by Mark Hudson | Jul 6, 2017 | Animals in chimney
Your chimney works constantly to vent harmful byproducts from your home, and it’s efficiency can be greatly affected by outside factors. The chimney cap is the remedy. The cap is designed to keep outside factors from getting in! It literally caps the top of the chimney, fitting over the flue, preventing weather and wildlife from getting in, and some models even prevent wind from affecting the flue as well.
Keep Wildlife Out of the Chimney
Without a chimney cap, your flue is the perfect home to a variety of small animals. Any critter that can climb to or land on your roof can also climb into the chimney opening. Critters love the chimney because it’s dry, warm, and seemingly safe. What we know as humans, though, is that it’s not safe. It’s unsafe for the animals as well as for the humans.
- Animals leave debris behind.
Debris is left behind in the chimney even after the animals leave. Birds leave their nests and feathers behind, and chipmunks and squirrels leave their bedding and food crumbs. Nests, leaves, feathers, and other debris can and will ignite, causing a flue fire that is very preventable.
- Animals leave droppings behind.
Droppings left inside the chimney flue can release toxins into the air that your family breathes. It can also result in foul smells that disrupt your life, especially during the summer when the chimney isn’t being used.
- Animals scratch the lining of the chimney.
When small animals climb out of the chimney, they often scratch the liner with their claws. This can be a serious problem because the scratch is a weakness in the liner that may go unnoticed, allowing heat and hazardous gasses to escape the flue and transfer to the home. The scratch can also collect excess soot and creosote, causing more deterioration in an already weak spot.
- Animals can get stuck.
When an animal cannot get out of the chimney, it will get stuck and die, resulting in a blockage and a nasty odor. There is no mistaking the smell of decomposition, and if this occurs in your home, it will overpower everything else.
- Some animals cannot be removed.
A species of migratory birds called chimney swifts nest in chimneys throughout North America during the spring months. Since this bird is federally protected, not even a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS) can legally remove them. While some homeowners opt to allow the birds access to their chimneys, it is best to prevent their entrance in the first place. Hundreds of birds can inhabit the same chimney, and they are a loud and raucous little group. They will stay in the chimney until their eggs are hatched and young-lings can fly, which can be months.
You can still enjoy wildlife, while not allowing them to enjoy your chimney!
To avoid housing the forest’s friends, you should schedule a chimney sweep as early as possible after burning season is over, and then close out the system for the season. Be sure to have your chimney sweep check that the cap is intact. At Hudson Chimney, we install a variety of custom and standard caps, and all of them can keep animals out of your flue.
Call Hudson today at 904-282-4159 to discuss what a new chimney cap can do for you!
by Mark Hudson | Jun 20, 2017 | chimney maintenance
This is a world where everything is low-maintenance, high-speed, made-to-order, and convenient. Due to this, it can be difficult to slow down and add to the list of to-do’s. The weather warms up and you’re finished with your spring cleaning. So, of course you don’t want to think of more work that needs to be done. It can be easy to put off your annual chimney maintenance until winter. However, there’s no good reason to put it off, and every reason to do it now!
Sweeps and Inspections Keep You Safe
Both the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend annual maintenance for the safest and most efficient chimney system. These appointments are the only time a certified professional will get a look at your chimney. Early detection is the key to fixing an issue or weakness in your chimney system. Any weakness can cause catastrophic damage, illness, injury, or death!
It’s Required
Most homeowners insurance policy agreements require routine chimney sweeps and inspections to maintain coverage. A chimney inspection is also required when a property is sold or transferred. Also, when changes are made to the system, or following a natural disaster or fire. The signature of a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep (CCS) will be recognized and accepted by insurance, real estate, and municipal officials!
Avoid Odors, Damage, and Illness
Did you know a dirty chimney and fireplace can lead to foul odors in the summertime? Soot and creosote left in a chimney can lead to a smoky/barbecue smell. It permeates the home, especially once summer humidity mingles with the residue inside the flue. Odors of decomposing leaves, sticks, debris, and even animal droppings and dead animals themselves can also lead to foul, pungent odors in the chimney. These odors are avoidable when you schedule a chimney sweep following burn season.
