by Billy Sweet | Apr 27, 2018 | Chimney Inspection
Every chimney should be inspected regularly. It’s required every year, but may happen more often if you schedule routine chimney sweeps with a certified chimney professional. The more your chimney system is seen and serviced by a professional, the more efficient it will be, and the longer it will last.
Chimney Inspections
CSIA chimney inspections are the industry standard. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has been around since the 80s, and together with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), agree that chimneys should be serviced and inspected annually in order to be safe and efficient. There are three levels of inspections:
Level One – This inspection is scheduled annually when no changes have been made to the system, and it’s been used as it has been in the past. It includes all the readily-accessible portions of the chimney system, and a visual inspection of the exterior.
Level Two – This inspection includes everything in a level one, plus accessible portions of the chimney system like that in crawlspaces, attics, and basements. This inspection includes a video scan of the entire interior of the chimney system. A level two inspection is required when land is sold or transferred.
Level Three – This inspection is required when a hazard is identified in a level one or two inspection. It may include the removal of components of the home or chimney in order to gain access to the hazard in question.
Video Scan Inspections
Do you have to have a level two inspection in order to have a video inspection? Not at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep! We believe the only way to assess your chimney is to see it. That’s why we inspect with a video scan every time. Our technicians use the Chim-Scan® camera system and Wohler Vis2000-Pro to insure your chimney gets a proper inspection. With these cameras we can locate problems big and small–from leaks and voids to glazed creosote and structure problems.
We don’t expect you to take our word for it. We document our findings, and offer visual proof for your personal records as well as for your insurance company. With all of our footage and recommendations, you will be fully informed to make a decision about necessary repairs to your chimney system. You might also like this information before deciding to buy and install a new appliance or sell or rent your home.
If you’re in the Boston, North Shore, or Portland area, Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep can service your chimney, assessing the flue from top to bottom with our video scan equipment. We can also make sure you’re ready for spring, with a watertight chimney cap and flashing, waterproof masonry, and a leak-free system from the inside out. Don’t wait another day before calling and scheduling your video inspection.
Call 617-469-4528 or make an appointment online.
by Billy Sweet | Apr 13, 2018 | Leaky Chimney
The problem with a chimney leak is as simple as 1, 2, 3.
1. It ruins your chimney.
2. It ruins your house.
3. It costs you money.
The good news is that chimney leaks are 100 percent preventable. With routine maintenance and annual inspections, your trusted chimney professional will spot a problem before it turns into a leak.
Signs You Have a Leak
Some signs are less noticeable than others. The average homeowner will overlook a chimney leak simply because the affected portion of the chimney is hidden from view. This is why it’s important to hire a certified chimney sweep to clean, inspect, and repair your chimney system.
- Sounds of dripping or visual evidence of dripping in the chimney
- Discoloration of interior or exterior masonry
- Smells of mildew or staleness
- A leak in any part of the house
Even if you don’t see signs on or in the chimney itself, a leak in another part of the house is an indication of a chimney leak. When water is allowed into the home by way of the chimney, it can run for several feet before it stops at the lowest point and forms a leak. This may be several rooms away from the chimney! If you have a leak in any part of your home, call your chimney sweep first. A contractor or handyman may repair the damage, but will not find the cause, because only a chimney professional knows where to look and diagnose the problem.
Let Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep Have a Look
At Billy Sweet, we offer chimney inspections, sweeps, and repairs year-round. You can call today, and we’ll send a technician out to diagnose your chimney problem. The first thing we’ll check is the flashing. Flashing is a collection of thin metal sheets placed along the intersection of chimney and roof to shed water away from this weak point. Oftentimes the flashing is installed incorrectly, has shifted due to weather or animal tampering, or is just worn out. The process of installing flashing is meticulous and must be done by an experienced professional. If your flashing is installed incorrectly, placed incorrectly according to the roof slant or roofing material, or if nails or seams are exposed, it will eventually leak. These types of issues could be identified during a chimney inspection, however, which is why it’s important to schedule one annually.
Other factors that may cause a chimney leak include a faulty, damaged, or missing cap or a cracked or spalling crown. At Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep we install chimney caps, repair and replace chimney crowns, and offer waterproofing services to prevent leaks.
