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Our Company Blog
by Mike O'Mara | Feb 21, 2018 | Chimney Repairs
The holidays are well behind us, and your chimney is likely seeing less and less use. As spring and summer approach, most homeowners abstain from fireplace use until the more festive atmosphere comes back around. If this sounds all too familiar, then it may be a good time to call us in to look things over!
At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we believe that one of the best times for inspections and repairs is right after the burning season. Why? Well, your fireplace has just faced a lot of action over the last few months! Some wear and tear has likely occurred, and clogs and other issues may be present, too. In these cases, it’s important to have some maintenance done before anything gets worse.
Saving You Money
The longer you put off necessary repairs, sweepings, and more, the more issues you’ll wind up facing down the line. Bigger problems lead to bigger expenses, so it’s wise to invest in affordable repairs now, rather than high-priced ones this fall. It’s an easy choice to make, so why put it off any longer?
Saving You Time
Chimney repairs take time and, depending on the issue at hand, it could take quite a while to get everything squared away. Simple repairs take much less time. This is why we encourage homeowners to call us in sooner, rather than waiting until things deteriorate more than they already have. Don’t get stuck making multiple time-consuming appointments, when you can get us in and out in a hurry!
Along with this, waiting until fall for your chimney maintenance can lead to some scheduling conflicts. As you can imagine, the closer we get to winter and the holidays, the busier our sweeps get! If you schedule now, you are much more likely to get the exact date and time that works best for you.
If you want to ensure you can fire up your fireplace right at the start of your next burning season, call us in now to check everything over. Once fall rolls back around, you’ll be happy you did it!
Saving You Stress
When you save time and money, you save yourself a lot of stress. When your fireplace and chimney are undergoing repairs and maintenance, it can cause some frustration, but our expert and professional team are ready to ensure this process goes as smoothly as possible. When you work with Weststar Chimney Sweeps, your needs always come first!
Along with this, you’ll be able to use your fireplace with the peace of mind you deserve, knowing your system is functioning as safely as possible. Regular maintenance decreases the likelihood of water damage, chimney fires, gas leaks, and more! Ensure your loved ones stay protected by calling us in from the start.
Dial Our Number Today!
Pick up the phone and dial us at 619-338-8116 today! Our CSIA certified crew is ready to help you out with any questions, concerns, and scheduling needs. We love serving San Diego and all of its surrounding communities, and we are more than ready to help you out soon. When it comes to the health of your chimney, there’s no time to lose – give us a call now!
by Mike O'Mara | Jan 17, 2018 | Certifications
We are Certified
If you own a fireplace, you know how important it is to invest in regular maintenance. If you need to schedule your annual sweeping or inspection, or if you feel that you’re in need of some repairs, it’s time you call on a team that you can trust! Luckily, for folks in the San Diego area, Weststar Chimney Sweeps is here to help!
Our staff takes pride in earning and maintaining their CSIA certifications. This is an important step for any chimney sweep to take and, companies that don’t obtain it, simply don’t have the expertise necessary for doing a thorough evaluation of your system. Even so-called “experienced” sweeps won’t know about the latest advances and technology in this ever-evolving field!
We advise you to only hire CSIA certified sweeps for any of your chimney or fireplace work, and to be on the lookout for companies claiming certification, without any evidence to back it up. It’s easy for a business to say they’re certified (making them sound more reliable) without actually doing anything. If they don’t have any specifics as to where, how, and when they gained these credentials, then they likely don’t actually have them!
To save you stress and headaches down the line, hire a qualified team, like the staff at Weststar Chimney Sweeps, from the very start. When you work with technicians like ours, you won’t be disappointed!
About The CSIA
The CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) is a non-profit organization that is completely dedicated to educating sweeps and homeowners on safer fireplace practices. Since its start back in 1983, it has set the standard for how fireplace and chimney care should be handled. This organization trains and certifies countless sweeps every year. Homeowners can have the peace of mind they deserve while providing warmth and comfort to their homes and families.
