Don’t Procrastinate! Schedule Your Chimney Services Now

Fall is the time of year for pumpkins, harvest parties, and relaxing evenings by a fireplace. Before you light your first fire of the season, schedule important chimney services to ensure it’s ready to burn safely and efficiently. A dirty or damaged chimney or fireplace may cause a dangerous fire, air quality problems, and more costly damages that you didn’t bargain for.

Why Schedule ServicesSeasoned firewood in front of a  lit fireplace

Your chimney system works every time a fire burns in the fireplace. While a fire is burning, there are hazardous gases, corrosive chemicals, soot, creosote, and particulate pollution rising up the chimney. Over time the system can become coated in soot and creosote, causing a dangerous buildup, and corrosive chemicals can damage the lining system as well as the masonry. Both the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) agree that routine chimney sweeps and annual inspections keep chimney systems at their safest and most efficient.

Chimney Sweeps – During a routine chimney sweep, a chimney professional will tarp off the area around the opening of the fireplace to protect the flooring. A high-speed dust collector will prevent soot from escaping into the home and affecting the breathable air. Using special brushes and rods, we’re able to clean away soot and creosote from the chimney, and collect it with the vacuum system. After a thorough cleaning, we’ll adjust the damper, making sure it’s installed and assembled correctly. We’ll inspect the exterior of the chimney, and finish the appointment by providing you with a detailed document of our findings, including photos if necessary, and video footage. This written evaluation may include recommended repairs.

CSIA Inspections – Although a chimney sweep includes a basic inspection, your chimney may at times need a thorough inspection. A CSIA inspection is required annually, but what type of inspection you need depends on your chimney. A level one inspection is the basic inspection to schedule annually if your fireplace and chimney hasn’t been changed or presented a problem in the last 12 months. If there has been changes or damage to your system or the sale or transfer of property, you need a level two inspection. A level two inspection includes all readily accessible portions of the system (the same as a level one inspection) in addition to hidden portions that are accessed by doors, such as in attics or basements. If a serious hazard is identified, a level three inspection is required–which may include removal of components of the chimney or the structure to access the suspected hazard.

Your CSIA inspection should include a video scan and a detailed report regarding damages and recommended repairs.

Schedule your services now, by calling Hudson Chimney, and you can rest assured that your fireplace is ready when you are this fall. Dial 904-282-4159 or contact us online.

Schedule Chimney Services Early!

It’s almost time for the first fire of the season, and you don’t want to be left out in the cold. Make sure your chimney system is ready when you are scheduling your chimney services early. Lighting a fire in a dirty or damaged chimney can be a recipe for disaster. It can put your family at risk, lower the value of your home, and cost you dearly in repairs and damages.

Beat the Fall RushSchedule Chimney Services Early! - Jacksonville FL - Hudson Chimney

When you schedule early, you can avoid the fall rush and make sure you’re on the books with your preferred company and technician. If you wait, you may end up waiting longer than expected as chimney professionals stay busy during the Fall Rush–the period between October and January. During this time chimney sweeps are busy with routine services, repairs, and installations. Don’t risk lighting a fire in a dangerous or dirty chimney. Don’t miss out on using your fireplace this fall. Don’t wait; schedule chimney services early.

A Clean Chimney

When your chimney was out of use this summer it may have become home to rodents or wildlife. During the summer, humidity or precipitation might have mixed with the creosote and soot to create a corrosive material on the liner. This material left inside the chimney can lead to odors, a drop in efficiency, and even dangerous buildup. There may be a dangerous buildup that becomes an obstruction. The only way to ensure your chimney system is clean and will work efficiently and properly is to schedule a sweep before fall. Schedule a Hudson chimney sweep and you can rest assured that our courteous and knowledgeable technicians will leave your chimney in the best shape possible, safer and more efficient than ever.

Annual Inspections

Like chimney sweeps, inspections are an opportunity for a professional to see your system and recognize a problem that a homeowner will miss. During an inspection, a professional will assess your entire system and you’ll get a clean bill of health, a repair recommendation, and even documentation for your insurance or realtor. This annual appointment is one of the most important for your home. Have it done now, and you’ll have time for necessary repairs before fall.

