Chimney Repair and Maintenance
Chimney and Fireplace Cleaning
Keeping your fireplace the scintillating centerpiece it was meant to be
Why Should I Get My Chimney Cleaned?
When it comes to creating a sense of warmth and comfort, nothing compares to a fireplace. Whether in a new master suite, a family room addition, or a living room remodel, a fireplace is sure to become the epicenter of your family gatherings.
While every set up is different, many older homes have traditional masonry wood-burning fireplaces that are wonderful to look at, whether dormant with logs stacked neatly inside, or alive with a crackling fire.
No matter how beautiful it is, one can never get complacent about owning and operating a fireplace.
As wood burns and combusts, it releases smoke, which lines the inside of the shaft with soot. Over time this soot mixes with moisture in the air, creating a sticky, dangerous substance called creosote. This highly combustible tar-like material can ignite, causing damage to your chimney and possibly your home. 1/8 of an inch of buildup is enough to ignite and take your entire home with it.
Chimney and Fireplace Repair
Visible or not, a damaged chimney or fireplace could lead to catastrophe.
Chimney Repairs
Any damage to your chimney could potentially lead to a serious issue. Common needs, issues, and concerns that might necessitate a chimney repair service include:
- Visible cracking on the sides or crown.
- Smoke escaping from damaged siding.
- Damage to mortar joints between masonry and chimney.
- Moisture indicators such as rust on the damper or firebox.
- Salt deposits from moisture creating a white residue called Efflorescence.
- Peeling or flaking masonry outside the chimney.
Fireplace Repairs
There’s a variety of negative forces that can slowly eat away at the integrity of your chimney, C&W Spcialists is capable of tackling all of the potential wear and tear affecting your chimney. It’s important to look out for the following warning signs in your fireplace:
- Cracked Firebox or Chimney Bricks
- White Staining
- Creosote Odor (smoky even when not in use)
- Moisture indicators such as rust on the damper or firebox.
- Staining of interior walls or ceiling
Chimney and Fireplace Inspection
Enjoy your home with one less thing to worry about
Why Do I Need A Professional Inspection?
Regardless of how often you use your chimney, annually assessing its structure and integrity is imperative. This once a year inspection isn’t just our personal and professional recommendation. According to The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”
Our Technicians follow a strict 15 point checklist of criteria including the following:
- Chimney cap and crown defects
- Creosote or heavy soot
- Abandoned or hidden chimney thimble ports
- Cleanliness
- Damaged, blocked, or unsafe chimney flues
- Dead end flues
- Fireplace inserts for wood or coal installed into an existing masonry flue
- Missing chimney clean out doors
- Movement in chimneys
- Orphaned gas-fired water heaters
- Rusted or damaged chimney or fireplace components
- Support defects
- Unlined chimney flues in single-brick width chimneys
- Un-sealed flue-vent connectors at chimney thimbles
- Unsafe fire clearances
