by Mark Hudson | Oct 23, 2017 | Storm Damage
One thing that many homeowners try to prepare for is hurricanes. This is especially true if you live in Florida. How many homeowners are prepared for more than one hurricane? How about two hurricanes and one tropical storm in one season? Our customers in Jacksonville are busy putting things back together after devastating storms statewide. Now we’re here to help!
Common Storm Damage
Tropical storms come with sustained winds of 39 mph and higher. Once the maximum sustained winds pass 74 mph, the storm is considered a hurricane. Tropical storms, hurricanes, and even a heavy thunderstorm can cause damage to your chimney system. Winds can blow off or damage flashing and chimney caps. Hail and rain can damage masonry, and if the damage isn’t repaired, more can occur. This season, our service area in Jacksonville has been battered, and you might not have gotten the repairs your chimney needed before another storm passed through.
Your Chimney Cap
In high-wind areas, you can opt for a chimney cap designed to handle hurricane-force winds, and deflect wind from coming into the flue. A functional cap should block rain from falling into the flue. However, when it blows off during a serious storm, it will allow water into the chimney system. Water destroys a chimney from the inside out. If it isn’t corrected, it will continue to ruin parts of the chimney system, as well as components of the home.
Your Flashing
The flashing is made up of thin sheets of metal, placed along the seam of the roof and chimney intersection. This is the most vulnerable of all the chimney system. Not to mention it becomes worse when flashing is installed incorrectly – as it often is. It’s best to have the chimney inspected regularly and know the flashing is in good shape and ready for Florida weather. What happens if the flashing becomes damaged, shifts, or is blown away? Water from tropical storms will penetrate the roof, affecting the chimney, flooring, walls, and structural materials of the home!
Your Chimney Repairs
Hudson Chimney sees a lot of storm damage this time of year, after hurricane season, and before fall. This is the time that homeowners are getting ready for burn season. So, it’s the best time to have the chimney inspected and schedule necessary repairs.
Flashing Repair – Hudson Chimney repairs flashing with the expertise required to properly place flashing according to the slant of the roof, the roofing materials, and the high wind area you live.
Masonry Repair – Depending on the damage to the masonry itself, whether water or wind damage, a masonry repair may be in order. Hudson Chimney sweeps can repair spalling masonry through a process called tuckpointing, replace chimney crowns, and waterproof the masonry for added protection.
When the storm has passed, it’s time to assess the damage, and start repairs. If you have questions about chimney damage, preventative maintenance, and insurance claims, a Hudson Chimney technician can assist you. Just call 904-282-4159 or schedule an appointment with Hudson Chimney online today!
by Mark Hudson | Jan 28, 2017 | Chimney Liner
The interior of your chimney is often forgotten because the old adage is true: out of sight, out of mind. The chimney’s interior is used and abused all winter long and can become damaged from simple wear and tear, and the homeowner may never know. This is one reason that the yearly chimney inspection is vitally important. This is the only time a professional will look at your chimney from top to bottom.
What is a Liner?
The liner protects the house from the heat of your chimney. In an unlined chimney the heat can transfer from the chimney to structural combustibles. The liner also protects the chimney itself from the corrosive byproducts that exist in the chimney. Without a liner, the chimney is susceptible to erosion contributing to a shorter life. The liner is also essential to your fire’s ventilation. It is professionally installed so that it’s sized specifically for the capacity of the fireplace or appliance. This means that your masonry chimney can be used even if you change appliances and fuels. The chimney can be relined, but won’t require a rebuild.
Signs Your Chimney May Need Relined
- You’ve noticed water damage in your fireplace there is most likely damage to the flue liner. If there are water stains on the chimney’s masonry, it has most likely penetrated the liner.
- Seeing pieces of your clay liner falling into your fireplace then it needs to be relined. The National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 211 requires that chimney liners be replaced if they are cracked, broken, or missing.
- If your liner isn’t appropriate for the type of fuel you’re burning, you need to get another liner installed. Stainless steel liners are the most durable, and appropriate for use with wood, gas, and oil burning fires.
