by sunshine | Nov 6, 2022 | Mercer County Chimney Sweep, NJ Chimney Inspection, NJ Chimney Repair, NJ Chimney Sweep
The National Fire Prevention Association 211 codes state the “Chimneys must be inspected and cleaned annually as necessary by a certified chimney sweep”. Most homeowners assume that their furnace company includes chimney cleaning as part of their maintenance process, but that is not true.
Problem
Chimney neglect will cause significant damage and endangers your family from carbon monoxide poisoning. Oil and gas furnaces and hot water heaters rely on the chimney for proper venting of exhaust. Although gas and oil appliances do not create creosote that wood-burning appliances do, they still produce soot. Soot is a highly corrosive substance that can damage chimneys and increase carbon monoxide levels in your home.
Furnace Flues can become blocked which allows a blowback of soot into your home and poisonous carbon monoxide to seep into your living space. If the furnace is in the basement, the levels can build up to dangerous high levels undetected. Scheduling an annual chimney sweep inspection and placing a carbon monoxide detector in the basement will save lives.
Monitoring
During the winter months, the furnace can not be cleaned without turning off the heat. During the winter, long running cycles produce soot and harmful substances that cling to the inside of the chimney. The accumulation of these substances restricts the escape of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water vapor.
The furnace produces acidic condensate that will literally eat away at the flue lining in the chimney. If a clay liner begins to deteriorate, the broken bits can fall into the furnace damaging the operating mechanism. Chimney blockages will send the carbon monoxide straight into the basement, then the home living area.
The fumes are invisible, odorless, and tasteless. Carbon Monoxide can only be monitored by a detector designed for that purpose. A carbon monoxide detector is built into some brands of smoke detectors, and the battery should be changed twice a year when the clocks fall back and spring forward.
Cleaning
Fireplace flue cleaning and chimney sweeping refer to the same process. During the service, the technician generally uses a stiff-bristled brush or other chimney cleaning system to brush the inside of the flue to remove buildup from its walls.
Chimneys are havens for creatures and cause dangerous obstructions. Even if your chimney has a hood, creatures can access the funnel and flue. Smoky brown cockroaches are good flyers and can work their way down into the home where they like to live. They like flat roof areas and chimneys – this is how they enter structures. A chimney screen’s holes allow safe smoke ventilation, but nothing else can squeeze through it like fleas or cockroaches. One problem with screens is that pests can bite through them over time. To account for this issue, you could install both a chimney cap and a chimney screen with an annual chimney sweep inspection to ensure both layers of protection are intact.
If you have a chimney in New Jersey, chances are you’ll have Stink Bugs. The heat from buildings will escape from chimneys and vents and they will find their way in as they are attracted to warm areas in cold nights. Beetles and ants can crawl through the cracks of older fireplaces, especially if they’re built with brick. Wasps will nest in your chimney. Exterminating insects in the chimney by spraying will deter infestation. A more permanent solution is installing fine mesh screens, top sealing dampers, and by sealing cracks in your chimney’s exterior with mortar.
Raccoons, squirrels, birds, bats, and other larger pests can use the chimney itself as nesting spots. The chimney cap needs to be steel or copper lid with a mesh wire opening on its underside and installed at the mouth of your chimney. A professional Chimney sweep will remove the hood, replace it with a mesh wire cap, and remove the obstructions from the funnel and the flue.
Bees should not be exterminated; they should be preserved. Unlike wasps, bees are purely vegetarian in both the adult and larval stages. Bees gather nectar from flowers as a source of carbohydrates, as do many wasps. They fulfill their protein needs by collecting pollen. Most species of bees are valuable pollinators, and honeybees are an essential partner in the production of food crops for people.
More than 80% of U.S. food crops are pollinated by honeybees. In New Jersey, blueberries, cranberries, pumpkins, squash, strawberries, soybeans, cucumbers, peaches, and apples are among the many crops that benefit from honeybee pollination. Although wild insect pollinators such as wasps and other bee species help in native plant reproduction, only honeybees live in managed colonies of sufficient numbers for effective pollination of commercial crops. Only honeybees can be transported to large areas of blooming crops for pollination services. The past two decades have seen dramatic declines in the number of honeybees, due to the introduction of parasitic mites, diseases, and habitat loss. Visit NJBeekeepers.org to find out about bee-friendly plants you can cultivate. If a beehive sets up home in the top of your chimney you need a professional chimney sweep and a bee wrangler to remove the entire hive. The New Jersey Bee Association lists bee wranglers who can help.
