by Mark Hudson | Aug 24, 2019 | fireplaces
Before you finish up with your summer maintenance, consider your fireplace. Does it match your home, your décor, and personality? Could it be more efficient? Safer? Perhaps your fireplace is old and worn out, hasn’t been updated or maintained in many years, and is costing you money! You don’t have to break the bank to update your fireplace before winter. Check-in with Hudson 
Chimney and we’ll tell you all about our gas and wood fireplace sales.
Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
If you have your own supply of firewood, there is no reason in changing fuel types. You may find that a new wood stove or high-efficiency fireplace can boost efficiency and safety and still offer the dancing natural flames you want in a fireplace. If you’re interested in wood fires and looking to upgrade with a new product, we can help you choose between a wood stove, wood-burning fireplace, or a wood stove insert.
Wood stoves burn efficiently and safely—many featuring a fire-viewing window. The wood stoves we sell and install at Hudson are top-of-the-line and come in a variety of styles. You can choose between traditional, rustic, and custom stoves and inserts as well as sleek, contemporary, and simplistic styles when looking at stoves, inserts, and fireplaces. Inserts are retrofitted directly into an existing firebox and vented up the chimney. Stoves and fireplaces offer more freedom for installation. Using appropriate refractory materials to protect your walls and floors, our technicians can install a stove in any space.
Gas Stoves and Fireplaces
For our customers looking for a bit more convenience and almost no maintenance, gas fires are the favorite. Our gas units are available as inserts, freestanding fireplaces, and gas stoves. For homeowners in our area who are looking to upgrade for efficiency, converting to gas is the best way to go. Gas models are beautiful, highly efficient, safer, and most are so convenient they ignite immediately and are controlled precisely with remote control! Our models range from contemporary to traditional, with beautiful fire-view windows, and even re-arrangeable logs to give the illusion of wood flame. If you want the beauty of a wood fire, but not all the hassle of firewood, ashes, kindling, and difficult-to-light fires, you want a gas unit. We have them!
Shop with the Professionals
When you’re looking to upgrade or install a new unit altogether, it’s important to only shop through the qualified professionals. Shopping online can result in wasted money, improper installations, and dangerous fires. When you’re adding a fireplace or stove to your home, you’re adding value. Make sure your installation isn’t detracting from your value!
When you shop with Hudson Chimney, you have access to the best products on the market and the most qualified technicians in the area to make your install. We are CSIA certified and experienced in repairs, installations, and more.
Whether you’re looking for gas log sets, gas fire products, or wood fire products, we can help you find what you’re looking for. Check out our sales for the best value today.
by Mark Hudson | Aug 10, 2019 | Master Chimney Sweep
When it comes to your chimney, its services, and repairs, it’s important to schedule with a certified professional. Hiring an amateur, general contractor, or handyman may result in improper installations. When products are installed improperly or repairs are made incorrectly or haphazardly, it can result in increased fire risk and a drop in efficiency. An inefficient fireplace and chimney system is not only dangerous but can also cost you money!
CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps
A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep is a professional who has gone through hours of classroom and field training, rigorous testing and lives by a code of ethics. Every three years the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep (CCS) must recertify through examination or continuing education courses. Sweeps strive to further the CSIA mission of eliminating residential fires by educating the public and professionals.
Hire a Master Sweep for the Best
Those chimney sweeps who have gone above and beyond are able to apply for Master Sweep status. These chimney sweeps do everything in their power to stay at the very front of the chimney and venting industry. Applicants must be an active CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep who has held this certification for a minimum of nine consecutive years or 18 total years. Those that are interested in becoming a Master Sweep must complete the following courses in order to obtain the credential:
- Chimney Physics (online or 2-day course)
- Inspection and Report Writing (2-day course) or Diagnosis and Documentation
- CSIA Masonry Repair for Chimney Professionals
- CSIA Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel
- CSIA Rope/Roof Access
- CSIA Advanced Masonry Repair
- NFI Core Review + NFI Specialty Review
- Advanced Inspection and Documentation
- Master Chimney Sweep Comprehensive Burn Wise Course
- 12 hours of CSIA online training (not to include reviews, lining masonry chimneys, or chimney physics online)
These courses are filled with valuable knowledge and information related to an ever-changing industry. Master Sweeps are expected to complete them in order to stay at the front of the industry in service, safety, technology, and standards.
