It’s scary to think of any fire happening in your home under your watch. Chimney fires are especially dangerous because they can happen without you even knowing but they are very preventable! It’s as easy as getting your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned yearly by the CSIA-certified technicians at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County. With that in mind, let’s explore the causes and effects of having a chimney fire in your home, as well as what to do if it happens to you.

Causes:

Chimney fires can happen to anyone, regardless of if you have a masonry or a prefabricated chimney. Buildup, called creosote, collects on the inner lining of the chimney as it’s released by wood, cardboard, or whatever else you may be burning. It is sticky due to the condensation that is also released, and becomes tar-like. It is highly flammable, and is the main cause of chimney fires.This is why the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends annual chimney sweeping and inspections.

Effects:

The unique situation with chimney fires is that they can produce a variety of reactions depending on the creosote buildup and the type of chimney. Since most chimney fires are often contained within the chimney, you may not even know a chimney fire is happening or has occurred. When a chimney fire is noticeable, it might sound like a train, with a slow rolling rumble. It could also pop and crackle with shooting flames, noticeable smell, and large volume of dense smoke. Other times, the fire is slow-burning and does not have enough fuel to be visible and dramatic, but can still damage the chimney structure. A chimney fire leaves signs of its presence such as creosote buildup that has puffed up or flaked off, warped metal chimney components, discolored chimney cap, missing or cracked flue tiles, as well as roofing material that have been damaged as a result of the fire are all proof that a fire occurred.

If you experience a chimney fire and it is safe to do so, close the damper and any doors on the fireplace completely to choke out the fire. Dial 911 immediately and get you, your family, and your pets out of the home safely. While fire emergency services are on their way, use a garden hose to spray the roof and chimney outside to protect the roof from catching fire. Before using your chimney again, have a CSIA-certified technician perform a chimney inspection to sweep and evaluate the condition of your chimney and, if need be, make recommendations about bringing your chimney into compliance with safety and performance standards.

How do I prevent another one from happening?

Using the right kind of wood is very important. Use proper kindling, newspaper, and only use dry, well-seasoned wood. Have your chimney swept and inspected on a yearly basis.

We don’t want you to hesitate with any questions you may have. Call Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County for details on what to do after a chimney fire. And of course, if you haven’t already scheduled your yearly inspection and cleaning, now is the time!

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Most people don’t think twice of the construction of their chimney. Whether built from masonry or prefabricated materials, most people assume that whatever they have will work. It’s just a funnel for smoke, right? Though at its most simple definition this is true, there are many factors that are involved, especially when dealing with older homes. If you have a home that was built before the 1950’s, it is important to take the extra steps in ensuring that your chimney not only has a chimney lining, but that it receives the same care and attention that modern chimneys do.

Why is a chimney lining so necessary?

Whenever a fire is lit in the firebox, whether from a gas line or a match, the resulting heat that travels up the flue will initially cause condensation against the cold chimney. Any byproducts, like creosote or soot, that are produced from burning get trapped on the sides and can be easily ignited from a stray spark. In either case, having a deficient chimney will allow carbon monoxide to travel back into your home, as well as other toxic gases. Obviously, none of these situations are ideal, and could potentially harm your home and your loved ones. Also, there could be sizing issues when upgrading from an older appliance to a newer one. The sizing could affect the performance of the new appliance. In addition, a chimney without a liner usually has poor drafting which can affect the performance and fuel consumption whether oil or gas which can lead to higher energy costs.

What should I do about it?

There are options to choose from when looking at different chimney liner options. Stainless steel liners that can be installed in the existing chimney. If installed correctly, they can easily remedy the safety hazards that come from an unlined chimney, not properly sized chimney and they are durable and long lasting to boot. Another option would be a cast chimney liner, where a cement-type substance is poured into the flue and dries in about a day. In extreme cases where the masonry itself has deteriorated beyond repair, it might be required that a new chimney be constructed.

Deterioration of your masonry chimney can also pose risks and concern, but here at Clean Sweep Anne Arundel County, we want you to be as safe as possible this upcoming cold season. Let our CSIA Certified Chimney Technicians inspect your flue system and heating system to ensure that it is performing properly.

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Your fireplace is an asset to your home: It adds style, ambiance, and warmth. Your fireplace also can pose a hazard, however. If you don’t have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually, you are putting your home and your family at risk of a chimney fire and/or house fire.

How do chimneys cause fires?

Each year, more than 22,000 American homes suffer chimney fires, and the majority of the time, that fire was caused by a dirty chimney. As you burn a fire in your fireplace, the byproducts of the fire, including gases, ash, fine particles, water vapor, and smoke travel up your chimney. As temperatures cool near the top of your flue, condensation occurs, and the result is creosote, a highly flammable, tar-like substance that clings to the walls of your chimney. If left in place, the creosote can catch fire, causing a fire in your chimney or a fire that spreads throughout your home.

How do sweeping and inspections prevent fires?

Your annual chimney sweeping and inspection by a CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified technician is crucial in keeping your home and family safe from a potential fire. Your certified chimney technician will remove the damaging and dangerous creosote deposits from your chimney. Once the chimney is swept, your technician will inspect your chimney to make sure that it is structurally sound and free from any damage. A chimney that is cracked or damaged can allow heat and gases from your fire to access adjacent portions of your home. That can cause a fire hazard and put your family at risk from dangerous gases, such as carbon monoxide, in your home. Your certified chimney technician also will examine your chimney to make sure a fire has not gone undetected. While we expect dramatic flames to shoot from a chimney in a chimney fire, often a chimney fire is a slow, gentler burn that causes damage to the chimney,that you may not be aware of, that can put your home at risk for a more devastating fire in the future.

