Chimney Care Company's Blog
The Importance of a Chimney Inspection
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When it comes to your home’s chimney, prevention begins with chimney inspections. A chimney inspection guarantees your chimney is free from leaks or 
weaknesses that can cause damage to the chimney structure and your home structure, or that can put your home at risk of a dangerous chimney fire. Chimney inspections are so important in keeping your chimney and your home safe from fire or damage that the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that all chimneys are inspected annually.
Not all chimney inspections are the same. The CSIA breaks chimney inspections down into three levels. Your chimney’s unique situation will help determine which type of chimney inspection you need.
Level 1 inspection
A Level 1 inspection is a base-level chimney inspection. If you have a fireplace or heating stove that you have used for years, and you plan to continue to use it in the same manner, the CSIA recommends and annual Level 1 inspection. During a Level 1 inspection, a certified chimney sweep examines the easily accessible portions of your chimney on the inside and outside of your home, as well as the easily accessible portions of your heating appliance. If you have your chimney swept and inspected annually, a Level 1 inspection should be what your chimney sweep performs.
Level 2 inspection
A more detailed Level 2 inspection is recommended when a change is made to the chimney or the heating appliance. Some of those changes include chimney relining or changes in heating fuel types. Level 2 inspections also are recommended upon the sale of a property that includes a chimney, or when a chimney has been susceptible to structural damage, such as from an earthquake, severe storm or chimney or home fire. A Level 2 inspection should include a video scan of the chimney flue, all of the same checks as a Level 1 inspection and inspection of the portions of the chimney that can be accessed through attics, basements and crawl spaces.
Level 3 inspections
Level 3 inspections are performed when severe chimney damage that constitutes a hazard is suspected but can’t be observed with a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection. A Level 3 inspection involves all of the checks of Level 1 and Level 2 inspections, but the chimney technician will go further by removing parts of the chimney or building structure to better access and assess chimney damage.
If your chimney is overdue for an inspection, if you suspect your chimney is leaking or damaged, or if you are buying or selling a home with a chimney, call the Chimney Care Co. to schedule your inspection today! We can help you determine which level of inspection is appropriate, and we can help you prevent any further damage or dangers from unchecked problems in your chimney.
Does your chimney need masonry repairs? We can help!
Spring is the time of year when we begin to notice and address home repairs. Especially after the harsh conditions of winter, weaknesses in our home’s structures can become evident.
That includes chimneys. While masonry fireplaces and chimneys are incredibly durable, they also put up with a lot of abuse during winter months. Internally, they must cope with the extreme heat of your winter fires. Externally, they have to endure rain, ice, snow, sleet and freezing temperatures. If you start to notice damage to your chimney’s masonry this spring, The Chimney Care Co. can help repair your chimney in time for next season’s fires.
Common masonry repairs
The need for most chimney masonry repairs is obvious. There are telltale signs of damage, so you’ll know when your masonry fireplace or chimney is in need of professional attention. Some of the most common masonry repairs include:
- Crumbling mortar. Over time, your chimney’s mortar absorbs moisture, which can lead it to degrade and crumble away, leaving cracks in your chimney’s structure that can expose it to moisture damage and weaken the structure. Crumbling mortar can be easily fixed with tuckpointing, which involves removing the damaged mortar and replacing it with new mortar.
- Spalling bricks. Another common chimney problem caused by moisture is spalling, or crumbling bricks. These bricks can be replaced to prevent your chimney from losing its structural integrity.
- Cracked or crumbling chimney crown. Many chimney crowns, the masonry structure that surrounds the top of chimney, were improperly constructed from the wrong materials, causing them to crack and crumble quickly. Even well-built chimney crowns can fail over time and require repair or rebuilding.
- Cracked masonry. Masonry can crack for a variety of reasons. Flue tiles and firebox masonry can crack if they are “shocked” by the extreme heat of your fire or a chimney fire. We can repair cracked tiles or bricks, or rebuild entire fireboxes, if needed.