NFI-Certified Master Sweeps
Not only does a Master Sweep need to be CSIA Certified, but also have an active NFI Certification through one of two CSIA classes. This requirement may also be fulfilled by having held an NFI certification for a minimum of six years, a current F.I.R.E. Certified Inspector, OR an Associate degree in Fire Science from an accredited college.
Once all requirements are completed, an application is submitted, and the one-time fee is paid, the process can begin. The Master committee will make a decision within 30 days, and the sweep can begin working under this new and prestigious title. If you have hired a Master Sweep with current status, you can rest assured they are current on all certification requirements, which means they have the classroom training to get any job done and done well. The Master Sweep signature is trusted by professionals across the industry and beyond. Hire a Master Sweep and your reports, repairs, and diagnostics will be appropriate for your attorneys, realtors, and more.
Sometimes, especially in regions that endure heavy rains and tropical storms, a chimney sweep isn’t enough. Sometimes your chimney needs a Master Sweep.
Schedule with Jacksonville’s trusted Master Sweep today by calling 904-282-4159 or contact us online.
by Mark Hudson | Jul 31, 2019 | Chimney Liner
The chimney liner is vitally important to the proper operation of a chimney system. Like human skin, the liner is one of the largest parts of the whole system and operates as a barrier that keeps the system working safely and properly. The liner keeps the heat of the fire in its place and prevents the gases and heat from traveling through the masonry and affecting the rest of the home as it rises out of the chimney. When there is damage to the liner, it can put your family and home at risk. The problem is, this type of damage is hidden from sight and may not be recognized right away. When liner damage is reported by a professional, it’s important to schedule a repair right away. When your chimney expert is Hudson Chimney of Jacksonville, Florida, you can count on a repair using HeatShield chimney products.
HeatShield Cerfractory Flue Sealant
No matter how serious your liner damage, we can fix it using HeatShield Cerfractry Flue Sealant. This cerfractory technology combines the strength of ceramic with the heat resistance of refractory 
material, allowing your chimney professional to repair and restore your liner with an easy application of a specially-formulated hybrid product.
- The Test of Time – HeatShield was developed over 20 years ago and has withstood the test of time in the industry as well as actual factory-testing before the products hit the market. In fact, HeatShield has been tested against temperatures over 2900 °F. When you choose HeatShield you get a product that is safe for all fuel types, long lasting like a stainless liner, and one that restores the integrity of your chimney’s flue completely.
- Independent Certified Installers – HeatShield installers are certified and experienced using this product for your liner repairs and restorations. When you hire a professional HeatShield installer, he or she will be factory trained and will use specially designed tools to expertly repair your liner using the only cerfractory sealant on the market.
- Economical and Eco-Friendly – Made of recycled and naturally occurring materials, HeatShield is a cheaper alternative to replacing your entire liner. With this product, you can have the specific damage repaired only without damaging the rest of the liner.
- Limited Lifetime Warranty – No matter what your chimney needs, if we use HeatShield to repair or restore it, the product is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
Joint Repair and Resurfacing with HeatShield
One of the most damaging things that can happen to your liner is that the joints can become riddled with gaps and cracks. When this happens you may find pieces of mortar or clay tile pieces in the fireplace. No matter how extensive the damage, we can restore the joints with HeatShield by placing the product in a custom applicator placed beneath each affected area. As we pull the custom foam blade upward, the product fills cracks and gaps. If the damage is extensive, this process can be used to resurface the entire flue from the bottom to the top, restoring the liner completely.
Using HeatShield products we can clean the flue, repair, resurface, and even reline the flue. Not sure what type of repair your liner needs this summer? Let us take a look. Call Hudson Chimney at 904-282-4159 and we’ll get your flue fixed before fall.
by Mark Hudson | Jul 10, 2019 | Chimney Leaks
Most of the U.S. is getting more rain for this time of year than ever before. In much of the Midwest, farmers aren’t able to seed their cropland, and still, the rain just keeps on coming. In Florida, we are four weeks into Hurricane Season, and there are already five hurricanes projected to hit us this season.
The rain and wind that come with these storms mean we need to protect our chimneys from water damage. It also means you should schedule preventative services with a chimney professional or schedule repairs for damages that have already occurred. At Hudson Chimney, we are the professionals with the knowledge and experience to take care of all your leaky chimney needs!
