Take Care of Chimney Maintenance Now!
With some unpredictable weather left, it’s time to think about the health of your chimney system. A lot can happen to a chimney over the winter, from creosote buildup to cracks expanding in masonry work. While you can expect creosote buildup from regular use, it is a fire hazard. A CSIA-Certified chimney sweep should remove it and inspect the chimney annually. Water intrusion starts to become a problem during in the spring, when newly exposed cracks from freezing and thawing appear. Our CSIA-Certified technicians know the ins and outs of maintaining fireplace and chimney systems in Colorado. This article covers a few chimney maintenance basics
Why should I have my chimney swept & inspected?
Creosote is a flammable by-product of wood combustion that builds up in the chimney. This black, tar-like substance is the most common cause of chimney fires and must be removed from the chimney every year after the regular burning season to ensure continued safe operations. Taking care of creosote buildup as the weather begins to warm in the spring is a great way to make sure it’s done ahead of the autumn busy season, when chimney sweeps experience a rush of business that pushes availability out by a few weeks.
What level of chimney inspection do I need?
A chimney sweeping and inspection on an annual basis keeps your fireplace system running efficiently.
A chimney sweeping and inspection on an annual basis keeps your fireplace system running efficiently.
During your annual service, our CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweeps inspect the chimney and fireplace to ensure that everything is in safe, working order. We offer three levels of chimney inspection:
Level 1: During a Level 1 Chimney Inspection, our technicians will inspect all the readily accessible portions of the chimney system from the fireplace to the flue. We will look for signs of damage, danger, and health hazards.
Level 2: During a Level 2 inspection, we perform a video scan of the flue and inspect areas not included in Level 1 such as attics and crawlspaces. We perform this inspection when you are selling a property or when there are changes to your system such as a new liner or appliance.
Level 3: During a Level 3 inspection, we go more in-depth, this level involves removing all materials around the chimney system such as doors, drywall and more. We suggest you have this inspection performed after a chimney fire or other problem with your fireplace or chimney.
During your annual service, we perform a Level I inspection. If you have any reason to suspect a safety issue with your system or are about to sell your property, consider a Level 2 or Level 3 inspection for your chimney system.
Why is my chimney leaking?
If your chimney is leaking, now is the time for you to take care of it.
If your chimney is leaking,
now
is the time for you to take care of it.
As the snow melts, leaks in your chimney may become apparent. Water expands by a factor of between 9% and 10% when freezing. This may not seem like much; however, freezing expansion can exert tremendous force on materials containing or trapping water. In fact, one experiment measured this force at nearly 28,000 psi (≈193,000 kPa). This is a common cause of erosion in the natural world and has more than enough power to expand or create cracks in masonry.
During the freeze-thaw cycle, this physical mechanism can result in new or exacerbated leaks in your chimney system. If you notice water intrusion coming from your chimney, you should address it as soon as possible. Water damage only gets worse and the sooner it’s resolved the less expensive the repairs. Our technicians are skilled in masonry repair and can make sure your chimney system is watertight and protected from the elements.
Get in touch to schedule your chimney sweeping & inspection!
If you need your regular chimney sweeping and inspection, your chimney is leaking, or you are experiencing some other problem with your fireplace or chimney, we can help. We have over 20 years of experience servicing, repairing, and installing fireplaces, stoves, inserts, and chimneys in Colorado. Our technicians are certified by the CSIA or the NFI and can diagnose and repair gas, wood, or pellet appliances. To schedule your appointment contact us, by phone at (303) 679-1601,email at Office@MtnHP.com, or through our contact page.
We have overstocked stoves, fireplaces, & inserts that we are eager to get into your home. Check out our overstocked hearth appliances here!
Originally published on MtnHP.com, our fireplace retail outlet.
Ready To Light Your First Fire? Have Your Chimney Inspected First
It’s getting colder, leaves are falling, and homeowners everywhere are anxious to get their fireplaces going. We totally get it! Fireplaces add the perfect ambiance to the fall and winter months, and they make holiday parties more festive than ever. It’s no wonder so many homebuyers look for them in potential future homes!We hope that all of our customers enjoy their fireplace to fullest throughout the months ahead and create lasting memories with loved ones at they gather around their hearth.But before you gather that firewood, we want to remind you to invest in an inspection done by a certified professional. This is an important step in keeping your chimney strong and your family safe. Avoid any hiccups or hazardous situations this winter by giving the staff at Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney a call today!
