Our Company Blog

Save Energy & Money with an Energy Top Damper

Every year, homeowners look for ways to cut costs, save money, and improve the look of the bottom line. You might look to improve the value of your property, maybe refinance for a lower interest rate. Maybe all you want is a cheaper electricity bill. No matter what your goal is, we can help. Your chimney and fireplace system can save you money, and the solution is simpler than you could guess.

Throat Dampers

Most masonry chimneys have a throat damper installed at the base of the flue. These dampers control airflow while a fire is burning in the firebox, but they do nothing against drafts. Because of the material, it’s made of (metal) and its location (the throat of the chimney), the throat damper is susceptible to damage including rust and corrosion over time. Instead of replacing your damaged throat damper with another one like it, consider a top seal damper—one that lasts longer and saves you money!

Top Seal Damper

The top seal damper is also called an energy top damper because of the incredible money it saves for homeowners. We recommend it to everyone because of the many benefits it offers.

• Airtight seal – The top seal damper closes with an airtight seal, which prevents water from entering the flue at all. This is the most protection that you can possibly give your chimney. The airtight seal not only prevents water damage, but it also stops air loss that wastes energy and money. As soon as you install an energy top damper, you will start to save up to 75 percent on your utilities year-round. Your conditioned air will not escape during the summer and your heated air will not be wasted during the winter.
• Chimney cap – Your energy top damper doubles as a chimney cap, with a metal mesh that prevents animal intrusion and extinguishes sparks. Acting as a chimney cap, the energy top damper will also keep all types of precipitation out of the chimney flue.
• Easy installation and use – The energy top damper is as easy to install as a standard chimney cap and just as easy to use as a throat damper. The damper is engaged by a cord that reaches from the damper to the hearth opening. When the fire is completely out, the damper can be closed to protect the chimney completely. Closing the damper while a fire is still smoldering can be very dangerous. Make sure to follow fire safety precautions at all times.

Invest in Energy Top Damper

When it’s time to replace your old, worn-out throat damper, call Chief Chimney Services for the best products and services. We recommend an energy top dampers for the best care of your chimneys. They save you money and help your chimney to last a lifetime. Invest in an energy top damper now and you can save money in repairs and services later. Call 631-863-2460 to schedule an appointment with Chief Chimney Services. Ask one of our experts about energy top dampers today!

Now’s the Time for a Dryer Vent Cleaning

Did you know that one of the most dangerous fire hazards in your home is not the kitchen stove, the furnace, or the fireplace? The most dangerous hazard in your home is your clothes dryer! It is one of the most dangerous systems in your house because it is often overlooked.

If you hire a cleaning service, the housekeeper will only clean readily accessible parts of your house. If you hire a repairman for your clothes dryer, he may work on your unit and never give your dryer vent a second thought. The dryer vent is actually where the damage lies! Your clothes dryer vent is how the unit vents out excess heat and lint. Over time, this ductwork can get clogged with lint and eventually obstruct airflow. This is a dangerous hazard to any home with a clothes dryer, and you should schedule a dryer vent cleaning to avoid dangers.

Clothes Dryer Fires

In the U.S., over 50 percent of homes have a clothes dryer. However, only a handful of homeowners will have a professional installation and cleaning for their clothes dryer vents. Each year, there are nearly 3,000 home clothes dryer fires reported, resulting in about 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. However, these fires are preventable.

Thirty-four percent of these fires are because of the failure to clean the dryer unit, which means 1/3, or about 1,000, of these annual fires, are completely preventable. At Chief Chimney Services, we agree that even one accidental fire is one too many. Since clothes dryer fires peak in January, we’re determined to reach as many customers as possible this summer. We want to clean out dryer vents throughout our service area to keep homeowners and their families safe.