- Purchase a new appliance or having your fireplace rebuilt you may need a new liner. The liner should be sized appropriately. Wood stoves and oil furnaces require a correctly sized flue to perform properly. If the chimney doesn’t vent properly you risk flue fires, carbon monoxide intrusion, and decreased efficiency.
The Most Important Time to Have Your Chimney Liner Checked
The most important time to have your chimney liner checked is when you’ve purchased a new home. This is because you probably don’t know anything about your chimney. When you schedule a chimney inspection with a certified chimney sweep you can save money in the future. A chimney expert can catch flue liner damage before it becomes a serious fire hazard, and a chimney expert can repair minor damage without relining!
At Hudson Chimney our technicians are certified HeatShield® technicians. HeatShield® is a cerfractory flue sealant that combines the strength and durability of ceramic and concrete to resurface the chimney lining. It’s ideal for clay flue liners and is rated for use with all fuels. Even if your entire chimney needs relined, HeatShield® is right for you as long as your chimney is structurally sound. This relining process can be just what you need to avoid a complete relining or rebuild.
Hudson Chimney is Jacksonville’s chimney choice for over 30 years. We will put your chimney first every time. Contact Hudson Chimney today to find out how we can help you.
by Mark Hudson | Oct 24, 2016 | Modern Chimney Standards
The use of fire for home heating is centuries old, as well as the need for a ventilation system. Fireplaces and chimneys have changed in major ways through the years. However, how the chimney works remains the same.
Your Classic Chimney
Many older chimneys are missing important parts that have been found to be vitally important in recent years. Many older masonry chimneys do not have a chimney liner, or they have an old clay tile liner. In other instances, older chimneys are too big for the size of the fireplace or insert. Chimney caps are also a part of the chimney that are often overlooked by the older generation of homeowners. They have been missing on classic chimneys for years.
There is a reason why these elements have been added to modern standards of chimney and fire safety. The fire industry is constantly changing, which is why chimney professionals renew their training regularly. It’s also why fire codes and municipal standards are always changing as well.
Modern Standards
The industry standard for chimney sweep credentials is the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). The CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS) credential stands for excellence and training in the ever-changing field. There is a need for such a standard. In addition to have a similar need for manufacturing, installation, and operation standards for everyone’s safety.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is the leading information and knowledge resource on fire, electrical, and related hazards. The CSIA became the industry standard for professional chimney sweeps. The NFPA became the industry standard for safe ventilation, installation of fire-burning appliances, and the construction and installation of chimneys, fireplaces, and venting systems.
The NFPA 211 standards address:
- Design, installation, maintenance, and inspection.
- Chimneys, fireplaces, venting systems, and solid fuel-burning appliances.
- Residential, commercial, and industrial occupancy.
Comprehensive provisions address general requirements as well as specific types of units. The appliances are actually manufactured with these codes in mind. So, chimney sweeps are well-abreast of them when they install, maintain, replace, or repair the appliances and chimney systems. This is why you should never install your own fireplace or furnace. Only a certified chimney sweep can install the appliance and properly match it with the perfect venting products.
Hudson Chimney has changed with the industry standards, as we’ve been full-time chimney sweeps since 1979. Our technicians are experienced and trained to bring your classic chimney up to modern standards.
Ready to let someone bring your chimney system into the modern era? Also, keeping your safety and comfort in mind? Call Hudson Chimney today at 904-282-4159. For your convenience you can also request an appointment online.
by Mark Hudson | Aug 25, 2016 | Chimney Cleaning
When you own a home, you should keep up with the routine maintenance tasks needed to keep everything running smoothly and safely. Neglecting important maintenance can lead to dangerous hazards in your home. At Hudson Chimney, our top priority is fire safety, and we provide chimney and venting maintenance services to the residents of the Jacksonville area that prevent accidental fires and carbon monoxide leaks. For our busy customers, we offer the opportunity to take care of two of these services, chimney sweeping and dryer vent cleaning, on the same appointment date. We strongly suggest that you should go ahead and schedule this appointment now before the busy season of fall begins. It can be difficult to find the most convenient time, and you may end up having to wait even longer to take care of these maintenance tasks. We would like to tell you more about the importance of a professional chimney sweeping and a dryer vent cleaning.
