High's Chimney Service and Repair Blog

Closing Out Your Fireplace and Chimney for the Season

Posted on April 2, 2013 by High's Chimney Service Inc.

At the beginning of February, Punxsutawney Phil made the prediction that spring was well on its way when he failed to see his shadow on Groundhog Day. Whether that adorable critter is entirely accurate is up for debate, but Spring is finally coming. It appears last weeks’ snowfall will more than likely be the last the Washington DC area will see for a few months.

As fireplace season is starting to wind down, home owners should learn how to close down the fireplace and chimney for the year. There are a few quick steps that should be taken to close out the cozy season:

clean the fireplace,
perform a chimney inspection,
shut the fireplace damper,
turn off the pilot light on gas fireplace units

Clean It Up

Prior to closing the fireplace for the year entirely, you will want to clean up whatever you can your own. This includes dusting off any soot or ash deposits from the base of the unit. You can accomplish this with the handy-dandy Shop Vac. Additionally, remember that the chimney should be swept annually by a certified chimney sweep to remove any soot and creosote in the body of the chimney. Most sweeps, including us, feel that Spring is the best time to hire a sweep to get your chimney cleaned and inspected. When the weather gets significantly damp during the spring months, any leftover gunk in these areas will moisten and give off unpleasant odors inside your home. As an added guard against odors, various deodorants designed for chimneys can be put inside of the firebox.

Inspect

While you have a chimney sweep there to do the cleaning, you might as well have an overall inspection completed too. In addition to looking for residue buildup, a sweep can check the condition of various components, inspecting them for cracks and leaks. Two key components that may prove troublesome in the spring are the flashing system and rain cap. Each of these items works to protect the chimney from water leakage, which is more likely during the spring rainy season. A chimney sweep will ensure that these parts are intact and undamaged, keeping your home safe from flooding.

The inspector will check all other key items, including chimney piping, which could have become corroded from prolonged heat exposure, and replace it if needed. To further guard your home, the chimney damper/cap should be securely closed too, which will keep out pesky animals that like to invade your chimney, like chimney swifts or raccoons.

Shut the Damper

When your fireplace goes unused for a length of time, the damper should be closed. Why? Because it’s just one more way that air and odors come in and out of the house. So, at the end of this fireplace season, be sure to shut the fireplace damper near the firebox. Even better, if air is escaping from your home and into the fireplace unit, glass doors can be installed and work together with the closed damper, creating a tighter seal. Please note, however, that this is only for wood-burning units, as gas fireplaces should always have an open damper.

Turn Off the Light

Gas fireplaces are equipped with what is called a pilot light. Essentially, this is a small flame that remains lit at all times while the fireplace unit is connected. What are the odds that you’re going to light a fire in the next several months? The pilot light, while it isn’t very strong, uses up plenty of energy over a period of time, costing you money. So, turn off the pilot light on a gas fireplace in the springtime.

Taking these steps now will ensure that your fireplace is in tip-top shape for the next burn season, which means you will have one less thing to worry about next winter! There’s nothing worse than being left in the cold, so oil your fireplace components so they function correctly, take the necessary cleaning and corrective steps, close and turn off components that need not be used and relish in the fact that you’re in good shape for next year!

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3 Strange and Unfortunate Chimney Accidents

Posted on February 19, 2013 by High's Chimney Service Inc.

It’s not news that roofs and chimneys can become hazardous places. What is news are the strange things that actually happen around chimneys. In the past few years, the world has seen some bizarre chimney accidents, from falls to car damage.

2011, Lorraine, France

In early November of 2011, an enthusiastic astronomer named Yoan climbed the roof of the unused factory, Crevéchamps in Meurthe et Moselle, and onto the chimney to see an asteroid pass by Earth. Bearing the additional weight of both his backpack and computer, a few rungs of Yoan’s ladder collapsed, trapping him on the chimney.

In his struggle high in the sky, Yoan made the top of the chimney crumble, the noise of the falling bricks luckily awakening a nearby neighbor. Though firemen arrived to assist in good time, Yoan stayed perched on the chimney into the wee hours of the morning, not wanting to come down until 6:30AM that day!

2012, Chicago, Illinois

Hotel Intercontinental, Credit: thecount.com

In mid-December just last year, a young Minnesota native found his way up to the roof of the Hotel Intercontinental in Chicago to take scenic photos of the city at night. Nicholas Wiem, standing atop the 40+ story building, unfortunately lost his footing during the endeavor and fell into the hotel’s chimney. At first he simply suffered a few burns, seeming, for the most part, to be alright as Wiem texted and called his girlfriend during the ordeal. Given the fall, burns, and toxins that resided within the chimney, however, Weim passed away prior to being rescued from the shaft, an endeavor which took 4 hours, police and fire crews and a Michigan Avenue road closure to complete.

2013, UK

Perhaps the oddest chimney incident in recent history happened only a few weeks ago at the end of January and combined the forces of a chimney, strong wind and a parked car. As crazy as it may seem, chimney debris actually blew off of a house in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, England. Though no one was hurt and the whole chimney itself certainly did not break off and plummet onto the Fiat parked below, a great deal of bricks did, damaging 23-year old Julius Benjamin’s car enough to require his landlord to pay for the damage.