Signs You Need a Dryer Vent Cleaning

When your dryer isn’t working as well as it once did, it’s time to schedule a dryer vent cleaning. Many homeowners repeat a cycle until the clothes are dry and think nothing of it, chalking it up to an old unit. This is a dangerous assumption! According to professionals, if your clothes dryer takes more than a normal cycle to dry a load and it’s less than 5 years old, it likely has a clog. If you have had your clothes dryer for more than a year, if you’re not sure how old it is or how long you’ve used it, or if it takes more than one cycle to work, it’s time to schedule a cleaning. Some other reasons to schedule a cleaning include:

• Lint and condensation cover surfaces in your laundry room or home
• The termination hood is clogged with lint or doesn’t work properly
• The lint trap is periodically empty of lint
• The dryer unit or the clothes themselves are excessively hot to the touch
• Running the dryer creates heat in your home

Running a dryer with clogged vents is costing you money. It costs more to cool your home, costs more to run multiple cycles, and it shortens the life of your unit. Don’t put your family at risk or waste your money any longer! Call Chief Chimney Services today or schedule online.

Now’s the Time for a Chimney Sweep

During burn season, we periodically get calls for inspections and sweeps due to problems with their chimney systems. However, in general, homeowners should get these services done during the off-season. There are a few reasons it is best to schedule inspections and sweeps in spring and summer.

First, by scheduling in the spring, you are able to clean away all the debris, soot, and creosote from the previous winter. Second, you are able to get these services without interrupting the use of your fireplace. Third, by scheduling during the off-season, you’re able to miss the “fall rush”.  This is the time between October and January when the chimney sweep companies are booked full with installations and repairs.

Benefits of a Chimney Sweep

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) both agree that chimneys need annual inspection and regular cleanings to remain safe and efficient. A clean chimney will not stink as summer humidity and air pressure pushes through the chimney. Clean chimneys are better prepared and ready for fires in the fall.

When creosote and soot are regularly removed from the system, there will be less buildup, less malfunction, and cleanings are also easier and cheaper. Since your clean chimney will work more efficiently, your sweep will prevent damage in the future. In short, chimney sweeps prevent fires, prevent damage, and save you money. There’s no reason not to schedule yours today!

Beat the Fall Rush

During the fall and first part of winter, chimney sweep companies are busy with emergency calls, installations, and repairs. It is often difficult for homeowners to get on the schedule for routine maintenance. If you wait until the fall to schedule your sweep or inspection, you may not be able to get the appointment time you’d like or the technician you trust. You may even have to postpone using your fireplace until you get the repairs and maintenance the fireplace needs.

Additionally, if you wait until fall to schedule your chimney sweep or inspection and a hazard is identified, you may not have the time or money to repair it before you need your fireplace. Ensure your chimney is safe and clean before you need it! Schedule your services now!

Chief Chimney Services Clean Suffolk Co Chimneys

Residents and homeowners of Suffolk County, you are in luck. At Chief Chimney Services, we clean wood-burning, oil, and gas fireplaces and appliances. During a sweeping, you can count on our utmost professionalism and care. Our technician will come into the home and use drop clothes and a vacuum system to contain the mess. We will clean the system from top to bottom while paying attention to the overall safety and checking for obstructions and hazards.

After your appointment, you will get a report if your technician found anything amiss, and a repair plan or schedule an inspection if necessary. If there are no problems with your system, then it is ready for use this fall! If you’re ready to schedule your summer chimney sweep so that you’re ready for fall, schedule with Chief online today!

Buying or Selling a Home? You Need a Level Two Inspection

There is a lot that goes into owning a home with a chimney. Homeowners desire the comfort and convenience of a crackling fire and enjoy the benefits of having supplemental heat. If you’re selling or seeking a new house with a fireplace, think of it as an asset and risk. Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s in everyone’s best interest to have the chimney inspected.

Chimney Inspections

Chimney inspections are offered in three levels of thoroughness according to need. A level one inspection is required annually in order to ensure safety when the system hasn’t been changed and hasn’t presented any noticeable problems. Level three inspections are thorough and somewhat invasive diagnostic inspection required when a hazard is suspected. A level two inspection is required on several occasions; when changes have been made to the system, when natural occurrences have affected the system, when a fire has occurred in the system, or when the property is sold or transferred. Make sure you have a level two chimney inspection before the sale is final!

