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by Mike O'Mara | Jun 14, 2018 | Chimney Crown
The chimney crown plays a significant role in keeping your chimney and fireplace safer and running better year after year. Therefore, it’s important to ensure it stays in good condition. Unfortunately, many things can affect your crown’s structure, such as neglect, improper construction, bad weather, and more. Investing in regular maintenance is a surefire way to keep this and other parts of your chimney in great shape, no matter what.
If your chimney crown is showing signs of trouble, then you’ll want to invest in some repair work from a team of professionals. Trust us when we say there’s no time to lose! The longer you put off necessary services, the worse things will get. Eventually, your fireplace will become unsafe for use. You’ll likely accumulate more damages along the way, which means your overall repair costs will be quite high.
Our team of CSIA certified experts can help you out. Learn more about the chimney crown below, then give us a call so we can get your appointment on the books!
What Does The Chimney Crown Do?
What is the function of the crown? Well, it sits at the top of your chimney and it does a lot to keep it protected through all types of bad weather. It begins at your flue liner and overhangs past the edge of your chimney, so any water or excess moisture slides out and away from the sides of your chimney. This keeps your brickwork and mortar a lot safer, allowing them to stay in optimal condition all year long.
As you may know, masonry is quite absorbent, so anything you can do to keep water away from it will help a lot. When you combine the function of a chimney crown with the waterproofing services Westar Chimney Sweeps provides, you’ll be able to rest easier no matter how bad the weather is outdoors!
My Crown Is Beyond Repair… Can You Still Help?
Is your crown in even worse shape than you originally imagined? This may send alarm bells ringing in your head, but you need not worry. We can still help you out! Some crowns were simply constructed poorly from the start, so they don’t stand up well to harsh winds, bad rains, and similar weather. In these cases, we can reconstruct the crown, so it lasts you years and years without any problems.
Invest In Regular Inspections
Once you’re all set and ready to go, be sure you invest in annual inspections to keep your crown (and all of your other chimney parts) in the best condition possible. Cracks, holes, and other types of damage can make your system dangerous to use. The last thing we want is for homeowners to have a fireplace that they can’t enjoy to the fullest.
One inspection every year will ensure your chimney stays looking great and running well. Our team of experts will be sure to spot any damages or build up before they get worse. Count on us to help you out. With spring here and our schedule books less full, now is a great time to call us in!
by Mike O'Mara | May 11, 2018 | Fireplaces
Have you been thinking of adding a screen to your fireplace? We encourage you to take that next step and have our expert team install your dream screen today! There are many benefits to having one installed, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Learn more about your options by visiting us online or by simply giving our staff a call right away!
A Safer Home For You & Your Family
It’s no secret that fireplaces are known to shoot stray sparks from time to time. This is where fireplace screens really come into play. These sparks could easily ignite if they land on something flammable, putting your entire household at risk and costing you thousands in potential damages. In other instances, these sparks could land on nearby pets or family members and cause pain or injury.
They also provide a barrier, ensuring playful children and curious pets don’t get too close to the fireplace itself. If you’ve got a lot going on in your home, these extra precautions could save you a lot of stress! We believe each and every one of our customers deserve peace of mind when enjoying their fireplace. Our screen door options offer just that!
Improving The Look Of Your Fireplace & Home
Fireplace screens themselves add a lot when it comes to the look and cosmetic appeal of your fireplace. Let’s now address the items throughout a home that have been saved by fireplace screens being in place! The aforementioned screens block sparks and keep them safely out of your home. Not every spark will cause injury or destruction, but even the smallest one can put a hole through a couch, curtain, or carpet. Ensure your furniture and decor stay in the best shape possible by having us install that screen as soon as possible.
The great part about working with us is that we offer a wide range of designs and style options, so you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for. We get that people have different tastes and preferences, so we want to offer various choices for our customers to choose from!
We even offer fireplace doors, giving you more options to consider and ensuring you achieve the perfect look and aesthetic you’re picturing. These doors, built here in Southern California, are hand-crafted to fit your fireplace opening exactly. When you work with our CSIA certified team, you get the results you deserve!
Count On Us For It All
You can also count on us for your annual inspections and regular sweepings! We do it all, from repairs to stain removal to installations, so you can count on us for anything. Springtime is a great time to call us in, so get on the phone today. We’re ready and excited to serve you!
by Mike O'Mara | Feb 21, 2018 | 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!
by Mike O'Mara | Dec 4, 2017 | Chimney Safety
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!
