At Jack Pixley Sweeps, safety is our top priority. Through high-quality fireplace and chimney services and client education, 
we aim to keep our friends and neighbors’ homes safe, warm, and efficient. We are proud participants in Chimney Safety Week 2019.
In the United States, there are more than 22,000 chimney fires each year, endangering lives and costing more than 125 million dollars in damages. The goal of Chimney Safety Week is to help reduce the number of accidental chimney fires by educating both homeowners and chimney professionals about the latest trends and best practices in fire safety and prevention.
Facts about chimney fires
Chimney fires are a risk when using any fireplace, stove, or insert. However, chimney fires can be prevented by chimney sweepings, inspections, regular maintenance, and following safe burning guidelines. The following are some eye-opening facts about chimney fires many homeowners may not know.
- The majority of chimney fires go undetected. Many chimney fires are so small they go undetected. This does not mean, however, that the chimney is not damaged; no matter how small, chimney fires can cause serious damage to the flue.
- Chimney fires can reach up to 2,000 degrees
- Creosote buildup is the main cause of chimney fires. Creosote is a naturally occurring – and extremely flammable – byproduct of combustion. When not removed from the chimney during chimney sweepings, creosote can accumulate in the flue; stray sparks or embers from the fireplace can then cause creosote to ignite and lead to a chimney fire.
- Signs of a chimney fire include a discolored chimney cap, warped metal on the damper, creosote flakes in the flue box, cracks in the masonry, and more.
Fireplace safety tips
Our fireplaces and chimneys help keep our homes warm, but they can be dangerous when poorly maintained or when used incorrectly. The following are just a few safety tips to help prevent accidental chimney fires,
- Have the chimney swept at least once per year. Chimney sweeping is the single most important part of chimney maintenance and fire prevention. A chimney sweeping by a certified professional removes soot, ash, and creosote from the fireplace and flue; this ensures that the chimney can vent safely and efficiently no matter the season.
- Do not leave fires unattended. No matter the size or experience level of the homeowner, fires should never be left unattended. This safety tip is especially important in homes with pets or small children who could easily be injured by fire. Glass doors, grates, or fences can be used to help keep little hands – and paws – away from the fireplace when it is in use.
- Keep décor away from the fireplace. Hanging stockings on the mantle may be one of the most popular ways to decorate for the holidays, but home décor should always be removed before using the fireplace. Keep carpets, furnishings, and other décor at least three feet away from the fire to prevent scorch marks – and accidental fires.
- Properly store fireplace ashes. Fireplace safety doesn’t end when the fire goes out. Proper ash storage is an important part of preventing fires in trashcans or dumpsters; ashes should always be stored in a dedicated metal container and should not be mixed in with household trash.
Using these tips and having your chimney swept annually will help you decrease your risk of a chimney fire and keep your family and home as safe as possible. For questions, call Owens Chimney today!
While the winter season brings plenty of holidays, parties, and get togethers with family and friends, it also means shorter days, less sunshine, and colder temperatures. While we can keep our houses warm and toasty all winter long thanks to fireplaces, furnaces, and more, there is an increased risk of house fire when heating your home.
Christmas trees, overloading outlets, not cleaning dryer vents, or failing to replace air filters can all lead to accidental house fires during the winter. The following tips can help you prevent and avoid safety issues related to heating around your home this winter.
Safety Tips to Avoid House Fires
– Clean the dryer vents. The same lint that appears in your dryer’s lint trap can build up in the dryer’s vents. Over time, this can constrict air flow in the vents, affecting dryer performance and increasing the risk of dryer fire. Because lint is so flammable, overheated air from a dryer trying to compensate for blocked vents can cause an accidental fire. Dryer vents should be cleaned every few years or any time dry times or dryer performance begins to be affected.
– Have the chimney swept. Fall and winter are the most common seasons for fireplace use – and the most common seasons for chimney fires. Ensure your fireplace is ready to use in cold weather by having the chimney swept. Annual chimney sweepings remove soot, ash, and debris from the fireplace, as well as a flammable byproduct of combustion known as creosote. When allowed to build up over time in the flue, creosote can be ignited by a stray spark or ember and cause a chimney fire.
– Avoid overloading outlets. Of the approximately 5,300 annual electrical home fires, around 2,000 occur during the holiday season. With holiday decorations to plug in plus lamps, electronics, chargers, fans, and more, it can be easy to accidentally overload an outlet. Avoid overloading outlets by researching the circuits in your home; avoid running too many things on a single circuit by using extension cords, power strips, or additional plugs sparingly.
– Use space heaters with caution. Space heaters are a helpful way to quickly heat a room or provide additional warmth on particularly cold days. These heating appliances should be used with caution, however; make sure to research the specifics of your make and model to understand how to safely use it. As a general rule, electric space heaters are safer than their fuel burning counterparts. Before buying, look for space heaters with additional safety features such as tip over switch or touch sensors. If using a fuel burning space heater, try to crack a window in the room to prevent low oxygen levels and to help vent any byproducts of combustion.
