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by Mike O'Mara | Feb 22, 2017 | Chimney Cap Choices
If you own your own fireplace, you may be aware of the various parts that need regular maintenance. Dampers, brickwork, flue liners, and flashing are just a few of the many components that make up your chimney. Every piece plays an important role, and learning about these various parts is important in maintaining regular upkeep.
One piece that does a lot of work for your chimney, but often gets overlooked, is the chimney cap. Many homeowners wonder if installing a chimney cap is actually necessary for maintaining chimney health. The answer is yes! Chimney caps serve various functions and do a lot when it comes to helping your chimney stand strong for years to come. Check out some of these below!
Prevents Water Damage
Water and masonry should not mix. When water gets into your brickwork it triggers countless issues. Some of these include rusting, deterioration, cracking, mold and mildew accumulation, clogs, water stains, and rot. Your chimney may also wear down enough that a collapse or settlement may occur. All of these lead to unsightly and unsafe problems that put your home and family at risk.
Chimney caps help keep water out of your chimney. They are placed over the opening on the top of your chimney and keep it dry during bad weather and storms. The Underwriters Laboratories now requires a chimney cap in order to meet their safety standards! Invest in one today to keep water out.
Keeps Animals Out
Various birds and woodland creatures love to use chimneys for storage. Chimneys provide a warm and cozy spot to build nests and stash leaves, twigs, grass, and more. Unfortunately, these materials cause clogs and may trigger chimney fires if not removed. On top of this, the animals themselves may climb in and get stuck. If they can’t find their way out, you will soon start facing nasty smells and pest accumulation.
When you have a chimney cap installed, animals are left with no way to enter and cause problems. Getting a professional in to remove these critters and the debris that comes with them makes for a lot of extra hassle. Minimize stress and stop wasting time on issues that are easy to avoid. Purchase a chimney cap today!
Acts As Spark Arrestors
When you run your fireplace, stray sparks can easily work their way up the chimney and onto your roof. This could lead to a house fire, putting your home and family in a lot of danger! A chimney cap helps avoid this problem. They are known as spark arrestors, meaning they contain flying sparks from landing on your roof. Play it safe, and have your cap installed today.
Call Us Now!
At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we are qualified to install and inspect your chimney cap. Contact us today to ensure your home is protected. We look forward to making your chimney great!
by Mike O'Mara | Feb 8, 2017 | Damper
Your fireplace damper is a vital piece in your chimney’s construction. It ensures proper ventilation while your fire is running, and keeps cold air from entering your home. Unfortunately, these devices can break down and there a number of reasons why it may not be working efficiently.
If you notice drafting and air flow issues in your fireplace, keep reading to educate yourself on the more typical damper problems that homeowners typically face. Call in a certified chimney expert to check things over and perform any necessary repairs that may be needed.
Watch Out For Build-Up
One of the more common issues that people face is built-up soot and debris blocking their damper. This would keep your damper from opening and closing properly and may prevent it from opening at all! If your damper can’t open, smoke will back up into your home, exposing you and loved ones to harmful toxins. Excess smoke backing up into your living room means something is wrong… if you think your damper needs some cleaning, contact us right away.
Another issue may have to do with your damper valve. If this is dirty, it will not function appropriately and your damper will not be able to do its job effectively. Let us check things over and we can set you up right.
Broken Damper
Another possibility is that your damper is broken. In this case, we could help you pick out the appropriate damper for your specific fireplace. We would also ensure that it is installed properly. Improper installation only leads to bigger and more costly issues down the line and choosing the right size and style for your needs is vital in helping the entire appliance run well, as a whole.
Depend On Us
The staff at Weststar Chimney Sweeps are trained and certified to perform a wide range of repairs. We can also clean and inspect your chimney, so you can safely run it all year round. If you are having ventilation issues, let us come take a look at your damper. We can make any necessary repairs or adjustments, as well as clean the chimney with appropriate tools and chemicals.
Our sweeps update their certifications with the CSIA on a regular basis, so we always remain up-to-date on any new advancements or changes in regulations. We pride ourselves on providing the best customer service around, which is why countless homeowners turn to us for any and all of their chimney or fireplace related needs.
Why put it off any longer? Give us a call now, so you can rest easy and enjoy your fireplace to the fullest. We look forward to making your home great!
by Mike O'Mara | Jan 24, 2017 | Smoking Chimney
If your chimney is smoking, there are many reasons why this may be occurring. Having smoke back up into your home can be a really frustrating experience, especially when all you want to do is enjoy a cozy fire. If you have issues time and time again, try out some of these methods to ensure all of your smoke goes up the chimney like it is supposed to.
Open Your Damper
Your damper should be opened all the way before starting a fire. Oftentimes, homeowners forget this step, which means the smoke has no way of escaping out the chimney! As your fire burns, you can adjust it accordingly, so that you get the most efficient burn possible.
If the damper is stuck, a good cleaning may be in order. Which leads to another reason as to why your chimney may be smoking…
Check For Build-Up
As creosote and other debris accumulate in your fireplace, blockages will start to form. The smoke will enter your living room if there is not a clean pathway for smoke to escape. If you think a cleaning is necessary, call in a professional to check things over and remove any build-up throughout the chimney. A certified tech will have all of the appropriate tools and chemicals that are necessary for a thorough and complete inspection and sweep.