Do You Need Repairs?
One major reason why inspections are necessary is to check for necessary repairs. If your system is facing cracks, holes, or other malfunctions it will leave you in a big mess this upcoming holiday season. On top of that, these damages leave the door open for gases and other toxins to escape into your home.When it comes right down to it, putting off repairs will only lead to more damage and more expenses down the line. You’ll end up paying more in energy bills (due to a lack of efficiency and heat output) and the cost of fixing any structural damage will only increase as things get worse. Invest in us now, and let us set up you right!
What About A Cleaning?
Another reason why inspections are necessary is to determine whether or not you need a cleaning. Going without regular cleanings leads to creosote accumulation, which puts your home and family at risk for fires. Creosote is very flammable, which is why it needs to be cleared up before it can trigger lots of damage to your home and chimney.There are many reasons why creosote may be accumulating at an increased rate, and we can help you minimize this build up. Whether your airflow is restricted, you’re not using the right type of fuel, or something else, we are certain we can resolve the issue and help you run your fireplace safer and more efficiently.
Why Call Now?
If you’re ready to take the next step and invest in better care for your appliance, we encourage you to give us a call now! Why so soon? Well, our busy fall season is starting to take off, so the earlier we get you in, the better! If your system is in need of large repairs, we’ll need to schedule further appointments and, as our books fill up, it may be harder to find a spot that’s convenient for you.Call now, so that you’re all set when the temperatures drop!
What We Look For In A Chimney Inspection
The CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) is a nationally recognized non-profit that has been training and certifying chimney sweeps for years. Chimney companies all across the country know that holding these certifications gives them a step up in chimney knowledge. And at Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney we take pride in maintaining these certifications year after year!The CSIA strongly recommends scheduling at least one chimney inspection per year. This not only ensures your chimney stays healthy… it also keeps your home and family safer. Give us a call today, and know your fireplace is clean and in great condition with every season that passes you by!
The Inspection Process
First things first, we’ll find out what exactly you need based on your unique situation. When it comes to fireplaces, everyone is different! Some are newer, while some have been in a home for decades. Some have been completely restored, while others have a more traditional look and feel. Whatever the case is, we need to know what type of inspection you’re going to need.Once we have that figured out, we will proceed with either a level 1, level 2, or level 3 inspection. A level 1 inspection is pretty basic. If your system is well-maintained and no serious changes or issues have occurred recently, then this type of inspection is likely all you’ll need. We’ll make sure everything is still running smoothly and that no new issues have popped up over the course of the last year.If your chimney or fireplace has seen some renovation, a level 2 inspection will be the best option for you. This inspection is a little more in-depth and will ensure that everything is still functioning normally, despite any changes that have occurred. Also, if you are buying or selling a home, a level 2 inspection will be in order before any final decisions are made.Lastly, there are level 3 inspections. These are far less common and are typically only required in more extreme circumstances. If special tools are required or certain parts of the chimney need to be removed, then we’ll opt for a level 3 inspection.
We Can Do It All!
At Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney, we can perform all three levels of inspections, so you know that you are covered, no matter what. We take pride in what we do, and we really strive to do it all for our customer base.If you are due for a chimney inspection, there is no time to lose! With our busy fall and winter season soon approaching, you’ll want to get something scheduled as soon as you can. Give us a call anytime to get on the books!
Fix Your Chimney's Draft Before Cool Weather Arrives
A drafty chimney can seem like a never ending problem and can seriously impact your ability to enjoy your fireplace. As the cooler temperatures of fall and winter draw closer, now is the perfect time to fix your chimney’s draft. Fixing your drafty chimney now will allow you to enjoy your fireplace when cool weather arrives without worrying about problems such as smoke blowing back into the house or cold air rushing in.The following are four of the most common draft problems, as well as ways that they can be repaired.
