Our Company Blog

Air Quality & Your Chimney

How does your chimney impact air quality in the home?

Picture it—sitting beside the fireplace on a cold, frosty night. You’ve got the fire going, no smoke billowing into the house, logs burning evenly, and you’re enjoying the warmth and the subtle scent of wood burning. Before you take a deep breath, though, you may not realize that being able to smell a wood fire burning in the fireplace is actually a sign of danger. If you are smelling smoke, even in small amounts, this indicates that your chimney is not functioning properly, and that the air quality of your home is being compromised. This is especially dangerous for children and elderly, and those with lung cancer or heart disease, whose lung function is more vulnerable.

Children and those advanced in age are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality.

Children and those advanced in age are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality.

There are many things that release pollutants into the air of our homes, and chimneys are no exception. Wood smoke pollution can cause respiratory issues, cardiovascular illness, cancer, and can damage lung tissue. You can, however, have peace of mind in knowing that there are ways  to reduce wood smoke pollution and to increase the safety and efficiency of your fireplace so that it can continue to contribute to the enjoyment of your home.

Wood Smoke Pollution:

  • Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that can cause cancer
  • Fine particle pollution (ash) that damages lung tissue and creates respiratory problems
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen oxides

Thankfully, there are several solutions to reduce this pollution that can be created by your fireplace and chimney. One option is to replace your current fireplace with a newer, more efficient model that is certified by the EPA. This can be a costly solution, so let’s take a look at a few other things that you can do.

  • Burn only seasoned, dry wood.
  • Burn hardwoods, not softwoods. (Hardwoods burn more slowly and produce less smoke.)
  • Never burn waste of any kind.

The number one thing that you can do is preventive maintenance. Have a chimney specialist regularly inspect and clean your chimney, which will keep your chimney functioning properly and in good working condition.

By John Pilger on September 9th, 2013 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Air Quality & Your Chimney

Wood or Gas Fireplace?

Wood vs. Gas

If you find yourself always choosing the bed and breakfast room ‘with a fireplace’ and wishing you could take that experience home with you, don’t let not having a chimney stand in your way. Or, if you prefer pushing a button over hauling wood, building a fire, poking the fire, and then having a huge mess to clean up the next day—a gas fireplace insert may just be a consideration.

A gas fireplace is extremely convenient and energy efficient.

A gas fireplace is extremely convenient and energy efficient.

Choosing between a gas or wood fireplace can be a challenge—some homeowners prefer the authenticity and experience of the real thing—but considering some of the benefits of gas may help homeowners who are considering it as an option.

Gas fireplace inserts come in many varieties and options, and can be fitted into almost any fireplace, with or without an intact, working chimney. Advanced technology in the design of gas logs has resulted in better designs that can often be mistaken for the real thing, and without you ever having to lift a poker, sweep the hearth, or dump ashes.

Dangerous chemicals are released into the air when burning fuels, so both wood burning and vented gas inserts require a working chimney or other ventilation.  Direct-vent or B-vent inserts are an intermediate option that vent through horizontal flues. Ventless inserts, however, are self-contained and do not need any external exhaust since they regulate themselves, reduce carbon emissions, and monitor oxygen levels.

Here are a few of the benefits of having a gas insert:

  • Gas is less expensive and more efficient than wood or electricity
  • Gas is less messy and burns more predictably than wood
  • Easier
  • No collecting firewood in the cold

It’s important to remember that with a vented gas insert, you will still need to have an annual chimney cleaning to remove debris that could catch fire in the chimney, as well as soot, carbon and dust.

By John Pilger on August 28th, 2013 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on Wood or Gas Fireplace?

What Is the Chimney Safety Institute of America?

Many homeowners use their fireplaces and chimneys without giving them much thought. However, it is important to realize that both structures can be quite dangerous if they are not used properly. The mission of the Chimney Safety Institute of America is to educate both professionals and homeowners on the proper, safe use of a chimney. This information is vital is preventing dangerous house fires as well as exposure to poisonous gasses.

The CSIA provides homeowners with invaluable information about how to improve efficiency and safety.

The CSIA provides homeowners with invaluable information about how to improve efficiency and safety.