– Check smoke detectors. Accidental house fires can happen year round. Make sure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly by testing and changing the batteries every six months; a good rule of thumb is to test your smoke detectors at the same time you change your air filters. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should also be replaced every 7-10 years to ensure they are up to date with the latest safety standards and technology.
Preventative maintenance, common sense, and a few easy to follow steps can help keep you and your family safe around heating appliances this winter. For more information on fire prevention tips or to schedule a chimney sweeping or dryer vent cleaning appointment, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today!
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!
During the fall and winter, we rely on our fireplaces to keep our families warm and to add comfort to our homes. Unfortunately, this high use time is also the most common time for chimney fires to occur. Chimney fires can wreak havoc on your chimney, damage your fireplace system, and can quickly spread to the rest of your home if not contained. Thankfully, there are several ways that homeowners can reduce their risk of accidental chimney fire.
What Happens During a Chimney Fire
Because creosote is so flammable, it will quickly spread throughout the flue. The fire creates a strong draft with a sound often equated to a freight train; loud cracking or popping from the mortar or cement may also be heard. Outside, flames shoot out from the chimney.
While a chimney fire is extremely serious, it is important to stay calm and act quickly. Begin by calling the fire department. Next, attempt to extinguish the fire in the fireplace either with a fire extinguisher or by throwing salt on the flames; this will not put out the fire in the chimney but can help control the high temperatures and lessen the strong drafts. After the chimney fire, it is important to call a certified chimney sweep to evaluate the condition of the chimney before attempting to use the fireplace again.
Preventing Chimney Fire
The best way to prevent future chimney fires is through regular annual chimney sweeping and inspections. Annual chimney sweepings protect your flue against excessive creosote buildup; accidental ignition of this flammable substance is the leading cause of chimney fire.
Because creosote is a naturally occurring byproduct of combustion, it is impossible to prevent it from forming entirely. However, there are several ways that homeowners can prevent excessive creosote buildup.
– Only use seasoned firewood. Seasoned firewood is wood that has been chopped, cut into logs, stacked, and allowed to dry in the elements. This seasoning process removes the majority of the moisture from the wood; wood with high moisture content such as green or freshly cut wood will produce more creosote than seasoned wood.
– Do not burn at low temperatures. Low burning fires smolder for long periods of time, and their low temperaturesr create more creosote. Letting the fires burn naturally hot and allowing them to quickly extinguish can minimize creosote creation.
A chimney fire can be a scary experience; however, it should not stop you from using your fireplace again. If you think you have had a chimney fire, contact the experts at Jack Pixley Sweeps today. Our highly trained staff can evaluate the damage caused by a chimney fire and make recommendations to repair any damage the fire may have caused.
All homes with fireplaces and other heating appliances should be equipped with working smoke detectors. These small electronic devices are inexpensive and easy to install. In addition, they can help save you and your family’s lives in the event of an emergency.
Testing Your Smoke Alarms
Unfortunately, many homeowners simply assume their smoke detectors are still working the way they should instead of testing them regularly. If you can’t remember the last time you tested your smoke detectors. Also, changed their batteries or purchased modern replacements. It’s time to replace your smoke detectors!
The following four steps can help you quickly and easily test your smoke detectors:
- Count your smoke detectors. Do you know where all the smoke detectors are in your home? Many of us know the general areas of a home the smoke detectors are in, but do not know their specific locations. All homes should have at least one smoke detector on every level, including directly outside or in sleeping areas. Other recommended locations include at the top or bottom of stairways, near fireplaces and furnaces, and in attics, crawlspaces, garages, and basements.
- Identify the type of smoke detectors you have. There are two kinds of smoke detectors: battery operated and AC powered. Battery operated units are inexpensive and can be easily installed anywhere in your home; however, the batteries must be regularly tested and replaced in order to operate safely. AC powered units are often wired directly into a home’s electrical panel in addition to a backup battery in the event of a power loss. Often found in newer or updated homes, these can be difficult to move or replace due to the wiring and damage to walls they cause.
- Test the batteries. All smoke detectors, regardless of type, have a test button that will cause the alarm to sound when pressed. Most will also have a blinking or solid light to indicate that the detector is receiving power. Using a small step ladder and a broom handle or other implement, quickly press the test button to ensure the detector is working and the batteries have not died; while most battery operated units will “chirp” under lower power, some AC powered units do not. Alarms should be tested at least every six months, replacing batteries as needed.
- Replace dated smoke detectors. Technology has come a long way in the last 5-10 years; if your home has older smoke detectors, you may not be protecting your family with the latest advancements in safety and technology. In order to stay current with technology and industry standards, the entire alarm system should be replaced at least every 10 years.
Let’s Re-Cap
Regularly testing and maintaining your smoke detectors may seem like an unimportant and repetitive task, but it is an incredibly important way to keep your family safe day and night. For more information about proper smoke detector usage and other fire safety tips, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today!
we aim to keep our friends and neighbors’ homes safe, warm, and efficient. We are proud participants in Chimney Safety Week 2019.