One of the best parts about the the CSIA is their strict code of ethics. You don’t have to worry about the intentions or integrity of your sweeps when they carry this certification. The CSIA promotes fairness and professionalism, and they make their sweeps sign an oath to use their knowledge with only the best of intentions. This means they’ll be honest and straightforward about what your home needs and how you should proceed forward with all of your chimney repairs and maintenance.
It’s an easy choice to make. If you need help with your chimney, only trust in a CSIA certified professional for the job!
It’s Time To Call On Us
If your sweep isn’t CSIA certified, any damages or other issues they leave behind is now on your shoulders. That means more cost to you, and you’ll be left doing a lot more work! Hire us from the start, so that you can rest easy this winter and enjoy your fireplace to the fullest. Let us take this burden off of your shoulders – give our licensed, certified, and insured staff a call today!
by Mike O'Mara | Dec 18, 2017 | Paint N Peel
The holidays are such a fun and festive time of year and there’s nothing that quite sets the mood for Christmas like a crackling fireplace in the home. That being said, your system probably faces quite a lot of use throughout the holiday season! If you’ve noticed that your beautiful masonry is starting to look a bit stained and dull from excess use, then count on our expert team to help you out!
At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we work hard for our customer base, and we don’t want to hear of homeowners in the area scrubbing and scrubbing their fireplace to no avail. This process never seems to work all that well, and all you’re left with in the end is sore muscles and the same, dirty fireplace. Fortunately, we carry Paint N’ Peel Masonry Stain Removal for all of your masonry cleaning needs!
What Is Paint N’ Peel?
So, what is Paint N’ Peel? It’s a product that is safe, environmentally-friendly, and water-based. It makes all the difference when it comes to helping your masonry look better than ever! Soot and dirt are no match for this product, and you won’t have to worry about any mess or nasty odors when we put it to use.
How Does It Work?
Paint N’ Peel is pretty self-explanatory. If you’re wondering how it works, just look to the name! We’ll apply a coat of our Paint N’ Peel product to your cleaned and taped-off fireplace system. You won’t have to worry about any getting on your doors, mantels, or more – our team has that covered! It takes anywhere from 6-12 hours to fully dry and, once it does, we’ll carefully peel it off of your masonry. You’ll be amazed at how much better your fireplace’s surface will look!
Does It Really Make A Difference?
You bet it does! Check out our website or simply ask around to other customers who have used it. This is a service we believe in, and we will only promote products that truly do their job! We want homes and fireplaces in the area to look as great as possible – our customers deserve that! And if you read our reviews and testimonials, you’ll learn that we’re a company you can trust. Give our CSIA certified staff a call today!
Other Repair Services
If your chimney needs more than a few stains removed, we can help you out with that, too. If you find yourself looking at cracks and crumbling day after day, call in our expert staff to take a look! We also address chimney leaks, faulty liners, cracked crowns, and more. Check out our website and feel free to contact us to learn more about the services we offer.
We’re excited about making homes in the area the best that they can be! Count on us for all of your chimney, fireplace, and venting needs!
by Mike O'Mara | Dec 4, 2017 | Chimney Safety
Christmas is almost here, and excitement is building more and more with every passing day. We know there are still lots of things to do to prepare for Santa’s arrival. Bake some cookies, buy some carrots for the reindeer, and don’t forget to make sure your chimney is clean and ready! At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we can help ensure your fireplace is as safe as possible for Santa’s arrival. Give us a call, so we can help you today.
Invest In Annual Inspections & Sweepings
If it’s been awhile since you invested in an inspection, now is the time to call us in. The CSIA recommends scheduling at least one inspection per year, and there’s no better time than right before the holidays kick off! Give our certified technicians a hollar right away. We’ll make sure you’re good to go this holiday season!