Repairs

Schedule repairs as soon as you are aware of a problem. If there is masonry damage, missing parts, or any other problems, have it addressed before burn season. If your chimney has cracked, crumbled or falling masonry, a professional should repair it through a process of tuckpointing. A chimney leak should be diagnosed and repaired before winter to avoid the freeze/thaw cycle–whether the flashing or cap needs replaced, crown needs repairs, or the whole chimney needs to be waterproofed. We can repair it before winter when you schedule early.

Call Hudson Chimney at 904-282-4159 or contact us online so that you can schedule early and rest assured that your fireplace will be ready for a fire this fall.

The Top 5 Chimney Killers

The chimney is made to last a lifetime, or at least the life of your home! However, if a chimney is constructed properly, components installed properly, and the correct materials are used, it won’t be able to last a long time. So why do you need regular chimney sweepings, anyway? It can save you time and money in the future, and it can even save your life. There are five things that can turn your chimney into a disaster, but all of these factors are preventable and the dangers caused by them are easily avoidable.

Water

The Top 5 Chimney Killers - Jacksonville FL - Hudson ChimneyYou cannot control the weather, but you can prevent water from entering your chimney system. When water penetrates your chimney system, it damages it from the inside out, it can cause the following damages: rusted parts, damaged structure, ruined furniture, rooms, and decor, stained masonry, and more. Water in the system cause your chimney to drop its efficiency and raises risks for potential dangers. It also cause you to burn more wood, resulting in a smoky fireplace, allow mold to grow, and cause odors.

Prevent chimney leaks by making sure your chimney is safe. Certain parts need to be protected to keep water out, this include the cap, crown, and flashing. Additionally, ask a Hudson Chimney expert about waterproofing services today. We use ChimneySaver’s Water Repellent to keep water from getting in, this is the best solution against water damages.

Amateur Work

Only a professional knows the ins and outs of comprehensive chimney care. They’re certified through classroom and field training. They also  adhere to local and federal safety codes, and they have experience with all types of fire appliances. Hiring an amateur can result in dangerous hazards and costly repairs down the road. Instead, you should find a local CSIA-certified chimney sweep to take care of all your chimney needs. You should also read reviews and hire a professional who is qualified. Membership in chimney sweep guilds are a bonus, check out Hudson Chimney’s credentials here.

Environment Damage

Storms, earthquakes, tornadoes, and fires can cause some serious damage to the structure of your chimney. These can all cause your chimney to work less efficiently. The damage can be minor shifted parts or serious like leaning or spalling. The best thing to do for your chimney after a strong storm or natural occurrences is to visually inspect it. If you find damage, call a professional for a thorough inspection right away.

Freeze/Thaw Cycle

Water damage get worse during freezing temperatures. The freeze/thaw cycle is the process in which water penetrates and fills cracks in the masonry, freezes and expands, breaking apart the masonry, then melts again, moving further into the masonry to repeat the process. You should have your chimney system inspected annually, especially before winter, so that cracks and voids in the masonry are repaired. You should also invest in chimney waterproofing to prevent the freeze/thaw cycle and water penetration!

Neglect

The biggest threat to your chimney system is neglect. A chimney that is cleaned and inspected regularly is safe and more efficient. These services keep your chimney working safely and properly, save you money, prevent damage, and lengthen the life of your chimney system.

It’s time to really invest in your chimney and fireplace system, especially if you want your system to last a long time. Call Hudson Chimney at 904-282-4159 and schedule services today!

Is Your Chimney Ready for Use?

With fall comes pumpkin spice coffee, ghouls and goblins, and relaxing by the fireplace. Even in warmer climates, a fireplace is a favorite home upgrade, making a room cozier, creating the perfect photo backdrop, and even supplementing the heat bills. You can benefit a lot from a fireplace, but is your fireplace ready for use? Lighting a fire in a dirty or unsafe fireplace is a bad idea and can put you at risk.

Chimney Sweeping

Is Your Chimney Ready for Use - Jacksonville FL - Hudson ChimneyIf you haven’t had a chimney sweep since last winter, your chimney is not ready for use. Every time you burn a fire in the fireplace, soot and creosote are deposited in the chimney interior. Additionally, while sitting there this summer, your chimney could have become home to critters or birds. Storms is another major factor, as it might have damaged the mortar, cap, or flashing to allow debris into your chimney.