Accidents can happen no matter what you do. However, a good lesson we can take away from these examples is to exercise caution around both roofs and chimneys. Roofs in public spaces are certainly not playgrounds and are generally off-limits to visitors—so respect that. One could hardly give advice on rogue chimney bricks hitting cars, as it is relatively unheard of, however if a structure looks unsound it’s best to stay clear of it (both you and your car). And if you absolutely must access the exterior of a chimney, leave the work to the pros.

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Chimney Health Hazards: Things You Should Know

Posted on January 31, 2013 by High's Chimney Service Inc.

Our chimneys, in conjunction with the fireplaces they support, help to provide us with much warmth during the colder months. They can, however, have various adverse effects on our health. Of course, one shouldn’t live in fear of this, though it is wise to have a working knowledge of chimney and fireplace health hazards. Let’s look at some ways in which your chimney may be more foe than friend.

Creosote Exposure

Creosote is an oily black substance that can potentially build up inside your chimney flue because of incomplete wood combustion. Not only does this stuff sound nasty, but it can also produce some undesirable health effects, such as:

Skin Irritation. Physical contact with creosote buildup can cause rashes and other major skin issues.
Eye Irritation. Creosote debris that gets on/in the eyes will irritate them, sometimes to the point of feeling burning sensations or actual chemical burns. Sensitivity to light is also possible.
Respiratory Problems. Breathing in creosote particles for a length of time often catches up with the person exposed, as lung and other respiratory issues may develop.
Abdominal Issues. Creosote carries with it the potential to irritate both one’s kidneys and liver.
Mental Problems. Serious exposure to creosote will cause seizures and confusion in some people.
Cancer. Though this greatest health effect has not occurred often from chimney use, creosote exposure does have the potential to cause skin cancer.

No children were harmed in this photo. (Source: www.amberdusick.com)

Chimney Soot Inhalation

Chimney soot is another contaminant resulting from incomplete combustion, and it forms when wood does not burn hot enough (less than 284 degrees). This powdery brown or black dust sticks to the inside of chimneys (sometimes escaping into the air) and carries a few risks similar to creosote, such as:

Lung Hazard. Like creosote, if chimney soot is inhaled in great enough amounts, it has the potential to either irritate the lungs or cause lung diseases.
Respiratory Risks. In conjunction with lung problems, general respiratory infections may crop up due to soot inhalation.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas that is odorless, colorless and tasteless, making it notoriously hard to detect. The gas is a result of incomplete combustion due to insufficient oxygen to finish oxidation. In this case, it doesn’t make it to the carbon dioxide form. When Carbon monoxide makes it into the air, several health problems may emerge:

Flu-like Symptoms. Carbon monoxide taken into the body in small amounts may mirror flu characteristics, including fatigue, nausea, confusion or headache.
Organ Troubles. The more carbon monoxide you inhale, the worse the impacts on your health. Breathing in large quantities (At once or over time) of this gas may result in brain damage or heart problems, and at its worst even death.

Chimney Swifts and Histoplasmosis

Chimney swifts are small, brownish black birds with an affinity for taking up residence inside residential chimneys. The birds themselves are little more than annoying, though what they leave behind may cause problems. Their droppings may cause histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection caused by histplasma capsulatum, a fungus. Symptoms generally look like a mild illness or flu, and include:

Chronic Cough. Coughing a lot? It might be a sign of a larger problem from your chimney.
Chest Pain. Chest pain is never something to ignore, and if you knowingly have chimney swifts, it may be worth it to mention to the doctor.
Fever, Chills or Sweats. Though usually associated with the flu, these symptoms may be the result of extreme buildup of histplasma capsulatum in your chimney.
Lack of Appetite and Weight Loss. While you may simply be under the weather when this happens, if this or any of the above symptoms have joined forces, those chimney swifts may be to blame.

None of these things are particularly enjoyable to cope with. So, the underlying message is simple: take precautions and clean your chimney. Chimney sweeps can determine if any internal structures of your chimney are damaged, contributing to buildup problems. Additionally, chimney sweeps will remove creosote, soot and chimney swift deposits, resulting in decreased health risks. You may also consider having your home checked for carbon monoxide and also install a carbon monoxide detector. With a better knowledge of chimney risks, you can now enjoy wintertime fires more responsibly!

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The Three Levels of Chimney Inspections

Posted on December 11, 2012 by High's Chimney Service Inc.

source: CSIA

Article contributed by Ashbusters Chimney Service, fellow chimney experts whose knowledge in this topic comes from several years of chimney inspections performed in Charleston, SC.

When we think of a fire in the fireplace, it brings to mind images of comfort, warmth and safety. There is little that compares to the relaxing feeling of sitting by a warm fire in the comfort of your home on a cold night. But, as responsible homeowners, we must never take fire safety for granted. Before you use your fireplace, it is critical that you have a chimney inspection so that you can be sure that your chimney is not a fire hazard.

These inspection levels have been classified by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and they are the standard upon which certified chimney sweeps base their work.

