Your Leaking Chimney

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Joshua

Leaking chimneys cost home owners thousands of dollars each year. Many times, the home owner thinks that it is a roof leak, and call the roofer to fix the problem. However, they soon find out that the mortar in the chimney is cracked or maybe the chimney cap is letting water into the chimney. Whatever the problem happens to be, if it is with the chimney, it needs to be fixed in a hurry. The longer you wait, the more expensive the repair is going to be.

One major cause of a leaking chimney is cracked mortar. This can be caused by a few different things. For instance, if your downspouts happen to be north of your chimney, any runoff during a storm will eventually compromise the integrity of the mortar. Water is a chimney’s biggest enemy, and you must be sure that water is not constantly draining next to your chimney. We have seem firsthand what happens when cracked mortar has been left unattended.

If you do have a cracked chimney, then it is imperative that you get it repaired. The possible fixes that may be recommended include chimney repointing, chimney relining, or chimney rebuilding. The sooner you catch the problem, the less expensive the repair is going to be. If it does happen to be an expensive repair, remember that it is going to be much worse if the chimney were to fall and cause more damage to your home. It is also a safety issue, because a leaking chimney can start a fire.

When you have made your decision to have your chimney repaired, make sure you use a National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) certified chimney professional. The NCSG upholds strict quality and safety guidelines on those that carry the NCSG certification. If they hold that seal, you can bet they know exactly what their doing, and will do it well.

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Fire Prevention: Best Practices

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Joshua

Home fires are one of the leading causes of injuries and death within the home. Of course, many of these are completely preventable, and it is important to teach our family members how to keep themselves and each other safe. Here are some best practices for keeping you and your family safe.

  • Never leave the kitchen while cooking. You never know when an oil your cooking with could jump out of the pan and ignite a fire.
  • Keep items that catch fire easy away from the top of your stove. Three feet is a good distance.
  • Loose clothing is another no-no when it comes to cooking. It only takes a brief second for that baggy shirt to touch the eye of the stove and catch fire.
  • Do not leave the grill unattended when in use. You also need to keep children and pets away from it. You never know when they might hurt themselves.
  • Keep grills at least 10 feet away from your house. Many fires each year are caused by grills that are too close to a structure or shrubs.
  • Keep matches and lighters away from kids. We have seen too many children hurt and killed after they had been playing with them carelessly.
  • Space heaters need to be a safe distance, usually three feet, away from curtains, blankets and other flammable items. You may not realize how hot these appliances can get.
  • Don’t let kids have candles and incense in their room.
  • Always pay attention to warning labels. They are there for a reason.

Fire safety is a real and important thing. There is a reason we have been taught many of these things throughout our lives. There is also a reason that most of us need continued reminders. It is up to us to keep our families and friends safe from preventable fires.

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Fall Is Coming: Be Mindful of Your Chimney

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Joshua

Even though most of us are experiencing 90+ degree temperatures, the fall season is not that far away. Time goes by quickly, doesn’t it? With this season comes cooler weather, dryer conditions and more fire hazards. This is precisely why it is so important that you have your chimney inspected by a professional. Here are some of the things you need to think about.

When is the last time your chimney was inspected? Last fall? If so, think about all of the things that have probably built up since then. Things like leaves, debris and bird’s nests are very common obstructions that will build up. All of these things can immediately catch fire once you start a blaze for the first time this fall. A professional chimney sweep will thoroughly clean it out, and make sure you and your family are safe.

Creosote buildup is another important reason to get you chimney inspected. It builds up over time, and probably needs to be removed since you last had your chimney inspected. If you have used wet, unseasoned wood, you especially need to have the chimney checked for creosote. This sticky substance is highly flammable, and it can cause your chimney to erupt in fire if left unchecked. It is not recommended to try to clean it yourself. A chimney sweep will have the correct tools.

Finally, be sure the parts of your fireplace and chimney are fully functional. A sweep can check your damper, your chimney cap or the chimney itself for any signs of breakdown or distress. There are plenty of house fires that have been started by failures in any one part of the chimney, and all of them are preventable. Keep your family safe this fall. Hire a professional chimney sweep to come and keep your chimney working at it’s top condition.