What else can I do to prevent a chimney fire?

Other than regular chimney sweepings, keeping creosote from building up rapidly in your fireplace can help prevent a chimney fire. Always burn hardwoods that have been thoroughly seasoned, as soft or unseasoned wood causes an excess of smoke leading to faster creosote buildup. Only burn logs that are the right size for your fireplace, and never burn materials that weren’t intended for your fireplace, such as wrapping paper or cardboard. Finally, know the signs of a chimney fire. You may hear a popping or cracking noise from your chimney, notice a lot of gray smoke coming from the top of your chimney, or have a strong smell of smoke in your home. If you notice any of those signs, exit your home and call the fire department. However, if you’ve made sure your fireplace is cleaned and undamaged with an annual chimney inspection, you’ve made the biggest stride toward preventing a fire.

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There are some things that should never be used in your fireplace. Here 8 things you should always avoid adding.

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Basic physics keep the smoke flowing up your chimney rather than back into your home. During cold weather months, particularly if your chimney is located on an exterior wall, those physics can work against you, however. You may notice smoke drafting back into your home when you first light a fire. Preheating your chimney flue can help solve this problem and have your chimney working perfectly.

Why should you preheat your chimney?

When a fireplace and chimney are working properly, your fire draws in the cooler air from your home to fuel the fire. As the heat of the fire increases, the hot air rises out of your chimney, taking smoke and other fire byproducts with it. When it’s extremely cold, however, your chimney fills with cold outside air, particularly if it’s on an outside wall of your home. When cold air, which is denser and heavier than warm air, fills your chimney, the smoke can’t rise out of the firebox when you first light a fire. Preheating your chimney forces that cold air out, so that when you light your fire, the smoke will draft properly.

How do you preheat your flue?

There are several ways to preheat your chimney flue, but the easiest and most common is to roll four to five newspaper “torches” tightly and light them on fire in your fireplace. By the time those papers are burned, your flue should be warm enough to draft properly. You also can use a blow dryer or a fan to physically blow the cold air out of your flue. The blowing air doesn’t need to be hot, just warmer than the freezing air filling your flue.

How else can you help your chimney draft properly?

There are a few other simple steps you can take to keep smoke flowing up your chimney rather than back into your home. Crack open a window in the same room as your fireplace by one inch to help your fireplace draw in cold air. Make sure you’re building a hot enough fire. Use only dried, seasoned wood to build your fire, and build an appropriate size fire for you firebox ,but also make sure not to overload the firebox with wood,. Build fires in a metal grate off the floor of your firebox, and place wood as far back into the fireplace as possible. If you fireplace has glass doors, leave them fully opened when a fire is burning. Closing the doors prevents the chimney from drafting properly, creating a buildup of pressure that can crack the fireplace doors.

What should you do if smoke is still billowing into your home?

If you preheat your flue and follow our tips but still have smoke billowing into your home when you build a fire, there may be a larger problem at play. Your flue could be blocked, or improperly sized for your fireplace. If you’re constantly bothered by smoke entering your home rather than exiting your chimney, or if smoke is suddenly a problem from a chimney that has always worked well, call us at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County to examine your chimney for root of the drafting problem.

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Your fireplace adds warmth and comfort to your home and helps to lower your heating bills during the cold winter months. However, your fireplace also can pose a danger to your home and your family — Fireplaces and chimneys are responsible for 42 percent of all home fires. There are steps you can take to keep your home and your family safe from the risk of a fireplace or chimney fire.

• Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected annually. The number one thing you can do to keep your home and family safe from a chimney- or fireplace-sparked home fire is to have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected each year by a certified chimney sweep. Clean chimney’s typically don’t catch fire, and an inspection of the chimney and fireplace ensures that all components are in good repair and safe working order.
• Keep the area in front of the fireplace free of flammable materials, including rugs, pillows, decorations or papers. Make sure that any decorations on the mantle are secure and don’t hang over the fireplace opening where they could be ignited.
• Always use a fireplace screen to ensure that sparks remain inside the fireplace and that flammable materials don’t accidentally make their way into the fireplace.
• Only burn the fuel intended for your fireplace. Never burn wrapping paper, cardboard, charcoal, garbage or other unintended materials in your fireplace. Don’t use a fire starter or other accelerant in your fireplace.
• Install a cap at the top of your chimney to make sure that animals or other debris can’t enter into and block your chimney.
• Burn seasoned firewood. Only burn firewood that has been properly dried and seasoned. Wet firewood burns cooler and emits more smoke, causing dangerous and flammable creosote to build up in your chimney more quickly. If you’re using manufactured logs, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Leave the damper open until all embers have finished burning to prevent dangerous gases, like carbon monoxide, from building up inside your home.
• If your fireplace has glass doors, make sure they are fully open when a fire is burning to ensure proper airflow.
• Store ash in an air-tight metal container when you remove it from your fireplace. Wet the wood ash prior to attaching the metal lid. Never store the metal ash container on your deck, in your garage, or in any location that may allow the heat inside to transfer from the container to nearby flammable items. Place the container on a non combustible surface such as stone, concrete brick or slate away from the home.
• Never leave a fire unattended. Make sure the fire has burned out completely before you go to bed or leave the house.
• Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home, particularly near sleeping areas. Check and change the batteries of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly.
• Keep a fire extinguisher on hand. Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher in your home. Make sure you know where it is and how to use it.

If your fireplace is due for its annual inspection and cleaning, call the experts at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County. In addition to making sure your fireplace and chimney are ready for your winter fires, we can advise you on safe fireplace practices.

