Chimney Champions Explains Masonry vs Prefab Fireplace: What Jacksonville Homeowners Need to Know
Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA certified technicians and a National Chimney Sweep Guild member, serving residential customers who own wood-burning fireplaces. One of the most common issues Chimney Champions technicians see in Jacksonville homes is damage caused by burning the wrong fuel in the wrong system. Not all fireplaces are built the same. Understanding whether your fireplace is a masonry or a prefabricated system determines which burning practices keep it safe and functional. What Is a Masonry Fireplace? A masonry fireplace is built on-site from brick, stone and mortar, with a firebox, smoke chamber and flue constructed as part of the home’s structure. Masonry fireplaces are designed to handle sustained high heat and are generally more tolerant of radiant temperature than factory-built units. What Wood Works Best in a Masonry Fireplace? Seasoned hardwoods produce the cleanest, most efficient burn in a masonry fireplace. … Continued
Chimney Champions Explains Why a Certified Chimney Sweep Matters in Jacksonville
Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company with CSIA-certified technicians, National Chimney Sweep Guild membership, IAC2 certification, and NFPA 211 compliance. Chimney Champions serves homeowners throughout the Jacksonville area who need chimney inspections, cleanings, and related services. When it comes to home maintenance, the chimney is often overlooked. An improperly maintained chimney can pose risks including fire hazards, structural damage, and carbon monoxide exposure. Hiring a certified chimney sweep is a practical step toward keeping a home safe. Why do some chimney contractors create problems for homeowners? Some chimney contractors operate without recognized certifications, proper insurance, or current technical training, which can result in substandard or unsafe work. As a homeowner, knowing what qualifications to look for before letting anyone work on your chimney is important. What are the risks of hiring an unqualified chimney contractor? An unqualified chimney contractor may perform incomplete work, lack the training to … Continued
Gas Fireplaces Vs. Traditional Fireplaces
Many homeowners choose to use a fireplace to add style and comfort to their homes. But, is a gas fireplace safer than a traditional fireplace? It’s a common dilemma for homeowners when they’re comparing gas fireplaces with traditional fireplaces. Chimney Champions inspects them all, so let’s take a look at the differences between them and compare safety features, convenience, and more.
When is the best time to have your chimney swept?
The Traditional Season The most popular time of the year in Florida to have a chimney sweep is in the Fall and before the holidays. As the holidays get closer, the demand increases even more to the point where it is tough to find any sweep available before January. This can be an issue because the best sweeps typically book up early in the Fall and by the time you go down the line you might end up with someone who is less than qualified to perform the service and does not have the proper tools, insurance, or certifications. The Best Time to Sweep – Spring Spring is actually the best time to have your chimney swept for a number of reasons. One reason is you can save money not having the sweep performed during the peak season. Take the HVAC industry in the Summer for example. If you are … Continued
Dryer Vent Safety
It may not be one of the most exciting things to do (kinda like having your car worked on), but performing regular maintenance on your dryer venting system is essential for safety and also extends the life of your dryer. Consider this, a dryer vent is only four inches wide and even with 1/2″ of buildup around the inside of the vent, your dryer vent is now only flowing through a three inch opening. As the dryer vent becomes more and more restricted, it causes the dryer to work overtime and the additional buildup of lint can easily cause a dryer fire. The danger can be even greater if you are using gas dryer, you now add in the extra hazards of carbon monoxide and potential gas leaks. In summary, always be proactive about dryer maintenance and always make sure a professional is servicing your system such as a CSIA … Continued
Why are chimney sweeps considered lucky?
Several theories exist but certainly no one knows for sure. One of the most popular theories is that King William of Great Britain was saved by a chimney sweep after almost being killed by a runaway horse carriage. Another theory is that a chimney sweep was working one day (timeframe unknown) and almost fell from a roof. While hanging from a gutter, about to fall to his doom, a woman inside of the house saw him and pulled him inside saving his life. After the near death experience, the two fell instantly in love and were married. It is still a popular tradition in Great Brittian for a chimney sweep to attend a couples wedding as a sign of good luck!
The importance of clean drop cloths
As a professional chimney sweep, I do everything in my power to make sure that my client’s home stays spotless throughout the service. One key thing that all chimney sweeps should consider is how often they are washing their drop cloths. Over the years I have seen both ends of the spectrum from fellow sweeps but I personally only use them once before washing them. It only takes one dirty drop cloth to ruin a expensive rug or permanently put a stain on carpet, especially if you have been working with a LP gas system prior. I would recommend looking at a long-term approach and investing in a industrial washer and dryer. This investment will pay off with a steady supply of clean drop cloths for you and your clients.
Don’t let your chimney turn into a garden
If masonry fireplaces have one weakness in the South, or any wet climate, it is moisture. Bricks are naturally porous and are constantly battling the elements, especially alone above the roofline. To preserve the life of your chimney it is very important to not just use a water repellent, but the right water repellent meant for application on a chimney. I personally recommend ChimneySaver products. ChimneySaver provides great products for industry professionals that are backed up with with a strong warranty (they didn’t pay me to mention them btw). Here are a few examples of what can happen as moisture builds up in your chimney: It may look kinda neat but it is not good for the lifespan of your chimney!
Chimney Champions Chim-Scan Inspections in Jacksonville
Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA certified technicians who are members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and trained annually through CSIA, CVC Coaching, and All Star Relining. Chimney Champions holds IAC2 certification and operates in compliance with NFPA 211. What Is the Chim-Scan Flue Inspection System? The Chim-Scan is a professional video inspection system designed to show the interior condition of a flue that cannot be seen during a visual-only inspection. Chimney Champions uses the Chim-Scan during chimney inspections in Jacksonville to locate damage, blockages, and deterioration inside the flue liner. How Does the Chim-Scan Work? The version of the Chim-Scan used by Chimney Champions carries two camera assemblies that work together to cover the full interior of the flue. One camera points upward to detect blockages. A second assembly, called the lighthouse camera, rotates 360 degrees and provides a live view of … Continued
