Our Company Blog

Chimney Relining and Repair Services

You may be finished with your fireplace for the season, but now is no time to forget it. In fact, completing necessary chimney work during the spring and summer is a smart idea. Once it’s finished, you will be ready for the first fire this fall and can spend the rest of your summer hassle free. At Chief Chimney Services, we frequently see masonry damage this time of year, and we cannot stress enough the importance of getting repairs completed sooner rather than later.

Waiting for Repairs

If your chimney masonry has damage, even minor damage, It will get worse with every day that passes. Water penetration damages chimneys from the inside out. Damaged masonry allows water in, causing spalling, deterioration, rust, stains, and eventually malfunction of the system. The liner will become damaged, and the next time you use your fireplace, the liner will not offer the proper protection to the masonry. It can lead to a house fire that puts your property and your family at risk. Don’t wait to make repairs. Schedule your chimney inspection, so we can start planning for repairs now. Start now, and you won’t have to wonder if the chimney is ready for fall. Start now, and you’ll avoid more costly repairs later.

Chimney Relining

One of the most common repairs we see this time of year at Chief Chimney Services includes the largest part of the system, and one the homeowner can’t reach — the liner. A flue liner may become damaged over time due to neglect and water damage, or suddenly because of animal intrusion or a natural disaster. This is why it’s important to call a professional if you’ve had an animal in your chimney, even if it left on its own. Before it left, its claws could have left scratches in your liner. Likewise, if the area you live has experienced an earthquake or storm with strong winds, you should call a professional for a chimney check-up. It is also necessary to call a professional and have your liner checked out if you suspect you had a flue fire — even if it extinguished on its own!

Once we get a look at your chimney, we may determine that the liner can be repaired using HeatShield Cerfractory Flue Sealant products or you may need a complete new liner. If you need a new liner, you can choose from aluminum or stainless steel. Aluminum liners are less expensive, but stainless steel is stronger and longer-lasting. If you’re burning wood, it’s important to use stainless steel or HeatShield for a safe chimney.

Chimney Repairs

Other chimney repairs we see at Chief Chimney Services are masonry and firebox repairs, crown repair, and leak repairs. Our chimney sweeps are master masons with the expertise and professionalism required to not only fix your chimney but do it to your liking. Don’t put your trust in any other company when you can choose from Chief Chimney Services and our staff of CSIA-certified chimney sweeps.

Call us today at 631-863-2460 or schedule online.

Teaching Fire Safety

If your home were to catch fire, do you know how you would escape?  In the event of a fire, every second counts.  As such, everyone in your household must always be prepared.  Every home should have a fire escape plan.  Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.  In less than 30 seconds, a small fire can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire.  It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames.

Do the youngest and oldest members of your family know what to do in case of a fire?

Accidental home fires can catch people totally by surprise.  Without an escape plan in place, you are placing the lives of everybody in your home in jeopardy.  Plan your actions before a fire happens – draw your escape plan before it’s too late.  Prepare and practice your fire escape plan twice a year with everyone in your household.  It’s also a good idea to review your plan with overnight guests.

When preparing your escape plan, you should consider the following:

• Draw a map of each level of your home and show all doors and windows.
• Find two ways to get out of each room.
• Make sure all doors and windows that lead outside open easily.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
• Teach children not to hide from firefighters.
• Practice your fire escape plan at night and during the daytime.

In the event of a fire, get out fast (you may have only a short period of time to escape safely).  Take the safest exit route; if you have to exit through smoke, remember to stay low (i.e., crawl out of the room).

As a part of your fire escape plan, designate a meeting location a safe distance in front of your home.  For example, meet under a specific tree or at the end of the driveway to make sure everyone has gotten out safely.  Make sure everyone in your home knows how to call 9-1-1 and/or your local emergency number.  Once you’re safely out of a burning building, never go back inside for any reason.  If someone is missing, or pets are trapped inside your home, tell the firefighters immediately.  They are trained and equipped to perform rescues safely.

We want to make sure homeowners are aware of the dangers associated with fires in the home.  What can begin as a small fire can quickly get out of hand, leaving you little to no time to think and react.  Planning ahead will enable you to react more quickly and can help to save your life as well as the lives of everyone else in your home.  Please just take a few minutes for this worthwhile cause.  It truly could be a life-or-death matter.