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by Mike O'Mara | Nov 28, 2016 | Chimney Maintenance
As a homeowner, you have likely heard about the importance of regular chimney upkeep. Annual inspections and sweepings are a key component in maintaining chimney health and they ensure that everything will run efficiently year-round.
If you have yet to schedule your annual sweeping, then now is the ideal time to get it in! With winter in the near future, your fireplace will surely be running more frequently. Keep your home and family toasty on those snowy nights by calling in an expert to check things out today!
Removing Creosote
One way a sweep prepares your fireplace for regular use is by removing debris build-up and creosote. Clearing these substances out greatly reduces your risk of chimney fires, which put your chimney through a lot and cause them to break down more easily over time. Creosote is very flammable, so the more you have, the more dangerous your fireplace is to run. Offer yourself some peace of mind by scheduling your next chimney sweeping right away.
Clearing Out Blockages
Experts know the ins and outs of any chimney, so if there are any blockages they will be sure to find them. Getting these taken care of before lighting your next fire is vital for keeping your home and family safe. Without the ability to properly vent, your chimney will send smoke and other harmful toxins back into your home. Inhaling fumes, such as carbon monoxide, smoke, and more, can be extremely detrimental to one’s health. Keep your family out of harm’s way by calling in an expert now.
Addressing Needed Repairs
Any leaks, cracks, holes, or other needed repairs should be fixed before you start building fires. When your chimney is damaged it will not run as efficiently and it could put your home and family in harm’s way. Now is the time to address any issues, as the weather remains warm. Once temperatures drop, the materials used to fix your chimney will not cure properly, leaving you with a broken fireplace until spring reappears.
We Can Help
At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we take chimney health very seriously. Our staff is trained and certified by the CSIA and we pride ourselves on staying up-to-date and educated on the latest fireplace news. Customer satisfaction is our top priority which is why homeowners return to us time and time again.
If you need your chimney swept before cold weather strikes and the holidays kick off, then give us a call today and let us help you out. We work carefully and thoroughly, so that you can rest easy knowing every inch of your chimney has been addressed. We want your home to remain as safe as possible, which is why our technicians strive for perfection with every job they take on.
For more information or to schedule your appointment, give us a call or check us out online. We look forward to making your home the best it can be. Thanks for choosing us!
by Mike O'Mara | Nov 8, 2016 | Chimney Maintenance
Chimney maintenance can be a tedious task. Between cleanings, hauling fuel around, and worrying about repairs, your fireplace can wind up taking a lot of your time and money. Most people feel the extra effort is well worth it when they are seated around a warm flame with their friends and family. Yet, many still find themselves wondering if certain jobs are really necessary.
Hiring an expert for a regular check-up is one area where skimping is not an option. Whether you burn wood, gas, oil, or something else, a yearly inspection is always something to put on your Fall to-do list.
There are countless factors that could cause a chimney to malfunction, all of which put your home and family at an increased risk. By calling in a CSIA-certified professional, you can rest easy during this upcoming holiday season knowing your fireplace is safe and ready for regular use.
Avoiding Dangerous Toxins
One thing inspections help prevent is the risk of smoke and other hazardous gases entering the home. If debris and excess residue builds up, it makes it difficult for the fireplace to vent properly. With nowhere else to go, these fumes will work their way back through the chimney and into your living room. Not only does this cause nasty odors and potential damage to furniture, it could put your family’s health at risk, as well.
Preventing Potential Fires
The potential for house fires increases as your chimney gets dirtier. If your chimney is in need of repair, you should definitely wait to light any fires until a chimney sweep gives you the okay. A professional knows where to look and how to address any possible issues. They can also offer guidance as far as preventing damage from occurring down the line.
A build-up of creosote and other debris is another common cause of fires. Creosote is highly flammable, so you do not want to put your fireplace to use if you know a cleaning is in order. Also, bird’s nest, leaves, twigs, and countless other items accumulate quickly when your chimney is not being used as frequently. Getting someone in to clean that stuff out will allow you the ability to relax and enjoy your fireplace to the fullest.
Turn To Us
At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we know that a fireplace can become the focal point of anyone’s home. It is the favored spot during family get-togethers, and a night in with loved ones is made perfect when you set the scene with a crackling fire.
