by Mark Hudson | Sep 27, 2017 | Energy Efficiency
Did you know that your fireplace may be costing you money, even when it’s not in use? Your chimney may be the reason for that warm draft in the summer months that have you cranking up the A/C. It can cause structural damage and water damage if neglected, and should be cleaned and inspected routinely.
Prevention Saves Money
You can save money by taking care of your chimney. You should schedule regular chimney sweeps that clean away soot, creosote, and ash from the system. When you keep your system clean, it is safer and more efficient. A clean chimney is also more easy to detect malfunctions and performance problems. Annual chimney inspections also play a large part in preventing hazards in your system. These appointments, both the sweeps and inspections, are made easier when you have a clean-out door. Think of it as a backdoor to your chimney system, allowing access to the inside where you can easily clean out debris and ash, and get a look inside to determine when to schedule your next sweep. At Hudson Chimney we install clean-out doors for customers who are proactive, who’d like to take charge of their chimney system, and who would like to save money in the long-run.
Upgrades Save Money
When you are tired of feeding a fire just to maintain the same mediocre heat production, it’s time to find the problem. Up to 75 percent of heat from a traditional open fireplace can be lost up the chimney. In addition, the conditioned air escapes out the chimney opening during the summer months. This type of occurrence can be prevented completely by installing a top-sealing, or energy saving damper. This damper, unlike a throat damper, is installed directly onto the top of the chimney. It functions as both a chimney cap, and a damper. When the chimney is not in use, it closes with a tight seal that protects the chimney from top to bottom. This secure seal keeps water, wind, and animals out of the flue completely. It is easier to access than a throat damper for repairs and cleaning. It is even easy to open and close from right inside your house by your hearth.
We recommend energy saving dampers over throat dampers and standard caps for the added protection, but also for the money it saves our customers. An energy-saving damper can save you 8 percent on your utility costs and up to 30 percent on your utilities! When it comes to the benefits, this damper pays for itself.
Ask us about how installing energy-saving dampers and cleanout doors can improve your experience today and save you money in the future. You can speak with a chimney expert today by calling 904-282-4159.
by Mark Hudson | Sep 8, 2017 | Chimney Inspections
Your fireplace is designed to hold your fire, and your chimney is designed to vent it. These two parts of the chimney system are made to work together. When both parts work correctly, the fire should be safe and efficient. When even one part of the system falls short, efficiency drops and fire risk goes up.
Preventative Maintenance
Both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommend routine maintenance for a safe and efficient fire. That means that your chimney should be clean, and checked annually for damage and wear. Making these appointments and caring for your chimney system in this way ensures your fireplace and chimney lasts longer, is safer for your home and family, and is easier on the environment. This low-cost preventative service can save you thousands later.
What is a CSIA Inspection?
A CSIA inspection is an annual inspection to be completed by a CSIA certified chimney sweep. There are three levels of CSIA inspection:
- Level 1 – To be completed annually when nothing has changed with the chimney system. This inspection includes all accessible portions of the chimney.
- Level 2 – To be completed if a level 1 raises concern, if a change is made to the system, or if a home is being sold or transferred. This inspection includes all accessible portions as well as those accessed through hidden areas including attics and crawlspaces.
- Level 3 – To be completed if a hazard is detected in a level 2 inspection. This inspection requires extra tools to remove components of the building, including walls and parts of the chimney if necessary.
Why Hire a Professional
By the time the average homeowner notices a problem with the chimney, the unseen damage has occurred. In some cases, devastating damages can occur inside the chimney itself, causing efficiency to drop, allowing hazardous gases and particle pollution into your home, and creating the perfect environment for a flue fire.
While you may be unaware, your fire is always coating your flue with soot and creosote. A minor chimney leak or the wrong type of wood burning in the fireplace can lead to a drop in efficiency. A drop in efficiency increases the amount of soot and creosote, leading to a buildup, and eventually a fire. Chimney leaks not only raise the risk of fire but also lead to damages to your home and even mold in the air you breathe. All of this and more can occur while you go on, unaware and in danger.
It’s our highest priority at Hudson Chimney to educate the community as well as our customers in and around Jacksonville about fire risk. Stay safe. Protect your family and your property. Hire a CSIA certified chimney expert today, and have Hudson Chimney complete your annual inspection.
by Mark Hudson | Aug 22, 2017 | chimney maintenance
Have you already had your chimney swept, inspected, and properly closed out for the off-season? If so, you’ve probably enjoyed the summer knowing it’s ready for burn season. Do you still have chimney work to be done? Schedule now and avoid the fall rush!
Avoid the Fall Rush
The busy season between October and January is considered the fall rush. This is because chimney sweep companies are especially busy during this time. Fall and early winter keeps chimney sweeps busy on emergency calls, repairs, and installations. So, it is best to schedule routine maintenance like sweeps and inspections before this busy time of year. Get ahead of the crowd and schedule now. Waiting until fall can mean you are left in the cold! You could be unable to get the appointment time you need, the technician you want, or even the company you trust. Do not settle for second best. Schedule now! Hudson Chimney offers chimney services year-round for customer safety and convenience. We can sweep, inspect, and waterproof your chimney before burn season.
Preventative Maintenance
By scheduling preventative care now, you can avoid those emergency calls this winter. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend regular chimney sweeps and annual inspections, for the safest and most efficient chimneys. When your chimney is clean, parts work better, air flows better, and the fire is more effective. It produces less pollution, but more heat. When it’s dirty it raises fire risk and decreases efficiency. This means more creosote is produced, and flames are more likely to ignite debris and creosote in the flue.
Just as important as the sweep, the inspection can prevent catastrophic damage. Why? It’s the time when an experienced professional assesses the entire chimney system from top to bottom. The technician will report on weaknesses that can become serious hazards quickly. Minor damages are simpler and cheaper to repair now, and will prevent water damage and winter damage this next burn season.
