Our Company Blog

How To Spot Chimney Water Damage

When water has easy access to your chimney, it can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Rusty flashing, cracked masonry, rot, clogs, and more can occur if your chimney isn’t properly protected, and the longer you put off corrective maintenance, the worse these issues will become. If you’re worried about the state of your fireplace system, our team at Weststar Chimney Sweeps has got you covered!

Learn more about how you can spot water damage by reading below, then call on us to provide the solutions you need to get the best performance possible from your chimney and fireplace.

Examine Your Masonry

If you’ve been noticing leaks or pools of water in your fireplace, your brickwork may be the culprit. Many don’t realize that, even though bricks are strong and sturdy, they can absorb water quite easily! When moisture gets absorbed, it triggers all types of deterioration throughout your system and causes your masonry to crumble.

If your masonry is looking worse for the wear, let us help you out. We can apply a strong, yet breathable, waterproofing sealant that will keep water out for good, so you can rest easy every time you put your fireplace to good use. If things are starting to break down, stop that excess moisture dead in its tracks – invest in our waterproofing services today!

Check For Rust

There are various metal components throughout your chimney and fireplace that if given the opportunity to rust, won’t be able to function properly. If rust goes unaddressed, it will form cracks and holes, allowing even more pathways for water to enter your system and cause damage. If you notice rust, call us in for the repairs and restoration work you need to get your chimney up and running efficiently again!

Whether your flashing is rusted, your chimney cap is damaged, or something else is going wrong with your metal chimney parts, count on us to get the job done right. We will get everything back to normal faster than you might expect and can handle any extra installation work you might need along the way. When it comes to your chimney, count on a professional from the very start. The crew at Weststar Chimney Sweeps has got your back!

How Is Your Crown?

Your chimney crown plays an integral role in keeping water away from your masonry. When built correctly, your crown will easily direct water out and away from the sides of your chimney, making a big impact on how much damage your system ends up facing over time. If your crown is broken down or wasn’t installed correctly from the start, count on our team to help you out! We can repair your crown, so you don’t have to stress any longer.

If you’re facing water damage, don’t let it bring you down. Give us a call today, so we can get your fireplace working great again!

It’s Time To Start Thinking About 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!

Only Hire A CSIA Certified Professional

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!

Refresh Your Fireplace With Paint N’ Peel Masonry Stain Removal!

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!

Make Your Chimney Safer For Santa

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!