- Structural weaknesses. Water damage, settling foundations and seismic events can cause chimney structures to become weak. Those weaknesses can be revealed in a leaning chimney or in large chimney cracks. If your chimney structure is failing, The Chimney Care Co. can rebuild it quickly and effectively.
Protecting your chimney
By and large, the majority of chimney masonry damage is caused by water. Masonry materials are porous and can draw water in over time. When temperatures drop, water inside the masonry freezes and expands, causing some of the cracking, crumbling and structural weaknesses we’ve described. As such, it’s important to take measures to ensure your chimney is as protected as possible from water. That means making sure you have a secure chimney cap and a chimney crown that is in good repair. We can apply ChimneySaver’s waterproofing product to your chimney, which keeps moisture out while still allowing your chimney’s masonry to breathe as it needs to.
Most importantly, if you’ve noticed any of the common masonry problems we’ve described above, or if you have concerns about your chimney’s masonry, call The Chimney Care Co. today. We can provide you with a host of masonry repairs to keep your chimney safe, structurally sound and looking good.
Chimney caps: Is your chimney protected?
The top of your chimney opens to the outside, meaning it is fully exposed to all of the elements, debris and wandering animals. That is, unless your chimney is topped with a secure chimney cap in good repair.
About your chimney cap
Your chimney cap sits at the very top of your chimney. Usually attached by a metal cage, the chimney cap covers the opening of your chimney’s flue. Chimney caps come in all shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. Chimney caps serve a variety of functions.
Because they serve as a rooftop to your chimney, they prevent water from pouring down the walls of your flue and damaging your chimney liner, firebox, damper and chimney doors. Chimney caps play such a vital role in protecting your chimney system from water, the Chimney Safety Institute of America has dubbed them the cheapest and most effective way to protect your chimney from water damage.
Chimney caps also keep animals and debris out of your chimney. Without a chimney cap, leaves and branches can make their way into your flue, as can nesting animals or wayward birds. Blocked chimneys can cause many problems. They can force smoke and carbon monoxide back into your home. They can pose a fire risk. Animals that become trapped can cause an unpleasant smell and can require professional removal.
Chimney caps also can withstand high winds and help prevent strong bursts of wind from forcing their way down your chimney, chilling your home and potentially filling it with smoke. A chimney cap that is surrounded by fine wire mesh can help keep your rooftop safe. Without the mesh, burning embers can jump out of your flue and pose a fire hazard to your rooftop.
Determining whether you need a new chimney cap
Most chimney caps are made from copper or stainless steel. They are durable, and many come with lifetime warranties. Chimney caps can become disrupted or dislodged. Your chimney sweep should examine your chimney cap during your annual cleaning and inspection to make sure your chimney cap is free from any damage and firmly in place. You also may determine that you need a new chimney cap if you’ve noticed rust running down the sides of your chimney, or water or debris making its way into your flue.
If you need a new chimney cap, The Chimney Care Company can help. Our chimney experts can inspect your current chimney cap and chimney and provide you with your chimney cap options. We offer chimney caps in different metals, different sizes and different styles. You can choose a chimney cap that blends seamlessly into your chimney or one that adds style to your roofline. If you need a new chimney cap, or feel your chimney cap needs to be inspected, call us today!
The dangers of carbon monoxide
During the cold winter months, your primary concern likely is keeping your home and family warm. But the same appliances that keep your home cozy can pose a danger to you and your family: carbon monoxide. More than 200 people die in the United States each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. An additional 4,000 people are hospitalized each year, and 20,000 visit the emergency rooms suffering the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
To keep your family safe, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms and causes of carbon monoxide poisoning, what to do if you suspect that the levels of carbon monoxide are dangerous within your home and how you can prevent dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
Causes of carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of combustion. That means it is produced by any burning appliance in your home, including furnaces, fireplaces, heating stoves, clothes dryers and space heaters. When those appliances aren’t vented properly — due to improper installation, damage to the ventilation system or dirty or clogged vents — carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels in your home. This buildup can be exacerbated by our focus on energy efficiency. Newer homes are built to be more air tight to conserve energy. Owners of older homes often “weatherproof” to prevent drafts. While that efficiency prevents warm air from escaping our homes, it also means that carbon monoxide put off by a faulty appliance can’t escape the home.