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Electrical Fire Safety

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Joshua

Electrical fires are many times an afterthought when it comes to fire prevention. After all, the obvious dangers like chimneys, cigarettes and flammable liquids take up the most of our attention. Nonetheless, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has some statistics that just might help you keep the possibility of an electrical fire at the forefront of your mind.

According to the USFA, a typical year will see over 26,000 electrical fires that cause over $1.1 billion in property damages. Over half of these fires involve faulty wiring. As would be expected, December and January, typically the coldest months, see the biggest uptick in electrical fires in the U.S. With the prevalence of space heaters and electrical blankets, this is certainly no surprise. Another leading cause of electrical fire is the misuse of extension cords. Remember, these are not made for permanent use.

Because of this, the USFA has outlined some helpful tips for keeping your home and family safe:

  • Make it a routine to check the cords and cables of your appliances.
  • Frayed and damaged wires can cause fire. Replace, or discontinue use of these immediately.
  • Replace all electrical tools that give off sparks or emit smoke.
  • While this may seem obvious, it is very important to keep all electrical appliances away from wet and damp floors.
  • Only buy electrical appliances that have been evaluated from a nationally recognized organization.
  • Keep all combustible materials at least 3 feet away from heaters.
  • Don’t let children play around with electrical appliances like space heaters or hair dryers.
  • Child-proof your electrical outlets with plastic safety closures.
  • Never overload electrical outlets and electrical sockets.

You and your family can stay safe by abiding by these helpful tips. It is important for you to show your family how to stay safe with electrical appliances. Help them understand proper handling of these appliances.

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Smokey Bear Turns 67

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Joshua

Most of us will remember Smokey Bear, the fire safety expert in bear’s clothing. It has long been common knowledge that the best way to teach anything to children is to make it fun. A talking bear proves this to a tee. For 67 years as a matter of fact. Fire safety is certainly an important concept to teach kids, as there is a vibrant camping community in Middle Tennessee.

The Smokey Bear commercials are certainly iconic, but the Ad Council, sponsors of Smokey Bear, have developed a tip top website to teach kids and adults alike the best practices of campfires. For instance, when extinguishing a campfire, allow the fire to burn all the way down to ashes. Then, pour lots of water on it, being careful to extinguish all of the embers. Not just the red ones. Stir the ashes and embers with a shovel, and make sure everything is cool. If you don’t have water, use dirt and sand. The key phrase is if it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.

Due to record temperatures and drought, wildfires have been a tragic epidemic this summer. This is why campaigns like Smokey Bear are so important. We must teach our kids how vital it is for them to be aware when out in nature. Take the time to show them how to responsibly build a campfire. Make sure they understand why it is so important to be cautious. It isn’t to put rules on them, but rather to keep everyone safe.

So, go to SmokeyBear.com. See the treasure trove of tips and information that will better enable you to teach the children in your life about fire safety. Only when they have a healthy respect for fire will they see how important it is for fire safety.

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No More Excuses – Get Your Chimney Cleaned Before You Need It

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Joshua

There seems to be two kinds of people in this world; ones that just get things done and the other that makes up excuses for why they couldn’t get things done. Unfortunately, if you haven’t had a chimney inspection and/or your chimney swept each year, that oversight could end up costing you a bunch of money in property damage and maybe even your life or the life of someone you love.

It’s time to declare, “No More Excuses” when it comes to the safety and welfare of your family and your home.

Most people don’t realize all of the hidden dangers that lurk inside your chimney. You have probably heard of creosote and how it can build up on the walls of the chimney to eventually catch fire but you may not know the smoky smell you have in the summer is that same creosote being spread throughout your house.

Yes, the wind comes down your chimney and blows what’s in your chimney around your home. It’s not going to catch fire this way, but for those with asthma or other breathing issues it can be troublesome. People without these issues have suffered allergy type symptoms from the miniscule particles of debris that are being forced into your home down the chimney.

Because the chimney needs to be cool one of the best times to get it serviced and cleaned is when it’s not being used. That simply means when you don’t need it, which is now, in August when it’s hotter than Hades outside. And don’t forget to have your chimney inspected as well and ask the company before you hire them if they have a chimney camera.

This technology allows the technician to see the walls of the chimney “up close and personal” to find out if the liner has been damaged at all. Chimney liners keep the fire and smoke in their place. If they develop cracks this lets those thing in places they shouldn’t be so make sure they have a camera to look up into that area.

