While fall may not start until September 22, cooler temperatures are already starting to arrive. This year, make sure your fireplace is ready to go when the first cold snap hits by having your chimney swept now! It’s not too late to have your chimney swept for the year; annual maintenance is an important part of keeping your chimney burning efficiently, and now may be the perfect time to have it swept.
The importance of annual chimney sweepings
Your fireplace needs attention more than just when you’re using it – or when it isn’t working properly. Regular preventative maintenance can help lengthen the lifespan of your chimney system while also keeping your fireplace burning safely and efficiently. One of the most important – and most well-known – annual maintenance items homeowners can have done is a chimney sweeping.
During the sweeping, the chimney sweep will use brushes, vacuums, and other tools to remove soot, ash, and creosote from the firebox and flue. The removal of creosote is one of the most important parts of the chimney sweeping; creosote is highly flammable, and the accidental ignition of creosote buildup in the chimney is the leading cause of chimney fires.
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, all chimneys – no matter how often they are used – should be swept at least once per year. This follows the National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 which says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” Whether you use your fireplace a few times each season or are burning in it every day, maintenance needs to be done at least once per year. If you use your fireplace as a primary heating source in your home, it may need to be swept more often.
Don’t forget a chimney inspection!
In addition to your chimney sweeping, a chimney inspection can be another important part of annual maintenance.
“A chimney inspection is like an annual dental check-up,” says Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the CSIA. “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards.”
During a chimney inspection, the chimney sweep will evaluate all accessible interior and exterior portions of the fireplace and chimney. Doing this can help identify any areas of damage or deterioration, often long before the fireplace has begun experiencing performance problem. This allows problem areas to be repaired sooner, saving you money on major repairs in the future.
Chimney inspections can also be used as a diagnostic tool. If you are experiencing a fireplace performance problem such as drafting issues, ongoing leaks, or repeated animal entry, a chimney inspection can help identify the root cause of the problem.
Whether you use your fireplace once per year or every day, a regular annual chimney sweeping is the best way to protect the longevity of your chimney system. To schedule your next chimney sweeping, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today!
The Minnesota State Fair may be over, but there is still time to take advantage of our special pricing! For a limited time, we are offering a State Fair Special on both chimney sweepings with inspections and gas fireplace and insert maintenance. Take advantage of this special pricing until it ends on September 16!
Minnesota State Fair Special Details
We are currently offering special State Fair pricing to our customers on select services. Now through September 16, save $40 per sweep with inspection; all chimney sweepings and inspections are carried out by a CSIA certified chimney sweep.
In addition to services for your wood burning fireplace, we also have special pricing on gas fireplace and insert services. Customers can save $20 off their gas fireplace and insert maintenance services. In order to take advantage of these special fall savings, customers must mention the website coupon.
Chimney sweepings and inspections
While we offer a wide range of chimney services, one of the best things you can do for your fireplace system is to have it swept and inspected every year. Regular yearly chimney sweepings can keep your fireplace burning safely and efficiently; by removing flammable creosote buildup from the flue we can significantly reduce the risk of accidental chimney fire.
In addition to having your chimney swept, an inspection can help identify any areas of damage or deterioration. “A chimney inspection is like an annual dental check-up,” says Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the CSIA. “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards.”
At Jack Pixley Sweeps, we are one of the few companies in the area that provides closed circuit camera inspections. This level of inspection helps uncover any hidden damage within the chimney and can be an important diagnostic tool when uncovering the cause of long term chimney issues such as leaks or drafting problems.
Gas fireplace and insert maintenance
Gas fireplaces and inserts need maintenance, too! While these heating appliances may not require you to shovel ashes after every use, they still need to be regularly cleaned and inspected. Professional care is especially needed for gas fireplaces; due to the delicate and exact connections needed by the gas lines, accidentally shifting a burning as little as half an inch can cause major performance problems.
Fireplace inserts also need regular upkeep and maintenance. The kind of fuel source your insert uses will impact the kind of preventative care it needs. While the flue of gas inserts need to be inspected for signs of acidic condensation, wood burning inserts need to be checked for the same creosote buildup as traditional masonry fireplaces.
Don’t put off your chimney maintenance; schedule before September 16th and take advantage about our state fair pricing! For more information on our State Fair Special, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today – and don’t forget to mention our online coupon! We are proud to serve our friends and neighbors in the Twin Cities and are dedicated to being “the name you can trust!”
We rely on the appliances in our home to work day in and day out. However, one appliance in your home may have a hidden fire hazard – your dryer.
Despite the fact that most of us use our dryers several times a week, very few homeowners clean their dryers beyond emptying the lint trap. Not having your dryer vents professionally cleaned, however, increases your risk of home fire. Regular dryer maintenance and cleaning is an important part of making your dryer – and your home – safer.
The danger of clogged dryer vents
Lint doesn’t just accumulate in your lint trap; it can also build up in your dryer vents. As most of us know this lint is extremely flammable; it is the buildup of this lint that can lead to dryer fires.
As lint and other debris builds up in the dryer vents it constricts air flow to the dryer. With less air, the dryer is forced to work harder to heat the air, producing hotter and hotter air as the dryer vents get progressively more clogged. If the dryer vents are not cleaned, the super heated air can ignite the lint in the vents and lead to a home fire.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that clogged dryer vents are the cause of more than 15,000 home fires each year. These dryer fires cause more than $200 million in damages to homes and properties – but can be largely prevented with regular dryer vent cleanings.