The Problem with Chimney Leaks
Water is the worst thing that can happen to a masonry chimney. The reason water can cause so much damage is because of the materials which make up the masonry. The masonry is porous in nature, and it is made of various materials that are highly affected by moisture. A chimney system may be well made, but even a small amount of water can destroy it from the inside out.
When water is allowed into the chimney system, either by the top (at the cap or crown) or through the sides (flashing and masonry), you can guess there is likely damage. Since most of the chimney system is not readily visible, the leak may take time to notice and damage might occur before anything can be done about it. The best way to prevent water damage is to prevent chimney leaks, and our team is here to help.
Signs of a Chimney Leak
Leaks often go unnoticed because much of the leak occurs behind the scenes, and homeowners aren’t sure what to look. In order to catch a leak early, it’s important to know what to look for, and here are some of the signs of a leaky chimney.
- Stains on masonry interior and exterior
- Dripping sounds and visible water in the chimney
- Odors of mildew and mold
- A high amount of moisture in the home
- Cracks and deterioration in masonry
- Leaks in other parts of the home
When you experience a leak, it can be nerve-racking. When you call in the right professional to deal with it, it won’t be a big deal. Many homeowners tend to call a general contractor for leaks, assuming it’s a roof or plumbing problem. The best option for homeowners with chimneys, however, is to call the chimney professionals. We will not only assess the leak, but we will also correct it at the source. We install new caps and flashing, repair crowns and masonry, and we also waterproof chimneys for good measure. Our waterproofing services will protect the masonry from water intrusion for ten years!
Are you a homeowner in Northeast Florida, and you aren’t sure if your chimney system is properly protected against water leaks? Call Hudson Chimney today at 904-282-4159. Our team will take care of your chimney!
by Mark Hudson | Jun 26, 2019 | Chimney Smells
There is a host of issues that a homeowner may have with their chimney throughout winter. When the fireplace is in use every day, hazards may arise anytime. However, during the off-season, chimney problems may not present immediate danger and are subtle, but they can still be quite a bother.
Perhaps you’re a homeowner in the Jacksonville, Florida area and the summer heat and humidity are affecting your chimney. You may not even realize it until you notice disgusting smells coming from your fireplace. There are lots of different kinds of odors, and each odor could mean something is wrong with your chimney. Let Hudson Chimney troubleshoot and figure out the problem with your chimney odor today!
Chimney Odors and Chimney Problems
The first thing you might notice during the off-season won’t identify itself as a chimney problem unless you know what to look for. You may be sitting in your living room, relaxing with coffee and a friend, and then you suddenly smell the overwhelming odor of barbecue. It is strong, and now you can’t focus on anything else. This is a common complaint we get from customers as they realize that the odor is coming from their fireplace. The fireplace worked fine all year. They didn’t have any problems with it. What’s the problem? The problem, according to the professionals, depends on the odor.
Barbecue Grill/Smoker Odor
If your fireplace smells like a dirty barbecue grill inside your living room, it is time to call the professionals. This odor is a direct result of a dirty chimney system. The soot and creosote that collects in and coats the system all winter long are beginning to stink due to the air pressure outside forcing the odors indoors. The smell also worsens when humidity rises, water vapors mingling with the soot and creosote. This combination is especially corrosive to the liner if it isn’t cleaned out of the system or the chimney is closed from the outside.
Mold/Mildew Odor
You might be smelling odors that indicate mold or mildew. If you have checked all the cabinets under the sink, looked over ceilings and walls for leaks, and caught up on laundry baskets, it’s time to look at the chimney. Water in the chimney system, especially water that has been present long enough for bacteria growth, will begin to emit these odors. This is a sign of a leak that is serious and should be fixed right away before more damage occurs.
Foul/Decomposition Odor
This type of odor is easy to identify, but homeowners never want to believe it. When you smell the foul odor of decomposition, you might assume you have a dead mouse under a bed or inside a wall. The chimney can emit this odor too. However, when animals come into the system and die when organic material begins to decompose such as limbs, wood, leaves, etc. and the odor is the same. When you smell this foul odor from the fireplace, it needs to be cleaned out immediately.
Solution
Schedule services with Hudson chimney so that your chimney smells fresh and is ready for burning season in the fall. We can clean the system from top to bottom, check for chimney leaks, and even waterproof the masonry to prevent future leaks.
Don’t settle for a stinky house or a dirty chimney. Call Hudson Chimney today at 904-282-4159 and we’ll make sure your chimney is clean and fresh in no time!
