Recent Posts
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Cracks Inside Chimneys that are Hazardous
/in Chimney CracksThis is a video of a home in San Juan Capistrano that is approximately 40 years old. All 3 chimneys had severe cracks and gaps in the chimney flue. This is a severe fire hazard if the fireplaces are used to burn wood or gas fires.
If you are purchasing a home that was built over 20 years ago, don’t take a chance that the chimney will not have gaps. Approximately 40% of the homes that were built in the 1980s and earlier have cracks and gaps within the chimney flues. Regular home inspectors do not inspect the chimneys with a video camera and as a result most of the cracks are not detected. Approximately 15,000 homes per year in the U.S. have home fires which start in the fireplace/chimney.
Dirty Chimney Being Cleaned
/in Chimney SweepingEvery time you use your fireplace, soot (creosote) is created and deposited on the inside of your chimney as the smoke travels up the flue. As that substance cools it solidifies and results in a caked on layer that will build up use after use. Creosote is made up of particles from the wood and is incredibly flammable. After enough creosote builds up, it can ignite and launch a fast-spreading, dangerous chimney fire. We will remote this creosote and leave your chimney and fireplace clean and ready for use. At the same time, we will inspect the fireplace and chimney and make sure there are no additional hazards.
Chimney Fire in 30 foot Chimney
/in Chimney Sweeping, Smoking FireplacesInstalling Gas Logs
/in Gas LogsWe frequently install gas log sets for people that want fire, without the hassle of burning solid fuels, wood or pressed logs. Wood and pressed logs leave ashes, soot or creosote and require cleaning periodically. I get calls asking how often should we get fireplace cleaned. I tell them at minimum, weekly cleanings are recommended, wait for a bit of gasp, then tell them, seriously, we recommend cleaning every 60 fires or a cord of wood.
One of benefits of installing gas logs is that professional cleanings usually aren’t needed if logs are set up correctly.
Chimney Cap Patina
/in Chimney CapIn the 1980’s builders almost completely quit building chimneys out of brick and mortar and converted to prefabricated metal chimneys. The tops of chimneys now being metal are subject to deterioration, especially near beach, where salt air chews them up.
We get calls to replace them and copper is the most durable under beach conditions. Here is one we installed in summer of 2023 and now you can see the patina that has developed.