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You probably give little thought to your chimney’s interior, beyond your annual chimney sweep and inspection. However, your chimney liner should be a chief concern for your chimney maintenance. Making sure that your chimney liner remains free of cracks or deterioration helps keep your chimney performing at its best and eliminates a hazard for your home and family.

Functions of your chimney liner

Your chimney’s liner serves as a protective barrier. It keeps smoke and heat from penetrating through the walls of your chimney and into the structure of your house. It also prevents the corrosive, acidic byproducts of your fires from penetrating and deteriorating your chimney’s masonry. A properly sized chimney liner also allows your fireplace or stove to draft properly, keeping smoke from flowing back into your home. Most importantly, in a chimney fire, your chimney’s liner contains the flames and heat that could mean major damage or injury to your home and family.

Types of chimney liners

Most new homes and some older homes are constructed with clay tiles to line the chimney. There also are stainless steel chimney liners, which are especially common with prefabricated chimneys or heating stoves. Chimney liners also can be poured into place in an existing chimney. People whose homes were built before the 1960s should be especially aware of their chimney’s interior: Some older homes were constructed without chimney liners, which is considered a safety hazard and can affect the performance of the newly installed furnace, wood stove vented into the existing chimney.

Chimney liner deterioration

Over time, chimney liners can break down. Clay tiles or poured chimney liners deteriorate due to weathering and are susceptible to cracks, particularly due to water penetration and high heat incidents. While metal liners are more durable, they, too, can corrode over time. Metal chimney liners break down quickly if the wrong type of metal is used for the fuel burned in the fireplace or stove. Your annual chimney sweeping and inspection is the best way to determine whether or not your chimney liner is in good condition.

Chimney liner repairs

If your chimney sweep finds cracks, gaps or overall deterioration in your chimney liner, you will want to have the liner repaired before you light another fire or use your furnace. Ignoring deterioration like cracks and gaps in your chimney liner allows heat to escape from your fireplace, or gases from your furnace appliance which poses a major hazard to you, your family and home. If your chimney liner is in need of repair, or if your chimney does not have a liner, there are several options for repair. A stainless steel chimney liner can be inserted into your chimney or HeatShield Cerfractory Flue Sealant can be applied to the chimney using a special form. The sealant is forced into the nooks and crannies of the chimney, created a new, smooth liner over the old failing liner.

If you’re concerned about the state of your chimney liner, call the certified chimney experts at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County. We can inspect your chimney liner with our Internal Digital Camera and help you determine the best fix if damage is found. Delaying chimney liner repairs impacts the performance,health and value of your home.

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As we keep our homes warm and safe this winter, we open ourselves up to the dangers of carbon monoxide. It’s important to know what the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are, how carbon monoxide can build up within a home, and what you can do to keep you family safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide

At the earliest stages, the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be vague and extremely subtle. Described as flulike, low-level carbon monoxide poisoning results in mild headaches, fatigue and dizziness. As carbon monoxide builds up within the blood, they become more severe. Eventually, carbon monoxide poisoning will cause severe headaches, weakness, confusion, disorientation, blurred vision and loss of consciousness. It’s important that anyone exhibiting these symptoms seeks medical attention, and the home should be evacuated as a precaution.

More than 200 people die each year in the United States due to carbon monoxide poisoning. An additional 20,000 people visit the emergency rooms with signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, and 4,000 of those people are hospitalized. Young children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the effects of carbon monoxide.

How carbon monoxide poisoning occurs

Carbon monoxide is produced anytime combustion occurs. Clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, stoves and space heaters all put off some levels of carbon monoxide. In most cases, the appliances are properly vented and that carbon monoxide safely leaves the home. When an appliance malfunctions or if the appliance is not properly vented, however, carbon monoxide can be released back into the home. Over time, that carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels, especially in newer “air-tight” homes or homes that have been winterized for energy efficiency.

How to stay safe from carbon monoxide poisoning

There are many things you can do to keep you family save from carbon monoxide poisoning. First and foremost, the vents and chimneys to all of your combustion appliances, including furnaces, dryers, fireplaces and stoves, and the appliances themselves should be cleaned and inspected each year. The cleaning will ensure that the ducts are open for proper ventilation, while the inspection will help ensure that the appliance is operating properly. During large accumulations of snow or ice make sure to remove snow and ice blocking vents for your furnace, dryer, fireplaces wood stove and gas fireplaces prior to use. Never run appliances like space heaters or generators in a room that isn’t properly ventilated or in rooms in which people are sleeping.

Most importantly, your home should be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that a carbon monoxide detector be placed on each floor of a home and outside of sleeping areas. Those detectors should be inspected regularly to make sure that the batteries are fresh and that they are operating properly. Make sure that each member of your household knows what to do if those detectors go off: Evacuate the home and call 911.

Carbon monoxide poses a real danger, especially during cold weather months. Make sure your family is aware of the symptoms, and make sure you have your appliance properly serviced to prevent any problems.

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It’s the time of year we show our love to those around us with flowers, candy and heart-shaped cards. Why not show your chimney some love, too? After all, your chimney allows you to enjoy warm, romantic fires while keeping your home and family safe from a house fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. The best way to show your appreciation for your chimney is with a sweeping and inspection from a chimney sweep technician certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).

No one loves your chimney like a CSIA-certified chimney sweep technician.

When you’re looking for a chimney sweep , the major problem is that anyone with the right equipment, regardless of their training or experience, can call themselves a chimney sweep. That’s why it’s important to look for a CSIA-certified chimney sweep technician. CSIA-certified technicians have to undergo training and education about the care and performance of fireplaces, chimneys and heating stoves.