CHIMNEY SWEEPING
When you burn wood in your fireplace or stove, creosote develops naturally during the combustion process. As smoke and the other byproducts of combustion pass through the cooler upper walls of the chimney, condensation occurs. During condensation, creosote forms and sticks to the inner chimney walls. After a long winter, large accumulations of creosote deposits can cover parts of the chimney and create a dangerous fire hazard. Creosote is so highly flammable that the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has named this natural compound as a leading cause of chimney fires. To remove all of the creosote deposits from your chimney, you need a professional chimney sweeping. This is why the CSIA, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and other top national fire safety groups recommend having your chimney professionally swept and inspected at least once a year. You can trust Hudson Chimney to remove every bit of creosote from your chimney because our chimney sweeps have been certified by the CSIA and have the training and experience to do this job properly and reduce your risk of a chimney fire.
DRYER VENT CLEANING
Every year, thousands of clothes dryer fires are reported in this country. The majority of these fires are the result of clogged and dirty dryer vents. Every time you dry a load of clothes, lint is produced. Although about 75 percent of that lint is collected in the lint screen, the rest of it falls into the vent. After a period of time, that lint can accumulate into a large enough amount to clog the vent. This is a very dangerous situation because lint is extremely flammable. Since a clogged dryer vent causes the dryer to overheat, those high temperatures can easily ignite the trapped lint inside a vent. You will know your dryer vent needs cleaning when your dryer cannot fully dry a load of clothes in one complete drying cycle. To prevent a clothes dryer fire, Hudson Chimney recommends that you schedule a professional dryer vent cleaning appointment with us every year. Not only will the risk of an accidental clothes dryer fire be greatly reduced, your dryer will work much more efficiently. Prolonging the life of your dryer, preventing fires, and lowering your utility bills are among the benefits of our professional dryer vent cleaning services.
Make sure your home is safe with no fire hazards. Contact us at Hudson Chimney to schedule an appointment for our professional chimney sweeping and dryer vent cleaning services today.
by Mark Hudson | May 23, 2016 | fireplaces
If you have a prefab fireplace, you know how important it is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions so that it works safely. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) says that using your prefab fireplace properly is critical to operate it efficiently and safely. Even though these types of fireplaces are not built to last as long as masonry fireplaces, you can prolong the life of your factory-built fireplace with regular maintenance and service. One of the most common problems with prefab fireplaces has to do with the firebox. Over the years, the lining of the firebox can suffer from rust corrosion, which can cause the firebox to crack. When this happens, your home is at a greater risk of an accidental fire because the cracks and gaps allow fire and heat to reach the combustible materials in the walls that surround the fireplace. Hudson Chimney has years of experience in repairing damaged fireboxes in prefab fireplaces, and we would like to tell you more about what can damage your firebox.
WATER LEAKS
The main reason a firebox in a prefab fireplace suffers from rust corrosion is exposure to water. When you have a prefab fireplace and chimney that is covered with a chase, you need a chase cover to keep water out of the chimney. If the cover is damaged or missing, water from rain can easily enter your chimney, and this is how your firebox becomes corroded with rust. Hudson Chimney can not only repair your damaged firebox, but we can also install a new chase cover that will protect your chimney and fireplace from water leaks.
FREQUENT USAGE
Prefab fireplaces are designed to be used occasionally, and if you burn fires in your prefab fireplace everyday, it can lead to firebox damage. This type of fireplace is not made to handle daily exposure to extremely high temperatures. If you want to use your fireplace everyday during the winter, Hudson Chimney can help you upgrade to a fireplace insert that is manufactured to be used more often.
WRONG PART INSTALLATION
When certain parts, such as the damper and smoke dome, of your prefab fireplace and chimney need to be replaced, it is essential that those parts match the brand name and model number of the original parts. If these parts are not replaced with parts that match the originals, your prefab fireplace will not operate safely and properly. You could end up experiencing a house fire in this situation. Hudson Chimney will take the time to find the exact parts needed for your prefab fireplace.
If your prefab fireplace is calling out for help, Hudson Chimney is here to solve the problem. Contact us to schedule an inspection of your prefab fireplace today.