Do you leave the filth inside the chimney? If so, the negative pressure of the home will lead to odors, despite any attempt to stop it. What is the most serious odor that can come from a dirty or neglected chimney? The moldy/mildew-like odor that means you have a leaky chimney. Your leak would have been diagnosed early, and repairs completed if it was inspected. Haven’t scheduled your chimney inspection and your chimney smells moldy? Call now, and avoid respiratory issues and water damage!
Avoid the Fall Rush by Scheduling Now
By scheduling your chimney maintenance now, you can avoid the fall rush. This is the time between October and January when chimney sweeps are most busy. At this time it can be hard to get your desired appointment time, your usual technician, and you may even be left in the cold waiting for your service appointment. Schedule your chimney sweep and inspection now and you will have time to make necessary repairs, upgrades, and installations before the fall!
Hudson Chimney is Jacksonville’s #1 chimney sweep company for over 30 years, and we put our customers first every time. To find out about our chimney sweep services and inspections, contact Hudson Chimney today.
by Mark Hudson | Jun 6, 2017 | Professional Certifications
Hudson Chimney is proud to announce that Mark Hudson, owner and operator, is now a CSIA Master Sweep! This is a designation that is awarded to CSIA certified professionals who have gone above and beyond what’s required to maintain CSIA membership. They make efforts to stay ahead of others in the chimney and venting industry. How? By educating the public and putting consumer safety above all else.
To become a CSIA Master Sweep, a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS) must maintain membership for a minimum of ten continuous years and be actively certified as a CSIA Certified Exhaust Technician®. In addition to these certifications, the chimney sweep must complete many advanced courses to further their education and training in the chimney industry.
The Importance of Choosing the Best
When you are searching for a chimney professional, you shouldn’t look further than the best. The CSIA Master Sweep is an individual who puts consumer safety above all else. There are some chimney professionals in the industry who may go their entire careers without becoming a certified chimney sweep or master sweep. They may boast of cheaper prices, but their service reflects their lack of training and expertise. Master Sweeps, in order to maintain CSIA certification for ten consecutive years, have chosen to continue their training and commitment to chimney safety year after year.
CSIA Membership Requirements
- Code of Ethics
CSIA certified sweeps must adhere to a stringent code of ethics. This is designed to protect homeowners from scams in the service industry. What if a sweep is found in violation of this code? Their certification may be revoked, despite fees paid and training completed.
- Continued Education
Every three years a CSIA certified sweep is subject to re-certification by either continuing education credits or by examination. This is a vital component of maintaining a high standard for CSIA memberships. Why? The chimney industry changes frequently as technologies change.
Does it Cost More to Hire a Professional?
It will cost more to hire a professional to maintain your chimney than it will to hire an amateur. A chimney sweep that lacks the education, experience, and commitment that it takes to maintain CSIA standards is not worth your money! Additionally, it may cost you more in the long run. Hudson Chimney is committed to chimney safety and your safety. We have been serving Jacksonville, FL and surrounding areas since 1979. That’s almost 40 years of service to this community!
Since 1979, we have continuously gone above and beyond our competition. We stay abreast of all the latest tools, trends, and major/minor code changes in the chimney industry. This is done by attending every class and conference available. It has paid off. Now our loyal customers in Northeastern Florida can benefit from our commitment to chimney safety even more, as all of our work is backed by the Master Sweep CSIA credential.
You can schedule an appointment with a Hudson Chimney sweep today by calling 904-282-4159 or request an appointment online!
by Mark Hudson | May 23, 2017 | Chimney Inspections
The chimney system is a mostly closed one, with a large percentage of it hidden. Even chimney professionals are unable to view portions of it! This is why the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) requires a video scan be included during a level two inspection. CSIA is the only nationally-recognized standard for chimney safety, and directed and monitored by top-industry volunteers. When you schedule chimney installations, repairs, sweeps, and inspections, your homeowners insurance will most likely require the signature of a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS).