Home Inspections V. Chimney Inspections

During the home buying/home selling process, the buyer is presented with the opportunity to schedule a home inspection to ensure the value of the property following a financial offer and before closing. The whole process has a rigid schedule, and there may be only a small window of opportunity to schedule this inspection. While scheduling it, make sure you also schedule a chimney inspection. A level two inspection will offer a detailed report highlighting hazards, damage, and recommended repairs for the buyer or for the seller’s disclosure report. Your home inspector will assess the general soundness of the chimney, but a chimney professional will assess the interior and exterior of the chimney during a level two inspection. This assessment includes all accessible portions of the chimney, including basement, attic, or crawlspaces. It even includes video surveillance, providing a look at the hidden portions of the system.

Common Level Two Findings

We complete level two inspections regularly at Chief Chimney Services. This inspection helps us to identify common wear and tear as well as serious damage that might have otherwise continued unseen. With video surveillance, we are able to diagnose liner issues, creosote buildup, water damage and more. When you schedule a chimney inspection with Chief Chimney Services, it includes a basic chimney sweep for good measure. Don’t leave your chimney up to chance; leave it up to the professionals.

Call 631-863-2460 or schedule online to have your level two inspection completed today.

What is Glazed Creosote?

Your chimney system works all season long to vent the fires that heat your home. The chimney system endures high temperatures and corrosive materials that coat the inside. If you burn wood in your fireplace, your fire produces more than just smoke and soot, but also creosote. This material is made of mostly tar that can become quite the problem if not routinely removed from the chimney.

What is Creosote

Creosote is produced when organic materials such as wood are burned inside the fireplace. Burning unseasoned wood that often burns incompletely will contribute to even more creosote buildup. Creosote itself is as harmless as soot when removed from the chimney on a regular basis. However, when the fire is smoldered and improper wood is burned continuously, or the chimney system isn’t cleaned regularly, the creosote can become a problem.

The Problem with Creosote

Because creosote is sticky in nature, it builds up easily inside the chimney system. During the offseason, it may not do anything but cause nasty odors in the fireplace opening. During burn season, creosote can become quite dangerous. As the material builds on itself, it can obstruct the chimney flue, slowing the airflow and cause even more creosote to deposit.

As the air slows, the heated air in the chimney heats up the creosote, causing the water inside to vaporize and the material to transform. What’s left when the creosote cools is a hardened glazed mass that is made up mostly of condensed fuel (tar). This brittle material is highly flammable and very difficult to remove.

Removing Glazed Creosote

Regular creosote can be removed from the chimney system in the same way as soot and ash, with brushes and a vacuuming system. Glazed creosote is more difficult to remove. Many amateurs attempt to remove glazed creosote with chisels, chains, and heavy-duty tools—all of these things can damage the lining of the chimney. At Chief Chimney Services, we remove glazed creosote by using an industrial creosote remover that is sprayed or brushed onto the material. As it absorbs the remover, the creosote flakes away and can be brushed off and vacuumed out of the system.

You Can Prevent Glazed Creosote

1. Schedule routine services such as sweeps and inspections. You may not notice a creosote buildup, but your chimney professional will. We will clean it out of the system, and troubleshoot with you to determine the cause.
2. Burn only properly seasoned wood in your fireplace. Avoid burning paper, trash, clothing, or any other material that is NOT wood. The wood-burning fireplace is designed to only burn wood and vent smoke produced by wood fires.
3. Let your fire burn and avoid smoldering hot coals. Smoldering causes wood to burn incompletely, contributing to more creosote buildup.

In order to use your fireplace more efficiently, ask the professionals for recommendations to avoid creosote buildup. When you schedule your service with Chief Chimney Services, you will have the benefit of an expert in the home. Call Chief Chimney Services today at 631-863-2460.

