by Mark Hudson | Jun 15, 2019 | Chimney Cap
The biggest enemy of your chimney system whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter is water. Precipitation can wreak havoc on an uncapped chimney, but rainwater is not the only reason to cap your chimney. At Hudson Chimney we know that every chimney flue needs a cap and here are the seven biggest reasons why.
1. Caps Keep Water Out
Chimney caps are designed to keep water out of the chimney flue, preventing serious water damage and danger. No matter what brand or style you buy, it should have a metal roof on it which prevents water from falling into the chimney. The water runs off the chimney cap and onto the crown below. From the crown, water drips down to the flashing and roof.
2. Caps Keep Animals Out
Especially during spring, but also year-round, chimney caps keep animals out of the chimney system. Any critter that can make it onto the roof can make it into the chimney opening if it isn’t properly capped. If they climb back out on their own, they leave behind nesting materials, droppings, and other debris that need to be removed. Some of these animals can obstruct the chimney flue, others suffocate and die inside the system, and some, like the chimney swift, are protected under federal law and cannot even be removed from the chimney system or the home. The best way to prevent animals from gaining access to the chimney is to keep it capped.
3. Caps Keep Debris Out
During stormy periods, winds and rain may carry debris into your chimney flue, leading to obstruction, fire hazards, and even odors as these materials decompose over time.
4. Caps Keep Wind Out
In our area of Jacksonville, Florida, especially this time of year, we experience tropical weather producing high winds. At Hudson Chimney we sell and install special models of chimney caps which deflect wind to prevent damage and stop drafts from entering your chimney.
5. Caps Keep Sparks In
While your fireplace is in use, your chimney vents heat, gases, and sparks. Some of these sparks may be ignited and carried up through the flue and out while still ignited. These sparks can ignite fires on your roof and even on your yard near your house. The metal mesh on your chimney cap stops these sparks and puts them directly back into your flue and down into your fireplace.
6. Caps Protect the Liner
You chimney cap doesn’t just prevent damage to your chimney system caused by water, weather, and animals. The cap will prolong the life of your chimney liner overall by protecting it completely. Whether your liner is a clay tile, stainless steel, or another type of liner, the cap will protect it year-round.
7. Caps Can Double as Dampers
If you choose a top mount damper, it can double as a cap, closing the system from the top-down with an airtight seal. This type of cap/damper mechanism saves our customers money, provides 100 percent protection, and is long-lasting.
If your chimney flue doesn’t have a chimney cap, your chimney is at risk. Call the professionals at Hudson Chimney today at 904-282-4159. We install caps, custom caps, and energy top mount dampers.
by Mark Hudson | May 29, 2019 | chimney repairs
In Jacksonville, Hurricane season falls between June and November. Although we can expect heavy storms year-round, hurricanes can cause more damages to your home and chimney. Don’t let storm damages get you down, but give the team at Hudson Chimney a call for your chimney and fireplace repairs.
Jacksonville is our home. We work here, live here, know the area, its municipal codes and the climate. We know that ocean air can lead to efflorescence on your chimney structures, which can cause leaks and alter the look of your chimney. As we prepare for the terrible hurricane season ahead, we want to help you be more aware of storm damages and what you can do to protect your chimney.
Common Storm Damage
During and after hurricane season, we often get calls for chimney inspections. We commonly see missing or dislodged flashing, damaged chase pans, chimney caps, masonry, worn chimney crowns, and more. This type of damage can happen suddenly or over time when the chimney is exposed to tropical storms and hurricanes year after year. The most important thing is getting regular chimney inspections after burn season or hurricane season to minimize and stay on top these damages.
Professional Inspections
You can make sure your chimney system is in tip top shape by scheduling an inspection. Generally, a level one inspection is required annually when the chimney has not been through any changes. However, a level two inspection should be scheduled for natural occurrence, which affects your chimney system. When we complete a level two inspection, we include a video scan to access the entire system—even unseen portions of the flue.
After your inspection, our technician provide a detailed report including necessary footage and a repair plan. It’s important to address repairs as soon as possible to avoid more damage. If your system needs repairs, you can call Hudson Chimney now to get the necessary work done before storms come your way!