Inspect Your Fuel
Burning unseasoned wood will produce much smokier fires. You should purchase wood that has been dried for at least six months (but one to two years is ideal). Or, better yet, dry your own wood, so you know you are working with the best possible fuel. Unseasoned wood burns much less efficiently and uses up a lot of energy when burning through the excess moisture. This results in more smoke output.
Check Out Your Chimney Dimensions
Chimney height, flue size, and more can all affect how well your chimney functions. A certified pro will know exactly what dimensions your set up needs to be in order to run efficiently. Schedule an inspection today, so you will know whether or not your chimney is in need of some adjusting.
Adjust Your Windows
Sometimes, all it takes is opening a window or two to help the airflow adjust accordingly. A well-insulated home is good for many reasons, but it does mean your fireplace may struggle. Air needs to circulate through your home to keep a fire running, but if not enough air can work its way back in, your fire will start smoking up the house. Opening a couple windows will help get things flowing normally.
On the opposising side, your home may not be insulated enough! Too much air can also mess up your fireplace. If this is the case for you, ensure that all windows are tightly closed, especially those on the higher levels.
Call Us!
For more chimney help, call on the staff at Weststar Chimney Sweeps today!
by Mike O'Mara | Jan 10, 2017 | Seasoned Firewood
When it comes to building long-lasting fires, with good heat content, you won’t get anywhere without the right firewood. And not all firewood burns the same! Making the perfect fire for your specific needs can be tricky, but once the process is mastered, you will love how efficient your fires run time and time again.
Importance of Seasoned Wood
Before choosing your wood type, you will want to ensure the wood is seasoned. Some may claim that certain kinds burn great with or without proper seasoning, but this is definitely not the case. You will get the best results with wood that has been dried out for at least one year.
When searching for seasoned wood, there are a few key characteristics you can look out for. First, ensure that the pieces are cut to a short length and that the ends are split. These factors help the wood dry out at a quicker pace. Also, look for ends that are darker, and then lift the pieces to find which ones are lightest in weight. The heavier it is, the more water it’s holding! One way to test this is to bang two pieces together. If you hear a hollow, clunking noise, you should be good to go!
Types Of Wood
The best types of wood for fire-building can vary, based upon what type of burn you are looking to create. Check out this list for more information.
- Oak: A great part about oak is that there is plenty to go around. Once you get this wood going, it will leave you with a strong, hot burn for a long period of time. Join countless fireplace users today by using oak for your next burn! Just make sure it is well-seasoned (for a year or two) for the best possible results.
- Ash: Ash is another great wood for steady flames, while gaining some strong heat. It should also be well-seasoned, but this is not as crucial as it is for oak. When it comes to building great fires, ash definitely ranks high on anybody’s list.
- Beech: If you don’t have easy access to ash, beech burns similarly. Make sure it is well-seasoned before use, then light away for a long-lasting burn and an enjoyable evening!
- Thorn: Many wonder which woods produce the least amount of smoke. If you’re looking for a strong burn with little smoke output, thorn is the right choice for you. Say good-bye to smoky living rooms and enjoy your night to the fullest.
- Maple: Maple is a popular option because it is so common anywhere you live in the United States. This wood is great for building and maintaining strong fires, with a good amount of heat.
Turn to Weststar Chimney Sweep today for all of your chimney and fireplace needs. We are CSIA-certified and up to date on all of the regulations set in place for running a safe and efficient chimney. Contact us now! 619-338-8116
by Mike O'Mara | Dec 20, 2016 | Fireplaces
Do you own a fireplace? Then it is time to take advantage of the opportunity and create some long-lasting memories to look back on. If you are looking for ways to gather everyone together this holiday season, then read below for some creative fireplace activities that everyone is sure to enjoy.
Roast Chestnuts
If you have never roasted chestnuts before, then this winter is a good time to start! Once you do it, it is sure to turn into a tradition that your friends and family members will request for years to come. You simply rinse them, slice an “X” into them (so they do not burst when roasting), then toss them into the roasting pan.
You will want to cook them for around 20 – 30 minutes, moving them around every five minutes or so. Once done, peel them while they are still warm to ensure easy access to the nut. And there you have it! A night of fun and delicious snacking, all thanks to the fireplace.
Share Stories
As the year nears the end, it is a great time to reflect on what everyone has accomplished throughout it. Look back on your favorite memories and proudest moments, and take turns recounting various tales. Maybe someone will recall something that you had completely forgotten about! This is an activity that is sure to be enjoyed by everyone.
You could even take advantage of the setting by telling ghost stories! If you feel up to it and your family is into the idea, see if you can set a spooky mood this holiday season.
Play Games
What better spot to whip out some board games than in front of a cozy fire? Spend an evening (or two or three) playing some games that have been collecting dust in the closet. You are sure to get tons of laughs and everyone will appreciate the extra bonding time.
Discuss The Future
While reflection is great, so is looking forward. New Year’s will be here soon, so think up some resolutions you could set for 2017 and discuss them with the group. This way, you can all encourage each other when January comes around, working as a team to meet your various goals.
You could also discuss potential vacation ideas to see where everyone would most like to go, once things warm up. Wherever the discussion goes, you will definitely find yourself engaged in some great conversation.
At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we want you to enjoy your fireplace to the fullest! Please turn to us for all your chimney and fireplace needs, so you can have a safer and fun-filled holiday season.
Call us now for to schedule an inspection or visit our website to browse our various products and services. We look forward to helping you out, so you can start off 2017 right. Thanks for choosing us!
