Sweeps has been in business for over 15 years. We are a full service chimney and fireplace sweeping and installation company in Princeton, New Jersey. We offer 100% customer satisfaction and a no mess guarantee. Our products also come with a lifetime warranty. The employees at St. John Chimney Sweeps go through an extensive training and have earned certificates, which permit them to do the job right. We are honest and efficient in all our jobs. We are also a licensed and insured company. St John Chimney Sweeps is the most trusted New Jersey chimney sweep company. We have the experience and the skills to far exceed your expectations. Give us a call today. We encourage you to look through our website and see all we have to offer. Our blog can guide you in the right direction with helpful tips and advice on chimney related services.
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by admin | Oct 10, 2019 | Mercer County Chimney Sweep
Thinking of hiring a Chimney Sweep Mercer County company? There are a few things you need to know before hiring a chimney sweep company. It is best to choose a chimney sweep carefully. Make sure that you are hiring a qualified professional. You need a Mercer County chimney sweep. You want the job to be performed correctly, as your chimney could become a fire hazard.
Chimney Sweep Mercer County | Industry
You need to be wise when hiring a professional chimney sweep company. Being the chimney sweep industry is unregulated, anyone can claim to have a chimney sweep company. Licenses and certifications from recognized associations can provide more proof of a reputable company. A professional chimney sweep company should provide the qualifications to perform the work with skills and with excellence. It is proper to ask for the certifications that the particular company has before they start working on your chimney. Some chimney sweep company owners are certified, but they send out technicians who have not earned their certifications. Yet these technicians are knowledgeable. A reputable chimney sweep technician needs to have the knowledge for cleaning and repairing a chimney.
Chimney Sweep Mercer County | Identification and Referrals
Most reputable chimney sweep companies have identification badges and/or uniforms displaying the companies name and logo. You should also go online for customer reviews of the company you are considering hiring. It is best to check the reviews to see how the companies work habits are and their professionalism. In addition, speaking with neighbors about their experience with the chimney sweep company is a smart move, too. All these things can prevent damage to your home and get the right people working on your home. The technician should be able to answer your questions regarding your venting system, fireplace and chimney.
Chimney Sweep Mercer County | Safety
It may be tempting to go with a chimney sweep company that is less expensive. But it is important to count the cost against the peace of mind you have if the work is performed professionally and with the industry standards. If a chimney is not properly cleaned, inspected and repaired, it becomes a fire hazard. Choosing a reliable chimney sweep company will give you peace of mind that your home and family are safe. One feature of a professional chimney sweep company is their commitment to work within a time frame. A reliable technician should value and respect your time, therefore being on time all the time. A professional and reputable chimney sweep company technician may wear special gear to protect themselves. The technician will also clean up and leave no mess behind once the job is complete.
Chimney Sweep Mercer County | Chimney Cleaning
A good chimney sweep company has experience and permanent standing in the industry if they have liability insurance coverage. This insurance protects you against any damages done to your home during the cleaning or repairing. Your technician will first survey your chimney to determine what they need to do to properly clean your chimney. The chimney sweep can be done from the roof or through the fireplace. When the job is complete you should see no more soot or ash. They are also able to tell you the condition of your chimney, so you are aware of any repairs that are needed.
Searching for the best Chimney Sweep Mercer County company? Give St. John Chimney Sweeps a call today. We have been in business for more than 15 years. We offer 100% customer satisfaction and a no-mess guarantee. Most products also come with a lifetime warranty. Feel free to contact us to inquire about our free estimates. Call us now!
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by admin | Jun 10, 2019 | NJ Chimney Sweep
Ewing Area Chimney Sweep. Are you thinking about getting a thorough chimney sweep to keep your home safe during the winter? You need Mercer County chimney sweeping. Relaxing by the fireplace can be wonderful to unwind at the end of your day, but it also can be a safety hazard. If you have not cleaned your fireplace and inspected it before using it, it can cause a house fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. There are a few ways that having your chimney cleaned and inspected before winter can protect your home and family.
Ewing Area Chimney Sweep | Pests
Chimneys can get clogged with lawn debris and with animals creating nests. There are a lot of animals that make their homes in chimneys during the spring and summer. If you light up your fireplace when the flue is blocked by an animal or nest, it can spark a fire. You can also be in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. The smoke is unable to completely go out through the chimney therefore it will come back into the home.
Ewing Area Chimney Sweep | Chemical Compound
If you have ever noticed a dark tar-like substance on the walls of the chimney, it is called creosote. It is extremely flammable, and it is a chemical compound that forms when you burn wood in your fireplace. This is a major cause for chimney fires and house fires. When there is large buildup of creosote in the chimney, it can burn for a long time and remain in the flue and cause major damage to the chimney and the surrounding areas.
Ewing Area Chimney Sweep | Structural Damage
The entire chimney and its surrounding must be in good condition to protect your home from water damage and fire. Chimneys can get damaged and start to deteriorate because the exposure to harsh weather and extreme temperatures. A professional needs to inspect your chimney regularly since they have the experience and the right equipment. Cracked chimney crowns or damaged flue liners need to be repaired before being able to use the chimney safely.