Water Damage and More
When you leave repairs undone, you leave your chimney system exposed to the elements. Missing flashing or caps and damaged crowns or masonry can allow water to go directly into your system. When water enters your system, it can ruin walls and furniture, rust parts, and even cause respiratory issues to your family members.
Hudson Chimney Repairs
Some of your masonry damages are visible. There could be missing mortar, gaps, cracks, flaking masonry, and stains. While other masonry damages are unseen, and they are only detected by a video scan during a level 2 inspection. Whatever damage you are experiencing, we have the repairs to address them. Our team of masons and certified chimney sweeps can repair your masonry with tuckpointing. We rebuild masonry, repair and seal mortar crowns, and we install flashing and caps to protect your chimney system for future storms.
For added protection for your chimney, you should also consider waterproofing your chimney. It is a simple process that protects your masonry from water penetration for many years. Call Hudson Chimney at 904-282-4159!
by Mark Hudson | May 15, 2019 | Chimney Cleaning
One of the most dangerous systems in your home is your chimney system. People assume it’s because of the risk of fire, but actually, the carbon monoxide exposure from your fireplace is a real danger that sends about 50,000 people to the ER each year. While not all of these cases are caused by your fireplace, they often happen in the home and can lead to serious organ damage and even death.
In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 430 people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning. Carbon monoxide is highly dangerous and poisonous, as it is tasteless, odorless, and colorless. When it affects the body, the symptoms are much like the common cold and flu, so it often goes unnoticed. Prevent CO poisoning before it happens to you by taking care of your chimney and fireplace regularly.
Clean Chimneys are Safe and Efficient
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends regular chimney maintenance for a safe and efficient chimney system. Having your a chimney inspection annually allows a professional to get a look at your system inside and out. They can assess and diagnose hazards to keep your family and home safe. When you schedule a chimney sweep, a professional comes into the home and clears the entire system of soot, creosote, and other debris. This causes an increase of efficiency for your system and lead to countless problems such as carbon monoxide leaks.
Other Common Sources of CO
Whether your furnace is wood or gas-fueled, it has a risk of exposing your family to carbon monoxide if not properly maintained. Other sources of CO gas include:
- Room heaters
- Charcoal grills
- Cooing ranges
- Water heaters
- Automobiles
- Fireplaces
- Portable generators
- Small engines
When a family is exposed to CO gas, some individuals are at risk for more danger than others. If you have children or elderly family members who are experiencing serious symptom, get help immediately. Symptoms are as minor as a headache, dizziness, and nausea. They can be as serious as confusion, memory loss, difficulty coordinating, convulsions, and seizures. These symptoms are lessened when you spend time away from the residence and return again when you return home. Serious symptoms can occur months or years later because carbon monoxide poisoning causes permanent damage to the body’s organs. This is because when it is inhaled, it binds to the blood cells and quickly replaces oxygen in the bloodstream. Eventually, the organs are starved of oxygen and fail, resulting in permanent damage or death.
Take your safety seiously by hiring a professional chimney company you trust. Talk with one of our experts today and find out why regular chimney sweeping and cleaning are important. You can schedule an appointment with Hudson Chimney online today or 904-282-4159.
by Mark Hudson | Apr 30, 2019 | Real Estate Chimney Inspection
If you’re in the market to buy or sell a home, you may want to take another look at the home inspection. A standard home is a general assessment of the entire house. If the home you’re looking to buy or sell has a chimney, it needs a home inspection and a chimney inspection. While the home inspection is an overall assessment of the whole property, the chimney real estate inspection is a thorough assessment of the entire chimney system—inside and out.
Chimney Inspections for Real Estate
If you’re working with a REALTOR or lender, then they might have already mentioned a home inspection. However, if your property is under contract, then you likely have a home inspection already scheduled. If your home has a chimney, however, it’s important to schedule a chimney inspection by a certified professional. A home inspection determines if the interior and exterior of the chimney are sound and the structure is “plumb”. A real estate chimney inspection checks out the chimney from top to bottom thoroughly to ensure structural soundness and it’s working properly. In the industry, this inspection is called a level two inspection, required when properties are sold or transferred.