Don’t let a dirty chimney ruin your upcoming holiday season. The experts at Weststar Chimney Sweeps are all CSIA trained and certified, so you know your fireplace is in the best hands possible when you depend on us. Give us a call today to schedule your annual inspection.
by Mike O'Mara | Oct 12, 2016 | Chimney Maintenance
Homeowners with a fireplace know the importance of maintaining a clean and structurally sound chimney. Not only does regular upkeep keep your chimney looking great, but it allows it to function as efficiently as possible, giving you and your family the enjoyment they deserve.
At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we value the importance of keeping your chimney clean, safe, and looking great, which is why we are proud to be a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild!
What is the NCSG?
The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) is set in place to ensure that chimney sweeps everywhere are providing the best services possible. By providing positive resources to businesses everywhere, it promotes growth and safe practices for anyone in this trade.
This organization also guides homeowners by promoting the importance of regular chimney care and maintenance. You will save yourself enormous amounts of time, money, and stress if you continue to schedule regular cleanings and inspections throughout the life of your chimney. Many would rather wait until something goes wrong to call in an expert, but this is not the safe or easy approach to take.
What They Do
As mentioned above, this organization stands for safe and fair practices when it comes to fireplace maintenance. But what do they do to instill these things?
The NCSG provides support for chimney sweeps by offering technical advice, discounts on products, and networking opportunities to bring people together who share a common passion. The resources provided by this group work to advance businesses and their staff by polishing their skills and providing educational materials in which to benefit.
This group also provides discounts on training and various learning opportunities, so anyone who is a member will have easy access to the wide array of chimney and fireplace knowledge out there. When it comes to one’s home appliances, there is a lot of information to learn as far as maintenance and installation. With codes and procedures changing every year, we know the value of staying up-to-date on everything.
As you can see, the NCSG is very involved and dedicated to what they stand for, and the work they do is celebrated by sweeps and businesses throughout the nation!
Turn To Us Today!
Because we value our customers, Weststar Chimney Sweeps is a proud member of this organization and we plan to utilize the tools they provide to their fullest potential. This, along with our countless other certifications and memberships, enables us to be the best that we can be, which is why people continuously turn to us for all of their chimney and fireplace needs.
Scheduling your appointment with us is easy! Contact us online or give us a call today, and see what we can do to get your chimney looking great and working as efficiently as possible. We look forward to working with you!
by Mike O'Mara | Sep 27, 2016 | Chimney Maintenance
When it comes to your chimney and fireplace, knowing the ins and outs of it all can be tiresome. While memorizing every detail about fireplace maintenance isn’t necessary, it is a good idea to have some basic knowledge of fireplace terms. Read on to learn more about creosote deglazing and how excess creosote can cause issues for your chimney.
Creosote Awareness
Debris and excess build-up is never good, and creosote is one of the more harmful substances your chimney regularly faces. It varies in shape and texture, but is always something you want to avoid. Not only does it harm your brickwork and lining, but it is known for being highly flammable, as well. This means an increased risk of chimney fires, which could put your family in danger and cause lasting damage to your home.
While avoiding creosote altogether is impossible, there are ways to slow down the rate at which it accumulates. By burning properly seasoned wood, maintaining good air flow throughout the chimney, and keeping your fires extra hot, you will produce cleaner fires, thus lowering the amount of toxins and debris escaping into your chimney.
Level 3 (Glazed) Creosote
Many homeowners are aware of what creosote is, but do not know about the various levels at which it can form in a chimney. Level 3 creosote means that it has accumulated a lot and there is a thick layer lining your brickwork. It is typically dark and gummy and can be very difficult to remove without the proper tools and chemicals.
Deglazing is a term that represents the removal of this nasty substance. The process for removing glazed creosote is a lot more extensive than your basic cleaning or sweeping jobs. Hiring a staff that knows what they are doing and are educated on how to tackle this big task is vital for ensuring the safety of your home and fireplace. Lucky for you, the experts at Weststar Chimney Sweeps know everything there is to know when it comes to creosote removal.
Stick With The Pros
While many feel that they can take on chimney sweeping and cleanings themselves, it is really a job you should entrust to an expert. Leaves, nests, twigs, and other materials can accumulate quickly and knowing where to find them can be tricky. If any steps get overlooked or if any debris gets missed, you could wind up facing some serious issues when you go to light a fire.