Level 1
A level 1 chimney inspection is the most common type of chimney inspection. If you have used your fireplace regularly in the past without experiencing any problems, a level 1 inspection is appropriate. With a level 1 inspection, the chimney technician will examine the readily accessible portions of your chimney. This means the technician will perform a visual inspection with a flashlight, examining all areas of your chimney and flue that can be viewed without any special tools. Your technician may use common tools such as a screwdriver or pliers to examine any openings, but there should be no damage to any structures or finishes.

Parts of your chimney that should be examined in a level 1 inspection include:

Portions of the chimney exterior
Portions of the chimney interior
Accessible portions of the appliance and chimney connection

In short, your chimney technician will be examining the chimney to make sure that the basic structure is in tact and there are no visible signs of damage. In this inspection, your technician should also verify that there are no obstructions or combustible materials in your chimney.

Level 2
If you are making any changes in the way you use your chimney, such as changing the type of fuel used, relining the flue, or if you’ve had any accidents or external events that may have caused damage, a level 2 chimney inspection is needed. If you’ve had a building fire, chimney fire or an earthquake, you will need to have a level 2 inspection preformed. Also, a level 2 inspection of the chimney is required before you sell your property.

As you probably assumed, a level 2 inspection is more detailed than level 1. A level 2 chimney inspection includes all of the visual examination included in a level 1 inspection, plus some additional work including examination of the attic, crawlspace and other accessible areas. In a level 2 inspection, a video camera or other device may be used to examine the flue and check for cracks or damage to the joints in the chimney’s structure. There should be no removal of the structure or permanent damaged caused to your chimney in a level 2 inspection.

Level 3
The level 3 chimney inspection is the most comprehensive type of chimney inspection. In addition to all of the checks preformed in level 1 and level 2 inspections, a level 3 will also examine the concealed areas of the chimney. This inspection may also include the removal of certain parts of the building or chimney structure if necessary. For example, the chimney crown or parts of the interior chimney wall may have to be removed in order to perform the in-depth inspection required for a level 3. This type of inspection is performed when serious damage to the chimney is suspected.

For more information about chimney inspections and safety standards, visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Get additional information at ashbusterscharleston.com.

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Top 3 Reasons to Sweep your Chimney

Posted on November 20, 2012 by High's Chimney Service Inc.

–Article contributed by Owens Chimney Systems

Many people enjoy the rustic feel and relaxing ambiance of a wood-burning fire. However, when it comes to fire in your home, Owens Chimney Systems in Charlotte, NC is there to help keep your family safe. If you need to cut corners on your home maintenance, your chimney and fireplace are definitely NOT the place to do it. Before using your fireplace, you must make sure that it is clean and safe to operate.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that you have your chimney cleaned and professionally inspected at least once a year. There are many good reasons to clean and inspect your chimney, but here are the top three:

1. To Prevent a Chimney Fire

Trust us—you DO NOT want a fire in your chimney. A chimney fire can be quite spectacular—with loud popping and cracking sounds, lots of dense smoke and a strong, hot odor. But chimney fires aren’t always dramatic enough to alert the neighbors. Sometimes, they burn slow and aren’t even visible, but they still reach high temperatures and can seep into the walls of your house and ignite anything flammable. Flames from a chimney fire can quickly spread into the walls or onto the roof of your home and cause massive devastation, if not the total destruction of your home. It is a nightmare scenario, but one that can most likely be avoided with proper care and maintenance of your chimney.The most common cause of chimney fire is, simply, a dirty chimney. Over time, chimneys will become clogged with creosote, a natural, tar-like substance that is a by-product of burning wood. Creosote is black or brown in appearance and, over time, it builds up and leaves a glazing inside your chimney. This glazing is highly combustible and it can take only a small amount to start a fire. Restricted air supply is one of the factors that contribute to the build up of creosote, another reason it is important to clean your chimney regularly.

2. To Protect Your Health

Musical comedian Weird Al Yankovic is known for his humorous songs about pop culture icons, but there’s nothing funny about the way his parents died. In 2004, the Yankovics were found dead in their California home, victims of an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning from burning wood in their fireplace. Breathing the fumes from gas or solid fuel fires can be dangerous or, as was the case with the Yankovics, fatal.

Carbon monoxide (CO2) is produced whenever fuel is burned. Even at low levels, CO2 can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion and fainting. A blocked chimney or a chimney with an improperly functioning flue can cause a buildup of this dangerous gas. CO2 is responsible for thousands of deaths in America each year, and many of these poisonings are caused by blocked chimneys. This is why it is critical to have your chimney examined and swept to make sure your flue is clear before using the chimney.

3. To Avoid Smoke Damage

When a chimney is not regularly cleaned, soot will accumulate around the flue. This makes it difficult for the flue to draw the smoke upwards and can cause the smoke to enter your room. This soot will leave a black film around your hearth and soil any furniture, carpeting or decorations nearby. Sometimes, smoke can even cause black staining around your chimney, which can be difficult or impossible to remove.

When you cut corners with chimney and fireplace maintenance, you are literally playing with fire. The good news is that the risks described above are completely preventable. Be sure to have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney professional at least once a year so you can enjoy safe use of your fireplace for years to come.

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