Chimney systems are deceptively simple. For example, a simple stone column actually consists of several different components. They all need care and maintenance in order to keep your fireplace burning safely and efficiently. One of the most important – yet often ignored – chimney components is the chimney crown.
What is a chimney crown?
The chimney crown is the concrete or masonry slab that sits on top of the chimney structure, sealing around the flue. Quality chimney crowns slope gently down and away from the flue to prevent a buildup of moisture on top of the chimney crown. This helps prevent chimney leaks and water entering the chimney system.
What causes chimney crown damage?
Improper installation or construction often causes chimney crown damage. Because of their location and exposure to moisture and the elements, it is extremely important that chimney crowns are built using quality construction practices and materials. If not, the crown can deteriorate prematurely.
While bricks and mortar are ideal building materials for the chimney structure, they are unsuited for use in a chimney crown. Mortar-based mixes are significantly more susceptible to water damage; moisture, sun exposure, and changing temperatures can cause mortar-based crowns to crack and age.
Crowns built without an adequate slope deteriorate prematurely. When the chimney crown is too flat, moisture from rain, sleet, snow, and other sources can pool on top of the chimney instead of running off onto the roof. Over time, this can cause cracks and holes to form in the chimney crown.
Temperature disparity can also cause damage to the chimney crown. During the winter, exposure to cooler air temperatures causes the crown to become cold. However, when the fireplace is in use the flue can become extremely hot as it vents; the disparity in temperature between the flue and the chimney crown can cause the stone to expand and contract, opening it up to water damage.
Was my chimney crown properly built?
Few homeowners spend a significant amount of time on their roof or looking at their chimney. Therefore, it can be difficult to spot damage or deterioration to the chimney crown. The best way to evaluate the condition of your chimney crown is through a thorough chimney inspection by a certified professional.
When inspecting a chimney crown, the sweep will check to see what material the crown is made of. Concrete, stone, or even metal make up durable chimney crowns. The crown should be a single, solid piece to avoid water seeping into cracks or joints.
The edges of the chimney crown should also extend beyond the sides of the chimney. This overhang, called a kerf, keeps water from flowing directly onto the sides of the chimney. If water damage has begun to occur, a waterproof sealant can be applied to the chimney crown to prevent further damage.
A quality chimney crown can protect and extend the life of your fireplace system. For more information on chimney crowns or to schedule an appointment, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today.
During the spring and summer, nesting birds can be found in tree tops, under the eaves of roof, and more. As much as you may enjoy listening to bird songs and chirps or watching baby birds grow from eggs and leave the nest, there is one place you do not want birds to take up residence – in your chimney.
While birds in your chimney may seem like just a nuisance, they can cause a surprising amount of damage. Because of this, it is recommended to have birds and bird nests safely and humanely removed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, there are several species of migratory birds, including chimney swifts, that are protected by federal law and cannot be removed.
Recognizing chimney swifts
Chimney swifts are small, grey and brown migratory birds that can be found nesting throughout the Midwest during the spring and summer. While these birds once preferred hollow trees to nest in, urbanization caused them to adapt and begin nesting in chimneys. Swifts are easily recognizable with small, cigar shaped bodies, a distinctive call, and unique, jerky flight patterns.
How swifts get into your chimney
Chimney swifts are easily access the flue through damaged chimney caps. Because they are so small, they can squeeze through holes or gaps as small as just a few inches. Once inside the chimney, swifts built their nests vertically against the walls of the flue. In addition to damaging the flue and the chimney liner, nesting materials can create blockages that prevent proper drafting and droppings can cause damage throughout the chimney system.
Give chimney swifts a proper home!
Whether you have had swifts in your chimney in the past or simply want to help provide safe nesting grounds for these migratory birds, it is easy to create a proper home for chimney swifts!
Because they prefer tall, narrow, enclosed spaces for nesting, building a nesting space for chimney swifts is as easy as building a box. Using rough plywood, construct a narrow box approximately 12 feet high, with a 1 square foot opening near the top. This gives chimney swifts an alternative nesting site, keeping them safe – and hopefully out of your chimney.
I think I have chimney swifts – now what?
If you have swifts in your chimney, there is little that can be done; because they are federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, they cannot be removed until the nesting cycle is complete. Luckily, this is relatively short and hatchlings should leave the nest within 6 weeks.
Once the hatchlings have left the nest, repairs can be made to the chimney. A certified chimney sweep can help remove the nest and other debris from the chimney; they can also identify how the swifts got in and repair the point of entry to prevent them from coming back in the future.
Chimney swifts may wreak havoc on our chimney systems, but it is still important to care for these migratory birds. Building an alternate home for chimney swifts to nest in can allow you to enjoy these unique birds – but not at the expense of your chimney. For more information on preventing chimney swift entry in your home, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today!
The importance of gutter cleaning
How often should my gutters be cleaned?
Experts recommend getting your gutters cleaned twice a year: once in the late spring or early summer after the seed pods have fallen, and once in late fall or early winter once all the leaves have fallen. Cleaning gutters twice a year ensures that there is never a chance for buildup to cause clogged gutters and prevent the flow of rain water, snow, or other debris.
If your home is fully surrounded by trees, we recommend getting your gutters cleaned more than twice a year. This is especially important during the fall. If a significant amount of leaves fall on your roof, it is especially beneficial to invest in additional gutter cleaning services.
