Chimneys Inc.

The chimney sweeps of Croatia and Poland wear a traditional uniform of all black with a top hat, and if you rub one of your buttons while passing a sweep it is considered to be good luck.

A common misconception is that, because a fireplace is made of masonry, it can't cause a fire. The truth is that brick transfers heat, so an improperly cleaned or installed chimney can ignite the surrounding framing and cause a structural fire. Professional sweeps know how to recognize structural problems that could cause this.

Beware of sources that tell you it's easy to clean a chimney yourself. The truth is that chimney sweeping can be a very messy, painstaking process. If it's done wrong, chances of a home-threatening chimney fire increase. To be sure the job's done right, hire a professional.

The life of chimney sweep “climbing boys” (children who were indentured to chimney sweeps) was not easy, as the children worked and lived in soot and grim and under dangerous conditions. Their plight was captured by the English poet William Blake in his poem “The Chimney Sweeper.”

In 1864, Parliament passed the Act for the Regulation of Chimney Sweepers, prohibiting the use of children to climb up and down chimneys to keep them clean. At this time, various devices were invented to do the work instead.

A fireplace damper is a metal plate assembly situated at the top of the fire box. It closes off the airway created by the chimney. To save energy, a damper should be closed when the fireplace isn't in use. A standard chimney damper can be opened and closed by adjusting a lever inside the firebox.

Blocked chimneys can do more than just give you a smoky living room. They can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep your family safe and your home free of toxic gases by having your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly.

Did you know that if you have a chimney that uses gas logs, you must have them cleaned regularly or you can get carbon monoxide poisoning? No matter what type of chimney and fireplace setup you have, an annual cleaning is always recommended.

The NFPA recommends a Level 3 chimney inspection when the possibility of a hidden hazard has been identified. This comprehensive inspection confirms concealed portions of the chimney and flue have properly constructed of appropriate materials.

Chimney sweeping no longer works as it did in the 17th century, when sweeps would go into the chimney itself. Today, chimney sweeping is done from the inside using wire brushes and long fiberglass rods. A sophisticated vacuum system then removes the chimney debris.

Chimney fires often damage chimneys to the point where they're unsafe to use. If you've just moved into a house and aren't sure whether there's been a chimney fire previously, have a professional chimney sweep come in to do an inspection before you use the fireplace.

Did you know that carbon monoxide can be a problem with some chimneys, particularly those that aren’t regularly maintained? By keeping your chimney soot free, you are keeping it clear of dangerous creosote and the carbon monoxide fumes that result.

Many don’t realize that sweeping a chimney is a messy job that produces a great deal of soot and dust, which is why in most cases it’s best left to the professionals. Your chimney sweep will be able to protect your floors and furnishings while removing all the soot and residue from your flue.

So when is the best time to have your chimney cleaned? In general, it is a good idea to schedule your chimney inspection at the end of the summer or in early fall, before you consider using your chimney or furnace for heating, as this is an important fire prevention measure.

Did you know that indoor grilling can include cooking food in your fireplace? There are now grilling setups that make it possible for you to bring your barbecuing activities indoors for the winter months of the year.

Did you know that modern-day chimney sweeping is actually partly accomplished with a vacuum? The chimney sweep will set up a high-powered industrial vacuum cleaner that can suck up soot and debris as it is removed from the chimney with the sweep brush.

Chimneys were developed in urban areas as early as the 1200s. They started out central to the building and large, but evolved into ever narrower shafts specific to rooms. Wood was a primary fuel leading to coal. Both deposit creosote.

If you have problems with foul odors coming from your fireplace during the summer, it's often because of air being pulled down your chimney across creosote deposits. Installing a tight-fitting damper can alleviate this issue.

While gas fireplaces take advantage of a clean burning fuel source, it's still common for blockages to develop in the flue. If the blockages are severe, carbon monoxide fumes can be directed back into the home.

Inspecting a chimney without the proper equipment can often lead to missing hairline cracks and damage that could spell disaster the next time you light a fire. Experienced chimney sweeps bring professional diagnostic equipment that identifies problems before they could be seen by the untrained eye.

Just how does a chimney work? Hot air rises, and a heat source burning below a chimney will create a column of gas or smoke that rises through the chimney. As the hot air rises it pulls cool air and oxygen across the fire.

One important part of a chimney inspection is the metal flashing on the roof that's designed to keep water from coming inside. The caulking on the flashing can give way over time.

If a chimney fire occurs in your home, your first step should always be to immediately call your local fire department. But in the meantime, you can reduce the damage incurred by extinguishing the fire in your stove/fireplace with a multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher.

Any structure that ventilates gas or smoke from a broiler, stove, furnace, or fireplace to the outside is considered a chimney. Chimneys are usually vertical to allow the smoke or gas to flow freely.

You probably already know that creosote build-up can start a fire in your chimney. Did you realize, though, that creosote also smells bad? If you detect an unpleasant odor of ash and char coming from your clean fireplace, it may mean you have a problem with creosote.

Each year, there are more than 10,000 reported cases of carbon monoxide related injuries. If your fireplace and chimney aren't functioning properly, you could be at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

One of the main benefits of having your chimney regularly cleaned is that this removes blockages. Nesting animals can create a blockage that reduces air circulation and impedes the function of the fireplace.

The general rule is that, if you use your fireplace at least once a week during the cold season, then you should have it inspected and cleaned annually. However, note that even using your fireplace occasionally will result in creosote deposits in the chimney flu.