Our Company Blog

We Offer Solutions For Leaky Chimneys

Is a leaky chimney causing you stress? With the holiday season a few months away, you’re likely anxious to resolve any structural issues and water damage as soon as possible. Fortunately, the team here at Weststar Chimney Sweeps has solutions for you. There are several ways to tackle leaky chimney issues, and we have a few solutions to help your chimney be leak free!

We Install Chimney Caps

We Offer Solutions For Leaky Chimneys - San Diego CA - Weststar Chimney SweepsA big reason for excess water throughout their fireplace and chimney is the absence of a chimney cap. If you don’t have a cap or if your current cap is broken, professional assistance is necessary for preventing leaks in the future. Chimney caps cover the flue opening, so water cannot get into your chimney to destroy your liner and the rest of your system. They’re also great for keeping out birds and excess debris. If you’re ready to ensure a good-looking and better-functioning chimney cap, call in our experts now!

We Repair Chimney Crowns

The chimney crown is located at the top of your system, and it extends past the edge of the chimney. It works to divert water away from the masonry. When it comes to protecting the absorbent brickwork, the chimney crown plays a key role! Unfortunately, crowns tend to break down over time, especially if they are not properly constructed. It’s very important to get a professional crew to repair your chimney crown! Some crowns need simple repair work, while others require an entire rebuild. We’re happy to help.

We Provide Top-Of-The-Line Waterproofing Services

Once we’ve completed any repair and reconstruction work, we strongly suggest you to invest in our waterproofing services. Some homeowners turn to store-bought paints and sealers, but they can actually wind up doing more damage in the long run.

It’s vital that your chimney can still breathe out vapors while hosting this protective coat, and many waterproofing options don’t allow for this. They tend to block moisture from entering, but any water already in the masonry can’t escape. This will cause your structure to suffer. We use sealers that are completely vapor permeable, so you won’t be left with a damaged structure. Call on our team at 619-338-8116 now!

Let Our Experts Get Rid Of Your Glazed Creosote

Let Our Experts Get Rid Of Your Glazed Creosote

One of the biggest reasons why the CSIA stresses the importance of annual inspections is so sweeps can evaluate whether or not you have excessive creosote buildup inside of your chimney. Should dangerous amounts be present, having it removed will allow for a safer and better functioning fireplace, sure to bring countless nights of peace, warmth, and comfort. Learn more about creosote below!Let Us Get Rid Of Your Creosote - San Diego CA - Weststar Chimney Sweeps

What Is Creosote?

Creosote is a substance that builds up in your chimney as you light fires in the fireplace. It comes in a few different forms, ranging from soft and flaky to sticky and tar-like to hard and glazed. So no matter the texture, creosote is very damaging and dangerous to have in your chimney, which is why regular removal is important.

The reason why creosote triggers so many problems is due to its highly flammable nature. The more you have, the higher your risk is for a chimney fire, which causes significant structural damage and makes your fireplace unsafe and unsuitable for regular use.

Unfortunately, not all chimney fires are created equal. It may seem like they all would be loud and obvious, but many are quite quiet, meaning homeowners are unaware their system has undergone excessive damage. This means that they’ll continue to light fires and use their chimney, which could pose serious threats to their home and family in the form of gas leaks and house fires.

When Is Deglazing Necessary?

Now, for those who invest in regular inspections and maintenance, any creosote buildup should not be especially challenging to remove. Yet, fireplaces that have faced longer periods of neglect or misuse may find themselves with glazed creosote throughout, which is more challenging to take on.

Glazed creosote needs to be approached differently than your standard creosote buildup, as it is thicker, more solid, and essentially baked onto your chimney walls. Attempting removal without the proper tools and equipment will not get the job done, and it will likely cause damage to your chimney interior in the process.

If your find yourself face-to-face with glazed creosote, the best option would be to invest in help from a CSIA certified sweep, like the crew at Weststar Chimney Sweeps. This is the only way to avoid bigger issues down the line, and it will get the job taken care of in the most efficient manner possible. Investing in professional help will always yield the quickest and least expensive results overall, so be sure to contact us right away if you suspect trouble.

Need An Inspection?

Not sure where your chimney stands in terms of creosote accumulation? Sounds like it’s time for an inspection. Our professional and experienced crew can look things over for you, then assess whether or not further repair or sweeping services are necessary. Together, we can find the best solutions for your needs, so give us a call soon!

Have Your Dryer Vents Professionally Cleaned

Are you overdue for a dryer vent cleaning? You’re not alone, and many homeowners underestimate the importance of investing in this regular maintenance. Unfortunately, this type of neglect can lead to some very serious and life-threatening issues down the line! Give the team at Weststar Chimney Sweeps a call right away, so we can help you out. It’s a decision you won’t regret!

Not A Do-It-Yourself Job

So, why can’t a homeowner attempt the cleaning process themselves? Well, they can, but they aren’t likely going to get as good of results. To properly clean out your vents, you need a wide range of special equipment, and our sweeps have gone through extensive training to ensure they use everything correctly. Simply taking the vents apart and vacuuming them with an extension hose won’t get the process done completely, and you’ll still be facing many hazardous risks!

The tools we use ensure every nook and cranny is taken care of, and we guarantee we can get around even the tightest turns and twists quickly and effectively. We’ll also check all the connections, so you’ll know you’re getting the most from your appliance after we’ve looked everything over. There’s no reason not to get an appointment on the books today!

What Are The Risks Associated With Dirty Vents?

