Real Estate Contractors
Member:
Los Angeles, CA
maintenance
safety
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FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1982 /
Lic# 684343 BONDED AND INSURED
Chimney Maintenance
ANNUAL MAINTENANCE ENSURES CHIMNEY SAFETY
The safety guidelines set by the National Fire Protection Association call for annual professional
inspections of all wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, chimney connectors, and all other solid-fueled
heating equipment. Follow up cleaning should be done according to inspection results.
Why chimneys get dirty
Creosote and soot are natural byproducts of burning fuel, deposited on the inside of your chimney or
flue pipe as a solid sticky, black layer that is highly flammable. This needs to be regularly cleaned
from your chimney or flue pipe. To reduce build up and use fuel efficiently, keep your fires hot, and
provide them with plenty of oxygen. Damping fires to keep them burning longer produces more smoke and
solid by-products. On average, your chimney needs to be cleaned after every two cords of wood that are
burned.
How the chimney is cleaned
Brushes are used to remove creosote and soot from the firebox, smoke shelf, elbows, and connector pipes.
This is done from both outside and inside the house. Occasionally there is creosote buildup that cannot
be removed by brushing. Professional chimney sweeps use chemicals to alter the composition of the hardened
creosote and turn it into a powdery substance that can be easily removed.
Chemical vs. mechanical cleaning
Chemical chimney cleaning products are available for use by homeowners. The Chimney Safety Institute
of America (CSIA) cautions against using these products to replace professional, mechanical cleaning
of the chimney. Homeowners should be aware that these products can loosen debris that can fall into hard
to reach places in the chimney structure and cause malfunctioning of the chimney. In addition, professional
inspection is important because it often reveals hidden problems with the structure of a chimney that
would otherwise go unnoticed, and could be potentially hazardous.
Certification
Chimney sweeps can receive national certification through the Chimney Safety Institute of America. In
addition, they can be certified at the state level.
Chimney repair
A properly functioning chimney has enough draft to pull smoke out of your home and provide enough oxygen
for hot, complete burning of wood to occur. It is important that your chimney is the right type and style
for your firebox or stove. In addition, it should be installed properly in your home in compliance with
building codes and manufacturer instructions. A well-designed system has the following performance characteristics:
• fires light easily and burn bright and hot
•draft builds quickly
•lighting fires does not cause smoke to fill room
•opening the door does not cause smoke to spill out
•when fire is not in use, air flows into the stove; cold air/bad smells do not come out
Common repairs
The purpose of your chimney is two-fold. It must remove harmful byproducts created when fuel is burned,
and it must carry excessive heat away from combustible items near the fire. Besides being cleaned and
inspected each year, your chimney will also need occasional repairs to ensure that it is performing these
functions properly. Repairwork can be done by masons or fireplace professionals.
•Firebox repointing and rebuilding—the firebox is the brick area where you build your
fire; loose bricks and degraded mortar should be repaired
•Mortar crown repair—the mortar crown is the concrete like surface at the top of your
chimney that keeps water out of your flue; a cracked or broken mortar
crown should be repaired immediately
to avoid serious water damage
•Damper repair—A damper closes the flue when you aren’t using the fireplace
so heat
doesn’t escape through the chimney
•Flue repair —the flu is the internal part of the chimney that funnels exhaust
from your
fireplace to the outside; if it cracks, breaks, or is blocked by debris
or creosote build up it is a
safety hazard that needs to be repaired.
A note on carbon monoxide
A chimney functions to remove the byproducts of burning fuel. Carbon monoxide is one of these byproducts.
It is a colorless, odorless gas that is a serious health hazard. It causes illness and death if it is
inhaled in large amounts. For the safety of your family and guests is critical to that your chimney is
maintained properly so that carbon monoxide and other harmful fuel byproducts do not enter your home.
Annual inspections are important. Also, you should have carbon monoxide detectors installed on each floor
of your home, as well as in sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide detectors can let you know if there are possible
problems with the venting systems of your furnace, gas hot water heater, or gas stove and will keep you
from being harmed from prolonged exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide.
Other safety tips
•Do not bank fires or close dampers to prolong burning
•Burn properly aged wood, not green wood
•Burn fires hot to minimize creosote buildup
•Regularly check the outside parts of your chimney and any connection points for any visible
damage
•Have your chimney annually inspected by a professional for any structural damage, and cleaned
as needed |
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