One of the most common chimney issues is a blocked flue. It can get blocked by debris or soot.
“Just east of Gates is an old chimney, which marks the house where lived Samuel’s father, Deacon Nathaniel. … He had eight sons in the Revolutionary War.” (The Old Chimney Stacks of East Haddam, 1887)
An often overlooked area when it comes to chimney improvement is the chimney cap itself. In fact, a chimney cap that’s in good condition is very important, as it keeps leaves, tree, and yard debris, as well as small animals and birds from entering your chimney. The protective mesh of the cap also keeps moisture and wind out. Replacing your chimney cap periodically is a great way to maintain your chimney's efficiency.
Cold air can sweep down your unused chimney, creating drafts and thwarting the best efforts of your heating system. An auxiliary top-sealing, chimney cap with onboard damper can help stop the breeze.
Chimneys that are disconnected or loose because of rust and corrosion can be repaired quite easily, if you have the right professional to do the job. Masonry, or brick, chimneys are especially susceptible to cracks and crumbling.
Some of the first chimneys in homes were built in a stack. This meant that the fireplaces on each floor of the home shared the same chimney, and stacks were likely located at the front and back of the house.
One of the benefits of a new chimney installation is that it will make your home worth more money and will increase curb appeal if you are trying to sell your home. Indeed, a new chimney is a major selling point and can enable you to raise your asking price.
One of the best ways to protect against chimney liner, flue, and tile damage is to weatherproof your chimney crown. Weatherproofing the crown will also keep moisture from penetrating the chimney and causing expensive repair.
It’s important to remember that your chimney cap plays a key role in keeping pests out of your home and debris from accumulating in your chimney. If you have any reason to suspect an issue with your chimney cap, contact a professional right away for assistance.
Are you concerned that something could be seriously wrong with your chimney after the last major storm to hit your area? Let’s talk about the issues you’ve been having so that we can help you determine the necessary repairs.
Even if your chimney comes equipped with a metal liner, you still need to have your chimney professionally cleaned. An annual cleaning is necessary to remove dangerous creosote and flammable soot buildup.
Shaling flue tiles are a sure giveaway of chimney liner damage. Shaling occurs when thin slices of your chimney tile begin to grow, actually creating layers by piling up. Shaling flue tiles means that your chimney flue lining is not intact, which can mean your home is vulnerable to a house fire.
We can help monitor the level of creosote inside your chimney. When gases from your fireplace travel up the flue inside your chimney, any unburned particles build up on the interior of your chimney. The problem with creosote is that it is flammable.
Have you ever started a fire and had smoke invade the entire room? If this happens to you, the first place to check is the flue.
Have you ever heard of a chimney cowl? This is a helmet-shaped chimney cap that rotates in the direction of the wind. This prevents smoke and wind from entering through the top of the chimney and blowing into the home.
It’s important to remember that installing a fireplace in your home without adequate ventilation can be dangerous for your family. If you’re serious about adding a fireplace, be sure to contact us to install your new chimney.
If you don’t have a cap on your chimney, you may be allowing a substantial quantity of water pour down it. Over time, this makes the mortar and masonry begin to crumble, so you may need more frequent repairs.
It’s important to remember that not all homes that don’t have fireplaces can have them easily added. Depending on the size and layout of your home, it may not be possible to add a chimney in order to give your fireplace proper ventilation.
Not only can we build a chimney based on your specifications or from one of our own designs, but we also offer repair and maintenance services. It only makes sense to choose a company that can handle any of your chimney needs for as long as you own your home.
Donarch, Switzerland is home to one of the world’s most dramatic chimneys. The imposing structure sits on top of a boiler house that powers a complex of buildings. Constructed of concrete, the chimney has an organic design that resembles leaves branching from a tree limb.
The Tudor period castle, Thornbury, was built in 1511 for the third Duke of Buckingham. In 1514, ornate chimneys were constructed using individually molded and carved bricks. The bricks were then laid in complex patterns to create geometric, pierced and dimensional designs.
Remember, the condition of your chimney has the ability to make your home fail an inspection. In order to show your potential buyers that you’re acting in good faith, it’s wise to have us repair any chimney damage prior to their inspector catching it.