For a real estate inspection, a chimney professional will take a look the following:
- All accessible portions of the chimney interior and exterior
- Chimney access by way of attic, crawlspace, and basement
- Inspection of connections, working parts, firebox, and interior/exterior fixtures
- A video scan of the flue interior
After your inspection, you should receive a written report from your chimney sweep, include photos and video footage. Once the chimney is assessed, any damage or repairs can be added to your real estate disclosures. If you’re the buyer, you can add stipulations to the contract for the sellers to complete the repairs.
Your New Chimney
A new home purchase is something to celebrate. The last thing you want is for the joy of the occasion to be clouded by the realization that your new fireplace isn’t safe to use. If your home inspector gives your chimney a clean bill of health, and you go ahead with your purchase without scheduling a chimney inspection, you may find that your chimney is actually a hazard.
Scheduling chimney sweeps and inspections on a regular basis keeps your systems safe and efficient. If you’ve never owned a home with a fire appliance or chimney system, no worries!
Call Hudson Chimney for your chimney needs
Contact Hudson Chimney and we’ll complete your real estate inspection. We offer a report, make a repair plan, and can take care of all your comprehensive chimney care needs. Our team members are CSIA certified, and we have been serving the Jacksonville area for over 30 years. We work with REALTORs, lenders, property managers, and real estate attorneys to bring prospective home buyers the safest and most comfortable fireplaces in their new homes. Reach Hudson Chimney at 904-282-4159, and schedule your real estate inspection today.
by Mark Hudson | Apr 16, 2019 | Dryer Vent Cleaning, dryer vents
Many homeowners don’t realize all the work that goes into maintaining a home properly. Every appliance, every surface, and every system that keeps the home running smoothly requires routine maintenance to continue doing so. The systems that keep your home cool and warm, keep water out of your living space, clean your air, wash your clothes and dishes, discharge your sewage water, and dry your clothes all require maintenance. Neglecting home maintenance can lead to damage, a decrease in value, and even danger in some circumstances. Neglecting the dryer vent can lead to a clogged dryer vent which can lead to a dryer vent fire that can lead to a devastating house fire. 
Dirty Dryer Vents = Danger
Every year in America, nearly 3000 homes experience a fire that originates in the clothes dryer. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, of these 2,900 fires, there are 5 resulting deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss each year. The cause of these fires? The majority of these fires are caused by failure to clean the dryer. This includes the dryer vent, the lint trap, and the unit itself. Over time dangerous, flammable lint collects inside the unit and hinders the dryer from working properly. Like chimneys, a drop in efficiency in the clothes dryer can increase the risk of damage and danger. Don’t put your home at risk. Schedule a dryer vent cleaning with a professional today.
100 Percent Preventable
The majority of clothes dryer fires can be prevented by cleaning the unit and the vent on a regular basis. Even scheduling this service annually will make a significant difference in the function and safety of your dryer. You can prevent a dangerous clothes dryer fire in your home by following these easy guidelines:
- Have the dryer and dryer vent professionally installed
- Clean the back of the dryer regularly
- Self-inspect the dry vent regularly
- Check the outside wall damper for proper function and covering regularly
- Check that the outdoor vent covering opens and closes properly regularly
- Schedule professional services for your clothes dryer vent annually
- Schedule a check-up with your gas company annually (if your dryer is gas-powered)
- Connect the unit only with the proper electrical cord and outlet
- Never run the clothes dryer while you’re out of the home or asleep
Last, but not least: make sure each level of your home has a smoke alarm! Change the batteries quarterly, and check the device monthly. If anything goes wrong with your clothes dryer system (or any other system in your home), a smoke alarm can save your life and the life of your family.
At Hudson Chimney it is our goal and duty to keep families safe by providing necessary services to our friends and neighbors in and around Jacksonville, Florida. Schedule dryer vent cleaning and installation with Hudson Chimney. Call us at 904-282-4159 or contact us online.
