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Our Company Blog
by Mike O'Mara | Jun 14, 2019 | Chimney Repairs
If you own a fireplace, then you are well aware of how important it is to invest in regular care and repair work. Your fireplace and chimney work hard throughout your burning season, taking on a lot of heat and wear and tear to keep your family warmer and more comfortable. By investing in annual inspections and regular cleanings, and by addressing any damages promptly, you can rest easier knowing your system is in tip-top shape whenever you feel the urge to light a fire.
That being said, many feel that the warmer spring and summer months aren’t the time to worry about chimney care, so they put any required services on the backburner until temperatures drop again. Unfortunately, this means they are missing out on the many advantages of addressing these issues early.
Learn more below, then give the experts here at Weststar Chimney Sweeps a call today. We’d be glad to set up an appointment with you soon!
Saving You Money
By investing in chimney care and repair work right away, you save money in more ways than one. First of all, we offer a $30 discount for homeowners who invest in a sweep and inspection before October 1st. Not only will you get this necessary maintenance well out of the way before you burning season begins, you will get it done at a lower rate, too. It’s a win-win!
Generally speaking, taking care of damages right away is always a more cost-effective option, as well. If your system is showing signs of decay or deterioration, these problems will only worsen as time goes on and cost you more money to fix. Water damage is especially detrimental and should be taken care of right away to avoid problems throughout your masonry.
Invest in the care you deserve, then ask us about preventative measures to ensure you don’t face problems again down the line. For example, some flashing and a new chimney cap may be just what you need to avoid chimney leaks throughout the rainy season. Whatever you need, we can set you up right.
Making Your Life Easier
There is no doubt that chimney sweeps get quite busy as the days grow colder. The closer we come to Thanksgiving and Christmas, the more desperate homeowners are to get their maintenance and repairs completed, which means our schedule books fill up fast! By getting your work completed now, you avoid the hassle and guarantee a spot that works well for your schedule.
You won’t be forced to put off the start of your burning season and your loved ones won’t be left disappointed with no fire to enjoy over the holiday season. While your neighbors are scrambling, you will be relaxing in front of a fire, glad you got your fireplace care out of the way in the summer.
Ready to get started? We would love to work with you! Call today, and we can set something up.
by Mike O'Mara | Sep 12, 2018 | Chimney Crown
If you’re a fireplace owner, then you know how important your chimney crown is. The crown sits at the top of your chimney, and its main purpose is to guide water out and away from the sides of your masonry. It slopes downwards and extends slightly past the edge of your chimney, keeping all that excess moisture far away from the sensitive brickwork and mortar that can easily absorb it.
Clearly, the chimney crown does a lot of work, year round, for your system, which is why it is vital to keep it well-protected. The CSIA certified team of experts here at Weststar Chimney Sweeps 
have everything you need to keep your crown in the best shape possible, no matter the weather outside.
If you’re having issues, please call us in right away, so we can get everything addressed before your burning season really takes off. We’ll have you up and running again in no time!
Addressing Issues Before They Get Worse
One way we tackle cracks and crumbling is with CrownCoat. CrownCoat plays an important role, allowing sweeps to patch up minor cracking before it worsens and starts causing you a lot of trouble. This product saves many homeowners from experiencing more extensive damage, and it minimizes the chances of having to rebuild the entire chimney crown, which is a lot more costly and time-consuming.
This product is flexible, cures in a few hours, and it comes with a 15-year warranty, so you don’t need to stress about further issues any time soon. It’s also environmentally friendly, and it’s easy to apply, ensuring our sweeps can get the job done fast. When you combine experienced, knowledgeable technicians like ours with great products like CrownCoat, you won’t have to worry about a thing!
Importance Of Waterproofing
Another great quality about CrownCoat is its waterproofing agents that ensure no excess moisture will be granted access to the previously affected area. A spot that was once vulnerable will quickly transform into a strong and durable section of your crown, sure to give you high-quality protection for years to come.
In fact, we feel that waterproofing qualities are so important that we strongly advised our customers to invest in waterproofing services for their entire masonry structure. If you haven’t had your chimney waterproofed, then this is likely a key reason why things started to break down in the first place. Our experts can address cracks, holes, and other deterioration quickly, before they get worse, then waterproof your system, so that moisture can’t work its way in any longer.
