by Mark Hudson | Sep 15, 2014 | chimney maintenance
Chimney service companies tend to get busy as the fall and winter approach. If you live in the Middleburg, Florida area you may think that booking an appointment to have your chimney swept and inspected is something that can wait. After all, you live in the sunshine state, right? But you would be wrong. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that chimneys be swept by a professional on an annual basis. No matter where you live, the fall and winter are when chimney service companies get booked up. If you want to use your chimney safely and efficiently this winter, you will want to have the professionals at Hudson Chimney clean and inspect it.
Having your chimney cleaned and inspected can help it to run more efficiently, save you money, and keep your home warmer. Most importantly, however, having your chimney cleaned is important to keeping your home safe from house and chimney fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other hazards presented by owning a chimney.
The professionals at Hudson Chimney will work to remove creosote from your chimney. Creosote is an extremely flammable substance that forms when hot gasses and smoke cool in your chimney. Not only can creosote cause fires, but it blocks toxic gasses and smoke from leaving your chimney. When creosote is allowed to accumulate, not only does your risk of fire and dangerous fumes increase, but creosote will build into a caked on substance called glazed creosote, which can only be removed by a professional with strong chemicals. Having your chimney cleaned and inspected annually can help prevent glazed creosote from forming.
The experts at Hudson Chimney will also inspect your chimney for water damage which can cost you a lot of money (and even destroy your chimney) if not properly attended to. They will inspect your chimney for the various causes of water leaks and recommend any repairs that need to be made. You can then set up an appointment with Hudson Chimney to install a chimney cover, have a water repellent applied, or anything else that needs to be done to provide you with a leak-free chimney!
Your chimney will also be inspected to make sure that the appliance was properly installed and that your chimney and appliance are compatible. A flue that is too small for the appliance will not allow for proper ventilation, causing hazardous fumes to enter your home. A flue that is too big for the appliance will accumulate creosote quickly. The technicians at Hudson Chimney will also check to make sure that there are no blockages in your chimney that could cause improper ventilation. Having a chimney cap or damper installed will help to prevent animals and debris from entering the chimney.
So if you have not scheduled your chimney service appointment for this year, call Hudson Chimney as soon as possible to book your appointment before the busy season starts!
by Mark Hudson | Aug 25, 2014 | chimney maintenance
There are a lot of risks involved with having a chimney. Chimney fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and expensive repairs are some of the more worrisome problems. However, you can protect your home, your health, and your wallet easily with early preventative maintenance. Hudson Chimney can inspect and clean your chimney, make sure it is properly installed, and make and carry out recommendations that will keep your home safe and maintained.
One easy way to prevent chimney fires and ventilation problems is to have your chimney cleaned professionally. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that you have your chimney swept annually. Whenever you use your chimney, a substance called creosote builds up. Creosote is both highly flammable and blocks smoke and gasses from leaving your home. Furthermore, creosote can build up into glazed creosote, which has to be removed by a professional with chemicals to avoid ruining your chimney. The professionals at Hudson Chimney would be more than happy to inspect your chimney for creosote buildup and clean it to provide you with a safer home.
Water that enters your chimney can also cause extensive water damage, including mold growth, insulation damage, and even the destruction of your chimney. In order to prevent water from entering your home through your chimney, you should have Hudson Chimney install a cap or damper (every chimney should have one of the two). A cover will not only prevent water from entering and damaging your home, but it will also prevent animals and other debris from getting inside your chimney. Keeping your chimney clear of animals and debris is important for proper ventilation and keeping toxins out of your home.
Water can also seep through the brick or mortar of your chimney, however. This can also cause water damage to your home as well as cause cracks to form and be enlarged, shortening the life span of your chimney. Therefore, it is important to have Hudson Chimney apply a repellent to your chimney stack. A repellent will prevent water from seeping into the materials of your chimney while still allowing it to breathe, which enables water produced in your chimney to leave it.
You should have Hudson Chimney inspect your chimney to make sure that it is also installed correctly. Sometimes an appliance can have a flue that is too big or too small for it, causing draft problems. With a flue that is too small, ventilation will not occur properly, allowing toxins to enter your home. With a flue that is too big, on the other hand, creosote will quickly build up, causing a fire hazard and also preventing proper drafting.
If you are worried about the potential disasters your chimney can cause, you will find how easy it is for you to protect yourself and your home by calling Hudson Chimney. They will make sure that your chimney is working safely and efficiently and put your mind at ease.