We Sell Chief Chimney Collectibles

Not only do chimney sweeps often conjure images of Mary Poppins and a certain melody (“chim-chim-cheree”), but around the globe chimney sweeps are thought to bring good luck. Not only is it good luck to shake the hand of a chimney sweep on the street, but it’s even considered good luck if you brush shoulders with one, rub the front buttons of his uniforms, or invite him to your wedding to shake the groom’s hand and kiss the bride! Today you can rent a chimney sweep for the day for your wedding or celebration, bringing a bit of extra luck and good cheer to the occasion. It is rumored that Prince Philip dashed out of Kensington Palace on his wedding day to shake the hand of a chimney sweep. You can even read a royal decree by King George stating that chimney sweeps bring good fortune for the marriage. No matter the occasion or festivity, it’s important that sweeps look the part.

Chief Chimney Collectibles

Because chimney sweeps in the United States have never had an official uniform across the industry, we have created one! Now our sweeps and others can attend weddings, graduations, fairs, banquets, and more when called, and they can do it in style.

The American chimney sweep uniform features the following:

-A black uniform jacket or shirt with gold American buttons and the nation’s flag on the left upper arm.

-Optional NCSG, CSIA, and/or state flags

-American Sweeps scarf/neckerchief

-American Sweeps buckle or optional NCSG/CSIA buckle

Because wedding season is typically warmer as well as fairs and festivals, we offer a short-sleeved uniform shirt as well as a long sleeved for use during the cool season. Because we are working people, we also offer work vests with multiple pockets and the American flag over the left chest. No matter what’s the occasion, your chimney sweeps can show up to local events in style. Visit our Chief Chimney Collectibles page now for inspiration and information.

Community Involvement and Good Luck

When chimney sweeps do not get involved in the community, not only does the community miss out on the luck of the chimney sweep, but the message of chimney safety not get out and circulated. It is our goal to spread awareness and offer services year-round and in whatever way possible so that residential fires can be prevented. Though we may have fun doing our jobs and spreading the luck, our top goal is safety, followed by customer comfort always. If you aren’t 100 percent certain that your chimney is in good shape for a fire this fall and winter, call us now. You might get lucky and we may only find minor problems or none at all, but ignoring the need for professional services is no option!

Help us spread the luck of the chimney sweep. Let your friends and neighbors know that Chief Chimney Services is serving Suffolk County, Long Island. We’ll service your chimneys, visit your schools for National Fire Prevention Week, we’ll even attend your weddings.

Call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460 or schedule online today.

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

So you keep up with your regular maintenance with your fireplace and chimney. Did you know there are still carbon monoxide dangers lurking in your home? The most common cause of accidental carbon monoxide exposure is household items such as gas water heaters and furnaces, oil-burning furnaces, charcoal grills, portable generators, and small engines.

Any fire appliances that burn can produce carbon monoxide, and carbon monoxide is very dangerous. It is a silent killer with no smell, no taste, and no sound. No home should have a fire appliance without having a carbon monoxide detector too. At Chief Chimney Services, we want to help you understand all the dangers of carbon monoxide and how to avoid exposure to it.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide is very hard to detect, and exposure of carbon monoxide poisoning is also very hard to detect. The symptoms of a person who is exposed are often confused for the common cold or flu. Whether sudden exposure to a large amount or a slow leak, there can be serious permanent damage to your health, if left unchecked. You should pay attention to the following signs and symptoms, as they include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Confusion and memory loss
• Disorientation
• Nausea and vomiting

Very serious symptoms of CO poisoning can mimic neurological or psychiatric disorders ranging from convulsions and seizures to paranoia, confusion, and coma. Prolonged exposure will result in permanent organ damage, organ failure, or even death.

Protect Your Family Against CO Poisoning

Exposure to carbon monoxide is highly poisonous. The existence of CO in the air you breathe causes a buildup in the bloodstream, eventually replacing the oxygen in the bloodstream and starving the tissues of oxygen. Since the symptoms are common to the same symptoms caused by viral infections and the common cold, it’s important to note when family members all exhibit the same symptoms.

