When shopping for a new home, a fireplace can be a major selling point. Some homebuyers, however, are surprised to find that the fireplaces in their new homes have wood in areas that pose a fire hazard. Two of the most common places wood is found that can create a risk for fire is in the ash pit below the firebox and lintel area above the firebox.
During an annual sweep, the CSIA certified technicians at Jack Pixley Sweeps also conduct a thorough inspection of the interior and exterior of the fireplace and chimney. These inspections are taken a step further when an ash pit is present in the home or there is wood in the lintel area.
What is an ash pit?
An ash pit is a compartment at the base of the fireplace that is designed to hold a season’s worth of fireplace ashes. The main purpose of an ash pit is that homeowners do not have to remove ashes each time they use their fireplaces, which is especially helpful during the often inclement weather of the cold months of winter.
Mostly found in older homes instead of new construction, ash pits are typically built of cinder blocks or cement. However, sometimes wood is used by contractors to support the masonry during the building of the fireplace and ash pit. If left behind, this wood can create a serious fire hazard to the home. If ashes are not completely cool or if embers are not fully extinguished before being put in the ash pit, any remaining hot coals could ignite the wood and start a fire.
How to address wood in an ash pit
If wood is discovered in the ash pit, the most common recommendation is to discontinue use of the ash pit and seal it off. While it is possible to remove the wood, it is often an extremely costly project.
What is a lintel area?
A lintel is a load bearing component that holds up the top row of bricks in the fireplace opening. While modern lintels for fireplaces are made of steel, some older lintels may be made of wood. This can again pose a fire hazard as stray sparks or embers could accidentally ignite the wood.
How to address a wood lintel
Although wood in the lintel area is also difficult to remove, it can be done. However, the main concern with a wood lintel is that there is also wood in other areas that cannot be found without a Level III inspection. This level of inspection is often seen as a last resort because it involves removing portions of walls, masonry, or other structures to investigate the problem.
Instead, homeowners with wood lintels are advised to either discontinue use of their wood burning fireplace or install a gas insert to continue using the fireplace space. If you have questions or concerns about the presence of wood in your ash pit or lintel areas or need to schedule an annual sweep and inspection, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today!
Jack Pixley Sweeps uses a chim-scan camera on each chimney flue 6″ or greater
When one of our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified technicians from Jack Pixley Sweeps visits your home to perform your annual chimney inspection, we are certain you will be impressed and very satisfied with our special touch to the inspection: the Chim-Scan Closed Circuit Internal Evaluation System. Without this video technology, the inspector cannot see every inch of your chimney’s interior. Nor can he show you exactly what is wrong with your chimney. With the Chim-Scan camera, we can examine every area of your chimney, and we will show you the video footage after the inspection and explain our findings to you. We would like to tell you more about this phenomenal technology and why an inspection using the closed circuit Chim-Scan camera is so much better than one without this technological tool.
What Is a Chim-Scan?
According to the Estoban Foundation, the company that developed and manufactured this product, a Chim-Scan is a remote imaging apparatus designed to be raised or lowered into a chimney that provide the viewers, such as the chimney inspector and the homeowner, the ability to see every inch of the interior of a chimney up close. Via the Chim-Scan Closed Circuit Internal Evaluation System, the inspector and the homeowner have a view of areas that cannot be seen by regular visual means.
Why Is Using a Chim-Scan During a Chimney Inspection So Important?
Since the Chim-Scan camera can see every inch of your chimney’s interior, we may discover damage that would have been missed without a Chim-Scan. Damage to the inside of your chimney typically needs repairing before your fireplace can be safely used. Cracks in any part of your flue allow the toxic gases from combustion to leak out into your home. If you continue to have fires when your flue is cracked, you run the risk of further cracking due to parts of the flue not being protected from the heat of combustion. A Chim-Scan can also provide you with photographic and/or video evidence of damage if needed for insurance purposes.
What Are Other Benefits of the Chim-Scan Closed Circuit Internal Evaluation System?