Venting
A crucial component to the safe operation of your furnace is the proper configurations and size of the entire venting system. Homeowners often forget that when they purchase a new HVAC or furnace system, they need chimney sweep professionals to assess their new system. Manufacturers requirements specifically indicate the proper flue size for the safe operation of their system. If the flue size is incorrect excessive moisture and combustion gases will build up. Moisture is a huge enemy to your ventilation system.
If the system is being converted from oil to gas, building codes require a chimney sweep assessment, cleaning, and inspection prior to installing and operating the new system.
Timing
Spring, summer, autumn are great times to have your chimney sweep service. An annual inspection and cleaning by a CSIA- certified company will ensure the ventilation system is adequate and chimney is safe. Their assessment will also check gaskets and joints are intact.
In winter, the heat will have to be stopped for the chimney sweep to complete his inspection and service. Snow does not stop chimney sweeps. Before any sweeping is done, a visual inspection is performed to determine if the flue needs to be swept. Roof access is not needed to make this determination. Additionally, sweepings are generally performed from the base, making outside weather conditions irrelevant when it comes to running our brushes.
References
https://njbeekeepers.org/swarmremoval/swarmremoval.html
by admin | Nov 10, 2017 | NJ Chimney Sweep
Often times, new homeowners aren’t too sure how to maintain and care for their fireplace and chimney system and are therefore unfamiliar with the importance of hiring a Hamilton chimney sweep company. A chimney sweep company cleans and maintains your home’s chimney system by ensuring that it is functioning efficiently and is free of damage. But did you know that regular chimney sweep is important for many other reasons? Not only do the services prevent future problems, but the also they can diagnose any problems with your chimney and fix anything that has gone wrong throughout the years. Now, the question must be asked: How can you know when you need to call a Hamilton chimney sweep if you have never dealt with a chimney before? Today, we will be looking at so reasons to hire a chimney sweep company to come to your home.
Why Hire A Hamilton Chimney Sweep Company?
Reasons To Call A Hamilton Chimney Sweep Company | Water In Your Fireplace
Assuming you have a chimney cap in place to prevent rain from entering the chimney, if you see water in your firebox, it means there’s a leak somewhere. Water that gets into a firebox may come through cracks in the bricks and mortar of the chimney. Serious and expensive damage will eventually happen if the problem isn’t fixed, and in the majority of cases, only a trained chimney sweep can determine exactly where the breach exists and its extent.
Reasons To Call A Hamilton Chimney Sweep Company | Smoke Coming Into Your House
If the fireplace damper is open properly and smoke is filling the room, there may be an obstruction within the chimney. A variety of debris that flies in the air or falls from trees may have gotten in there. Small animals are known to build nests in chimneys. Smoke in the room also may be the result of downdrafts, which can be caused by a chimney that’s too short or a flue that’s too large. In either case, a trained chimney sweep can quickly discover what’s wrong and provide you with a solution.
Reasons To Call A Hamilton Chimney Sweep Company | You Suspect A Chimney Fire
Not all chimney fires can be seen, but they’re all capable of doing serious damage. If you ever hear an unusual cracking or popping noise or the sound of rumbling coming from the fireplace while in use, or if you notice it’s producing a great amount of dark, dense smoke, you need to immediately extinguish the fire in the firebox and call emergency services. After that, call a chimney sweep to assess the damage and give your chimney a clean bill of health before you use it again.
Reasons To Call A Hamilton Chimney Sweep Company | At The Beginning Of Each Year
Even if there’s no sign of water infiltration and the fireplace is drafting properly and you haven’t had a chimney fire, this fourth reason to call a chimney sweep should apply to all homeowners who operate a fireplace. A clean chimney is a safe chimney, and an inspected and maintained chimney is one that won’t cost you huge sums of money down the line.
Do You Want The Best Hamilton Chimney Sweep Company?
For well over 15 years, St John Chimney Sweeps has been providing the most trusted Hamilton chimney sweep services. Our trained staff and specialized equipment ensures that we always correctly and safely perform all inspections cleanings and repairs. We ensure complete customer satisfaction, and most of our quality products come with a warrantee. We are an honest and hard working family owned business. 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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by admin | Jul 3, 2017 | NJ Chimney Sweep
The chimney is an important part of your Hamilton NJ home. Because of this it should caring for it should never be overlooked. Scheduling regular maintenance and care from a certified Hamilton chimney sweep is key to ensure that your chimney is in safe and good working order every time you need it. Before getting into which Hamilton chimney sweep you should hire to clean your chimney, let’s first take a look at why you should hire one in the first place.
