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.

Attic dangers

December 22, 2018 | Dangers!

When inspecting a chimney system it is key to inspect the attic where the flue passes through. It may be extremely difficult to access for some homes but can be the make or break for preventing a chimney fire. To show how common clearance issues occur, on just my second inspection today I found where the original firestop was damaged replaced with combustibles right next to the flue system (not to even mention the combustible debris left around from the prior work). Not much to see from afar. Combustibles everywhere! 🤦‍♂️ Definitely not a two inch air space clearance to combustibles here… I hope these blogs are informative and show the potential dangers that need to be inspected and addressed if found. Fire prevention through thorough inspections!

Potential hazards of older homes

December 22, 2018 | A Day in the Life

I love working on older systems, partially due to working on several hundred growing up and living in a home built in 1926. Older homes have amazing character but can also come with some pretty substantial deferred maintenance. One unexpected hazard that comes up quite frequently is the potential for a partial chimney collapse due to deterioration. The picture below was the neighbors home but the the neighbors chimney system was a life safety concern for the clients living on both sides (falling bricks can kill). As you can see, no one should be standing below that chimney! To summarize, please have your history chimney system inspected by a professional and ask them to take a quick peek at the neighbors chimney systems just to be safe.

Tip of the day – Pooling water

December 21, 2018 | A Day in the Life

Water intrusion can be a costly headache but avoided if caught in time. This morning I inspected a chimney system with pooling water and deteriorated sealant around the flue termination. Have a look: [wpvideo jRWiTEOA ] While it may not look like much from above, check out what is happening below: Water makes it’s way past the deteriorated sealant and down the outer flue liner. The result is moisture that can enter through the attic, ceiling, and/or on top of the fireplace. It is always important in Florida to keep everything sealed and maintained, even those hard to reach places 😀.

The potential hazards of new construction

December 21, 2018 | Dangers!

One concern I see on a regular basis is the lack of regulation with fireplace installations, including new construction. For reference here is the warning label clearly print on the flue system for the installers to follow: As you can see pretty simple to follow but rarely adhered to. As you can see this is just one example of violations to clearances to combustibles I find regularly. Cardboard insulation baffles leaning against the flue system, a fresh air vent against the flue liner, and a natural gas line that has been run past the flue system 🤦‍♂️. Any system new or old, I highly recommend having your fireplace inspected by a CSIA certified professional before use!

One option for a fireplace that has seen better days

December 21, 2018 | A Day in the Life

Sometimes the elements win the battle against a fireplace, especially ones that have gone several years without maintenance. The fireplace above was no longer operational but the client still wanted something cost effective and would look better than this! It is a painful day for a chimney professional but sometimes the best option is to convert a system to electric. Step One – Cap off the chimney chase Step Two – Concert to electric As you can see the before and after is a pretty dramatic difference. This is also a popular option for clients with rental properties where they do not want the liability of the renter using a wood or gas fireplace. Disclaimer – When converting over to an electric system the client must be fully aware that eletric is the only option after the conversion and that using the fireplace for any other means could result in … Continued

The importance of hiring a experienced chimney sweep

December 20, 2018 | A Day in the Life

Recently I inspected a home that was owned by a home inspector (I will not give the name) and while nothing out of the norm was observed or detected, I was called in to do a comprehensive inspection of the fireplace. I have known the home inspector for a while and he always recommends a level II inspection to get a full scope of the health of the system. I am very glad that he took his own advice and had me come inspect his fireplace! Below is what I found: [wpvideo 4jxBslrg ] When the home was remodeled the contractors did not install 68″ of flue liner and all of the flue gases were terminating into a wooden chimney chase! The entire missing section was hidden inside of the chimney chase and nothing out of the norm was visible from the attic as well. Luckily the issue was found … Continued

What the heck are Aldehydes?

December 20, 2018 | Technically Speaking

So lets say you have a strange odor coming from your gas fireplace, not typical to the rotten egg smell of a gas leak, what could it be? The answer could be Aldehydes, chemical compounds that results from incomplete combustion. One key component of maintaining a gas system is keeping the firebox clean and free of things such as pet hair, lint, dust, etc. As your fireplace naturally pulls in these contaminants from your home, key components of your gas log system can become clogged and the result is the production of Aldehydes and also potentially deadly carbon monoxide. Always remember, you can smell Aldehydes but you can never smell carbon monoxide. Be sure to have multiple carbon monoxide detectors in your home for safety and make sure to have your gas system professionally inspected and cleaned once a year to prevent clogging of air inlets and ensure that your fireplace … Continued

The daily life of a Chimney Sweep

December 9, 2018 | A Day in the Life

This blog is meant to be a peek into the daily encounters, training, and dangers of a Chimney Sweep. Enjoy and reach out anytime if you have any questions or have any additional input on the posts! “Work hard in silence, let your success make the noise“. – Frank Ocean