Our Company Blog

Save Energy With Cap Dampers & Damper Locks

by | Jun 27, 2018 | Cap Dampers

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.

 

Tips for Avoiding a Chimney Fire

by | Jan 20, 2014 | Chimney Maintenance, fire safety

If you don't want this to happen to your beautiful home, you better learn the basics in avoiding chimney fires.

If you don’t want this to happen to your beautiful home, you better learn the basics in avoiding chimney fires.

Over 25,000 chimney fires in the U.S. last year were responsible for over $120 million in property damage. Chimney fires can quickly spread into house fires in a relatively short period of time. No one ever wants to experience a chimney fire, or worse yet a fire in the chimney that spreads to other areas of the home. This is an important issue, and there are things everyone can do to protect themselves and their families from the chances of a chimney fire ever affecting them.

Why Me?

Most chimney fires happen for one simple reason: improper usage and care of wood-burning appliances. The importance of yearly chimney inspections and sweepings cannot be understated, as they are the one true way to minimize the likelihood of a chimney fire sparking in the first place. The fact is that clean chimneys simply don’t catch fire.

What Causes Chimney Fires?

When wood is burnt, the emissions are expelled into the chimney. As these gases rise, they cool down and form creosote — a tar-like substance that sticks to your chimney or chimney liner. Creosote is extremely flammable and can be lit by even a small spark or floating ember from the fire below. The three most common causes of chimney fires are:

  1. Burning wet or unseasoned wood can increase the production of creosote.
  2. Failing to have your chimney swept often enough.
  3. Blockages in your chimney that can restrict air flow.

Knowledge is key to reducing the potential of a chimney fire happening in your home.

What can I do to Prevent a Chimney Fire?

Your first line of defense is always prevention. Make sure you have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in multiple locations within your home. Make sure you only burn dry, seasoned wood. Make sure you get your chimney swept at least once a year (more frequently is you use your fireplace more heavily). Make sure you never burn trash, cardboard or other types of waste, as these are more likely to produce sparks.

Chimney fires are a dangerous and serious problem to have, but the good news is that they are almost entirely preventable. Homeowners must be careful to only burn materials that are ready and meant to be burned. While using the correct fuel is important, a chimney fire can still occur even after taking all of the necessary precautions. This is why annual chimney inspections and sweepings are a critical part of your home maintenance routine. If your chimney is clean, the chances of a chimney fire occurring are slim-to-none. Don’t wait to call to schedule your inspection and cleaning. Our CSIA-certified chimney technicians will help to ensure that you and your family have a safe and happy heating season.