Reasons to Hire a Hamilton Chimney Sweep
When you hire a Hamilton chimney sweep, they do much more than just clean the flue. They are addressing issues that could save your home from potential disaster. Here are some things Hamilton chimney sweeps will address:
- Is your chimney vulnerable to chimney fires because of creosote buildup?
- Does your home have the best possible heating and cooling efficiency?
- Could your family be exposed to deadly carbon monoxide poisoning?
- Does your firebox need to be replaced?
- Are you contributing to the pollution problem when using your fireplace?
Why the Hamilton Chimney Sweep You Choose Should Be Certified
By not hiring a Hamilton chimney sweep or hiring one who’s not certified you could be putting your family and your home at risk. To be part of the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), chimney sweeps go through rigorous training. These certified Hamilton chimney sweeps are continually sharpening their skills and learning about following chimney safety techniques practiced by the CSIA.One of the benefits of hiring a chimney sweep who is certified is that you can have full confidence in the person you’re bringing into your home. With a CSIA certified company, you are guaranteed to receive the most current and qualified chimney care.
Looking for a Professional & Certified Hamilton Chimney Sweep?
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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by admin | May 11, 2017 | NJ Chimney Sweep
Hamilton Chimney Sweep is an important aspect of maintaining your home. Many home owners are under the impression that being able to look up through the chimney and see a clear path means that the chimney is good to go. However, this is not the case at all. A substance known as creosote sticks to the interior of your chimney and may not be easily detected unless you know what you are looking for. Today, we are going to examine some of the many reasons to keep have your chimney swept on a regular basis.
Why Hire Regular Hamilton Chimney Sweep?
- Regular Chimney Sweep Prevents Dangerous House Fires: Fire causing creosote and substances begin to build up at the top of your chimney and works it’s way down to the bottom. Creosote is a highly flammable substance and a single stray ember has the potential to start a fire inside your chimney. Chimney fires can easily spread into other parts of your home and result in devestation damage.
- Hamilton Chimney Sweep Services Identify Potential Issues: You fireplace and chimney work together as a single unit. You can think of them as an appliance that needs regular maintenance and upkeep to run properly and efficiently. Regular chimney inspection can identify problems such as a cracked flue before they become a costly or dangerous problem.
- Chimney Sweep is Part of Home Maintenance: Each spring when you clean and maintain your home, chimney sweep is that final piece. Nobody wants a dirty chimney that smells like smoke or soot. Best of all, you will remove all the dangerous creosote that can be dangerous to your home and family.
- Cleaner Air Inside Your Home: The buildup of creosote inside your chimney can cause the inside of your chimney to narrow. The smaller size in can cause smoke and soot to travel down into your house and affect the air quality. If left unchecked, you may begin to notice discoloration of your walls or furniture. A clean chimney can prevent these issues.
Looking for the Best Hamilton Chimney Sweep?
For over 15 years, St. John Chimney Sweeps has been servicing the Hamilton area. We take pride in our efficient no-mess services and customer satisfaction is always guaranteed. Many of our quality products have a lifetime warranty. We are honest and efficient, providing thorough explanations for all our 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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by admin | May 3, 2017 | NJ Chimney Sweep
Most people think that if they can shine a strong flashlight up their Mercer County, NJ chimney and see a clear path, they’re in the clear. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Creosote appears as a shiny substance, so a lot of people think if the interior of their chimney is shiny, it’s clean. You may not see any visible signs of dirt or creosote, but it’s still there. Here are four really good reasons to hire a Mercer County chimney sweep this year for your chimney.
Reasons to Hire a Mercer County Chimney Sweep
Mercer County Chimney Sweep
Mercer County Chimney Sweep | Prevent House Fires
The top few feet of the chimney is where it accumulates first then slowly builds down the flue. One single ember or spark has the potential to start a chimney fire if it travels up and meets the creosote. A chimney fire can quickly spread to the interior of your home and prove catastrophic.
Mercer County Chimney Sweep | Identify Potential Problems
The chimney and fireplace or wood burning stove work together as a single appliance. All appliances require maintenance from time to time and the chimney and fireplace are no exception. a Mercer County chimney sweep can identify potential problems like cracked flue tiles or other interior damage and repair them before they become a very costly problem.
Mercer County Chimney Sweep | Complete Your Home Maintenance
Hire a Mercer County chimney sweep to clean and inspect your chimney as a final step of your spring cleaning regimen. You’ll have a clean chimney that doesn’t smell like creosote, soot, or smoke, and you’ll be able to finish up the last of the cleaning in no time.
Mercer County Chimney Sweep | Improve the Quality of the Air in Your Home
Creosote makes the diameter of your chimney’s flue smaller as it builds. This reduction in size causes smoke and dangerous gases to back up and enter your home. You may not notice them at first but eventually then you’ll see discoloration on your furniture or you’ll notice soot in areas that it shouldn’t be. This means that the air quality has been compromised and a good chimney cleaning will help prevent future issues.