Benefits of professional gutter cleaning
Many homeowners strongly dislike getting their gutter cleaned, but they still prefer to do it themselves. However, there are a number of benefits of getting your gutters professionally cleaned.
The danger of falling from a ladder during cleaning is a huge reason to hire professionals. According to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission, falling from ladders cause more than 240,000 Americans to get sent to the emergency room every year. Uneven ground or gardens around a home or an unstable ladder can all make this a very dangerous task.
Professional gutter cleaning also ensure all debris is completely removed from your gutters. A clean and empty gutter protects your home’s foundation, siding, and roof from water invasion. Professionals can easily spot damage with your gutters that a homeowner usually does not notice. And we have the knowledge and expertise to get your gutters safe and functional.
Let our professionals clean your gutters
At Jack Pixley Sweeps, we are proud to provide a wide variety of services to help our customers and their homes to be safe. Whether your need your chimney swept, dryer vent inspected, or gutters cleaned, contact us today to schedule your next appointment.
Scaffolding isn’t just used for major construction projects; many chimney repairs require scaffolding too. However, only a few chimney companies are certified to set up scaffolding. This means that scaffolding set up is an added expense and a time delay to your chimney repair. At Jack Pixley Sweeps, our team is trained and certified to set up scaffolding. This will help you to save thousands of dollars while also saving you lots of time to keep your chimney repair project right on schedule.
Why being scaffolding set up certified matters
While scaffolding may look simple, setting it up is very complex. It can affect the safety of the chimney technicians and the stability of the repairs as well. Because of this, it is extremely important that the crew sets up the scaffolding is trained and certified.
At Jack Pixley Sweeps, our crews are trained in the proper setup of both ground and roof scaffolding. All of our repair technicians have been through Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training. Our scaffolding always meets safety standards. This ensures the safety of the crew, the safety of your family during the chimney repair process, and the structural stability of your chimney as well.
The scaffolding set up process
Setting up scaffolding is unique to every house. It depends on the location and height of the chimney, the repairs required, the pitch of the roof, and more. This can all influence how your scaffolding is constructed. Because scaffolding is customized for each home and job, setting up can take between two and four hours.
When scaffolding is set up, it is required to be “tied off” or anchored to the home, every 20 feet. Oftentimes, scaffolding can be tied off onto the chimney. However, some cases it may needs to be anchored to the home itself using anchor bolts. Likewise, roof scaffolding is also required to be anchored to the roof using anchor bolts. Once properly anchored, then height can be added to the scaffolding structure.
Trust Jack Pixley Sweeps to set up your scaffolding!
Being able to set up our own is a direct benefit to you. This eliminates the need to find a subcontractor to help with scaffolding, which then save you time and money! Because our repair crews set up and maintain their own scaffolding, homeowners can also rest assured that the only people coming to the job site are our employees.
If you are preparing to have some major chimney repairs such as, rebuilding a chimney from the ground up or adding a new chimney onto your home. You should definitely take scaffolding into considerations, as it contribute to the safety and structural stability of the project. It is extremely important to work with a trained and certified team to set up your scaffolding. For more information on our professional scaffolding set up services contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today!
Year after year, fireplaces are one of the most sought after home features. A survey by the National Association of Homebuilders found that fireplaces are the second most requested feature when shopping for a home; the same survey found that buyers are willing to spend as much as $1,400 more for a home with a fireplace than one without.
But what if your home doesn’t have a fireplace?
Whether you’re preparing to build your dream home, looking to add value to your current home, or have a chimney that can no longer be used due to structural problems, Jack Pixley Sweeps can make your fireplace dreams a reality!
Building a chimney from the ground up
Since 1977, Jack Pixley Sweeps has been one of the premier chimney companies in Minnesota. In addition to providing sweeping and maintenance services, our team of highly skilled masons can also build chimneys from the ground up.
There are three primary reasons why new chimney systems are constructed:
1. New construction. The easiest time to add a fireplace and chimney to a home is during construction. Adding fireplaces to a home’s plans before construction begins is the easiest way to ensure the ideal placement and construction of your new heating appliances.
2. Addition to existing home. While a bit trickier, it is still possible to add a chimney system on to an existing home. Building a new chimney allows you to work with our team to create the fireplace of your dreams.
3. Structural damage. Years of deterioration, natural disaster, fire, or settling can all cause serious structural damage to a chimney. If your chimney can no longer safely be used, rebuilding it from the ground up can allow you to once again enjoy your fireplace system.
Chimney construction is about more than just building a column of bricks or stone. As certified chimney professionals – as well as masons – we can handle all aspects of chimney construction, from the top of the flue to the bottom of the firebox. The construction process for a new chimney system includes masonry work, installing a chimney liner, building a chimney crown and installing the chimney cap, constructing the firebox or installing a fireplace insert, applying water repellent to the exterior masonry, and more.
Our team also owns and erects our own scaffolding. This helps homeowners save money and avoid the hassle of finding an outside scaffolding company.
Trust our European style chimney construction!
As old buildings decay and crumble, the chimney is often the last part standing; time-tested construction techniques made chimneys the strongest and longest-lasting portion of a building. At Jack Pixley Sweeps, our European style construction methods can extend the life of your chimney to nearly 100 years!
Evenings spent with family and friends in front of a roaring fire doesn’t have to wait until you move to a new home. For more information on turning your fireplace dreams into reality, contact the expert masons at Jack Pixley Sweeps today!