CSIA-certified chimney sweep technicians are trained and must pass examinations in industry best practices for chimney cleaning and inspection; the construction and mechanics of chimneys; the process through which wood burns and creosote forms; codes and standards for the construction of chimneys and vents, and the installation of fireplaces; and EPA requirements.

No one loves their customers like a CSIA-certified chimney sweep technician.

In addition to being educated and trained in installing, cleaning and maintaining fireplaces and chimneys, CSIA-certified chimney sweep technicians pledge to uphold the CSIA’s code of conduct. That means they’ll treat you as well as they treat your chimney. Under that code of conduct, CSIA-certified sweeps must put into practice the CSIA’s industry best practices; know and comply with all local codes related to chimneys, fireplaces and heating stoves; follow all manufacturer’s instructions for installing, repairing and maintaining stoves, chimneys and fireplaces; be professional at all times; and advise their clients on safety matters related to their chimneys, fireplaces and stoves.

Make a date with your chimney sweep technician!

A good relationship with your fireplace, wood stove, furnace and chimney begins with regular cleaning and maintenance. That keeps your fireplace,furnace and stove running efficiently and protects your home from the danger of a chimney fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. When you schedule an appointment with a CSIA-certified chimney sweep technician, he or she will thoroughly sweep your chimney and fireplace or heating stove. Following that sweeping, all of the components of your chimney and fireplace will be inspected to make sure they are free from damage and in good working order.

If you’re looking for a chimney sweep who will be a perfect match, call Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County. Our CSIA-certified chimney sweep technicians will show your fireplace, wood stove, furnace and chimney the love it deserves! We’ll leave it in perfect condition for many more warm, romantic fires.

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With so much attention paid to the importance of chimney sweeping, it can be easy to forget the importance of your annual chimney inspection. While your annual chimney sweeping is a crucial part of reducing your home’s fire and carbon monoxide safety risks, the inspection that accompanies it is a vital part of our services that lowers your home fire risk and helps protect your home from structural damage,carbon monoxide poisoning as well as maintaining the optimal performance of your chimney.

Why chimney inspections matter

Just like your annual chimney sweeping, a chimney inspection helps keep your home safe from the dangers of a chimney fire and carbon monoxide leaks. Chimneys face extreme conditions, including the heat from your fireplace fires and the acidic byproducts of from gas,oil and wood. Those conditions can cause clay flue tiles to crack and crumble and cause stainless steel liners to fail and corrode. Additionally, it is possible to experience a smoldering chimney fire and not realize it. Both the regular wear to your chimney and an undetected chimney fire can compromise your chimney’s ability to contain the heat and smoke from your fireplace. That can mean smoke or heat damage to your home’s structure or, even more seriously, a house fire.

Types of chimney inspections

Now that you know how important annual chimney inspections are, you also should know what types of inspections are available to you. Based on criteria from the National Fire Protection Association, there are three levels of chimney inspections. Generally, your licensed chimney technician professional will perform a Level I inspection during your annual chimney sweeping. During a Level I inspection, your technician will make sure that your chimney is structurally sound and free of obstructions and creosote.

A Level II inspection is recommended after a new appliance is installed, when a home is being sold or when a malfunction of the fireplace,appliance and chimney occurs. A Level II inspection includes a Level I inspection, plus an inspection of accessible adjoining attic or crawl spaces and digital inspection of the chimney flue. Your licensed chimney technician would recommend a Level III inspection if any hazard has been indicated in concealed parts of the chimney flue during a Level I or Level II Inspection. A Level III inspection is an in depth inspection that involves removal and possibly destruction of parts of the chimney as needed.

When scheduling an inspection make sure that the individual is a licensed CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Technician.

If you have foregone your chimney inspection in the past, call Clean Sweep Anne Arundel County to schedule an appointment today to maintain a healthy chimney in your home.

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If your home has an older heating stove, it may be time for an upgrade. The technology may seem simple for a wood, gas or pellet stove, but in fact, the technology is constantly evolving. Newer heating stoves burn cleaner and more efficiently. Upgrading to a new stove could lower your home heating costs, decrease the amount of fuel you’re burning and reduce the amount of pollution you’re producing.

Outdated woodstoves are such a concern that groups like the American Cancer Society caution against using them because of the amount of fine particles they release into their air. Fortunately, if you’re due to update your heating stove, you have plenty of efficient, environmentally friendly options. These stoves can be installed free standing on a hearth, or they can be retrofitted into an existing masonry fireplace space.

EPA-certified woodstoves

Woodstoves provide a classic home-heating option. EPA-certified stoves allow you to enjoy a classic wood fire while returning more of the fire’s heat to your home and reducing the amount of fine particles released by open-heart or outdated wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. New models of EPA-certified woodstoves are 50 percent more efficient than models built 25 or more years ago and 70 percent more efficient than an open-hearth wood-burning fireplace.

EPA-certified pellet stoves

Pellet stoves offer the ambiance of a woodstove but with added efficiency and convenience. Pellet stoves burn either dehydrated, compressed wood pellets or biofuel like corn, wheat hulls or cherry pits. Pellets can be purchased in 40-pound bags at most big-box or hardware stores, so they eliminate the need for chopping, hauling and storing firewood. The pellets are loaded into a hopper, and an auger automatically feeds the fire. One hopper full of pellets can burn for up to 24 hours, so that means your home will be consistently heated while you sleep, run errands or work. Environmentalists tout the benefits of pellet stoves because they burn so cleanly and are carbon neutral: The wood has the same carbon footprint whether burned in a pellet stove or if it had decomposed naturally.