Not only does a Chim-Scan find “hidden” flue damage, but it can also be used to diagnose chimney fire damage, find “patch” jobs done by amateurs, and indicate the presence of animals and/or their nests inside a chimney. Especially important after a chimney fire, it can help indicate the cause of the fire, how much damage occurred in the fire, and thoroughly document the situation for an insurance claim. After the scan has been conducted, there are different types of media you may receive including written reports, pictures, and video recordings.
Are you interested in the most thorough chimney inspection you can have? Contact Jack Pixley Sweeps to schedule your annual chimney inspection with the benefits of a Chim-Scan camera.
Not sure what a chimney crown is or why it’s important? Learn why below!
In the past, we have had customers come to us to fix what other companies have previously repaired. Not only does this cost them far more money in the long run, but it also typically means their chimney has been further damaged. When it comes to chimney repairs, the lowest bid does not always equal the best service.
What are chimney crowns?
A chimney crown, sometimes known as a chimney wash, is the slab that covers the top of the chimney structure. Chimney crowns are important because they protect both the interior and exterior chimney structure from the elements. An improperly installed or damaged chimney crown can expose the interior of the chimney and fireplace to rain, snow, and other moisture while simultaneously exposing the brick and mortar of the chimney itself.
What to look for in a chimney crown
Although they can be difficult to inspect from the ground, there are several hallmarks of good chimney crowns that homeowners should be aware of. The first is the overhang, or drip ledge. To prevent water from flowing directly onto the masonry of the chimney structure, chimney crowns should have a drip ledge of at least 2 to 2.5 inches on all sides. These overhangs serve as miniature gutters, protecting the brickwork and mortar from direct exposure to rain and snow.
Another detail to look for is the material the chimney crown is made of. While regular masons may be qualified to lay bricks and mortar for a chimney, the same materials should never be used for the chimney crown itself. Because brickwork and mortar are porous materials, they should never be used to construct a chimney crown. If your chimney crown is made of mortar, it will quickly crack and deteriorate due to exposure to the elements. Instead, crowns should always be constructed from solid metal, stone, or concrete slabs.
Chimney crown supporting structures
While not technically part of a chimney crown, chimney flashing is an important structural element that also helps prevent moisture from entering a chimney structure. Even with a properly sized overhang, flashing is an additional layer of protection against the elements. Often made of metals such as aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper, flashing is designed to create a waterproof seal between the chimney and the roof itself.
However, flashing is often improperly installed which may cause the waterproof seal to be broken. Roofers often use too many nail holes, creating tiny crevices from rain and snow to gain access to the brick and mortar underneath. Likewise, over time the flashing may become loose or damaged, especially in areas prone to severe weather.
At Jack Pixley Sweeps, we can do more than just clean and inspect your fireplace. Our masons are specially trained to craft chimney crowns that are constructed with extreme attention to detail. While our services may not always be the least expensive, our chimney crowns are guaranteed to protect your chimney and last for years to come.
Most consumers like to shop around to ensure that they are getting the best price. For many, this same mentality applies when looking for a chimney sweep. When choosing a chimney sweep company, however, the least expensive company might not be the best choice.
While it may be tempting to go with the company who offers the cheapest quotes and services, there are a number of factors that homeowners should consider before choosing a company to clean, maintain, and repair their chimney or fireplace.
Why choose a certified chimney sweep?
Although sweeping a chimney may seem like a relatively simple job, it is important to ensure that you are working with a CSIA, or Chimney Safety Institute of America, certified sweep. Hiring a CSIA certified chimney sweep guarantees that you are working with a highly trained and competent professional who is up to date on and comfortable using the most advanced techniques and technology in the industry. All of the technicians from Jack Pixley Sweeps are members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and certified by the CSIA.
While there are competent companies without their CSIA or NCSG certifications, this may indicate that a chimney sweep is not fully trained or knowledgeable enough to successfully and accurately clean and assess the condition of your chimney or fireplace. Likewise, those with their CSIA certification are held to higher standards both in terms of professionalism and level of knowledge.
