Chimney Care Company's Blog
Why you should have your dryer vents cleaned annually
What in-home fire risk do the National Fire Protection Association, FEMA, the Chimney Safety Institute of America and countless home-advice experts all warn against? It is your clothes dryer. Clothes dryers are a leading cause of home fires in the United States.
Each year, clothes dryers are responsible for as many as 15,000 home fires, totaling more than $230 million in property damage. The risk of a clothes dryer fire increases each winter. So what can you do to lower your risk of a fire sparked by a clothes dryer? You should get your dryer vents professionally cleaned.
Lint buildup and your dryer
Most homeowners assume that they take care of their dryer by cleaning the lint trap in between each load of laundry. While this is an important step to reduce your home’s risk of a clothes dryer fire, it’s not enough. As you dry your clothes, towels, and linens, lint bypasses the lint trap. The lint, still damp from the dryer clings to the walls of the dryer vent. The layer of lint covering the vent walls continues to grow as the damp lint sticks to itself. Eventually, your dryer vents become completely clogged, and that’s where the danger is.
Clogged dryer vents and fires
So how do clogged dryer vents lead to fires? When your dryer vents are clogged, your clothes dryer can’t “breathe.” Hot air builds up within the dryer and dryer vents. The dryer’s heating element then overheat and ignite, which lead to a devastating fire. The flammable lint itself can catch fire due to the extreme heat of the dryer. To avoid the risk of a fire caused by your dryer vents, the National Fire Protection Association and the Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends having your clothes dryer vents cleaned by a professional at least once per year.
Professional dryer vent cleaning
You can perform a quick cleaning around your dryer’s vents to lessen the buildup of lint and keep your dryer running efficiently. To effectively clean your dryer vents of lint buildup, you need a professional dryer vent cleaning. Professional dryer vent technicians use high-powered rotating brushes and vacuums to clear your vents completely of lint. The rotating brushes free the lint from the walls of your dryer vents, while the vacuum sucks the loosened lint from the vents.
The risk of dryer vent fire rise each winter; don’t put your home at risk! Call the Chimney Care Co. to schedule your professional dryer vent cleaning to reduce fire risk today!
Design Your New Fireplace with the Firebuilder App!
You’ve decided to rehab your hearth with a new fireplace or warm your home with a brand new hearth this winter — congratulations! Improving your home with a new fireplace is definitely an exciting experience. There are a host of options to considers, from fireplace fuel type to firebox brick patterns to mantel material. All of those options can be overwhelming, and it can be hard to picture what the final product will look like once you have selected all of your options.
The Chimney Care Co. can help you custom build the perfect fireplace for your home! With our new Firebuilder App, you can select all of the elements of your new fireplace and see the final product so you can envision exactly what it would look like in your hearth and your home. With the Firebuilder App, you can customize nearly every detail of your new fireplace, including:
Fuel type
Nearly any fireplace selection process begins with choosing your fireplace fuel type. That’s where you will begin when constructing your custom fireplace with our Firebuilder App. In the Firebuilder App, you will be able to choose from gas-, wood-, pellet- or electric-fueled fireplaces.
Fireplace models
Once you select your fireplace fuel type, you will be able to compare and select from our wide variety of fireplace models. We carry models from the nation’s top brands. Select your desired fireplace model, and you will be able to customize your new fireplace based on that model’s options.
Fireplace doors or fireplace face
With a wood-burning or pellet stove, you will be able to select which doors you want to outfit your fireplace with. On a gas or electric fireplace, you will be able to customize the look of your fireplace face. Choose from simple, classic lines; ornate designs; or sleek, modern styles.
Venting and operating accessories
In the Firebuilder App, you also will be able to choose the options that customize the workings of your fireplace. Based on the model of the fireplace you choose, the app will show you the varies technical options available for your fireplace. This could mean adding blowers to your wood-burning fireplace or adding a wall control panel to your gas fireplace. Nearly all models will have you select the type of venting you prefer for your new fireplace.
Mantel
No hearth would be complete without a mantel. Whether you prefer a modern and sleek concrete mantel or a rustic wood-hewn mantel, the Chimney Care Co. has the perfect mantel for finishing of your new fireplace. In the Firebuilder App, you will get to see what your ideal mantel looks over your custom fireplace.
With the Chimney Care Co.’s Firebuilder App, you can design your own custom fireplace! The app will walk you through all of the options for your new fireplace and allow you to preview the finished product. Visit our website to get started today!
We also offer chimney inspections for real estate!
Congratulations on the purchase of your new home! For many home buyers, their dream home includes a fireplace. When your new home include a fireplace or a hearth appliance, a chimney inspection is a must. If your new home has a fireplace or heating stove, the Chimney Care Co. is here to help — We offer chimney inspections for real estate!
Why you need a real estate chimney inspection
A typical home inspection is part of every real estate transaction. You’re wondering why an additional chimney inspection is necessary. While your home inspector will take a glance at the fireplace and chimney for obvious deterioration. They aren’t trained to identify anything more than superficial problems.
A certified chimney inspector knows what to look for in a chimney and fireplace such as hidden dangers and problems. Having your chimney inspected by someone who knows chimneys will give you peace of mind. This allows you to address any potential problems during your home-buying transaction. It also saves you from endangering your new home with potential fire hazards.
What a real estate chimney inspection involves
When real estate changes hands, the Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends a Level 2 chimney inspection. A Level 2 chimney inspection involves a visual inspection of all accessible portions of the chimney. Your chimney sweep will access your chimney from your rooftop and firebox, and they will enter any attic, crawl spaces or utility rooms.