Ewing Area Chimney Sweep | Flue Liner
The flue liner of a chimney is the main defense against a house fire and monoxide poisoning. It protects the rest of the chimney from high temperatures of fire and chemicals in the smoke. It prevents sparks from getting into the home. When there is a big buildup of creosote, it traps moisture that can damage the flue liner. A professional should be cleaning your flue at least once a year to help it last longer.
Ewing Area Chimney Sweep | Work More Efficiently
Having yearly chimney inspections and sweeps helps the chimney to work more efficiently. In turn, when a fire burns fuel efficiently it provides more heat with less smoke. You are also able to keep your home comfortable and safe. Scheduling a chimney sweep before you start using your fireplace can improve the efficiency. The cleaning process removes any thing in the way of allowing the smoke to escape the home and allowing oxygen that the fire needs to burn well.
Searching for the best Ewing Area Chimney Sweep company. St John Chimney Sweeps is the place to call. We offer chimney sweeping, repairs and full safety inspections in New Jersey. Our technicians inspect your chimney with every sweeping, looking for anything that would interfere with your chimney working the way it should. Your chimney should be cleaned at least once a year to avoid any problems. Schedule a chimney inspection and sweep today to have peace of mind that you will be ready when those cold nights come along and you need to get warmed fast.
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by admin | Jun 4, 2019 | NJ Chimney Sweep
For some, the first mental image at the phrase “chimney sweep” is some Dickson-era orphan asking guv’ner for spare change. However, the art of chimney sweeping is not limited to the bygone age of coal production and child labor. People still own chimneys, and those chimneys still need to be swept. So, if your home has a chimney that it uses, are you keeping it clean? Remember, poor old Santa Claus must jump down that thing every year. Do you want Santa Claus to come down your flute looking ready to pop into “Oliver Twist”? That sort of poor chimney maintenance puts you on the naughty list for sure. So, if you live in Mercer County, a Mercer county chimney sweeping service is right for you. Call a Princeton Area chimney sweep today.
Chimney sweeping safety | Princeton Area Chimney Sweep
A clean chimney is important for home safety. Chimney fires are a series hazard to the health of you, your family, and your home. Not to mention poor Santa Claus. When your chimney fills up with chemicals and soot and other such residue, it becomes dangerous. So cleaning the chimney regularly prevents the risk of the chimney catching fire. It keeps your home safer, and means you can relax by the fire in peace. You can roast your chestnuts, warm and sated from all fears of spontaneous combustion.
Better heating | Princeton Area Chimney Sweep
Keeping your chimney clear helps the chimney run more efficiently. Without all the blockage, you do not have to use excessive amounts of wood. The chimney will do its purpose, and the heat will have somewhere to escape too. If you forget to regularly sweep the chimney, then serious damage can occur. The chimney will malfunction, and expensive repairs will be needed. Also, by keeping your chimney clean, you can spot small problem areas early. And you can also prevent them from spreading.
You do not need to clean the chimney all day every day. How often you use the chimney should be proportionate to how often you clean out its flumes. Once a year is likely often enough for most fireplace situations. We are, again, not in the 18th century where we need a wood-burning fireplace to brew up gruel. And then deny seconds of said gruel to orphans. In the long run, hiring a chimney sweep once a year is likely to pay off. You will be spared all avoidable expenses of chimney repairs.
Who to call | Princeton Area Chimney Sweep
Conceivably, it is possible to clean your own chimney. But it is a messy, potentially dangerous job. And you are likely to get soot in your hair. Professional chimney sweeps no more than just how to step-in-time. They have the know-how to get all the problem areas. Clean up all the grit and build-up. Keep themselves safe when on the roof of your home. Remember, just because Santa Claus has no problem being up there, does not mean you will find it as easy.
Dirty chimneys are dangerous. Dirty chimneys do not run properly. And dirty chimneys are gross. If you own a chimney, it is important as a good homeowner and caretaker to look after the poor thing. And if you, understandably, are not eager to get involved in such a messy situation, there are professionals. Simply call up your local Princeton Area Chimney Sweep for all your chimney sweeping needs. They are more than qualified to do the job and do it right. It will protect your home, your family, and keep you nice and toasty during the winter months.
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In the 21st century, avoiding a house fire is just as important. Even though most contemporary homeowners use their fireplaces for coziness or have remote controlled natural gas flames to fuel their fires, the majority still use wood to burn and are susceptible to creosote buildup in their dampers and flues. Homeowners are urged to have their chimneys inspected for creosote buildup and a chimney cleaning if necessary in the spring of each year.
It is not really the logs that do much, but the chemicals within them. Some “chimney sweeping log” products claim to assist retarding creosote buildup, and some of them do so. Those that are somewhat effective in maintaining your chimney between cleanings contain chemicals similar to the chemicals used by chimney sweeps for professional cleanings.
Regular Chimney Sweeps Prevent Chimney Fires:
As your Alexandria and Richmond chimney sweep experts, we advise scheduling an annual chimney inspection to help catch unseen issues with your chimney. This is crucial because if flaws in your chimney are not quickly addressed, over time this can lead to expensive repairs. A good example of this is water penetration that freezes and thaws in a cycle that is very destructive to your chimney. Other chimney repairs like chimney spalling or loose mortar should also be quickly fixed.