You should see your family physician for symptoms of cold or flu so that proper tests can identify an illness. If your symptoms can not be diagnosed, this could be caused by carbon monoxide exposure—especially if symptoms subside when away from the home. Symptoms may reappear when you’re back in the home, or when seasonal appliances are used such as a fireplace or furnace. Additionally, you should make sure to never run a small engine indoors—even the garage. Open the garage door before you start your car, lawn mower, power blower, generator, or any other gas-powered tool.

Professional Care for Safer Homes

To protect your family against CO poisoning every day, every home should have a carbon monoxide detector on each level of their home. Follow all user guides and manuals for heat appliances and other household tools and appliances which burn fuel. Have your fireplace, stove, or gas log set serviced by a professional to prevent CO leaks.

A smoky fireplace can cause CO exposure. A damper malfunction, poorly-sized chimney flue, or obstruction is not only a fire hazard, but they are also a CO risk. When any part of your fireplace or chimney is not working, you should schedule an inspection with Chief Chimney Services to protect your family against CO exposure.

Choose Chief Chimney Services for your comprehensive chimney care, and we’ll make sure your chimney is safe. Concerned about a carbon monoxide leak? Call us for an inspection or contact your local fire department now. Call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460 today!

Time to Get Your Fireplace and Heating System Swept!

After a long winter, we’ve finally reached consistent temperatures for spring. Homeowners are shutting down their systems for the off-season and forgetting fires, firewood, and all the work that comes with them. Part of preparing your fireplace and chimney system for the off-season and ensuring it’s ready for fires again in the fall is scheduling professional services. Now is the time to schedule your fireplace and heating system services. We sweep fireplaces wood, gas, and oil fireplace and heating systems!

Safe and Efficient Chimney Systems

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the safest and most efficient chimney systems are those that are cleaned and inspected regularly. Sweeps may be necessary less or more frequently, depending on your fireplace use, but the inspection should be scheduled annually no matter what! Inspecting the chimney annually cuts down on the chance of chimney fires, helps prepare your chimney system for burn season, and prevents damage caused by water and other wear-and-tear.

We Clean Wood, Gas, and Oil Fireplaces and Chimney Systems

At Chief Chimney Services, we clean chimney systems and fireplaces throughout Suffolk County, New York. Whether your fireplace is fueled by gas, oil, or wood/pellets, we have the experience, training, and tools to get the work done.

Wood-burning Appliances
When sweeping wood-burning appliances, we take the utmost care to clear the flue of soot and creosote that can lead to obstruction and danger. If the creosote isn’t cleaned away regularly, it can build up and obstruct the airflow, slowing it as it vents. This process will lead to smoke stalling in the system and depositing MORE soot and creosote each time the fireplace is used. When we sweep regularly, we use drop cloths to protect the floor and furniture while we work. We use rods and brushes to clean the flue and a vacuuming system to keep the mess contained.

Oil and Gas Appliances
Though oil and gas appliances burn cleaner than wood appliances, they still produce soot that can bring down system efficiency. While they burn, these fires also produce water vapor which can mingle with the soot, damaging the flue liner and more.

We Clean Dryer Vents

It’s not only chimneys and fireplaces that pose a threat when they aren’t maintained properly. Your home may be in danger if you have other systems that are neglected. Clothes dryer vent fire occur almost 3,000 times a year across the U.S. They cause 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. Failure to maintain the clothes dryer can lead to an obstructed dryer vent, cost you money, damage your home, and affect your air. Having the dryer vents cleaned once per year will mean your system works properly, drying clothes in one cycle, and saving you money in the process.

We don’t just clean chimneys, we also clean and properly install dryer vents, restore chimney systems and repair all ventilation systems in your home.

If you reside in Suffolk County and you haven’t had your heat systems checked in the last year, it’s important to call the professionals today.

Call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460 or contact us online.

Fix Your Leaky Chimney Now

It doesn’t matter what is making your chimney leak. It may be from winter damage, or it may be from a minor issue such as a worn out chimney cap, but whatever is amiss, it needs to be corrected before serious damage occurs.