- Flue sizing. Bigger is not always better – if your flue is too big for your fireplace, cold outside air and smoke may backdraft into your home. Issues with flue sizing are often seen in homes where a fireplace insert has been installed or the fuel source has been changed. Fireplaces should follow the 10 to 1 rule, which states there needs to be 1 square inch of flue for every 10 square inches of fireplace opening. Following this ratio allows smoke and other byproducts of combustion to quickly move up and out of the chimney without drawing additional outside air in.
- Chimney blockages. The presence of debris in the chimney can impact fireplace drafting. Whether it is a bird nest, a large clump of leaves, or pieces of fallen shingles chimney blockages can cause smoke to become trapped in the chimney. When this happens, smoke will often back up into the room and will not stop until the fire is extinguished. Having the chimney regularly swept as well as having a chimney cap can both prevent chimney blockages.
- Air tight house. Believe it or not, having a house that is too well insulated can impact fireplace performance. If your furnace continues to run even when a roaring fire is blazing, you most likely have an air tight house. When this happens, the fire cannot draw in enough oxygen to keep burning, causing the fire to pull air from down the chimney.One of the best ways to combat an air tight house is to open a window close to the fireplace. This gives the fire enough fresh oxygen to burn well without drawing in large amounts of cold air from down the chimney. Opening a window close to the fireplace can also help prevent potential backdrafts that often occur in air tight homes.
- Burning the wrong firewood. If your fireplace produces excessive amounts of smoke, it may not be a drafting issue at all – you may be using the wrong firewood. Homeowners should only burn seasoned wood to avoid a smoky fire. Because seasoned wood is allowed to dry out for at least six months it has much lower moisture content than freshly-cut wood. This, in turn, reduces the amount of smoke the fire produces.
Drafting issues can impact your ability to enjoy your fireplace system. This year, get your chimney’s draft fixed before cool weather arrives. Contact Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney today to schedule your appointment to fix your drafty chimney!
Fireplace Inspections May Lower Your Insurance Rates
With summer a distant memory, fall has officially taken over. The winds have a new chill to them, and they have started stripping the colorful leaves from trees. People are digging up warm jackets before they head outside, and hot apple cider has become a drink of choice to stave off the chill. Homeowners are starting to think about heating their homes throughout the upcoming cold seasons, and many of them turn to their trusty fireplaces to provide warmth for the house. Along with having a functioning fireplace comes the responsibilities of keeping the unit safe and working properly. This can be done through annual chimney inspections, which can even help lower your homeowner’s insurance rates.A chimney inspection serves several purposes, but the main idea behind them is to uncover any damage or issues that need to be repaired. One issue inspectors often uncover is water damage. Water can leak through the top of the chimney and cause damage to the damper and flue. If the flue rusts or cracks due to water damage, the rest of the chimney and house becomes exposed to water damage and even fire damage because of the high heat the flue is designed to contain. Water can also damage the masonry on this type of chimney, which can lead to structural problems like cracks or even collapse.Another issue inspectors look for is missing or damaged chimney caps and crowns. The purpose of these units is to keep animals, debris and water from entering the chimney. Fixing caps and crowns is relatively easy and inexpensive and can save thousands in repairs, yet many homeowners would never know they are missing or damaged without having an annual inspection.Inspectors also examine the installation of the fireplace in accordance with the flue. The National Fire Protection Association has specific standards for fireplace installation to ensure the safest burning and the lowest levels of emissions entering the home. The inspector can tell you if your fireplace meets these codes, which may help reduce your insurance costs.The NFPA has also designed three levels of inspections. Level 1 is the basic inspection you would have done each year, as long as you do not suspect any specific issues. Here, the inspector examines every readily accessible area of the chimney and fireplace. Level 2 is more invasive, and the inspector also examines the chimney in hidden spaces, like the attic, crawlspace, or basement. Level 3 is the most involved, usually utilizing a camera to inspect the interior of the chimney, and this is usually reserved for units with known damage, such as a chimney fire.If you plan to use your fireplace this season, be sure to schedule an inspection before you light the first fire. Contact Mountain Man Fireplace and Chimney in Evergreen, Colorado for a professional consultation.
Carbon Monoxide Crash Course
What exactly is carbon monoxide?
