Chimney News & Information 2016

Chimney caps installed by our professionals at Guaranteed Chimney of Westchester are certainly an affordable installation and an installation we classify as necessary for your chimney. Every chimney needs a cap and without one your chimney is essentially a large hole that leads directly into your home. These caps protect your home from many hazards and also allow your fires to burn longer and extend the life of your chimney before needing repairs. Without proper capping, here are issues that may arise:

1. Loose Debris - A properly installed chimney cap will keep animals, leaves and all other debris in the area from falling into the chimney. If you do not have a chimney cap or one that needs repairing by one of our professionals, your chimney will be subject to leaves, sticks and even animals-which can lead to dangerous blockages.
2. House Fires - Don't have a chimney cap? What happens to the burning embers that rise from your fire and travel to the top of the chimney flue? Without a proper cap, these embers exit the top of the chimney and can land on your roof  as well as your neighbor's roofs and lead to serious fires.
3. Water Damage - The enemy more dangerous than animals and debris to chimneys without caps is in fact, water. Without a properly installed cap; ice, snow and rain will all fall down through the flue. This will lead to extensive damage within the interior of the chimney-which will be costly to fix, along with any other damages that resulted from the damaged chimney. When the water thaws and freezes, cracks in the chimney lining will begin to show. The chimney crown will become worn down and damages to your house will start to occur.
   

Types of Chimney Caps:

There are several types of chimney caps that our chimney experts at Guaranteed Chimney of Westchester can install for you. The most basic chimney caps will protect your home against weather damage-although we suggest you upgrade to a wind-resistant cap to prevent downdrafts into your home. A cap with protective screening to guard against animals intruding is also a good investment.

There are many different materials to choose from when having a cap installed as well. Galvanized steel rusts quicker than most materials, which causes all attachment screws to rust and and come loose with a strong wind. Aluminum caps, break down easily and can be damaged by animals. Given this plethora of knowledge, our experts suggest installing a stainless steel chimney cap as the maintenance on them is minimal and the look doesn't go out of style.

Save money down the road by having a chimney cap installed today!

Each and every year thousands of fires occur in homes with chimneys. These accidents happen because of improper chimney cleaning and maintenance. As a homeowner who uses their chimney, no matter how little or how often, it is a must to be as knowledgeable as possible regarding the maintenance of chimneys. All chimneys should be inspected annually and have cleanings done twice a year. Here are five tips for maintaining your chimney:

1. Use the Correct Wood - Only well-seasoned wood should be used in your fireplace during the winter months. Once the wood is cut, it should be used between 6-12 months. The wood you use for your fireplace should always be stored in a raised location until it is ready to be used. Treated woods and flammable fluids can cause severe chimney problems.
2. Clean the Hearth - The top of your chimney must be cleaned often-much more often than the normal annual cleaning your chimney should receive. The hearth of the chimney holds materials that can cause fires which can spread throughout your house. Safely remove any branches or debris from all areas 15 feet from the chimney. The best way to prevent this accumulation is installing a chimney cap, which our chimney specialists can do.
3. Remove the Ashes - Once the fire burns out, safely remove the ashes from the fireplace after each time the fireplace is used. The debris should then be tossed in a metal bucket so that the embers can completely burn out.
4. Better Equipment - If you have a fireplace/chimney system that was built before 1992, it needs an upgrade immediately. Upgraded units are in fact pricey, but they help homeowners save a ton of money every year due to their increased efficiency. Newer units are also easier to clean which is an added benefit.
5. Extra Tips - Don't start a fire before you clean the chimney. Hire a professional chimney sweeper annually. If your chimney is old either have it repaired and upgraded or hire a sweeper more frequently.

With so many preparations to worry about, the last thing you may think about when the winter season rolls through is the condition of your fireplace and chimney. Turning that fireplace on after months of inactivity and wear from the changing seasons could leave your house, your family and yourself at risk for serious injuries. Chimneys that are not properly maintained can cause structural damage, destroy homes or even injure people. Here are a few signs to look for that will tell you your chimney needs restoration:

Cracked Crowns

A chimney crown is the concrete slab placed on top of the chimney. The crown's purpose is to protect the chimney from weather and prevent deterioration. If your chimney crown has shrunk or cracked, it will expose the rest of the chimney to water and other natural elements. This exposure could cause bricks to fall out or come loose. Good quality crowns should be made of concrete or cement, have no cracks and overhang the masonry by at least two inches.