Water and Your Chimney

Nothing destroys a chimney quite like water. Because of the materials that make up masonry, it is highly susceptible to moisture damage and can actually be destroyed from the inside out due to one small problem allowing the water into the system. These leaks, minor or major, go unnoticed because much of the system is hidden from view. By the time a homeowner notices signs of a chimney leak, there may be substantial damage behind the scenes. A professional will catch issues before the average homeowner, saving money and time, and keeping your system safe and ready for use again in the fall. A professional will notice issues and small damage that may allow water in, such as a damaged or missing cap, deteriorated crown, damaged masonry, and dislodged or missing flashing.

Chimney Leaks

Your chimney leak may be as obvious as water running down your masonry or dripping near your chimney. However, it may create a leak in another part of your house entirely! When you have a leak in your home, it’s important to call a chimney professional. A general contractor may fix the damage, but a chimney expert will check the chimney first. It’s likely this type of leak is caused by damaged flashing that allows water into the home, where it runs inside walls and ceilings until it pools at the lowest point, and then forms a leak.

Your leak may be inside the chimney, only detected by the sound of dripping and the smell of mildew. This leak still needs attention, as it deteriorates the liner and masonry, rusts the damper assembly, and more. Make sure that when you have a chimney leak you call the chimney professionals who can fix the damage and prevent recurrence before more damage occurs.

Professional Prevention and Care

When you call on Chief Chimney Services to repair your leaky chimney, you can expect the best care and attention in the area. At Chief, we install chimney caps to keep water, weather, and animals out of the chimney. Our expert masons repair and restore masonry, no matter the stone or brick, size, or design. Our experienced techs also replace and install flashing to protect the intersection of the roof and chimney. We do it all, and then we offer waterproofing services for good measure.

After we repair your leaky chimney, we protect your masonry for years to come with ChimneySaver water repellent products. These environmentally friendly and vapor-permeable products are the best on the market and allow the chimney to continue working properly. Unlike other products and sealants, ChimneySaver water-repellent allows the chimney to breathe as it should and vent the fire properly.

Have you noticed moisture in your chimney this spring? If you suspect a leak, call the professionals at Chief Chimney Services or schedule online today.

Wood Stove and Fireplace Cleanings for the Spring

Spring is in the air! Trees are finally flowering, and birds are chirping. Depending on where you live, you might even hear whippoorwills in the evenings. Our service area of Suffolk County, Long Island may have slow-rising temperatures, but spring is welcome after a long winter! Spring is a great time to complete projects around your house. Projects such as yard maintenance, car washing, and home cleaning. Have you considered your stove or fireplace this spring? Having it cleaned in the spring can prevent problems this summer, and have it ready and waiting for another fire this fall.

Spring Cleaning

Periodically through the year, your fireplace and chimney system will need to be cleaned. Your chimney sweep company can help you determine how often your chimney and appliance will need service. However, having the work done in spring is always a great option, since it offers great benefits.

Cleaning Prevents Odors

If you leave the soot and creosote in your fireplace and flue system, the humidity from summer weather will mingle with the deposits there, causing foul odors. As this seeps into your home, it may smell as if the oven was left open or a barbecue grill was left smoldering right outside your door or window. Cleaning now will prevent odors.

Cleaning Includes an Inspection

Not only will we clean out your fireplace or wood-burning stove, but we’ll check the connections, assess the chimney system, and report any problems right away so that they can be corrected before burn season returns.

Cleaning Raises Efficiency

You may not need it to now, but this fall, your fire will burn more efficiently if you have the system swept now. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about scheduling services in the fall, when companies are at their busiest.

Cleaning Maintains Safety

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) agree that fire systems that are cleaned and maintained properly are the safest. Clean your system now so that your fireplace will be safer this fall.

Wood is a popular option, especially in New England, where winters can be quite harsh. Wood stoves and fireplaces produce great amounts of heat and more efficient than ever–but they only work if they are maintained. Cleaning them is so important that your factory warranty may require it! Talk to an expert at Chief Chimney Services about your wood-burning fireplace or appliance today. We service fireplaces and chimney systems that are factory-built, historic masonry, and more.

Schedule today with Chief Chimney Services by filling out our online scheduling tool.