Make Time for Repairs
By scheduling your inspection now, you allow time for necessary repairs before temperatures drop. There are 3 levels of CSIA inspections, each more thorough than the last. If you have a routine inspection (level 1) and it identifies a possible hazard, you will need a level 2, and possibly level 3 inspection. If your chimney requires a level 3 inspection, there is a serious hazard, and repairs are required. By starting this process now, you will have time for needed repairs before burn season, before schedules fill up, and before temperatures drop!
To schedule your diagnostic chimney inspection, you can call Jacksonville’s #1 choice for comprehensive chimney care! Call Hudson Chimney at 904-282-4159 or schedule online using our online form.
by Mark Hudson | Aug 8, 2017 | Chimney Inspections
To protect all parties and provide full disclosure to the prospective buyers prior to making the purchase, a chimney inspection should be scheduled. When a home-buyer finds their dream home, they want to know exactly what they’re getting. A standard home inspection will not thoroughly evaluate a chimney system. It can’t. Only a certified chimney expert has the training and experience to assess a chimney system, and present a valid report of their findings.
CSIA Inspections
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is the national standard for the chimney industry. CSIA certified chimney sweeps undergo extensive classroom and field training in order to meet this high standard. They also adhere to a stringent code of ethics to maintain certification. In addition, a re-examination or continued education every three years is required. These standards of education, training, and performance give them the capability to inspect chimneys and fireplaces of all kinds. Thus, giving them the CSIA signature desired by realtors, insurers, and code officers.
A standard home inspection is a visual observation the following:
- plumbing
- heating/cooling system
- electrical and appliance systems
- the roof
- foundations
- the basement
- walls
- doors
- windows
- chimneys
(Note: This assessment of the chimney is generally for structural soundness. It also doesn’t offer a report on the functionality of the chimney. Only a certified chimney sweep has the proper tools to assess the chimney system from top to bottom, inside and out, and offer a report of this kind.)
Level 2 CSIA Inspection
There are three levels of CSIA inspections required under different circumstances. The level 1 is the annual inspection required when no changes have been or will be made to the system. However, even if you had a level 1 inspection in the last year, a level 2 CSIA inspection is required before a sale or transfer of property. It is more thorough than a home inspection. It includes a visual inspection by video scanning of internal surfaces, and joints of the flue liner. This inspection includes everything in a level 1 inspection (standard annual inspection) plus the accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior (attics, basements, crawl spaces). It will also address proper clearances from combustibles in accessible locations.
The home inspector may be able to use tools to determine if a chimney is plumb. Also, observe visible damage such as spalling or leaks, but to a home inspector a brick looks like a brick. A certified chimney sweep can determine if a chimney is constructed of the correct materials. Additionally, they can tell if the size and shape of the smoke chamber and flue are up to code, and if there are unseen hazards.
It’s in both the seller and buyer’s best interest to have a level 2 chimney inspection completed by a certified chimney expert, before a sale. Before papers are signed, or money crosses hands, the chimney report should be included in the disclosure statement.
Unlike home inspection companies, CSIA’s main priority is safety and keeping families and individuals safe. As CSIA members and certified sweeps, Hudson Chimney shares this priority, which is why we offer chimney inspections year-round. To schedule yours, call 904-282-4159.
by Mark Hudson | Jul 21, 2017 | Chimney Chase Cover
Own a prefabricated chimney? Instead of a masonry chimney, crown and cap, you use a chase and chase cover! A chimney chase is a chimney with wood, metal, or vinyl siding in which the prefabricated chimney is inside this covering. The chase cover, or chase pan, is the metal equivalent to a mortar crown that typically sits atop a masonry chimney.
What Does the Chase Cover Do?
The chase cover, like the chimney (mortar) crown, keeps water out of the chimney. It’s vitally important that the chase cover is installed securely and properly. Why? So that it keeps water from penetrating the chimney! The chase cover is designed in such a way that water runs off of it, instead of pooling and causing rust and deterioration in the metal.
Typical Problems With the Chase Cover
Chase pans, or covers, typically last 5-15 years with routine maintenance and care. They are designed to withstand weather. However, they can become damaged by animals nesting and scratching the metal and creating a weak spot. Tropical storms and high winds can also damage a chase cover. This can quickly cause deterioration and allow water into the chimney, resulting in costly water damage.
Prefabricated chimneys are typically bundled in a sale. While the chimney may be high quality, the manufacturer doesn’t always use the best materials or design for the chase cover. When this happens, the chase cover doesn’t last as long as it should. It becomes damaged more quickly than expected and can be quite bothersome. This is why it’s important to choose a chimney sweep company that you know and trust!
Hudson Chimney has been serving the Jacksonville, Florida area for over 30 years. We know the area, the municipal codes, and the climate. When we install prefab systems, we use the best products, and finish with an inspection. We are happy to inspect your chimney – even if you recently had a prefab system installed by another chimney professional. Our aim is safety and efficiency for all our customers, new and old.
Let Us Help You
When Hudson Chimney assesses a chase cover for damage, a technician will first look for rust. This is something that you can look for as well. If you have seen rust stains running down your siding or along the edges of your chase cover, you most likely already have a problem. The cover will need to be replaced! Other signs of a damaged chase cover include: dripping, staining, or leaking inside the home around the chimney system – or even rooms away! Also, rusted parts such as the damper assembly, hinges on your door, and moldy or mildew-like smells from the fireplace.
If you’ve noticed signs of water damage, call a certified chimney sweep at Hudson Chimney to discuss your chase cover today. Do you have a masonry chimney? Ask about our custom chase pans for masonry chimneys. Call 904-282-4159 or use our online contact form!