After you find a company with a good reputation, you can confidently hire them knowing that you made an informed decision. Having the same company perform maintenance year after year is beneficial to you because they will know of any past damages or work that has been done. This insures that you have accurate gauge of the condition your chimney and fireplace is in.
Hiring a Good Mercer County Chimney Sweep Company
Not all Mercer County chimney sweeps are equal. You want to find a company that has your best interest in mind and isn’t preoccupied with simply making money off of you.
A Good Mercer County Chimney Sweep Company Identifies Future Issues
A good chimney sweep looks for future problems in addition to existing chimney. Some chimney companies only look for blaring problems. They ignore minor problems in the hopes that they can charge more when the minor issue becomes a major problem later. The best chimney sweeps look for signs of future problems and make recommendations. Doing so often results in lower repair costs. It is always cheaper to address minor chimney issues before turns into major repair needs.
A Good Mercer County Chimney Sweep Company Provides Comprehensive Services
You want to choose a Mercer County chimney sweep company that can help you in a variety of different areas. Doing so allows for you to take full benefit of their expertise. Otherwise, you will ultimately end up hiring more than one company which can be quite a pain.
Some of the most common services offered include:
- Cleaning of chimney
- Masonry repairs
- Flashing repair
- Waterproofing of chimney
- Crown and caps repair
- Purging of smoke chamber
In addition to cleaning the chimney and fireplace, it is also beneficial to look at any other services that the company might offer, such as dryer vent cleaning. After all, once you find a company, it’s best to rely on them for various other services around your home as well.
A Good Mercer County Chimney Sweep Company Has a Superb Reputation
You should always look into the reputation of the Mercer County chimney sweep company you’re considering. Your research should include sources such as online reviews, testimonials and their membership with professional organizations. Past customer reviews are a powerful resource. If a large number of homeowners in your area have good things to say about the company, you are likely to have a similar experience. Positive reviews will help you makes sure that the company understands how to sweep a chimney in a professional manner. Taking a little bit of time to investigate the company before you hire them will ensure that you get the best services at the best possible price.
A Good Mercer County Chimney Sweep Company is Fully Certified
As you search for the best company to handle your chimney, make sure that you hire a fully certified chimney sweep. This is especially true when working with a bigger company as opposed to a sole proprietor. You don’t want to run the risk of having shady work done that is not guaranteed.
A Good Mercer County Chimney Sweep Company Has Experience
Before you hire any company, check to see how long they have been in business. You shouldn’t hire a company that has less than 5 years of experience. If you can find online reviews or customer testimonials, read as many as you can. You can also ask neighbors, friends and coworkers in your area if they have had any experience working with the company in question.
A Good Mercer County Chimney Sweep Company Is Listed on BBB
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see how the company in question ranks. The BBB does a great job keeping track of reputable companies in your local area. You can also find out if the company has a past record of being reliable and if there are any unresolved issues involving he company. You can find lots of valuable info just by looking through the Better Business Bureau website.
A Good Mercer County Chimney Sweep Company Is Licensed
Companies who provide chimney services need to be licensed. You want to make sure that the business that you choose is licensed and insured. Being licensed shows that they are professional and have taken the proper steps to be compliant with the regulations. If you allow a company to come in and they are not licensed or carry adequate insurance, any damage could potentially be your responsibility.
A Good Mercer County Chimney Sweep Company Gives Free & Accurate Quotes
You also need to ask for a quote for the services that you require. Pricing should be relatively straightforward. When you get into repairs and installations, the company might need to come out and provide an inspection before they can provide a quote. Most companies charge for inspections and cleanings. However, they should not charge a fee to provide a price quote. Unfortunately, there are some cases where a quote cannot be given without performing a full inspection.
Looking for the Best Mercer County Chimney Sweep?
St. John Chimney Sweeps has been providing satisfied Mercer County NJ area home owners with chimney liners & chimney services for well over 15 years. We pride ourselves in our 100% customer satisfaction no-mess guarantee. Many of our quality products have a lifetime warranty. We are honest and efficient, providing thorough explanations for all our 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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The chimney is an important part of your Hamilton NJ home. Because of this it should caring for it should never be overlooked. Scheduling regular maintenance and care from a certified Hamilton chimney sweep is key to ensure that your chimney is in safe and good working order every time you need it. Before getting into which Hamilton chimney sweep you should hire to clean your chimney, let’s first take a look at why you should hire one in the first place.
