by Mark Hudson | Jun 10, 2014 | chimney maintenance
Leaky chimney got you down? Give the pros at Hudson Chimney a call!
Hudson Chimney has been giving quality chimney services for over thirty years now. And throughout our experience, we’ve collected a considerably wide knowledge when it comes to chimney problems and issues.
One of the most common issues that we’ve encountered throughout our experience is the case of the leaky chimney. Seven out of ten households with chimneys have been complaining about leaks and are asking for help to resolve said issue.
Here are a few things that you may find informative and rather helpful.
The common causes of chimney leaks:
- Although chimneys are generally concrete, there are cases wherein only the outside is solid and the inner portion is filled with solid fillers. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, majority of the masonry materials utilized are actually porous and are prone to absorbing water. The process of filling the brick plus the nature of the materials used makes the brick more susceptible to having cracks and channels that may serve as an entrance for water. One cracked brick is relatively harmless. But imagine fifty bricks or more? The amount of water that can pass through that is enough to cause an annoying leak around your house.
- For aesthetic purposes, many people make use of fashionable bricks in their chimneys. These bricks are more porous and rough on the surface compared to its regular counterpart. The key thing to look out for when using fashionable bricks is its flashing. The most preferred and advisable flashing to utilize is either the lead, lead coated copper or the copper (gold).
- Chimney flashing is done to prevent leakage. But sometimes when flashing is improperly installed, worn, inadequate or even corroded, this would backfire and cause what it’s meant to prevent in the first place.
Warning signs that your chimney is leaking:
- When you hear a constant, omnipresent dripping noise.
- Cracks and deterioration in the flue lining
- Water stains on or around your chimney
What you can do to fix it!
Your first instinct once you suspect your chimney is leaking is to go up there and see for yourself if there’s anything amiss. Although this is relatively the first thing you can do, it’s not as practical and effective as you may think. 80% of the time, people without training won’t be able to detect a leaky chimney or know how to remedy it. The quick and effective solution? Call our professionals and schedule an appointment as soon as possible so we can have your chimney waterproofed as well as install a chimney cap or crown!
by Mark Hudson | Mar 12, 2014 | chimney maintenance
It’s easy to forget about your chimney the moment spring comes to life. But you shouldn’t. Spring is the best time to give proper care to your chimney.
No matter how hard you try, you always seem to forget something when you are making your to do list for the upcoming spring season. You want to make sure you clean the house from top to bottom, begin the gardening, and plan for the summer vacation. Nowhere in this list, does taking care of your chimney’s maintenance fit in. This maintenance must be done and in a timely fashion to protect your family and your home’s safety. Call Hudson Chimney today to schedule your appointment.
Do you really need more than one chimney sweep?
It depends on your usage. If you are frequently using your fireplace, you may need two sweeps. This is because with an increase in burning, more creosote will be released. One chimney sweep should be done closer to burning season so that there is little time for anything to build up inside of the unit. The second should be done right after burning season to remove everything from the winter. You should always make sure your chimney sweep is Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified. Since the spring season is also slower for chimney companies, you may be able to get a discount.
What are some common repairs that will need to be done?
Since winter storms can often time hurt your chimney’s structure, the spring season is when the repairs will usually begin. This is the time when weather warms up, but the wet season hasn’t kicked in. Your technician will know to check both the flashing and the rain caps.
You will also want to make sure that your chimney is sealed properly. After the unit freezes and thaws multiple times it will begin to crack and the caulk will begin to loosen. After the sweep and repairs, you should look into having the chimney waterproofed, especially if you live in a wet environment.
What do you do with the animals that may have gotten in your chimney?
Even though your first instincts are to panic, you should remain calm and give us a call. To keep both you and the animal safe, this should only be done by a professional. Animals will use your chimney for both nesting and storage, so having the required sweeps will remove all of their droppings. We also have experience removing carcasses. We’ll make sure there is nothing blocking your chimney.
by Mark Hudson | Jan 8, 2014 | chimney maintenance
Fungi are common practically on any surface where moisture is present. So it is no surprise that molds can easily find their way into the chimney. Most of the time, we don’t even know that they’re multiplying in the dark. But if left without any intervention, the accumulation of molds could have serious damaging effects to your household.
How Chimneys Can Breed Molds
The chimney is subjected to the ever changing seasons that it is no surprise at all that it is exposed to a lot of water and moisture. It does not only happen during the rainy seasons, but moisture can still build up in the chimney during humid summer days. And wherever there is moisture, molds can easily survive and thrive. They can reproduce up to the millions and still go unnoticed within the confines of the flue and make their way down to the fireplace. In addition, water can cause major structural damage to the masonry, creating cracks where more molds can reside.
Removing dangerous molds and waterproofing your chimney are two services we’ll be happy to provide you. This extends the life of your chimney and reduces the negative impact of molds in the flue.
These molds look harmless, but don’t be fooled! They can come in all shapes and sizes. Some may be fuzzy, others are slimy or flat. They create a certain discoloration to the surface where they are attached and this cannot be removed easily by plain soap and water. It is best to leave these pesky molds to the professionals who have the right equipment to deal with them.
Dangers of Chimney Molds
Molds can pose a serious health risk to the inhabitants of the house because they produce spores. When these spores travel down the chimney and enter the home, they circulate and become inhaled. The milder symptoms of illness due to mold exposure could be irritation on the skin or any mucous membrane. More severe conditions may affect the lungs and cause permanent damage if inhaled in very large amounts. So if several of your family members are starting to cough or are experiencing headaches and frequent congestion, aside from going to the doctor, it would be sensible to take a trip or give a call to a professional chimney sweep to eliminate the cause of this sickness. And if you have a family member with any kind of respiratory problem…this becomes even more urgent.
Taking Out the Chimney Molds
If you have a leaky chimney, go ahead and make an appointment with the experts at Hudson Chimney. Serving the Jacksonville, Florida area for more than 30 years, we hope to gain your confidence and take care of your chimney.. They will be able to deal with your chimney mold problem in a jiffy, targeting the mold and then repairing any cracks in the chimney that causes water to enter. They might also recommend waterproofing your chimney for long-term maintenance of its structure and functionality.
In the end, prevention is definitely better than spending thousands on medications and chimney repairs. Call Hudson Chimney to inspect your chimney every year. The small investment on your chimney will be worth the huge savings.