If you are worried about the amount of creosote in your chimney, do not hesitate to give us a call today. We pride ourselves on top of the line products and unbeatable customer satisfaction. We cannot wait to get your home and fireplace looking great!
by Mike O'Mara | Aug 29, 2016 | Chimney Maintenance
Protecting your chimney from water penetration is key, and you should make sure that your preventive measures, like your chimney cap and your chimney crown, are in good condition. When you have cracks in your chimney crown, water can get into your chimney, which can lead to extensive damage that will make your chimney unsafe to use. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), water is the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys. Repairing cracks in your chimney crown is important to keep your chimney working efficiently and safely. Weststar Chimney Sweeps provides chimney crown repair services if your crown has been cracked. We would like to tell you more about this essential repair service.
How does my chimney crown become cracked?
Since your chimney crown is located on top of your chimney, it is constantly exposed to the elements of weather. Constructed from mortar, the crown can suffer from erosion damage over time, which leads to cracks. Neglecting these cracks worsens the damage and allows the cracks to get even bigger. Water can easily get into your chimney through these cracks, which leads to more damage to your chimney and home. This is why it is so important to have your chimney crown repaired as soon as possible.
How can Weststar Chimney Sweeps repair my chimney crown?
Our CSIA-certified chimney technicians begin with an inspection of your chimney crown to assess the damage. If we find hairline cracks, we can fill these in with mortar and then apply a coat of CrownCoat sealant that will provide a watertight seal. This will restore the integrity of your crown and protect it from future water penetration damage. If we find more extensive damage to your chimney crown, your crown most likely will need to be replaced. We can construct a new crown for your chimney to protect it from water leaks. You can trust us to build you a new crown that will keep your chimney from suffering from extensive water penetration damage.
If your chimney crown has been cracked, don’t procrastinate having it repaired. Contact us at Weststar Chimney Sweeps to schedule an appointment with our expert chimney technicians today.
by Mike O'Mara | Jun 21, 2016 | Chimney Maintenance
As the weather warms up each summer, Weststar Chimney Sweeps gets calls from our customers asking about unpleasant odors coming from their chimneys through the fireplaces. No one likes their home smelling badly, and you can trust our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified sweeps to help solve your chimney odor problem. Since 1999, we have been working on the chimneys of the residents of the San Diego area, and we know what causes the majority of all chimney odors. This means we know where to look for the source of the odor so we can correct the problem to get your home smelling fresh and clean again. We would like to tell you more about the most common chimney odor sources and how we deal with them.
Creosote and Soot
Both of these byproducts of combustion have stinky odors, and the heat and the humidity of the summer make creosote and soot smell even stronger. The best way to keep these odors at bay in the summer is to have your chimney professionally swept and inspected in the spring or summer. Our sweeps will be sure to remove all of the soot and creosote that has accumulated on the inner walls of your chimney, which will solve the odor issue and will reduce your risk of a chimney fire as the CSIA names creosote as a leading cause of chimney fires due to the fact it is highly flammable.
Water
If you notice a musty smell coming from your fireplace, you most likely have a chimney leak that has allowed water to get into your chimney and stand on the smoke shelf. To keep water from getting down into the chimney, you need a chimney cap professionally installed at the top. This cap will let water from rain run off its sides instead of going down the chimney. You will also be protected from leaves, dirt, and other debris from getting inside to cause a decomposing smell.
Birds and Animals
Sadly, a bird, squirrel, raccoon, or other wild animal can get into your chimney to nest, become trapped, and die inside the flue. You can imagine that this will cause a horrific rotting odor in your home. Protecting your chimney is the best way to keep one of these critters from even being able to get inside the chimney, and a chimney cap also serves to keep birds and animals from invading the flue. Weststar Chimney Sweeps offers a wide variety of chimney caps, and we can show you the caps that are the best in preventing animal invasions. Once we have installed the cap, you will not have to worry about dealing with a dead animal in your flue.
Keep your home smelling great this summer. Contact us at Weststar Chimney Sweeps today to schedule your annual chimney sweeping and inspection with us.