Gas stoves

The EPA promotes gas stoves as the most efficient option for home-heating appliances. Gas stoves return up to 99 percent of their fire’s heat to your home. And of course, gas stoves offer the ultimate in convenience. With the flip of a switch or the press of a button, you have a fire! Gas stoves usually can be rigged to a thermostat, as well, to help control the temperature of your home. If you have an older gas stove, or you haven’t looked at gas stove options for several years, you likely will be pleasantly surprised by how closely newer models mimic the look of a traditional wood fire.

No matter what fuel source you are using, wood, pellet, or gas the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) strongly recommends that all chimneys be swept and inspected annually.

If you’re ready to upgrade your outdated heating stove, the experts at Clean Sweep Anne Arundel County can help you find the best option to heat your home efficiently and cleanly. Call us today!

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It’s that time of year again: As the last snow and ice melts and warmer temperatures emerge, we begin to assess the damage of winter. We notice the cracks in sidewalks and see road crews out in force filling in potholes. This time of year, it’s important to evaluate winter’s effects on your chimney, as the same freeze-thaw cycle that damages the roadways and parking lots also can damage chimneys and other home masonry work.

How the freeze-thaw cycle affects your chimney

Masonry materials, especially brick, are extremely porous. That means that when they come in contact with water, whether it’s from rain, ice or snow, they soak up that water like a sponge. When the temperature drops, the water inside your chimney’s masonry can freeze and expand. That damages the masonry. Bricks can crack and crumble, or “spall,” just like roads and sidewalks do. That damage to your chimney can compromise its structure and its ability to contain the heat and smoke from your fires.

How to address freeze-thaw damage

Each spring, it’s important to take a look at your chimney and examine it for signs of freeze-thaw or water damage, including cracked bricks, crumbling mortar and discoloration. If you’re able to access the top of your chimney easily, you can inspect your chimney crown to see if it has sustained any freeze-thaw damage. Spring can be a great time for your annual chimney sweeping and inspection because it gives professionals a chance to examine your chimney for freeze-thaw damage and provides ample time to repair the damage over the warm spring or summer months. The good news is that most freeze-thaw damage can be repaired easily if it’s caught early enough. Ignoring freeze-thaw damage can lead to more severe, harder-to-fix and more expensive repairs down the road.

How to prevent freeze-thaw damage

There are ways to help prevent freeze-thaw damage and avoid the need for future masonry repairs. First, you should have a chimney cap securely installed atop your flue. That prevents water from pouring down the inner walls of your chimney and causing freeze-thaw damage to flue tiles. Your chimney crown also should be kept in good repair, as it helps keep water from running down the sides of your chimney. Waterproofing is the most effective way to protect your chimney from water and freeze-thaw damage. Waterproofing involves applying a solution to your chimney’s exterior that prevent it from absorbing any water while still allowing the masonry to “breathe” and exhaust moisture from your chimney.

If you notice the signs of freeze-thaw damage on your chimney, if you’d like to schedule your annual chimney inspection for this spring or if you’d like to hear more about ways to protect your chimney from water and freeze-thaw damage, call Clean Sweep Anne Arundel County. We can inspect your chimney, perform necessary repairs and help you protect your chimney moving forward. “We Make Chimneys Healthy!

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Your chimney endures a lot of abuse through the winter months: The heat and smoke from your fires, freezing temperatures and rain, snow, ice and sleet. It’s easy to forget about your chimney once warmer weather hits, but it’s important to be on the lookout for signs of water leaks during the spring and summer months.

Damage caused by a leaking chimney

Water poses a major hazard to your chimney, fireplace and your home. Water leaking into and around your chimney can cause rusted dampers, grates and doors in your fireplace. It can deteriorate your chimney or firebox masonry, cause staining on your chimney’s masonry or lead to a cracks, missing or deteriorated mortar joints between the clay flue tiles. If the water leaking from your chimney gains access to your home’s structure, it can discolor your walls or wall coverings, cause sagging ceiling or wallboard, or rot the wood supports of your home’s structure. Water in your chimney also can react with the creosote inside, filling your home with an unpleasant smell during the warm summer months.

Signs of water leaks

Because water can be so damaging to your chimney, it’s important to be on the lookout for signs that water is making its way into your chimney and fireplace system. Some signs are more obvious, while others are relatively subtle. Water pooling in the bottom of your fireplace is a clear indication that water is getting into your chimney. You also may notice rusting in your fireplace components. On the exterior of your home, cracked bricks or crumbling mortar can be a clear sign of water damage. Vegetation growth on the brick such as mold,mildew and algae can be observed. A less obvious sign is discoloration on your chimney’s bricks. Often, if water is penetrating chimney masonry, there will be whitish staining down the sides of the chimney bricks, this is called efflorescence.

Causes of water leaks

If water is leaking into your chimney, there are many possible culprits. A loose, displaced, damaged or missing chimney cap can allow water to pour down the insides of your chimney flue, causing a major problem. Cracked or deteriorated chimney crowns also can fail to direct water away from your flue and allow water to flow into your chimney. At the base of your chimney, where it meets the roof, there’s a protective flashing meant to seal the gap. That flashing can crack, corrode or develop holes, which means it will fail to prevent water from leaking in around the base of the chimney. Also if you have a large chimney the absence of a chimney cricket can allow water pool and not be properly diverted away from the base of the chimney.

