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!
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!