Chimneys that are used without being inspected face some extra risks. For one thing, creosote needs to be cleaned out from time to time. If it accumulates too much, your chances of a chimney fire increase significantly. Chimney fires damage your structure and leave behind gaps and openings for stray flames to escape. This could eventually lead to toxins entering your home or a house fire. Stay safe – get an inspection of the books today!
Our sweeps will also check for any clogs or blockages. It’s not unusual for animals to set up camp when your fireplace isn’t in use. If any critters, nesting materials, twigs, or other debris is clogging things up, air will not circulate properly through your system. Consequently, you risk exposure to carbon monoxide (as well as smoke and other toxins). Carbon monoxide can lead to serious illness, and it is basically impossible to notice without a detector. Don’t take any chances! Have our staff check things over.
Steps You Can Take
If you’re wondering which steps you, as a homeowner, can take to maintain a safer fireplace, check out these tips!
First of all, make sure that only properly seasoned wood gets burned in your fireplace. That means no trash, paper plates, napkins, wrapping paper, or anything similar. You’ll also want to avoid fresh wood, as it contains a lot of moisture. Fresh wood uses up a lot of energy to burn through, leaving you with more smoke and less heat. It also encourages the accumulation of creosote which, as noted above, isn’t good at all! Make things easier and safer by using seasoned wood from the start.
It’s also important to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. These will be your first warning signs of trouble, and they have saved countless lives over the decades. Along with this, practice fire safety in your home, and keep young children informed on how to stay protected. Plan two escape routes from each room in your home and practice fire drills throughout the year, so that everyone is prepared, no matter what.
At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we want all of our customers to have a safe and happy holiday season. Work with us, and you won’t regret it!
by Mike O'Mara | Nov 5, 2017 | Smoking Chimney
Do you plan on hosting any parties or events this holiday season? If so. then you can count on your fireplace to set the perfect aesthetic for you. A crackling fire lightens up any room, adds a cozy atmosphere, and helps set that festive mood that every homeowner desires. That being said, a fun-filled night in can easily turn bad when smoke starting pouring into your living room.
Avoid this issue by studying some of our tips below! We’ll discuss what causes smoke to back-up and educate you on how to prevent it from happening to you.
Is Your Damper Working?
First things first, if you notice smoke backing up, check your damper. Sometimes homeowners simply forget to open it, but other times it’s stuck or broken. A fireplace can’t run without a properly working damper, so count on us to make sure yours is good to go! We’ll do a thorough inspection and take the appropriate steps to resolve any issues you may be facing.
Need your current damper replaced? No problem! We can take care of that, too. Give us a call and we will set up with an appointment.
Is Your Firewood Properly Seasoned?
Ensuring your firewood has been seasoned for at least 6 months (preferably longer) can make a huge impact on how much, or how little, your fireplace smokes. Wood that isn’t properly seasoned will hold more water, forcing your fire to use up a lot of energy burning through all the excess moisture. This causes smoke to form. Unfortunately, these fumes can easily enter your home and, when they don’t, they cause creosote and other harmful buildup to form in your chimney.
Unfortunately, when creosote accumulates, this too can cause smoke to form! It’s a vicious cycle, so choosing seasoned wood from the start is your best bet. Pick out pieces that are lighter in weight, dark and split at the ends, and that make a hollow sound when smacked together. All of these signs indicate it has been properly dried out, and your fire will smoke significantly less.
Is Your Flue In Need Of Repair?
If your flue needs some tuning up, you may experience drafting and smoking issues, too. Call us in for any and all of your chimney repairs. It’s always best to address these sooner, rather than later, and you can count on us to handle anything that comes our way!
Don’t Waste Time
When smoke and other harmful toxins enter your home, it can cause a lot of stress. If family members inhale these fumes, they could be facing some serious illnesses. The longer you put off repairs, the worse your issues will become. This is why it’s so important to invest in yearly inspections and regular sweepings by a CSIA certified chimney sweep. So, you can depend on the staff at Weststar Chimney Sweeps to set you up right!
We won’t let you down. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!