Deterioration

After years of wear and tear from mother nature, it can cause a chimney’s brick and mortar to deteriorate. Older chimney’s have not only had to endure more wear, but they may also be made of blends that are softer and much less stable than newer chimneys. This in turn could cut the life of a chimney in half. Different climates also have different effects on the structure of a chimney. A process called “spalling” can occur if you live in a climate that experiences freezing winters and hot/humid cycles. What happens is, moisture enters the concrete, freezes, then expands, which causing pieces/layers of the brick to crumble off.

Poor Flashing

Many people may not know what the flashing in your chimney is. The flashing is the thin material that is installed to prevent water from entering a structure. Chimneys typically have flashing installed underneath the shingles on the roof and cut into the brickwork. Even the smallest of breaches in the flashing can lead to significant leaks and serious water damage.

Broken Caps

The chimney cap is the metal “hat” that protects the interior of the chimney. Chimney caps are important to the proper functioning of a chimney since they prevent water from entering the inside of the chimney, as well as keep animals and debris out. Fully functioning caps also allow proper venting. If you have a broken chimney cap, it can bring about serious consequences, such as water damage to the chimney and even inside your house. If a cap is not allowing for proper venting, it can cause smoke to build up inside the chimney and enter your house and possibly cause a fire.

Improper Dimensions

If your chimney is too short, there is a strong possibility that you will experience downdrafts. The improper spacing between components can also prevent smoke from rolling before entering the smoke shelf, and allow smoke to enter your house.

Call Guaranteed Chimney of Westchester for all of your chimney needs!

The purpose of a fireplace is obviously to add warmth and beauty to your home, but their use needs to always be treated with care and caution. Knowing how to safely operate your fireplace, you can ensure that the whole family can enjoy sitting together in front of the fire and you will no longer have to worry about safety concerns. These five tips should always be referred to when dealing with your fireplace:

1. Only burn what is designed to be burned

Modern heating appliances can be found for almost any fuel source. Whether your fireplace is built to burn wood, pellets, gas, coal, or another fuel source, it is important to burn what your fireplace is designed for and nothing else. Venting systems installed in gas fireplaces are not designed to handle wood. This holds true for burning paper or cardboard in a wood fireplace which can cause dangerous, out of control flames. For homes with wood burning fireplaces, seasoned hardwoods are most often the best choice, producing the least amount of smoke while creating the hottest flames.

2. Keep the area around the fireplace clear

The mantle of your fireplace is a common area to decorate, precise care should be taken when decorating around this area. Low hanging or other flammable decorations should be placed elsewhere in the home, or moved when the fireplace is being used. Additionally, curtains, carpets, and other furnishings should be kept at least three feet away from the fireplace to avoid stray sparks and embers-greatly reducing the risk of house fires.

3. Keep children out

Glass doors, baby gates, grates or any other safety barrier that is appropriate should be used around the fireplace if there are small children or pets in your home. Older children can be taught to keep away from the flames, but babies and toddlers are often too curious to stay away. These barriers will prevent any accidents from happening in the home. However, no matter their age, children should never be left unsupervised when the fireplace is in use.

4. Are your smoke detectors working?

Every home, even homes without fireplaces, should be equipped with fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This is common knowledge, but needs to be stated regardless. These safety alarms are especially important in homes with fireplace and should be tested every six months to ensure they work correctly. Smoke detectors should be placed on every level of the home as well as near fireplace and outside sleeping areas.

5. Regular maintenance is vital

Annual chimney and fireplace maintenance is often the most important part of keeping your fireplace safe to use. By having your chimney swept and inspected at least once per year (twice is highly recommended), you can ensure that it is free from damage and can burn safely and efficiently.

Follow these five tips closely and keep your home and family safe all year round! Contact Guaranteed Chimney of Westchester today for all of your chimney and fireplace needs!