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be subtle. Often described as flulike, those symptoms include mild headaches, dizziness and fatigue. As carbon monoxide levels increase in the blood, however, those symptoms can become more severe. At more advanced stages, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause confusion, disorientation, nausea, weakness, blurred vision and loss of consciousness. If anyone in your home begins to suffer these symptoms, your home should be evacuated, and that person should be taken to the hospital immediately. If left untreated, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause brain damage, organ failure or death.
Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning
The best way to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning is through the regular maintenance and inspection of fuel-burning appliances. It’s recommended that your chimney, clothing dryer, heating stove, fireplace and furnace should be cleaned and inspected by a professional each year. When your appliances and vents are serviced, your technician will clear any debris from the vents, and inspect the appliance and duct work for any malfunctions, clogs or damage. Freestanding appliances, such as generators or space heaters, should never be run in unventilated rooms.
Even with annual cleaning and maintenance, it’s important to exercise precautions against carbon monoxide. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that carbon monoxide detectors be installed on each level of a home and outside sleeping areas. The batteries in those detectors should be tested regularly. Everyone within the home should know what to do if those detectors go off: Evacuate the home and call 911.
If you’re concerned about your home’s carbon monoxide risk, The Chimney Care Co. can help. We clean, inspect and repair chimneys, stoves, fireplaces and dryer vents. Schedule an appointment to keep your family safe today!
Why Does My Chimney Stink?
Stinky chimney problem? Hold your breath no more! Call us and say goodbye to that stench in your chimney.
Chimney odor problems may be attributed to a variety of different things, the most notable of which come from creosote deposits — a natural byproduct of burning wood — inside your chimney. The odors are usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high, on rainy days, and/or when your air conditioner is running. A visit from a CSIA-certified chimney sweep can help eradicate these unwelcome odors from your home!
The Root of the Problem Lies Beneath the Surface
Due to the nature of the porous masonry construction inside your chimney, creosote impregnates its smell deep beyond the masonry’s surface. A chimney sweep will remove the surface buildup of creosote to limit the possibility of a chimney fire; however, the odors that have absorbed into the masonry itself are still left behind. How can you keep the smell out of your house? The answer to this question should come as no surprise.
Don’t Let the Draft Problems get You Down
The real problem is air coming down the chimney, a symptom of overall pressure problems. Normally, as long as the draft is working correctly and there is no negative airflow in the home, the inherent smells will remain in the chimney. Upon closer inspection, in the event that your chimney has developed a drafting problem, the intruding air brings the chimney odors right along with it as it comes down your flue. It’s likely that your chimney is just the victim of a negative pressure problem. A quick solution to the negative air pressure issue is to simply crack a window at all times to let the pressure change through the window rather than the chimney.
Is Your Chimney’s Odor Putting a Damper on the Mood?
For a more permanent approach to keeping the smell that’s exuding from your chimney’s masonry inside the chimney and away from your nose, you need to limit the amount of air that’s able to come down your chimney and into your house in the first place. Closing your throat damper is a good start, however, the metal-on-metal closure here is anything but airtight. A top-sealing damper can help to minimize the airflow and accompanying unpleasant odors from coming down your chimney. In addition to limiting the airflow problems, the top-sealing damper will keep rainwater and moisture out as well.
There’s never a bad time to have your chimney inspected. Chimney sweeps are available year round to inspect and clean your entire chimney system. Why allow these smells to become a problem if you don’t have to? As soon as you first notice unpleasant odors coming from your fireplace, contact the chimney professionals at The Chimney Care Company right away. To schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 513-248-9600 or fill out our online appointment request form. We appreciate your business and look forward to helping you keep your family safe and warm for years to come!