A Level 2 inspection also includes a video chimney inspection. This involves inserting a specialized, closed-circuit video camera up the flue of your chimney to look for signs of water damage, fire damage or other damages. Once inspection is complete, it should verify that your chimney is free of damage or deterioration, the fireplace or heating stove is operating efficiently, and the fireplace and chimney were installed properly and according to code.
Why your gas fireplace needs an inspection, too
Gas fireplaces have become the most popular option in the United States. While they might not have as many complications as traditional wood-burning fireplaces, a gas fireplace still needs a cleaning and real estate inspection, too. Gas fireplaces can malfunction, logs can deteriorate, and debris can clog burners and vents. As with other type of chimney inspection, a real estate inspection of gas fireplace ensure that it was properly installed, is fully functional and safe and efficient to use when you move into your new home.
If you’re purchasing a new home, let our team at Chimney Care Co. be the first to say congratulations! If your new home includes a fireplace, heating stove or chimney, call us to schedule your real estate chimney inspection today at 513-248-9600.
Call us for your gas fireplace service and repair!
Is your gas fireplace acting up? When was the last time you had your gas fireplace cleaned and inspected? Homeowners love gas fireplaces because they are easy to use and very low maintenance. However, gas fireplaces can also cause problems, and they do require regular servicing. Whatever your gas fireplace needs, the Chimney Care Co. can help.
A pilot light or a burner won’t light
Without a working pilot light, your gas fireplace won’t work. There are several reasons that pilot lights will fail to operate such as a disconnect gas line. However, the professionals at Chimney Care Co. can help you figure out the issue and get your pilot light working again.
Sometimes it’s not the pilot light that won’t ignite, it’s one or more of the burners in your gas fireplace. A nonfunctional burner affect the look and heat output of your gas fireplace. If your gas fireplace ignites, but a section of the burner isn’t providing usual flame, we can also help!
Fireplace shuts off suddenly
One of the most frustrating problems of a gas fireplace is suddenly shutting off. The pilot lights with no problems, the fire’s roaring beautifully, then the fire extinguishes out of nowhere. A minor problem like a malfunctioning sensor or more serious problems like a malfunctioning part or carbon monoxide leak is likely the cause. If your gas fireplace is turning off suddenly, call us to schedule an appointment before you light another fire.
A smelly fireplace
It is very normal for your gas fireplace to emit an odor at time, particularly when the fireplace is not in use. “Normal” gas fireplace smells usually dissipate after the fireplace is in use for awhile, and they usually do not occur every time the fireplace is lit. If your gas fireplace is emitting an odor every time while used, you should have it serviced by a hearth professional.
Fireplace emits strange sounds
Gas fireplaces generally operate noiselessly. There may be the occasional “whoosh” as the fireplace ignites or a sporadic hissing as air hits the flames or gas is emitted unevenly. A persistent noise is a sign of a serious problem. However, if your fireplace is regularly making noise, call us for help.
Fireplace is dirty
A dirty gas fireplace is more than unsightly, it cause many problems with the operation of your gas fireplace. To keep your gas fireplace looking nice and operating properly, it needs to be cleaned and inspected by a certified hearth professional at least once per year. If your gas fireplace is causing problems and needs attention, call Chimney Care Co. at 513-965-9909 to schedule an appointment today!
Does Your Chimney Need a New Chase Top?
One of the greatest benefits of a prefabricated chimney system, particularly a gas-burning one, is the low maintenance factor. Often, homeowners forget that their easy-to-use prefabricated hearths require some regular care, and often the care these systems need is a new chimney chase cover. Neglecting your chase top can lead to serious problems for your chimney and your home. But what is a chimney chase top and how does it protect your chimney system? How do you know if your chimney requires a new chimney chase cover?
Your chimney chase top serves as a lid to your chimney system. It encloses the very top of your chimney, leaving room for individual flues to exit your home while providing a seal for the chimney. It keeps water, debris and animals from entering your home’s prefabricated chimney. If your chimney chase top is in decaying and in need of replacement, it can allow water, animals, and debris to enter your chimney, where they can cause serious damage over time. If your chimney chase top needs to be replaced, your chimney sweep should alert you during your annual chimney sweeping and inspection. Your chimney also might be sending you some signs that your chase cover needs to be replaced, such as:
Rust Stains
Most chimney chase covers are made of metal, or more specifically, steel. The first sign of breakdown for these metal chimney chase covers is usually rust. You might be able to spot rust forming on your chimney chase cover, or you might notice brownish-orange streaks or rust streaming down the sides of your chimney from the chase cover. While the rust itself isn’t a danger, rust means your chimney chase cover is breaking down. Eventually, your rusting chimney chase cover will form holes that can let water or animals access your chimney and cause damage.
Water Entering Your Home
Water enters your chimney through holes and cracks in the chase cover. You might notice water pooling on your fireplace floor, rust forming on your fireplace doors or grates, or water spots forming on your walls or ceiling. Address signs of water entering your home immediately, as they can cause major damage to your chimney and your home’s infrastructure.
Water Pooling on the Chase Cover
Some chase covers have been improperly constructed and for that reason alone need to be replaced. An improperly constructed chimney chase cover doesn’t do its job of diverting water away from the chimneys opening. Instead, it can allow water to flow back into your chimney flue or pool on top of the chase cover.
If you think you need a chimney chase cover replacement, don’t wait to call! A damaged or deteriorating chimney chase cover can lead to severe water damage. This can obviously cost you serious time and money in repairs in the future. If you need a new chimney chase cover, call the Chimney Care Co. to schedule your appointment today!