Chimney Champions Explains Fireplace Ash Removal in Jacksonville

January 21, 2019 | Training and tips

Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA certified technicians and a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. The company serves homeowners who use wood-burning fireplaces and need guidance on fireplace ash management and seasonal maintenance. How Often Should You Remove Ash From Your Fireplace? Removing fireplace ash after every fire is not recommended during the active burning season. A one-inch layer of ash on the firebox floor actually helps the fire perform better. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), that ash layer works with hot coals to generate more heat and supports a cleaner burn. How Much Ash Is Too Much? Ash that builds beyond roughly one inch can create problems in the firebox. Excess ash can trap hot coals between the fireplace grate and the ash bed, which causes the grate to deteriorate faster than it should. What Should You … Continued

Read More

The daily battle for a chimney sweep, staying clean

January 20, 2019 | A Day in the Life

Daily and Long-Term Hazards Staying safe is a constant concern for a chimney sweep. Not only are we on roofs, in attics, and crawl spaces, we also have to worry about the hazardous long-term effects of creosote to our bodies and prevent inhalation and interaction as much as possible. Creosote is a natural byproduct of combustion but it comes with a nasty side effect for humans with long-term exposure to it, cancer. Skin cancer, lung cancer, and testicular cancer are the most common for a chimney Sweep to content with. Skin cancer from constant cleaning and repairing systems covered in creosote and let’s not forget clothing. Lung cancer from inhaling creosote while sweeping a system or even after the service with soot floating around in the work vehicle. Testicular cancer you would think would be the strange one but take into consideration the amount of creosote that can get trapped … Continued

Read More

Don’t forget about kickout flashing

January 12, 2019 | A Day in the Life

One common issue I see is where flashing is replaced on a chimney with replacing the kickout flashing. In Florida we have to constantly battle water and considering the amount of water that runs off of a roofline, kickout flashing can divert thousands of gallons of water over time. Here a something that you might find very interesting. During a rain storm that dumps one inch of rain if your have 1,000 square foot of roof, over 600 gallons of water will run off! Jacksonville Florida receives over 50 inches of rain per year so that is over 30,000 gallons of water coming off of your roof per year! Let’s have a look at the long-term impact of forgetting this key element: The first two photos show a chimney chase that had developed large hole following the pathway of travel starting where the kickout flashing is missing. Here is another … Continued

Read More

Ever wonder what it looks inside a masonry chimney?

January 10, 2019 | A Day in the Life

Due to a collapsed top crown, here is a good look. This shows what eventually happens when deterioration wins the battle against a chimney crown. Once we reach this point massive amounts of water intrusion and further damage becomes priority. Please take care of your crown before it reaches the point of no return.

Read More

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!

Read More

Improperly sized chimney caps

January 10, 2019 | A Day in the Life

Already in 2019, I have inspected three homes where a 8″ chimney cap was “installed” into a 10″ flue termination. The obvious is that the person installing these chimney caps knows exactly what is going to happen eventually, along with the water intrusion damage that will occur when it does happen. What isn’t obvious is that a chimney cap was incorrectly installed and even the active water intrusion can be hard to spot until it progresses. This drone image shows a 8″ cap that was at one point installed into the 10″ flue termination. As you can see, the end result is wind removing the chimney cap, sometimes turning it into a giant metal frisbee (huge liability issue). When you are having your chimney cap replaced ask for proof of measurement. This issue could not be seen from ground level (it was blocked by the shroud) and the client was … Continued

Read More

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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

Read More