If a homeowner has a question about their chimney or fireplace, The Chimney Safety Institute of America will have the answer. They provide a number of resources for homeowners with regard to common chimney problems and proper maintenance for safe use of the chimney. The information is all arranged online, making it very easy for homeowners to find exactly what it is that they are looking for.

The CSIA also has many ways of providing general information for homeowners, even if they do not have a particular issue at the time. Their blog offers many different articles covering all aspects of chimney and fireplace maintenance. This is a great place to start for someone who wants to be better informed about their chimney for the purpose of keeping their home clean and safe. In addition to the blog, all of this useful information is available via a convenient mobile app.

After looking for information regarding a particular chimney problem, many people realize that they need to call in a professional to take care of it. If this is the case, The CSIA can help locate a certified professional in the area. Their website features a very easy to use tool that locates chimney sweeps and other local professionals. This allows homeowners to rest assured that the person taking care of their chimney is a trustworthy, trained professional.

The CSIA can confidently recommend chimney professionals because they have a major hand in their training and certification. In fact, it is the CSIA that offers the certification that qualifies these professionals to do their jobs. They offer classes both online and in person to give individuals and companies the best possible training. In addition, they offer a variety of workshops and online resources to help these professionals continue to develop their skills.

In addition to providing training and information related to chimneys, the CSIA also works with professionals who deal with clothes dryer vents. They provide the same training and certification as they do for chimney sweeps and have a variety of information on the topic available to homeowners. Even fewer people are concerned with their dryer vents than chimneys, but the truth is that they pose just as big a risk in terms of both fire and wasted energy.

Both the chimney and dryer vents need to be clean and well maintained in order to be used safely. Failure to take proper care of them could pose serious health and safety risks for everyone in the home. The Chimney Safety Institute of America provides resources not only for homeowners but also for professionals. They offer training and certification that makes it possible for all chimneys and dryers to function safely. They provide up to date information for homeowners and make it easy for them to locate trained professionals should the need arise.

By John Pilger on August 21st, 2013 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , | Comments Off on What Is the Chimney Safety Institute of America?

Three Common Chimney Inspection Stories

Fred and his family have lived in the same home since it was built over 9 years ago. Every year during the cooler months, they enjoy gathering around the big pot belly stove that sits in the corner of their living room, providing warmth and comfort as it always has. Fred marks the beginning of the season with his annual order of one cord of firewood, which usually gets him through, more or less. The wood is always properly seasoned and stored, and on the day it arrives, his wife will make a big pot of chili as she always does, and the kids will help him unload the wood and stack it on the rack. Afterwards, they will all gather around in the living room and enjoy the first golden fire of the season.

The Firewood is Ready - Suffolk NY - Chief Chimney Services

The Firewood is Ready – Suffolk NY – Chief Chimney Services

But Fred has never taken this important appliance for granted. Every year, he calls out his local chimney service company to perform a Level 1 inspection, and if necessary, a cleaning. The purpose of the inspection is to make sure that the stove and venting are in good serviceable condition, and there are no leaks, combustible deposits or obstructions. Since Fred uses the stove every year, and nothing has changed in 9 years, a Level 1 inspection is all that is needed to keep a well-maintained system working like it always has.

But late last spring there was an earthquake. Nothing too big, but everyone in the area felt it, and most of his neighbors had gathered out in the street in the middle of the night, in slippers and robes, comparing notes and calming down the kids and dogs before returning to bed. Later that same year, several friends down the street had reported some cracks they had never noticed before in the masonry of their homes. It was generally agreed that these new issues were probably related to the earthquake.

So this year, Fred needed a Level 2 inspection of his chimney, just to be safe. In a Level 2 inspection, a certified and trained chimney specialist will use a video camera to inspect the inside liner of the chimney flue, looking for cracks or gaps or other damage that would prevent safe use of a fireplace or stove. The professional will also access hidden areas that intersect with the chimney system, such as basements, crawl spaces or attics, to make sure that proper clearance to combustibles is observed.

During his inspection, the technician observed no damage to the brick, mortar or liner of the chimney system. But when he was in the attic, he did find that a large, high-placed box had spilled over, probably during the earthquake, and its clothing contents had landed against the outer bricks of the chimney, causing a fire hazard. Fred was more than happy to pay for this discovery, because it meant that his family was spared any unnecessary risk that year.