Now, you may be wondering why investing in this service is such an important step in home care. First of all, dirty and clogged up vents are known for triggering thousands of fires across the United States every single year. This results in multiple deaths, hundred of injuries, and thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of damage.

If the heat and fumes from your dryer cannot vent properly, they’ll build up and catch the flammable lint on fire. With all that extra kindling around, it takes no time for this fire to spread, and you may lose an enormous amount depending on how slowly or quickly flames get extinguished. It’s definitely not worth taking any chances, especially when it comes to keeping your loved ones safer.

Along with this, you’ll be more likely to face carbon monoxide exposure, which can be deadly when not addressed in a prompt fashion. Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous to those without carbon monoxide detectors throughout their home, as the gas itself is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Without anything to alert people within the property, they’ll have no way to indicate whether or not they’ve been exposed! The only hope would be that symptoms were caught in time, giving them a chance to get out of the home and call for help, but this is a risky situation, indeed.

Count On Our Team

Ensure you have clear pathways for fumes and vapors to escape by calling in our CSIA certified crew right away. We’ll give you the peace of mind you deserve, so you can rest easier all year long! Contact our staff, and we’ll get an appointment on the books. There’s no time to waste!

We Install Heat Reflectors To Protect Your Firebox

Fireplaces are often the focal point in a home. It helps to create an aesthetic that’s perfect for comfortable evenings in, large holiday gatherings, or small get-together with friends. Cozy up to a warm fire is a wonderful activity. That is, if your fireplace is in a good shape and works efficiently. If you’ve been noticing less heat from your system, the fault could lie with your firebox. Luckily, our CSIA-certified team have solutions to solve this!

What Is The Firebox?

The firebox is where your fires are built and burned and, as you can imagine, this area takes on a lot of wear and tear. Things like excess heat, too much exposure to moisture, and neglect can take their toll over time. These can all cause the firebox to break down and be less efficient.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to ensure the materials that make up your firebox stay protected. Preventative maintenance and regular upkeep definitely help to keep your brickwork and mortar from cracking, help it to contain the fire, and also give you peace of mind knowing heat, fire, and smoke won’t spread through your fireplace. On top of all that, you’ll get more heat output for your living space.

Needless to say, investing in these preventative maintenance now will save you a lot of time, money, and stress down the road. Our certified team at Weststar Chimney Sweeps would love to help restore the function and beauty of your firebox, give us a call so we can set up an appointment for you right now.

What We Offer

If you need solutions fast, let us install a new heat reflector today. Heat reflectors are installed on the back wall of a firebox. With heat reflectors in place, the heat of your fire will reflect outward rather than get absorbed into the brickwork. Depending on what type of fireplace you own, you’ll likely receive a 20-40 percent increase in heat in your home.

Call us right now, and why not schedule your annual inspection with us, too? Our professionals can diagnose whether damages or buildup are present, then promptly address any issues, to ensure you’re ready when the holidays come back around. After all, what’s Thanksgiving and Christmas without a crackling fire to set the mood? Our team is all trained, certified, and ready to tackle any chimney issues. Guarantee yourself a safer and more efficient appliance by calling on our team of experts now at 619-338-8116.

Save Energy With Cap Dampers & Damper Locks

Energy savings can add up quickly month to month when you invest in small changes. In the case of your chimney, we highly recommend purchasing a cap damper, which is installed at the top of your chimney, sealing it tightly when your fireplace is not in use. This helps to keep conditioned-air or heat inside your home, while also preventing intrusions from entering your home.

When your indoor air escapes out your chimney or flue, your cooling system is forced to work overtime to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Cap dampers work more efficiently than the old-style throat dampers, ensuring you don’t waste money cooling or heating the outdoors. They also have many other countless benefits!

Benefits Of Cap Dampers

Cap dampers, also called top-sealing dampers, offer pretty much the same benefits as a chimney cap. They offer double protection while also providing you a peace of mind when your fireplace is not in use. They are great for keeping out water and excess moisture as well. When water enter your chimney and fireplace, this can cause your brickwork to crumble, the liner to break, and all kinds of other issues such as rotting, mold accumulation, and rust. This means expensive repair work while your fireplace is also not suitable for use.

Water damage are even more dangerous when homeowners are not aware of these issues. It makes you home and family more vulnerable to gas leaks, chimney fires, and house fires.  Don’t put your family at risk and get the protection with a cap damper.

Cap dampers also ensure animals and other debris from entering your home. Nesting materials, excess dirt, and critters can clog your chimney, preventing the proper air flow of your chimney. When smoke and fumes can’t vent properly, they’ll back up into your home and cause the overall performance of fireplace to decline.

What Is A Damper Lock?

According to California code and regulations, homes with a gas-fueled fireplace need to have a damper lock. A damper lock is extremely beneficial, and it also provides added protection to your chimney and home. But what is a damper lock and how do they work?

Damper locks are put in place to lock your damper, both the open and close function. Unfortunately, it’s very common for homeowners to forget to open their damper, and this can be life-threatening especially if you have gas appliances. With wood-burning options, you’ll see smoke and fumes right away, letting you know that the damper is closed. However, gas-fueled fireplaces aren’t quite as obvious. It could cause carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas, to enter your home and cause life-threatening issues.

We are experts at cap dampers and damper locks, call us if you have any questions or concerns. We have years of experiences helping our customers with their fireplace and chimney system, and we can’t wait to help you too! Give our team a call today at 619-338-8116.