There is no way to identify damage unless you hire a professional to come check it out. A certified chimney sweep knows what to look for, and they are have lots of experiences with chimneys and fireplaces. A standard chimney sweeping includes a thorough cleaning from top to bottom and a visible inspection of the exterior.

Chimney Inspections

Both the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend to get your chimney cleaned regularly and inspected annually. A CSIA inspection is a thorough assessment of all accessible portions of the chimney system. Chimney systems that have been changed, used differently, or have sustained damage require a level two inspection. This includes a video scan. A level two inspection is also required when a property is sold or transferred.

Repairs and Prevention

Scheduling your chimney sweep and inspection now gives you plenty of time to make necessary repairs or changes before fall arrives. If your chimney professional identifies damage, big or small, it can be repaired now to avoid more damage. Waiting to repair masonry or replace missing or damaged parts allow water to enter your system to cause much more costly repairs.

At Hudson Chimney, we not only repair chimneys and fireplaces, but we can also waterproof your masonry. Our technicians can apply ChimneySaver’s Water Repellent, which protects the masonry from water penetration while still allowing heat and vapors out. This product is 100% vapor permeable, and this will not affect the look of the masonry. It also works for ten years.

If you’re not sure whether your fireplace and chimney are ready to use, call the professionals to check it out before taking a chance. Call Hudson Chimney at 904-282-4159 and get on our schedule now.

Proudly Serving Jacksonville Since 1979

Jacksonville, Florida is known for many things, especially the climate and wildlife. Despite mild temperatures, many homeowners prefer to have in their home a fireplace and chimney. This helps to lower utility bills during seasonal transitions and also adds to the ambiance and decor of the home. At Hudson Chimney, we understand the magic that transforms a home when a fire is lit in a beautiful hearth. We also know the importance of maintaining fireplaces and chimneys to keep them safe and efficient. We make it our priority to keep our neighbors and families in Jacksonville safe season after season.Proudly Serving Jacksonvile - Jacksonville FL - Hudson Chimney

Why Choose Hudson Chimney

In over 20 years, Hudson Chimney has serviced countless families, businesses, and contractors, bringing safe fire appliances into residential and business spaces in and around Jacksonville. Located in Middleburg, Florida, we’re located in the heart of our service area and are well-versed in local and state fire and safety regulations. When we come into your community and your home, we treat you as neighbors. We live and work in the area, and it’s our goal that residential fires become a thing of the past for our communities.

We are certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), Independent Safety Commission (ISC), C-DET, and members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG), Georgia Chimney Sweep Guild (GCSG), and the Florida Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (FGPCS) of which owner Mark Hudson is President and Founder. At Hudson Chimney, education is a valuable asset and ongoing experience. When you choose Hudson Chimney, you will get a professional with the training and experience necessary to complete the job, as well as the backing of an established, licensed, and certified company.

Comprehensive Chimney Care for Jacksonville

In order to offer the best services to our service area in Jacksonville, Florida and surrounding communities, we strive to have certified technicians on staff who are experienced and formally trained. We offer preventative chimney maintenance year round, as well as chimney leak repairs, masonry repairs, routine maintenance, installations, parts replacements, and more.

Hudson’s Service Area

Though we serve a large area in Northeast Florida, there are certain cities and towns where we work every day, including:
Middleburg
Orange Park
Green Cove Springs
Saint Johns
Saint Augustine
Jacksonville Beach
Neptune Beach
Atlantic Beach
Ponte Vedra Beach
Penney Farms
Macclenny
Baldwin
Gainesville
Melrose
Keystone Heights
Starke
Palatka
Crescent City
Welaka
Fort White
Hawthorne
Palm Coast
Lake Butler

If you reside in any of these cities and would like to find a new chimney sweep company for all of your chimney needs, give Hudson Chimney a call today at 904-282-4159. If you don’t see your city name, or your zip code here, we may be able to work with you when you call to speak with a chimney expert.

You can also contact us online with this online form.