Custom Chimney Chase Cover installed

A chimney chase cover is a chimney topper that is provided for pre-fabricated fireplaces that have wood-framed chimney chases.  Chimney chase covers seal of chase openings, preventing moisture from getting into your chimney and causing thousands of dollars of expensive repairs.  These covers are similar to a lid on a shoe box with a central opening to let smoke and gases escape while sealing the top from moisture getting in.

Here is a recent install we did of a custom chase cover, also known as a custom shroud.

custom chase cover

Chimney Cap Before and After

Chimney caps are an inexpensive way to protect your chimney and fireplace from water, debris and animals.  Installing a chimney cap can save you headaches down the line. 

Here is a before and after of a chimney cap we replaced.

Chimney cap replaced

Gas logs information for home owners

Gas logs can be a good solution for a fireplace, instead of burning wood or pressed logs. Burning gas is cleaner, puts less wear and tear on fireplace and chimney which requires less maintenance. 

Gas Fireplace logs beforeGas logs are typically made from concrete. A few will claim ceramic by putting in a small amount of ceramic into concrete logs. Still they are mostly concrete, but they can “advertise” them as ceramic. True ceramic logs are rare and they weigh very little but are probably much more effective getting heat into your home. 

Most conventional fireplaces are very inefficient, in terms of heating a room”.  All air flow goes up the chimney and only source of heat is “radiant” heat by having something in fireplace get hot and radiate heat out to room. Concrete logs are not very effective in this, and in our opinion true ceramic logs are significantly more efficient. 

gas fireplace logs afterIn purchasing gas logs, getting correct size is important. We have had people get too large a set that won’t fit in firebox or sets too small that look a bit odd. Further, there are different burners and grates especially good to know for larger fireplaces. We are always happy to consult with you and explain options.  

Dan with Lucky Sully Chimney Sweep 714-342-7415 

Glass Fireplace Doors

Custom glass fireplace doors protect your family and home and help prevent heat loss. Here is a recent before and after of glass fireplace doors we installed.

glass doors-before-after

Cracks in a firebox

We get calls frequently about cracks in a firebox.  Cracks depending on where they are and what type of cracking can be potentially hazardous situations or insignificant.  There are about 3 different construction types of fireplaces employed in the last 70-80 years. A virtual assessment can often determine the severity of the situation and type of construction. 

Cracks in a fireboxThis picture shows a fireplace built probably prior to 1980 or so, where there were cracks inside the firebox top front opening. One can see staining where heat was traveling toward the wood combustibles.  Someone removed the lintel and bricks of the the façade (incidentally a terrible idea as someone was looking to remodel).  So, some cracks are potentially dangerous, while others not so much.  But a virtual assessment can often determine the necessity for an in person inspection.