Ways to prevent spring water damage

As with most things, when it comes to a leaking chimney, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. One of the best ways to prevent water damage in your chimney is to inspect your chimney for signs of water damage each spring. Spring can be a great time for your annual chimney sweeping and inspection, always have a professional sweep inspect your chimney,they inspect the chimney crown, cap and flashing for signs of deterioration that could lead to leaks. The sweep also will look for early signs of water leaks so you can fix the leak before it leads to major damage.

If you have noticed signs of water damage, or if you want to schedule your spring chimney inspection, call Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County to schedule and appointment today!

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You probably think a lot about your chimney during the cold weather months, when you’re enjoying the warm crackle of your fireplace or the warmth from your home heating system. It’s important to remember your chimney when the wood-burning season and home heating season dies down, as we enter into spring.

Between the heat of your fires, the moisture of winter’s rain, sleet and snow, and extreme freezing temperatures, your chimney undergoes a lot of stress. It’s important to examine your chimney for your wood burning appliance as well your oil or gas furnace system now so you can spot any problems and have them addressed before next fall. We’ve created a spring chimney checklist to help you with spring chimney maintenance.

• Perform a visual inspection of your chimney. Walk around your chimney and look for any signs of damage, such as cracked or spalling bricks, crumbling or missing mortar, and discoloration. If you do see any of these problems, contact a chimney professional for a more thorough inspection to make sure your chimney is in the best condition for use, and to create a repair plan.
•  From the ground check your chimney top. Check to make sure your chimney has a chimney cap. If you are brave enough to go on the roof, look at your chimney crown. Do you notice cracks or missing pieces in your chimney crown? Or rust and holes in your chimney chase cover? While you’re up there, check the flashing at the base of your chimney to make sure it is entirely sealed and is free of any cracks and holes.
• Inspect your fireplace interior. Do you notice smoke stains above the fireplace opening? Check the firebox for missing mortar joints and cracks.
• Open and close your damper. Does it open and closed fully? Make sure that it is operating smoothly and does not show signs of rust, cracks, or warping.
• Check the connector pipe of your oil or gas furnace system for rust, deterioration, holes, or leakage.
• Clean out your firebox. Ash is acidic and can harm the bottom of your fireplace and your fireplace grate. Don’t leave ash in your fireplace over the summer months when your fireplace is not in use.
•  Examine the walls and ceiling around your chimney. If you notice that the wallboard or ceiling is discolored or sagging, or if you see peeling wallpaper, that could be a sign of a chimney leak.
•  Consider a chimney sweeping and inspection of your oil or gas furnace, fireplace, pellet or wood stove. While most people wait until the fall for their annual sweeping and inspection, a spring sweeping removes creosote or soot in your chimney which over time can build up causing performance issues to occur exactly when you don’t want them … when it’s cold outside! It also gives you plenty of time to schedule and execute any repairs your professional chimney technician recommends before the next wood-burning and home heating season.

If your spring chimney check list reveals any of the above, or if you’d like to have your chimney professionally swept and inspected this spring, call the chimney experts at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County today. We’ll make sure your chimney is in good working order and ready for use when the cold weather returns next fall.

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If you have an older chimney, discoloration can be easy to dismiss as a natural part of the aging process. If your chimney is turning colors, however, it usually indicates a larger problem. The exact shade of chimney discoloration usually provides a decent indication of what the problem is. So what color is your chimney?

White

White stains on your chimney, called efflorescence, are mineral deposits left behind when rain and moisture evaporate. Efflorescence stains on the sides of chimneys are usually chalky or crystalline looking. They can be merely cosmetic and indicate nothing more than the amount of precipitation your chimney endures. However, efflorescence also can indicate that water is running down the inner walls of your chimney, evaporating and leaving efflorescence behind. White chimney staining should always be investigated by a chimney professional to ensure that water isn’t leaking into your chimney and causing damage. If it’s determined that the efflorescence is being caused by the elements and not by water leaks, the white staining is a cosmetic issue that should wash away easily.

Green, Blue, or Black Stains

Green, blue or black stains down your chimney walls should raise a major alarm. Those types of staining usually are caused by mold or algae growth on your chimney’s masonry, which indicates that your chimney is being subjected to large quantities of moisture. This could be due to cracks in the chimney allowing water in, or due to an external source, such as an overflow of water from a blocked gutter. If you see green, blue or black stains on your chimney and suspect water damage, call a chimney expert immediately. Unchecked water damage can compromise your chimney’s structure and cause damage to your home’s structure.

Black or Brown Streaks

Black or brown streaking down the sides of your chimney is usually caused by creosote washing down the walls of your chimney. This can either be due to a buildup of creosote and soot on your chimney cap — a sign that your fireplace isn’t burning properly or that your flue is improperly sized for your heating appliance — or due to cracks in the chimney’s masonry that are allowing soot to seep out of the sides of your chimney. This can be an incredibly dangerous situation, as it means that your chimney isn’t venting properly. That could expose your home to carbon monoxide. A chimney inspection should be able to locate any cracks and check that your fireplace is burning properly.

While it can be tempting to dismiss chimney discoloration as a normal part of your chimney’s aging process, don’t ignore it! It can indicate a major problem that endangers your chimney’s structure and your home. If your chimney has an unusual color, call Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County today to schedule an inspection and consult with one of our chimney experts.

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Every chimney needs a good chimney cap. If you are unsure of what’s sitting atop your chimney; take a peek! The opening of your chimney flue should be covered with a peaked metal structure affixed to the top of your chimney with a metal cage. A proper chimney cap plays an important role in protecting your home and your chimney.

Prevent water damage.