As defined by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, carbon monoxide—also known as (CO)—is a deadly, colorless, odorless, tasteless, poisonous gas; these qualities have earned it the nickname “The Silent Killer.” It is mainly emitted by the partial burning of a number of fuel resources; these include propane, wood, coal, oil, kerosene, and natural gases. Most products out in the market and equipment we use on a day to day basis also produce CO.
Why should homeowners know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), learning the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and the steps you can take to minimize your risk of exposure is also crucial to keeping you and your loved ones safe. At moderate CO levels, you and your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy or disoriented, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. It’s possible to die if these levels persist for an extended period of time. Low levels of CO can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea and headaches, and may have longer-term effects on overall health.Because many of these symptoms are similar to those of more common ailments like the flu and food poisoning, many don’t even think of CO poisoning. This is the first mistake. If these symptoms only appear when you’re in the house and then get better when you leave home, CO poisoning could very likely be the culprit. Getting fresh air as soon as any of these symptoms surface is key.
What are some preventive measures one may take to remove carbon monoxide from the equation?
- Proper skills, knowledge, and tools are required when operating fuel-burning equipment. Check the owner’s manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning machinery.
- Portable fuel-burning camping equipment should never be used indoors or in an enclosed space unless it is specifically designed for such use.
- Recognize the need to have yearly inspection and maintenance of your heating systems to prevent the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Having this kind of knowledge relating to what carbon monoxide really is and what it can do to you and your entire family is key; it’s best to be proactive and take action now rather than sit back and wait until something happens to react. If preventive measures are to be taken (the first of which should be to secure the annual maintenance of your chimney or fireplace), then so be it.Most of the time, a home’s heating system is often overlooked due to the lack of information on its importance to homeowners. Whether it be mild or severe CO poisoning, it pays to be vigilant. Keep two things in mind:
- There are no dumb questions.
- Failure to ask a question you think is dumb could cost you your life.
There's no time to waste! Contact Mountain Man Fireplace and Chimney, Inc now. We’ll be glad to answer any and all questions you may have. Pick up that phone and schedule an appointment today!
3 Ways Water Ruins Your Chimney
We might start sounding like a broken record after a while, but the truth is the truth: Moisture is your chimney system’s worst enemy. Sure, we have to consider other potential chimney problems in providing proper chimney care, like fire hazards and proper draft. But when Mountain Man Fireplace and Chimney technicians are called out for chimney repairs, more often than not, the culprit behind that repair need is water.How Water Damages Your Chimney
Here’s the thing about the various sources of chimney trouble: Most of them are either irregular, or relatively avoidable. Yes, a lightning strike could cause serious damage to your chimney, but those don’t happen frequently. Same goes for seismic events. And while a chimney fire is a serious concern, we can do a lot to make those far less probable, from sweeping your chimney every year to guiding you toward proper burning practices (like always and only burning seasoned or kiln-dried firewood).Water, on the other hand, is consistent. Season after season, year after year, rain, snow, sleet and other forms of precipitation bear down on your chimney exterior, wearing at the masonry and the various components of your system. You can’t keep your chimney clear of moisture, but you can know how moisture attacks and damages your chimney, and learn what you can do to protect the system and avoid extensive damage.3 Types Of Water DamageRust/CorrosionMany components of your chimney system are made out of metal, including your chimney flashing and chimney cap. In pre-fabricated chimney systems, you’ll have a metal chimney chase installed at the top performing a job similar to that of a masonry chimney crown: diverting water away from the flue opening. Depending on what those components are made of, rust and corrosion could be a concern. Galvanized metal is a budget-friendly material, but it doesn’t stand up to the elements nearly as well as copper or stainless steel. Galvanized caps and covers can start to fail even in just a few years. Rust and corrosion are things we’ll look for during your chimney inspection, but if you see rust streaks on your chase cover or chimney cap or notice damage on your flashing in between inspections, call Mountain Man — those components likely need replacing.SpallingSpalling masonry is masonry that’s flaking, chipping or crumbling, and that can span from surface flaking on your chimney crown to bricks that look like their faces have popped clean off. And yes, water is your culprit here too. Water causes spalling often through the freeze/thaw cycle — moisture weaves its way into small