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 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 | Aug 16, 2017 | NJ Chimney Repair, Uncategorized
Waiting for your next chimney inspection isn’t the only way to know if you need new Mercer County chimney caps. You may notice water in the fireplace or a musty smell coming from the chimney. A small bird or animal can infiltrate your chimney and cause problems. Maybe you notice some damage while doing your own visual inspection while looking at your home. You see your home on a daily basis, so you’re more likely to notice damages as they occur if you keep an eye out.
The Important Role of Mercer County Chimney Caps
Maybe you’ve seen your Mercer County chimney caps several times and thought that they were aesthetically pleasing atop your chimney. Many homeowners even like to watch the smoke roll from the various openings of their chimney caps. A decorative chimney cap is even nicer to look at. Some people actually order custom Mercer County chimney caps if you really want to make a style statement.
A chimney cap does much more than simply look appealing to the eye. It protects the chimney from invasive animals and birds. The chimney is a nice warm spot for animals to find shelter from the elements, cool weather, and from predators. You probably don’t want to experience something like a raccoon or squirrel making its way into your home through your chimney
Mercer County chimney caps keep your flue from damage from debris during a wind storm and keeps water out of the flue when it rains or snows. They also prevent cold downdrafts from entering your home through the chimney.
How to Choose the Right Mercer County Chimney Caps
Purchasing a chimney cap isn’t always a straightforward ordeal. Most flue openings are either 3 inches or 4 inches. That’s pretty simple, you buy the cap that fits your flue and has the aesthetic you want, and install it. Look for Mercer County chimney caps that complement your home in some way so that it adds to the overall aesthetic. You may want to consider purchasing a custom chimney cap. They’re relatively inexpensive and look great.
Looking for Quality Mercer County Chimney Caps?
St. John Chimney Sweeps has been providing satisfied home owners with Mercer County Chimney repair services for decades. We take pride in providing our valued customers with our 100% satisfaction no-mess guarantee. Many of our quality products have a lifetime warranty. We are honest family owned company that always gives thorough explanations before we do any work. Our licensed and insured company is also a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG). Call now for a free estimate at: (609) 737-0133 or visit our website.
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Waiting for your next chimney inspection isn’t the only way to know if you need new Mercer County chimney caps. You may notice water in the fireplace or a musty smell coming from the chimney. A small bird or animal can infiltrate your chimney and cause problems. Maybe you notice some damage while doing your own visual inspection while looking at your home. You see your home on a daily basis, so you’re more likely to notice damages as they occur if you keep an eye out.