Radiant heat and the impact on combustibles

January 6, 2019 | Chimney Basics

So you may have heard me talk about clearances to combustibles once or twice before but here is a quick example of what the heat does to combustibles and how it can start a fire. As heat is absorbed by a combustible, in the form of radiant heat, it slowly breaks down the ignition temperature that is needed to ignite the combustible. the process is called pyrolysis which is the thermal decomposition of a material through elevated heat. Ignition temperature of wood can drop to as low as 300 degrees after long-term exposure to heat! One very key thing to also remember with ignition of the combustible is that it will ignite without any direct contact with flame. Here is a example in fast forward: 1. Initial break down of wood from heat As you can see, the Wood is not touching any flame throughout the timeframe. 2. Ignition temperature … Continued

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2019 for Mike the Chimney Guy

January 6, 2019 | A Day in the Life

So anyone who knows me is aware that I am a little bit obsessed with training and certifications. I typically spend a few thousand dollars a year and several weeks of my time on education and obtaining new certifications. 2019 will finally be the year for one of the most difficult certifications of all – The NFI Master Hearth Professional. A MHP has passed and is currently certified in all three of the major NFI categories: -Gas -Wood -Pellet Stove Until this year I haven’t put much effort into mastering the installation and maintenance of pellet stoves, we really do not see them down South! 2019 will finally be the year so time for me to get studying.

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The dangerous flip

January 5, 2019 | A Day in the Life

As a chimney sweep, you see the good, bad, and dangerous when it comes to chimney work performed before a sale. One of my recent inspections uncovered the dangerous side. The home had recently been purchased from a flipper and the clients were interested in having the fireplace inspected for use this Winter. A home inspection had already been performed with no mention of any issues with the fireplace but here is what I found: Here is the initial overview of the fireplace. Now let’s have a look inside.. Dear lord! The flue system was being held up by a stack of bricks and was on the verge of collapse! Not only was the fireplace unsafe for use, it also was a safety hazard from the possibility of collapse. Now comes one of the worst parts of my job, giving the bad news to the clients. A repair this substantial … Continued

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Inspection of the day – Not a good idea!

January 4, 2019 | A Day in the Life

So this was a particularly scary inspection to say the least! The back story is that the client was having issues with water intrusion leaking onto the ceiling around the chimney. Let’s make this one interactive… Starting in the attic I see that getting to the chimney area is not going to be easy! After maneuvering around and crawling on the trusses/insulation, I make it to the chimney. The moisture meter and infrared imaging pick up active water intrusion below the flashing so that part was solved pretty quickly. Now for the scary part.. The chimney was supported by wood framing that had been impacted by the water intrusion and was beginning to come apart! Literally a ton of bricks in the attic that were barely supported from below. Definitely and tough fix and more importantly a life safety concern 🙁 Yet another reason to have your chimney inspected by … Continued

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The importance of clean drop cloths

January 4, 2019 | A Day in the Life

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.

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Don’t let your chimney turn into a garden

January 3, 2019 | Common Questions

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!

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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

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Fireplace grates in factory built systems.

December 31, 2018 | Common Questions

One interesting aspect of factory built (pre-fabricated) fireplaces is that they are a UL listed and sometimes have very specific requirements for what can and can’t be used. Today we will talk specifically about fireplace grates for factory built systems. Most fireplace manufacturers design the fireplace grate uniquely for the system, factoring in things such as size, height, and placement to help the system function as intended. The data plate and/or instruction manual should have the required information of what replacement grate will be needed. Here is one example of a data plate with the grate information below: I have seen several occasions where a grate has been improperly replaced causing smoke to enter the home or even over firing of the fireplace system! If you ever have any questions, reach out to your local CSIA certified chimney professional or the manufacturer to ensure proper replacement.

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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

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