imperfections like cracks, then the water freezes as the temperatures drop, and expanding ice breaks open the masonry from the inside. But the regular assault of rain and snow can just slowly wear at your masonry too, causing the surface to flake and crumble.Mortar Joint DamageBricks will generally stay stronger longer than the mortar joints holding them together. So after years of being bombarded by precipitation, it’s common for mortar joints to recede or crack, allowing moisture to move toward the interior of your chimney, affecting other components (like rusting your throat damper or wearing down the mortar joints in your firebox). Leaks like these can also create a mold issue. Mold feeds on moisture, and if it starts growing in your chimney, it can contribute to health problems, from skin irritation to respiratory problems, for the people in your homeHow To Keep Water From Ruining Your ChimneyYour chimney system was designed with components that protect it against water. Your chimney crown or chase cover usher rain away from the flue; flashing keeps water from intruding where your chimney meets the roofline; a chimney cap helps protect the flue opening from letting precipitation in. When Mountain Man technicians perform your annual chimney inspection, we check all of those components to ensure that they’re performing properly and effectively — and if they’re not, we can do the right repairs to change that. So keeping up with those inspection appointments: a big step toward keeping water from ruining your chimney.Another proactive step we can recommend is having Mountain Man techs apply a waterproofing sealant to your masonry. Waterproofing keeps excess moisture from being absorbed, and protects the masonry itself, helping to extend its service life. It’s a really worthwhile extra step that helps you avoid damage and leaks, and care for a beautiful part of your home.If you have any questions about moisture damage to your chimney — or if you’d like to make an appointment with Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney’s CSIA-certified technicians — just give us a cal
Chimney Safety Saves You Money!
The primary reason that Mountain-area homeowners have their chimneys swept each year is safety – none of us want to put our homes at increased risk as the result of a hostile chimney fire. Of course, it’s also important to remember that it saves you money to keep your hearth appliances well maintained and operating at maximum performance and efficiency!
Here are some fundamental ways to stay safe and save money at home this Spring:1. If you don't have a chimney cap, get one. Without a cap, rain and snow enter at the top of the chimney - not too much differently than having a hole in the top of your house. Moisture in the flue not only damages the interior liner (either eroding the mortar joints or causing rust on the steel components) but it washes some of the combustible soot and creosote down the side of the flue. Now that it's warming up again, critters like a quiet place to have a litter away from predators. All of these conditions are going to cost you some serious money to get fixed, but simply having a properly sized cap will prevent this from happening.2. If you have a chimney cap, make sure it's not getting plugged. Modern chimney caps have a wire screen to act as a spark-arrestor. This is a valuable part of the chimney system, but also the first place that gets plugged with creosote. Check for these two signs; if you're having difficulty getting a fire started when it used to be easy, it's likely that your chimney cap is partially plugged. If the cap is blocking the airflow at the top of the chimney, the draft in the flue will be reduced. Restricted airflow means lower flue temperatures and increased creosote buildup – and it means poorer efficiency. A poorly operating hearth appliance means extra money spent on fuel and extra emissions entering the atmosphere.3. Don’t forget your dryer vent. Much like their hearth appliance brethren, dryer vents rely on an unplugged venting system for good airflow. A common symptom of a dryer vent that needs to be serviced is clothes that take extra cycles to get completely dry - and that means spending extra money for each load of clothes. Obviously it’s costing you extra money if you have to run your dryer longer to dry the same clothes. A simple mistake many of our customers make is to assume that their dryer vent will get serviced when they have a new dryer installed. In fact, it’s rare for an appliance installation crew to remove the lint and debris from anywhere other than inside the room containing the dryer.4. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas created by the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons - including cord wood, natural gas, pellet fuel and propane. Medical research has shown that long term exposure to levels of CO once thought to be ‘safe’ can cause serious health problems including memory loss and lung damage. The best way to prevent CO production is to have all heating units regularly serviced as part of an annual system of inspection and evaluation. The best way to detect CO after its production is with a CO Detector.To receive a Free Copy of the CSIA Bulletin: The Facts About Chimney Fires: Causes and Cures and/or a chimney cap brochure, or for more information about heating with wood, gas or pellet products or for service on all makes and models, call us today at Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney - (303) 679-1601. Semper Fi!
When is a Chimney Not a Chimney?
