Chimney Care – Masonry Smoke Chambers

March 25, 2019 | Technically Speaking

Just above the visible area of your fireplace is a smoke chamber that aids in efficiently removing smoke from your home. While newer homes typically have smooth (parged) smoke chambers which are much more efficient, older fireplaces have a stair step pattern and are more likely to build up creosote. This informational video from HeatShield explains the differences and how they impact the performance of your fireplace and chimney system: If you need to have your smoke chamber parged, be sure to contact a CSIA Certified Chimney Professional to ensure proper repairs. Parging your smoke chamber is a simple fix and will not only produce a more efficient system, but will also bring your fireplace up to current IRC and NFPA211 standards.

Ethanol Fireplaces

February 28, 2019 | Chimney Basics

What are Ethanol Fireplaces? Ethanol fireplaces are a ventless decorative fireplace that use bioethanol as the fuel source. Bioethanol is made from fermenting the sugar and starch components of organic matter so it is a eco-friendly. When using this style decorative fireplace, the UL listing of the product indicates that they are safe for use without a flue or chimney. Ethanol Pros and Cons Pros – When using most ethanol fireplaces, they do not produce soot or smoke so the system and your home remain clean after use. Ethanol fireplaces can be used in homes that were not originally designed with a fireplace. With the addition of an ethanol fireplace, you can have the ambiance but will not have to design a flue system. Also, the lack of venting system allows for unique designs such as the system below. Cons – While ethanol is considered a cleaner burn than typical … Continued

Chimney Champions Explains the Stages of Wood Combustion in Jacksonville

February 19, 2019 | Technically Speaking

Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA-certified technicians and a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Chimney Champions technicians train annually through CSIA, CVC Coaching, and All Star Relining and operate in compliance with NFPA 211. This page explains the four stages every piece of wood passes through when it burns. How many stages does wood combustion go through? Wood combustion in a fireplace passes through four distinct stages: moisture evaporation, vaporization of hydrocarbon compounds, gas vapor ignition and combustion, and char burning. Each stage follows the one before it, and different logs in the same fire can be in different stages at the same time. Understanding each stage helps Jacksonville homeowners burn wood more safely and efficiently. What is Stage 1 of wood combustion? In Stage 1, heat is absorbed rather than produced because the fire must first drive water out of the … Continued

The importance of HEPA Filtration

January 22, 2019 | Technically Speaking

What Is HEPA Filtration? HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration is a standard used by a variety of different high-quality air filtration systems. Let’s take a look at the basics of HEPA now. How Does HEPA Filtration Work? True HEPA filters use a special type of mat that is built out of randomly-arranged fibers, usually made of fiberglass. Each individual fiber is extremely small, between 0.5 and 2.0 micrometers in width. As contaminants and pollutants are pushed through this filter, they are trapped between these fibers, and are unable to pass through. HEPA Filtration Standards HEPA standards specify that any given air filter must remove 99.97% of all particles that pass through it, having a size greater than or equal to 0.3 µm. In effect, this removes just about any common airborne particles, including mold, ash, mold spores, and pollen. What Are HEPA Filters Used For? ● Preventing the spread … Continued

Advantages of Zinc coating

January 22, 2019 | Technically Speaking

Advantages of Zinc Coating For Chimneys If you are replacing exterior components of your chimney system (especially in close proximity to the ocean) one of the best materials to use is zinc-coated steel. Using a zinc coated product for chimneys has several great advantages: Protection from rust and corrosion – Unprotected steel can corrode easily, particularly when exposed to temperature fluctuations and moisture. Untreated steel may become damaged and unserviceable within just 2 years. With a zinc coating, however, a protective barrier is made between the atmosphere and the steel material. This layer helps protect the structural properties of the steel base material, and ensure that it remains protected from corrosion and rust. Longer lifespan – Zinc-plated steel can easily last 30 years or longer without any major deterioration or significant corrosion, and remain functional for many more years. This longer lifespan makes zinc coatings a great investment, which … Continued

Inspection of the day – gas fireplace troubles

January 20, 2019 | A Day in the Life

With the addition of my home inspection background, I have seen a few occasions where after closing the sellers take what they can out of a house and even swap out the appliances! During my chimney inspection today, the same situation occurred and the sellers even took the decorative logs from the fireplace 😢. My best recommendation on that end would be to hire a home inspector that is very thorough and also uses a program called recall check where the serial numbers are stored for the appliances in case of a future recall. It can help not only in the event of a recall, but also if someone tries to take and swap out appliances. Onto the inspection. Issue one: The home was in the process of being set up for liquid propane but the fireplace had not been converted from natural gas for use with propane. If the … Continued

Gas starters in a factory built fireplace

January 10, 2019 | A Day in the Life

This is a interesting one that I always get pushback from both home owners and gas installers.. While gas starters may be allowed in masonry systems, they are not approved for factory built fireplaces and could lead to over firing of the system and insurance issues if a fire occurred. Factory built (pre fabricated) fireplaces are a UL listed appliances and only approved parts can be used in these systems. It may be a convenient way to start a fire but it is not worth the risk!

Chimney Champions Chim-Scan Inspections in Jacksonville

January 3, 2019 | Common Questions

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

Chimney Champions Drone Chimney Inspection Jacksonville

December 31, 2018 | A Day in the Life

Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA certified technicians and a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Chimney Champions performs chimney inspections, including drone chimney inspections, for residential and multi-story properties across the Jacksonville area. What Is a Drone Chimney Inspection? A drone chimney inspection uses an unmanned aerial vehicle to photograph and assess chimney exteriors, crown areas, and chase covers that are difficult or unsafe to reach from a ladder. Chimney Champions uses drones on jobs where roof pitch, building height, or site conditions make a standard ladder approach impractical. When Does a Chimney in Jacksonville Need a Drone? Certain Jacksonville properties present access challenges that make drone use the safer and more thorough option. Common situations include: Steep-pitch roofs where a tall chimney sits above the safe reach of a ladder Multi-story beach homes where water intrusion damage is suspected on upper … Continued

Gas Basics – Why does it take so long for my pilot light to stay on?

December 29, 2018 | Technically Speaking

A common question I get when servicing gas systems is why do I have to hold down the pilot knob for so long for it to stay lit. The answer is while you are holding down the pilot button it is heating up a part called a thermocouple that actually creates small amounts of electricity once heated. The thermocouple creates a small amount of electricity that activates a safety magnet that holds open a valve that allows gas to continue to flow through the system. This is very important for safety because it shuts down the flow of gas in the event that the burner goes out and keeps gas from filling your house. From a repair standpoint, if you depress the pilot for an extended amount of time and the pilot light does not stay on, you might have a bad thermocouple! For safety, always have a NFI certified … Continued

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