Also this year, Fred has an opportunity to purchase his first rental property. It’s a real country fixer-upper, but given the price and the way the market for such properties has been going, it’s almost too good a deal to pass up.

Given the age and condition of the house, Fred made sure that his offer was contingent upon a Level 3 inspection of the two chimneys, among other things. A Level 3 inspection means that it is necessary to remove certain components of the building or chimney in order to gain the access needed to properly inspect a chimney. In this case, it meant that a small section of plaster above the location of the old stove in the kitchen needed to be removed so that the inspector could determine if repairs would be necessary before a new wood-burning kitchen stove was installed. It also was necessary to remove a chimney crown on the second chimney, which was already in bad repair. These inspections revealed what they needed to reveal, and Fred made adjustments to his offer. If all goes well, his offer will be accepted, and he will start the renovations with his oldest son before the weather gets too chilly.

Chimney inspections are required in order to ensure proper and safe operation of any vented fire appliance. These inspections must be carried out by a certified chimney professional (A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep). If you are unsure about which inspection level is appropriate in your circumstance, please call us. We would be happy to talk about what we do and how we can help you.

By John Pilger on July 31st, 2013 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Three Common Chimney Inspection Stories

Is There Too Much Creosote In Your Chimney?

People who have chimneys in their home no doubt know about the obvious dangers that they come along with, including blazing chimney fires. However, creosote poses a serious risk if it is left to accumulate in the chimney and many homeowners are unaware of it. Understanding this chemical compound and what it can do is essential to maintaining a home that is healthy and safe for the entire family, even those who do not come into direct contact with the fireplace or chimney.

Creosote is a combination of chemicals that is used to treat wood and coal. When these materials burn in the fireplace, they leave a layer of the creosote behind on the inside of the chimney. Over time, the creosote will accumulate and then the family may have to face a number of different risks if they do not properly take care of it.

Creosote buildup can cause Chimney fires - Suffolk NY - Chief Chimney Services

Creosote buildup can cause Chimney fires – Suffolk NY – Chief Chimney Services

One of the biggest risk factors associated with creosote is that it is extremely flammable. It would take only a small spark from the fireplace to ignite the entire chimney. This can start a fire that will not only damage the structure of the chimney but that could potentially spread throughout the home. This is an especially significant risk in the event of negative air pressure, which sends material from the chimney into the home instead of out of the flue.

If creosote or smoke from burning creosote enters the air, everyone in the home will be at risk for health issues. Inhalation of creosote has been linked to a number of serious health problems, including respiratory illnesses as well as damage to various organs. These effects have been especially severe in the cases of children. Although some conditions can be treated, it is also possible that the effects of creosote could be fatal if left untreated over time.

In addition to doing internal damage, creosote can be dangerous for anyone who comes into physical contact with it. Just a bit of exposure can cause minor skin irritations and, in some people, severe rashes on the skin. The substance can also cause significant damage if it comes into contact with the eyes. Not only will it cause a painful irritation, but it has also been connected with a loss of sight.

Anyone who burns treated wood and coal in their fireplace should assume that they have at least some creosote inside of their chimney. There is no avoiding the residue when the treated material is burned. However, there are other signs that there is a significant accumulation of the material in the chimney. For example, when it burns, creosote will have a distinct smell that should come straight through the fireplace and into the home.

The best way to deal with accumulation of creosote is to have a cleaning by a professional chimney sweep at the end of each cold weather season. Since there are so many health dangers associated with it, the average, untrained person should not attempt to clean it up on their own. A chimney sweep has the proper tools and training to safely rid the chimney of excess creosote. An annual cleaning is the best way to keep the chimney safe and clear.

Creosote is a typical problem for anyone with a fireplace but it is a fairly easy issue to manage. Remember to have a chimney sweep come in each year to clear it out and to check for any damage to the chimney. Failure to take care of this could result in illness, physical injury, and devastating chimney fires. Let a professional bring peace of mind along with an efficient heating system.

By John Pilger on July 31st, 2013 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , | Comments Off on Is There Too Much Creosote In Your Chimney?