Probably the most fundamental function of a chimney cap is that the chimney cap’s “roof” covers your chimney opening, preventing water from flowing down the inside of your chimney’s walls and causing major damage. In fact, the Chimney Safety Institute of America has declared chimney caps as the cheapest and most effective way to protect your chimney and fireplace from water damage.

Block drafts.

In addition to keeping water from running down your chimney, your chimney cap’s solid roof can prevent sudden gusts of wind from drafting down your chimney. Drafts have the obvious negative effect of cooling your home, but they also can fill your home with smoke from your fireplace or, if they are strong enough, they can disrupt the fire in your fireplace and send burning embers or smoke out into your home.

Keep animals and debris out.

The cage that supports the chimney cap also plays a vital role in keeping your chimney safe. That cage keeps animals and birds from entering your chimney and blocks debris, such as leaves and twigs, from blowing down your chimney. Blockages within your chimney are a fire hazard, and they prevent noxious gases, including carbon monoxide, from exiting your home.

Reduce your fire risk.

That metal cage supporting the chimney caps also serves another purpose. Sometimes called a “spark arrestor,” a fine mesh cage keeps any burning embers that may make their way up your flue from exiting the chimney. Uncontained, those burning embers can ignite your roof or other nearby bushes, trees or buildings.

At Clean Sweep Anne Arundel County, we install quality, long-lasting chimney caps that are meant to protect your chimney and your home. We offer stainless steel chimney caps and, for a different aesthetic and longer life, copper chimney caps. We have chimney caps in different styles,colors and sizes to fit your flue. We even make and install custom chimney caps, so you are sure to find the right solution and the right look for your chimney!

If you’re in need of a new chimney cap, call the experts at Clean Sweep Anne Arundel County today! We can evaluate your chimney flue and provide you with appropriate chimney cap options to suit. If you are not sure what type of chimney cap you have, or if it is adequately protecting your home and chimney, be sure to ask your chimney sweep about your chimney cap during your next sweeping and inspection.

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Water penetration and damage can prematurely shorten the life of your chimney and your home costing you hundreds and thousands of dollars in repairs. That is why we believe in preventative maintenance from water intrusion for your chimney.

One area of your roof that can be especially susceptible to leaks is at the base of chimney and roof. If your chimney is at the bottom of a slope on your roof, this area is a potential point of weakness in your chimney. Water can repeatedly make its way under the flashing and cause a slow, seeping leak that can cause extensive damage before it is noticed, identified, and repaired. One way to protect your roof and chimney from leaking at the chimney is with a chimney cricket.

What is a chimney cricket?

A cricket is a tent-shaped piece of metal, but it is often covered in roofing material and sealed with additional flashing that is placed at the high side of your chimney. The cricket helps to divert water away from your chimney’s base and down the sides of your roof. As added protection,it prevents water from flowing down the roof and gathering at the chimney base at the roof.

When should a chimney cricket be installed?

The National Fire Protection Association 211 standards and the International Residential Code call for the installation of a cricket on the high side of chimneys that are wider than 30 inches. While those are the only code regulations regarding crickets, there are other situations in which a cricket should be considered. If chimneys are placed on a portion of the roof that handles a lot of rain water, a cricket can be crucial to protecting your roofline from a leak. If you live in an area that endures a lot of wet weather — whether it’s rain or snow — a cricket also is a good idea. Finally, if you’ve suffered a roof leak at the base of your chimney in the past, a chimney cricket is one way you can protect your roof and chimney from suffering another leak in the future.

What are the other benefits of a chimney cricket?

In addition to diverting water from the base of your chimney, a chimney cricket also can protect your chimney in other ways. Without a cricket, debris such as leaves and sticks can build up at the base of your chimney, which can be detrimental to your roofline. That debris can rot and mold and wear out the roof at your chimney’s base prematurely. Water that pools at the base of your chimney also can freeze during the winter months, putting pressure on and damaging your roof.

How can you protect your chimney with a cricket?

If you are worried about water leaks at the base of your chimney, or if you have suffered a water leak in the past and want to prevent a future one, call the chimney experts at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County today! We can install a cricket and explain other ways to keep your chimney protected from water damage. If you already have a cricket in place, make sure your chimney sweep inspects the cricket and flashing as part of your annual chimney sweeping and inspection to make sure it’s in good condition.

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Your woodstove should be a valued asset each winter. It can make your home warm and cozy, and help lower your home-heating bills. An attractive, well-functioning woodstove can serve as a gathering place for your family and friends on a cold day, providing ambiance and heat.

From time to time, however, woodstoves can cause some problems. Most woodstove problems are relatively common, and can be dealt with quickly to keep your wood stove performing as it should.

A smoking woodstove

Perhaps nothing is more alarming than lighting a fire within your woodstove, closing the door and having smoke come pouring back into your home around the sides of the door or where the chimney connects to the stove. While it is alarming, a smoking woodstove is an incredibly common problem that usually has an easy solution. As woodstoves age, gaskets, seals and connectors can become loose or worn and will allow smoke to escape your stove. Once you have the worn parts professionally inspected and repaired, you should be set to enjoy smoke-free fires once more.

Improper draft

An improper draft can be a frustrating thing. You light a fire, but the fire struggles to burn warmly and efficiently. When your wood stove isn’t drafting properly, it fails to draw enough air in to fuel the fire and force the smoke up the chimney. A bad draft can be caused by an improperly sized chimney, or lack of available air in your home; homes are more air tight now than ever before. An improperly sized chimney must be fixed by a professional, but you might be able to find a solution if the problem is lack of available air. Make sure that all appliances that require air, such as kitchen range hoods and bathroom fans, are turned off when the fireplace is in use. You also can crack a window open near your woodstove to help it draw in more oxygen.