Chimney sweeps should do much more than just remove creosote residue and debris during an annual cleaning. Certified sweeps perform a number of additional duties during their inspections, including inspecting the inside and outside of the fireplace system for signs of deterioration, making sure there is no potential risk of carbon monoxide exposure, and even evaluating fireplace and chimney efficiency. A less expensive or less knowledgeable company may leave out these necessary services in an effort to save themselves time and money.
Choosing the right company
In an area where there are multiple chimney sweep companies to choose from, it is important that homeowners make educated and informed decisions about who they trust with the care and upkeep of their fireplace systems. To help homeowners in their decision making process, the CSIA has provided a list of questions to ask prospective chimney sweep companies.
How long has your company been in business?
- Can you offer current references?
- Does your company have unresolved complaints filed with the city, state, or Better Business Bureau?
- Do you have business liability insurance to protect against accidents?
- Will a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep will be on the job site?
While it may seem like an excellent way to save a few dollars, going with the cheapest chimney sweep company may lead to future problems. Incorrectly cleaned and maintained fireplaces and chimneys could lead to costly repairs as well as pose a potential safety and health hazard. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and countless reviews from satisfied customers, you can trust Jack Pixley Sweeps to get the job done right – the first time.
Use only a certified chimney sweep like Jack Pixley Sweeps to work on your chimney system
Fireplaces are an important part of our homes. In addition to serving a decorative or aesthetic purpose, they add value to a house and can serve as a reliable heat source during cold winter months. Despite the importance of proper fireplace and chimney maintenance, many homeowners neglect to complete necessary annual cleanings or attempt to do it themselves.
While DIY projects are a great way to save money on many household projects, cleaning a chimney system is not a project that should be undertaken by the average weekend warrior. By hiring a certified professional, homeowners can guarantee that their chimneys and fireplaces will last for years to come.
Why use a certified chimney sweep?
Just as you would not go to a dentist for a broken leg, it is not recommended to hire a regular renovation company to clean, update, or repair a broken fireplace or chimney. Hiring a certified chimney sweep ensures that the person servicing your chimney system is a trained professional who is up to date with the latest technology, standards, and techniques in the industry.
Most reputable companies will have chimney sweeps certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, or CSIA. With over 1,400 CSIA certified chimney sweeps in North America, it is easy to locate one of these highly trained professionals to service your chimney system. The technicians from Jack Pixley Sweeps are certified by both the CSIA and the National Chimney Sweep Guild.
What can I expect from a certified chimney sweep?
CSIA certified chimney sweeps are held to a higher level of knowledge and professionalism than others working in the industry. Because of this, you can expect your chimney sweep to be knowledgeable about the most recent advancements in chimney, fireplace, and venting safety along with the local building codes and manufacturer’s instructions for newly installed appliances.
Certified chimney sweeps should also act in a professional manner, including taking the time to explain how the cleaning process works, answering any questions you may have, and ensuring that furniture, carpets, and any other home décor is properly protected before beginning. Sweeps will evaluate both the interior and exterior of your chimney system, employing tools like the traditional chimney brush along with more modern technology such as vacuums, cameras, and other electronics.
Why is an annual inspection important?
An annual chimney inspection or cleaning is a chore that many homeowners tend to put off or ignore. Because of this, many small problems that could be easily and inexpensively fixed are not found until they become much bigger, more expensive, and more labor intensive problems.
“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.” Additionally, the National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 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.”
A certified chimney sweep will be able to not only clean and maintain your fireplace system, but will also be able to identify any areas in need of repair or those that many deteriorate in the future. Sweeps are also able to diagnose the causes behind common issues such as drafty chimneys, water leakage, or animal entry.
During an annual sweep, the CSIA certified technicians at Jack Pixley Sweeps also conduct a thorough inspection of the interior and exterior of the fireplace and chimney. These inspections are taken a step further when an ash pit is present in the home or there is wood in the lintel area.