The most important step is to do this right now while you are thinking about it. Call and schedule an appointment before you don’t need that roaring fire.

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100 Reasons Your Fireplace Doesn’t Work

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Joshua

We have all been there. The fireplace and chimney do not work, and who knows why. That’s where the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) comes in. They have a great article that talks about 100 reasons your fireplace does not work. In this article, they cover what the usual causes of a non-functioning fireplace are. If you have covered their recommendations already, then it is recommended that you call your local chimney sweep.

  1. Is your damper fully open? Check this first. Believe me. It has happened to the best of us.
  2. Is your firewood moist from precipitation? Moist firewood does not produce as much heat as dry wood. It produces more smoke.
  3. Do you have a dirty chimney? A large buildup of soot can restrict the airflow of a chimney, which will cause your chimney to not work properly.
  4. Is your chimney tall enough? Chimneys need to be 10 to 12 feet tall in order to function properly.
  5. Is your flue large enough? If the flue is not big enough to handle the fireplace opening, it will not be able to handle all of the smoke.
  6. Is your chimney on the outside of the house? This tends to be affected by cold weather. Since the air outside is cold, the air inside the chimney will also be cold. It is just something you have to have patience with, and the fire will take a bit longer to start.
  7. Is your house buttoned up too tight? Houses that don’t have enough of a draft don’t allow for the chimney to breath. It needs air from inside the house to push the smoke out of the chimney.
  8. Is your house too loose? A home that has too much draft can actually overpower your chimney, and keep a fire from getting started.
  9. Is there a return air grill in the same room as the fireplace? The furnace in your house can be triggered by the cold air coming in from the chimney. It pushes air through the return air grill, thus competing with the chimney.
  10. The other 91 reasons. We could keep going down the list, but they can be rather complicated. Call your local chimney sweep to examine your chimney, and get it working today.
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Best Burn Practices For Consumers

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Joshua

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed a best practices for people with fireplaces and chimneys. They have found that a working chimney should not emit any smoke indoors. In other words, if you smell smoke, you probably have a problem. Here are some guidelines they have setup to help us understand the best way to operate our chimney.

  • Start fires with newspaper and dry wood kindling.
  • Burn only dry, seasoned firewood.
  • Maintain proper airflow by regularly removing the ashes from your appliance.
  • Never burn household garbage, cardboard or plastics inside your chimney.
  • Never burn wet or rotting wood.
  • Keep your fire burning hot. A smoldering fire is neither safe or efficient.

Along with these tips, install a smoke alarm detector and a carbon monoxide detector. These devices save thousands of lives every year. If you’ll follow these guidelines, you will be sure to keep your family safe from preventable fires and the danger of carbon monoxide.

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Taking Care of the People Around Us

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Joshua

As many tips as we give out here, it is very important to remember those around us who cannot perform some of the tasks that we recommend. For example, the elderly and the disabled are not often able to install smoke alarms, clean their dryer lint or the myriad of other things that need to be done to prevent fires.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has partnered with the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) to provide many of these services to the elderly and the disabled. If you would like to help the MOWAA and the IAFC with those programs, I would encourage you to get in touch with them to see what can be done in your area.

The bottom line is we need to take care of the most vulnerable among us. We just might be saving someone’s life. Also, someone else might be saving a person you love one day. Take some time to help out today.

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Keep Safety In Mind This 4th of July

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Joshua

The fourth of July is near, and we are going to add to the multiplicity of voices calling for fireworks safety. While we understand this can sound like a killjoy, we hope to give you tips that will help keep everyone safe this holiday. Here are a few we found on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website:

  • Never let young children to play with fireworks.
  • Avoid fireworks that are wrapped in brown paper. This often indicates fireworks that were meant for professional displays, and can be dangerous to consumers.
  • Never place your body over the firework device while lighting the fuse.
  • This goes without saying, but…never point or throw fireworks at anyone else.
  • Keep a bucket of water close by in the event of a fire.
  • Don’t carry fireworks in your pocket, or shoot them out of glass or metal containers.
  • Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before shooting them off.

The bottom line is you need to use common sense. By following these guidelines, you are helping keep your family safe from a holiday tragedy.

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