Blocked chimney

It is important to have your chimney swept and inspected each fall before you begin to use your woodstove for the season. Your chimney can become blocked with debris such as leaves and tree branches or if an animal finds its way in. The terra cotta flue liner may have deteriorated and pieces of the liner may have broken off causing a blockage. If you suspect your chimney is blocked, you will need to schedule a professional chimney sweeping before you burn another fire.

A cold, smoky fire

If your woodstove has never given you any problems and it has been burning well all season, and suddenly you experience cold, smoky fires, check your wood quality! To burn efficiently, woodstoves need dry, seasoned firewood. Without it, fires will fail to reach an ideal burn temperature. Your fires also will create an excessive amount of smoke, which fill your chimney with creosote at an alarming rate. How you build your fires can decrease the problem. Build a top down fire, this technique allows you to place the largest logs at the bottom of the woodstove with ends facing front and back. Stack the smaller logs until the firebox is about half full,topping the wood with kindling.Building a fire this way creates less smoke and also requires less tending.

If your woodstove is giving you problems and you can’t find a solution, call the fireplace and chimney experts at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County! We can inspect your stove and chimney to help you identify the source of your woodstove problems and provide the fixes that will have you enjoying your stove again.

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Take everything you’ve ever known about building a fire and turn it on its head.

Nearly everyone who has learned to build a fire has learned the same method. Begin by placing wadded up newspapers in a pile on the bottom. Then add kindling. Then add some larger pieces of wood. Then a few large logs. Light the newspaper and wait for the fire to ignite. Add some larger logs when the fire gets going.

Believe it or not, this isn’t the most efficient way to build a fire. By reversing this thinking and building a top-down fire, you can achieve a hotter, more efficient burn that ignites faster, creates less smoke and burns longer before it needs to be refueled. A top-down burn takes advantage of gravity as it ignites, which means that the larger pieces of wood catch fire faster. For this reason, we believe that a top-down burn is a better way to burn.

We know habits can be hard to break, and building a top-down fire can take some getting used to. But once you practice our methodology and get used to the construction of a top-down fire, you will be building hotter, cleaner fires. Here’s how to do it:

• Step 1: Place your largest longs in a single layer on your fireplace grate. Start with dry firewood and place your largest split logs, the ones you would normally add last, in a single layer on your fireplace grate.
• Step: 2: Add your medium-sized logs. Add a smaller layer of logs, about halfway up your fireplace, on top of your largest logs. Depending on the size of your firebox and your wood, you may have one layer of medium-sized logs, or you may have two. Just make sure your logs get progressively smaller from one layer to the next.
• Step: 3: Top with kindling. Take your usual form of kindling and place it in a layer on top of your pile of firewood.
• Step 4: Weave in newspapers. Add your chosen choice of fire starter, which for most people would be tightly balled or twisted pieces of newspaper. Tuck them snugly in between pieces of kindling.
• Step 5: Light your fire and enjoy. As you would with your traditionally constructed fire, ignite the newspaper with a long match or lighter. As the newspaper burns, it will ignite the kindling and then the larger logs. Because the fire is taking advantage of gravity, it will ignite faster and hotter. And because you were able to put down more larger logs to start, you can go longer without having to add more wood to your fire!

At Clean Sweep Anne Arundel County, we’re committed to teaching you the best way to heat your home with your fireplace or wood stove. Call us with any questions, to schedule an appointment for your chimney sweeping and inspection, or to talk to us about increasing your home’s efficiency with a fireplace, fireplace insert or wood stove.

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It is that time of year again. With Winter just around the corner, homeowners everywhere are scheduling their fireplace inspections, cleanings, and more. To-do lists form fast, especially with the holiday season in sight, which is why we are reminding you to have your chimney chase cover replaced now. Call in the experts at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County before things get extra busy!

A chase cover protects your chimney from water damage and prevents countless other issues, as well. Without it, you will likely face leaks, holes, cracks, and all types of necessary repairs. We want your chimney to perform efficiently, which is why replacing your chase cover is vital before temperatures drop, and burning season really kicks off.

Many homes have chase covers made of galvanized metal, which over time will rust and develop holes. That is why we recommend to replace it with stainless steel so you will not have to worry about this issue again.

Depend On The Experts

Online tutorials and step-by-step guides often promote jobs like these as easy do-it-yourself projects. While a few fireplace maintenance can be done on the part of the homeowner, we recommend leaving any inspections, installations and repairs to the experts. Check out some reasons why below!

• Save Money: Believe or not, most homeowners save money in the long run by calling in the experts from the start. Purchasing the necessary materials and tools to complete these projects can add up quickly, and, should anything go wrong, you’ll be facing a lot of repair costs. For long-lasting and efficient results, depend on the pros.
• Ensure Safety: A trained and CSIA certified chimney technician knows exactly how to address needed repairs. They get the job done right, so you know that fires are safe to light in your home. Improper installation or fixes can lead to exposure to harmful toxins, as well as countless other hazards that may trigger chimney fires. Keep your home and family as safe as possible by calling in a professional today.
• Minimize Stress: Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it. The stress of shopping, decorating, cooking, and preparing for countless get-togethers puts a toll on any homeowner. Let us take on some of your workload today! The staff at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County can replace your chase cover with ease, leaving you ready to go for the holiday season.

Whatever your issue, we want to help! Call on us to inspect, sweep, and repair your chimney and fireplace. By depending on the experts at Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County, you will gain the peace of mind you deserve. We look forward to working with you!

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