Hudson Chimney is Certified
At Hudson Chimney, our technicians are trained and certified in chimney care. As CSIA members we strive to put the safety and comfort of homeowners above all else. It’s because of our commitment to public safety and education that we offer video scans with every inspection. In doing this, we can identify weaknesses and damage in the chimney system.
The Importance of Video Scans and Inspections
Even a small crack in a chimney liner, crown, or masonry can allow water into the chimney system. This can cause substantial unseen damage before it’s even recognized. The average homeowner not only doesn’t know what signs to look for, but also don’t see the danger in minor damage. Cracks in the liner and masonry can also cause a slow carbon monoxide leak that can result in severe illness and even death if left undetected. This is why chimney inspections are important – safety!
Both CSIA and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends routine chimney sweeps and annual chimney inspections. This is in order to maintain the more efficient and safe chimneys. By using the Chim-Scan closed-circuit scanning system, a Hudson Chimney sweep is able to access hidden portions of the chimney. A thorough review of the video lets our technician identify damage and weakness, however small.
Post-Inspection Report
Following your inspection, you can expect a thorough report from your chimney sweep. If there is damage or concerns noted, he will also present repair recommendations. You will get these documents for your personal records. You can present these to your insurance provider, real estate agent, or other officials.
Hudson Chimney Services
We offer inspections, as well as a full menu of services including repairs, installations, and more. Our certified chimney sweeps are also expert masons. So, when a problem is detected on a video scan, we are swift to correct it, and any damage that has occurred because of it. Choosing Hudson Chimney means you partner with a full service chimney sweep company, and Hudson can be your one-stop-shop for the life of your chimney.
If you haven’t yet had your annual chimney inspection, contact Hudson Chimney and schedule your services today!
by Mark Hudson | May 9, 2017 | chimney maintenance
When you acquire a property whether by inheritance or purchase, or when you sell a property, the chimney is quite a selling point. In fact, a fireplace is the most common factor that home buyers request. However, a new homeowner doesn’t want to be surprised with a faulty fireplace, unsafe chimney, and damaged home because of it.
CSIA Chimney Inspections
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) prioritizes consumer safety, and strives to educate the public and train professionals in chimney and fire safety. CSIA credentials are nationally-recognized and its members offer three levels of CSIA inspections that are vital for chimney safety. A level two inspection is required for the transfer of property. It includes the basic assessment of a level one inspection as well as hidden portions that are accessed with special tools. A level two inspection also includes a video scan of the interior portions of the chimney system. In addition, a detailed report for your real estate agent, loan officer, and home buyer. The officials who have an interest in your sale, whether you’re the buyer or seller, will look for a CSIA signature on official documents.
Routine Maintenance and Repairs
When you buy a home with an existing chimney system, you have no assurance that the system has been properly maintained. The required chimney inspection is combined with a home inspection. This discloses any issues that might exist with the home and chimney system. If there is a chimney, you should receive a report of the required inspection. If the seller doesn’t repair damage prior to the sale, you should at least get a recommendation for repairs. Take the costs into account when making an offer for a home. If you’re working with a real estate agent, you might negotiate repairs before your purchase is final.
Selling Your Home
Your fireplace is a valuable selling point during a property sale. It’s wasted if you don’t take advantage. In order to make the most of your sell, you should keep your fireplace and chimney properly maintained. Before you put your home on the market, schedule a chimney sweep! This is so that your prospective buyers can’t smell the smoky soot in the fireplace. Your chimney sweep can assess the system during this appointment and present a report for your legal purposes. If you have been vigilant about your chimney’s maintenance over the years, your inspection should discover surprising damage, but it is still required.
Fireplace Facelift
Is your chimney is functional, but the fireplace is worn? You can update it with a beautiful and efficient fireplace insert. This can work together with your existing chimney. Before a sale is the best time for a fireplace facelift. Why? Because you can increase your price substantially with far less cost than you gain.
Hudson Chimney offers both gas and wood-burning inserts that will fit your space perfectly, whether you’re selling or buying a home. A Hudson Chimney sweep is standing by to make your purchase or sale as easy as possible. Call 904-282-4159 today, or contact us online.