Part Two of ‘Why is MY Chimney Leaking?’ There are quite a number of ambiguous and even confusing terms used in the hearth industry. Among them is the very basic word ‘chimney’. If what looks like a chimney and sticks up out of your roof is covered with siding or stucco, it’s probably actually a ‘chase’. The chase is the framed box and it’s the metal pipe inside that is the chimney. But all this does is lead to the same questions we answered last month – why is my chimney leaking? Or my chase or whatever you want to call it?!?!?
Water leaking into your home is a hassle and it can be difficult to locate the source. Whether you’re venting a fireplace, a stove or even a furnace; the fundamentals of investigating a leak on are the same with a chase as with a chimney: start at the top and work down to the roofline. Usually the chase is covered by a sheet metal cover that was fabricated for that specific chase – it looks like an upside down cake pan. In order to keep it from leaking, the ‘chase cover’ needs to be properly supported and sized for whatever chimneys pass through it. A properly installed chase cover consists of four components: the underlying framing and plywood to support it, the cover itself – it should have 4” sides and a drip edge, the chimney collar – the transition from flat to round, and the storm collar – the hat brim-shaped strip of metal that fits around the outer wall of the chimney above the chimney collar.If water leaks into the chase cover from the top, it typically runs down the outside of the pipe until it reaches something to absorb it. That can be the ceiling, the top of a freestanding stove or even the walls on the front of a fireplace. It’s also common for water leaking into the chase to eventually create rust on the top of a built-in fireplace, causing a serious deficiency in the ability of the fireplace to protect the surrounding combustible material.Because the chase is built very similarly to a standard wall, the sides of a conventional chase are the easiest to evaluate during a leaky chimney diagnosis. Like anywhere else on your home, water can enter through gaps and/or splits in the siding, cracks in the stucco, and even through holes made by animals. A comprehensive chimney inspection will include an evaluation of all four sides of the chase.Where the chase meets the roofline can be the most complicated region of a leaking chimney to diagnose. Every roof-chimney interface should have an overlapping system that includes both flashing and counter-flashing. The flashing starts under the roofing materials and runs up alongside the chimney. The counter-flashing starts out with a ‘cut’ into the side of the chimney and then overlaps the flashing to create a barrier to water intrusion. Unfortunately, a huge percentage of homes in our community have chimneys that are flashed improperly. We often see chimneys where the counter-flashing is just placed along the chimney and ‘sealed’ with some type of goop. WRONG! Chimneys like these need significant repairs to keep the water out of your home.To correctly diagnose and fix a leaking chimney/chase, we evaluate the entire chimney/chase as a system: top (cap and cover), middle (siding and/or stucco) and bottom (flashing and counter-flashing). If any of the three sections is leaking, then the chimney has a potential for water to enter the home. Our standardized 20-point inspection process is designed to locate the source of leaks and allow us to create a repair program for stopping the water penetration into your home.To schedule a fireplace/chimney sweeping and/or inspection – call us today at Mountain Man Fireplace and Chimney, Inc - (303) 679.1601 / 838.3882 or electronically at office@MtnManChimney.com. Semper Fi!
Why is My Chimney Leaking?
There are few things more aggravating to a homeowner than having water leaking into their home. Finding the exact source of a leak around a chimney can be particularly frustrating. The inherent complexity of having a masonry structure pass through a framed roof can turn the proper diagnosis of a leaking chimney into a time-consuming headache.
