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

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.

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

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.

Fire Extinguishers

December 29, 2018 | Chimney Basics

Let me start off by saying everyone should have multiple ABC rated fire extinguishers throughout their home for safety. A fire extinguisher is something that you hopefully never have to use, but can save your home or life in the event of a fire. What does the A B C stand for? A – Trash, Wood, and Paper Monoammonium phosphate is the main ingredient in the fire extinguisher that will help smother this type of fire. B – Flammable Liquids Monoammonium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate work together to help extinguish a fire involving flammable liquids. C – Electrical Equipment Again, both Monoammonium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate work together to help extinguish a fire involving electrical components. – How to use a fire extinguisher – The recommended method is the P.A.S.S. technique. Below is the step by step technique directly from OSHA: PULL… Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal. … 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

The Don’t do it yourself project

December 29, 2018 | Dangers!

On a regular basis I see factory built fireplaces incorrectly installed and unsafe for use. Some are due to the professional installer but more often it is a do it yourself project gone wrong. The scary thing is that the installation, most times, had been completed for some time or from a prior homeowner but the chance of a chimney fire is extreme. Here is one example below from last week: Let’s start in the attic where the two inch minimum clearance to combustibles has been violated in several areas. Additionally, the fire stop was missing from this system and combustibles had dropped down onto the factory built fireplace. To make matters worse, the chimney chase cover was was also made of combustible materials and was allowing water intrusion into the home. In summary, if you are going to install a fireplace yourself, please follow the manufacturers instructions and please … Continued

Let’s talk about flashing!

December 22, 2018 | A Day in the Life

Sorry to disappoint you but particularly counter flashing for masonry chimneys. Counter flashing is designed to be pointed into the mortar of the chimney and ensure a water tight seal of your chimney at roof level. Sounds easy enough, but this has become a issue between roofers and chimney professionals over how it should be done. In the recent years, roofers no longer point the counter flashing into the mortar and instead attach and seal it over. Does it meet current code? Yes. Will it eventually leak? Very likely. Florida is a very harsh environment for sealant, or any material for that matter, so the typical outcome after a few years is deteriorated sealant and water intrusion into the home. Above is what I typically see with counter flashing a few years after installation, not good! So the next time you are having your roof replaced I highly recommend having … Continued

Fireplaces in vacation rentals – are they safe?

December 22, 2018 | Dangers!

Here is a scary answer, it depends on property owner. During one of my inspections today, I had what was supposed to be a sweep only of a fireplace at a vacation rental. To start, I refuse to ever do a sweep without an inspection, even if the homeowner insists that they only want a sweep of the system. Upon initial inspection, here is what the renter would see (and probably think it was safe). During my initial inspection I started noticing immediate red flags and started inspecting further. After ten minutes I had found that the flue liner was deteriorated, combustible debris was inside of the exterior metal surround, and the liner had disconnected towards the top of the system! Using a fireplace during a vacation can be a relaxing experience and create a wonderful ambiance during the holidays, but can also quickly become a serious safety issue. In … Continued

Inspection of the day – Active water intrusion

December 22, 2018 | A Day in the Life

My first appointment today was a active water leak coming down from the pre-fabricated fireplace and onto the front tile and the new wood floors! Unfortunately this is a very common call for inspection and the number one culprit is this guy.. The roof was replaced recently but roofers rarely inform the client that the chimney chase cover is essentially the roof of the chimney and likely should be replaced as well. If you are having your roof replaced, consider replacing your chase cover or at least have someone on the roof snap a picture and take a look at the condition of the chase cover.

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