Why have your dryer vents professional cleaned
Having your dryer vents professionally cleaned can make your home safer by reducing the risk of dryer fire. During a cleaning, our dryer vent experts use a rotary system to ensure that all lint is removed from the venting system. Likewise, instead of blowing the lint onto your lawn – and making a bigger mess for you – our equipment collects and removes the lint. Lastly, our vent cleaning services includes an inspection of your dryer vents to make sure there are no holes, kinks, or other hazards in the venting system.
Signs your dryer vents may be clogged
While it is recommended to have your dryer vents cleaned about once per year, how often your dryer is used can impact how often they need to be maintained. However, your dryer may be offering you clues that it is time for a dryer vent cleaning! The following are six signs your dryer vents are beginning to get clogged and need to be cleaned.
- Regular loads of clothes are not dry after a full cycle
- Clothes or the dryer are too hot to touch after use
- The inside of the dryer has a damp, musty odor
- Loads begin taking progressively longer and longer to dry completely
- The laundry room or area around the dryer becomes significantly warmer after use
- More lint is found in the lint trap or can be seen around exterior vents
By having your dryer vents professionally cleaned, you can help protect your family by significantly reducing the risk of dryer fire in your home. To schedule your next dryer vent cleaning, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today.
While the exterior masonry of your chimney is designed to stand up to the elements, the interior masonry of the firebox is much more delicate. Although it can withstand extremely high temperatures, the firebox can be easily damaged – and if it is damaged your fireplace may not be safe to use. Luckily, there are a number of ways to start loving your fireplace again; by rebuilding the firebox, you can continue to safely enjoy your fireplace for years to come.
What causes firebox damage?
Fireboxes are built to withstand the high heat and direct flames from a fire; however, they are less able to stand up to other elements and other types of wear and tear. The following are three of the most common causes of firebox damage.
- Using the wrong building materials. There is a specific type of refractory masonry that needs to be used when building fireboxes. If the wrong materials are used, the firebox can quickly deteriorate under exposure to heat and flames. Likewise, many contractors attempt to cut costs by building fireboxes themselves; by not using a mason to correctly build the firebox, it may need more maintenance in the future in order to continue burning safely.
- Moisture. While your exterior chimney might be able to withstand moisture from the elements, the masonry in your firebox cannot. Even small amounts of moisture from a chimney leak – or water being used in an attempt to douse a fire – can cause serious damage to the firebox.
- Settling. Even well built homes – and chimneys – are prone to settling. Over time, a home can shift slightly as the surrounding soil compresses and moves. Known as settling, it can cause cracks to appear within the masonry of the firebox. When this happens, it is often because the footings of the chimney were not built to support the full weight of the fireplace and chimney.
Rebuilding your firebox
No matter what has caused your firebox damage, it is often not safe to use the firebox until it has been repaired. Because of this, it is important to have a chimney professional complete any firebox repairs.
If the refractory panels of your firebox have been damaged, it may be possible to replace them. Doing this can repair the firebox – without the necessity of a full fireplace rebuild. Likewise, replacing damaged refractory panels can help extend the life of the rest of the fireplace while making it more structurally sound.
Damaged masonry in the firebox can also be repaired by tuckpointing. During the tuckpointing process, the deteriorating refractory mortar is carefully removed to avoid damage to the surrounding masonry. Next, new mortar is applied; by replacing only the damaged masonry, the rest of the firebox is unaffected and costly complete replacement can be avoided.
Don’t give up being able to use your fireplace just because the firebox is damaged. Instead, trust Jack Pixley Sweeps to repair or rebuild your firebox! Contact us today for more information on firebox damage or to schedule your firebox repair appointment!
While Jack Pixley Sweeps may be the name you trust for all your fireplace and chimney needs, we can take care of other areas of your home too! Did you know we also offer professional gutter cleaning services? Having your gutters cleaned is a wonderful way to maintain your home’s exterior while keeping water out of your house.
Why do I need to have my gutters cleaned?
Gutters protect both the interior and exterior of your home by directing water away from the house and safely into drainage areas away from your home. While we often take gutters for granted when they are working properly, good gutters can protect the foundation, windows, siding, and interior ceilings and walls in your home.
Gutters aren’t just important on rainy days; they can also help protect your home during winter weather. The presence of gutters prevents large icicles from forming directly on the shingles of your roofline. This added barrier of protection prevents the icicles from pulling on the shingles while minimizing the risk of water entry.
What are the benefits of clean gutters?
Having clean gutters can prevent water damage in and around your home. Functioning gutters keep water away from the roof, foundation, siding, and windows of your home; this, in turn, keeps water from damaging ceilings, walls, and floors inside your home. Having clean gutters can also have unexpected benefits, such as preventing mold, mildew, and rotting wood. Likewise, this can help reduce the risk of termite infestation as the insects are drawn to the moisture.
How often should I clean my gutters?
How often you need to have your gutters cleaned can depend on a number of factors including location of your home, number of trees nearby, and the kinds of trees and foliage surrounding your home. While most homeowners need to have their gutters cleaned twice per year, the number or kinds of trees surrounding your home can impact how much debris accumulates. The more leaves, pinecones, branches, and other debris that accumulate on your roof or in your gutters, the more often your gutters need to be cleaned.
How can I tell if my gutters need to be cleaned?
There are a number of ways to tell if it is time to have your gutters cleaned.
- Visible debris or blockages in the gutters. This includes bird nests, leaves, branches, and even lost toys and balls.
- Water overflowing from the gutters during rain storms, especially if it is not raining hard
- Water damage along the side of the home or water pooling on the sides of the home
- Water dripping from the gutters even if it has not recently rained
- The presence of water in the basement not caused by a plumbing leak
If you trust Jack Pixley Sweeps to take care of your fireplace and chimney, trust us with other areas of your home too. Contact us today for more information on our professional gutter cleaning services or to schedule an appointment.