To understand the fundamentals of why a masonry chimney will or won’t leak, let’s start at the top of the flue and work down to the roofline. First, if you don’t have a chimney cap, get one. An uncovered chimney allows whatever rain and snow are falling to enter right into the fireplace flue. Over time, that water erodes the mortar joints between the flue tiles and it also damages the chimney as the water is heated into steam during operation of the fireplace.The chimney crown is the ‘lid’ over your chimney. It’s useful to think of a chimney as a hollow box built out of cinder blocks or bricks. To keep water from entering the chimney from above, a crown is poured. The crown should be concrete that is 4” – 5” thick and contoured to drain moisture. Lots of chimney crowns in our area were just built with mortar instead of concrete or they lack an expansion joint to allow the top flue tile to expand when the fireplace is in use. The result is cracks and erosion that allow water to penetrate and cause increasingly larger cracks as the freeze-thaw cycle occurs.The sides of a masonry chimney are often the least understood culprit when making a leaky chimney diagnosis. Like all masonry materials, mortar joints will allow water penetration when saturated. When the mortar joints are cracked or damaged, water easily flows through them and into the space between the cinder block structure and the stone veneer. It flows downward until it reaches the framing of the roof and into your home. Even in our dry climate, when a chimney is exposed to excessive rain and snow, it will absorb moisture through the rocks or bricks on the sides. The solution is to locate the weakened joints and cracked rocks and seal or replace them as necessary.Where the chimney meets the roofline can be the most complicated region of a leaking chimney to diagnose. Every roof-chimney interface should have an overlapping system that includes both flashing and counter-flashing. The flashing starts under the roofing materials and runs up alongside the chimney. The counter-flashing starts out with a ‘cut’ into the side of the chimney and then overlaps the flashing to create a barrier to water intrusion. Unfortunately, a huge percentage of homes in our community have chimneys that are flashed improperly. We often see chimneys where the counter-flashing is just placed along the chimney and ‘sealed’ with some type of goop. WRONG! Chimneys like these need significant repairs to keep the water out of your home.To correctly diagnose and fix a leaking chimney, we evaluate the entire chimney as a system: top (cap and crown), middle (stonework or bricks) and bottom (flashing and counter-flashing). If any of the three sections is leaking, then the chimney has a potential for water to enter the home. Next month we’ll explain how to find the leaks on a framed chase with a factory-built chimney.To schedule a fireplace/chimney sweeping and/or inspection – call us today at Mountain Man Fireplace and Chimney, Inc - (303) 679.1601 / 838.3882 or electronically at office@MtnManChimney.com. Semper Fi!
What's Blocking Your Chimney?
While everyone loves a fire in his or her fireplace, no one wants a fire in his or her chimney. Unfortunately, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, chimney fires are more common than you may think, and sometimes you do not even know they have occurred. A dirty chimney is the most likely cause of all chimney fires, and usually the same blockages are the culprits in these accidents. The good news is chimney fires are completely preventable with proper maintenance care like regular chimney sweeps from professionals like Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney Incorporated. Also, knowing what the common chimney blockages are can prepare you to keep these things out of your chimney in the first place.
ANIMALS
Stray animals looking for a dry, warm place to call home may come across your chimney to set up house in the winter. Ranging from nesting birds to raccoons to squirrels, these animals not only cause blockage problems that can lead to dangerous fires, but they can become stuck and create nasty, putrid smells that can invade your home. For your own personal safety, we strongly recommend you call a professional animal removal service to get any animals and nests out of your chimney.
DEBRIS
All year long, leaves, trash, tree foliage, and settlement works its way down into your chimney and accumulates. This may not sound like too big of a deal; however, all of this debris adds up and can cause blockages giving a risk for incomplete combustion and negative air pressure to happen, driving smoke into your house. Settlement buildup can also cause cracks in your flue, which lets dangerous carbon monoxide escape into your home.
CREOSOTE
The most dangerous of the chimney blockages, creosote is the by-product of burning wood, and it comes from the residue of smoke, gases, water vapor, hydrocarbon, unburned wood particles, and other assorted minerals as they exit the fireplace and pass through the chimney. Sticking to the inner walls of the chimney, creosote is brown or black in appearance and can be flaky, crusty, tar-like, sticky, drippy, shiny, or hardened -- even all of the above. Extremely flammable and highly combustible, creosote can quickly build up, and if the internal flue temperature is high enough, you have a chimney fire waiting to happen that could possibly burn down your entire house. What’s worse is certain conditions make creosote buildup happen more quickly. Factors that accelerate creosote buildup include restricted air supply from closing the glass doors or not opening the damper wide enough and burning unseasoned wood because the smoke is so much cooler due to the energy being used to burn off the water trapped in the cells of the logs. You can also get a heavier amount of creosote buildup if you overload the firebox in a wood stove in an attempt to get a longer burn.To ensure your chimney is blockage-free and prevent a chimney fire, schedule an appointment for a chimney sweeping with Mountain Man Fireplace & Chimney Incorporated today. A clean chimney is the best prevention against a chimney fire!