Fall Is Nearing, So Call Now
Most homeowners utilize their fireplace a lot more once the holiday seasons start coming back around, so ensure you’re all set and ready to go by getting our sweeps in as soon as you can. We’ll take a thorough look at everything, so you can rest easier knowing your system is safer for regular use come fall. This isn’t the time to procrastinate – give us a call now.
by Mike O'Mara | Nov 5, 2017 | Smoking Chimney
Do you plan on hosting any parties or events this holiday season? If so. then you can count on your fireplace to set the perfect aesthetic for you. A crackling fire lightens up any room, adds a cozy atmosphere, and helps set that festive mood that every homeowner desires. That being said, a fun-filled night in can easily turn bad when smoke starting pouring into your living room.
Avoid this issue by studying some of our tips below! We’ll discuss what causes smoke to back-up and educate you on how to prevent it from happening to you.
Is Your Damper Working?
First things first, if you notice smoke backing up, check your damper. Sometimes homeowners simply forget to open it, but other times it’s stuck or broken. A fireplace can’t run without a properly working damper, so count on us to make sure yours is good to go! We’ll do a thorough inspection and take the appropriate steps to resolve any issues you may be facing.
Need your current damper replaced? No problem! We can take care of that, too. Give us a call and we will set up with an appointment.
Is Your Firewood Properly Seasoned?
Ensuring your firewood has been seasoned for at least 6 months (preferably longer) can make a huge impact on how much, or how little, your fireplace smokes. Wood that isn’t properly seasoned will hold more water, forcing your fire to use up a lot of energy burning through all the excess moisture. This causes smoke to form. Unfortunately, these fumes can easily enter your home and, when they don’t, they cause creosote and other harmful buildup to form in your chimney.
Unfortunately, when creosote accumulates, this too can cause smoke to form! It’s a vicious cycle, so choosing seasoned wood from the start is your best bet. Pick out pieces that are lighter in weight, dark and split at the ends, and that make a hollow sound when smacked together. All of these signs indicate it has been properly dried out, and your fire will smoke significantly less.
Is Your Flue In Need Of Repair?
If your flue needs some tuning up, you may experience drafting and smoking issues, too. Call us in for any and all of your chimney repairs. It’s always best to address these sooner, rather than later, and you can count on us to handle anything that comes our way!
Don’t Waste Time
When smoke and other harmful toxins enter your home, it can cause a lot of stress. If family members inhale these fumes, they could be facing some serious illnesses. The longer you put off repairs, the worse your issues will become. This is why it’s so important to invest in yearly inspections and regular sweepings by a CSIA certified chimney sweep. So, you can depend on the staff at Weststar Chimney Sweeps to set you up right!
We won’t let you down. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!
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 | Feb 16, 2016 | Chimney Maintenance
Since 1999, Weststar Chimney Sweeps has been providing chimney services to the San Diego area, including El Cajon. Over the years, our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweeps have cleaned, inspected, and repaired thousands of chimneys across the area. With so many satisfied customers, we have become one of the most trusted chimney companies in this region, and we are very proud to have earned a Five star rating from Yelp and an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. We would like to tell you more about the types of services we offer to residents of El Cajon and other communities in the San Diego area.
CHIMNEY MAINTENANCE
To keep your chimney working efficiently and safely, the CSIA, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and other national fire safety groups recommend that you have your chimney professionally swept and inspected at least once every year. These chimney maintenance tasks reduce your risks of experiencing a chimney fire or a carbon monoxide leak. Weststar Chimney Sweeps offers chimney sweeping and inspecting from our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps, and our years of training and experience allow us to do these tasks correctly and thoroughly. We will be sure to remove all of the hazardous deposits of creosote from your chimney to protect you from a dangerous chimney fire. The CSIA has named creosote as the leading cause of chimney fires, which is why its removal is so important. During our chimney inspection, we will also be sure your chimney has no damage that could make it unsafe to use. We look for flue blockages, cracked chimney liners, and other problems when we inspect chimneys.
CHIMNEY REPAIR
If you are experiencing problems with your fireplace or other heating appliance, you can count on Weststar Chimney Sweeps to find out what is causing this problem and to repair the problem so that you can use your fireplace without worrying about possible hazards. One of the most devastating chimney problems has to do with water leaks, and we offer several services to repair these leaks and to prevent leaks from occurring. Our waterproofing services can prolong the life of your masonry chimney by protecting it from water penetration.
Along with our chimney services, we also provide professional dryer vent cleaning services that greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a clothes dryer fire. If you live in the El Cajon area, call us at 619-338-8116 or start your appointment here for our superior chimney maintenance and repair services.