You can schedule waterproofing services now and ensure your chimney is protected from spring showers, summer storms, and a full winter ahead. Don’t let the weather affect your chimney any longer. Schedule services today to have your leak diagnosed and repaired.
Call 617-469-4528 today.
by Billy Sweet | Mar 26, 2018 | Fireplace Insert
It’s time to think about your fireplace for next year. Whether it is cleaning your current fireplace, servicing your chimney, or upgrading to a new, more efficient model, spring is the best time to prepare!
Avoid the Fall Rush by Scheduling Now
The fall rush is the time between October and January when chimney professionals are busy with installations, repairs, and emergency calls. This is not the best time for service due to a high level of demand. If you’re looking to upgrade or convert to a new fuel for efficiency, do it soon so that you can rest assured that your fire will be ready to go in the fall.
Save Money This Summer with an Insert
Installing an insert this spring will save you money this summer. You’d be surprised how much money your traditional open fireplace costs you in lost conditioned air each year. An insert stops this completely because it has tight-sealing doors that prevent air from getting in or out.
Install an Insert for a More Efficient Fire
The savings you’ll see next winter will pay for your new insert. Installing one now will ensure you’re getting a product you like and will work for your needs in the best way. A fireplace expert at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep can help you choose the best insert for your home regardless of size, design, and capacity.
Choose Your Dream Fireplace Today
A beautiful and efficient fireplace will not only save you money, but it will bring up the value of your home. When you choose an insert, you gain all the convenience of a gas log set with the intense heat of a wood fire. We offer sleek contemporary models, traditional cast iron looks, and any design in between. Our inserts use gas, wood, or pellets, and all have their own very unique benefits. You can revitalize a tired fireplace with a new insert that you’ll be happy to sit in front of for years to come.
Inserts are Easy to Install
It will not be a big job to install a new insert this spring. Call a professional at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep to find out how quickly you can have yours completed. A fireplace expert will walk you through the process to ensure your investment is exactly what you imagined.
First, a technician will measure the existing fireplace to choose the best-sized insert for the firebox. Depending on the type of insert you choose and the safety of your chimney, you may be able to pipe the insert right into your chimney. If there is an issue with your chimney, which can be determined during an inspection, then repairs can be made, or the chimney can possibly be bypassed. Start the process now so that your new fireplace is ready for fall.
Contact Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep today to discuss your new insert with a professional!
by Billy Sweet | Mar 12, 2018 | Chimney Service
If you’re looking for chimney services in the Boston, Northshore, and Portland areas, look no further than Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep. We’ve been servicing New England chimneys for over thirty years, and we’re proud to offer the highest quality of workmanship and customer service to all of our customers here in Massachusetts and Maine; offering service to Boston Massachusetts, Portland Maine, the North Shore, and surrounding areas.
If you live near us, and you aren’t certain we’ll cover you, call and talk with an associate today. It’s our goal that every family, home, and business is safe and warm winter after winter. That standard starts with chimney maintenance.
Our Portland Location
At Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep we don’t schedule teams to drive out and service Portland area. We actually have a location in Portland, Maine, and we continuously service Portland and surrounding areas and towns. Our Portland service area reaches as far north as New Gloucester, as far west as Limerick, as far east as Brunswick, and as far south as Biddeford.
Still not sure if we’ve got you covered? Check out our Portland service area page and find your city, town, or zip code. If you are close, but not listed, give us a call today.
Offering Expert Services in Portland, Maine
It’s no small thing to offer chimney services in Portland, Maine. Winters in this area can be harsh. We often see winter damage this time of year, and it’s important that inspections and repairs are completed before the next burn season. We don’t just do the bare minimum at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep. When you call us for your chimney sweeps, inspections, and repairs, you get our full attention and comprehensive chimney care for the life of your chimney.
When you schedule with us, you will have CSIA certified chimney sweeps completing services according to CSIA standards, as well as state and local codes. Our sweeps live in the area, know the area, and understand the standards in the area. We’ll show up in uniform with company trucks, wear ID tags stating our name and company, and will show your home, family, or business courtesy and professionalism every step of the way.
Hiring Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep also means you’re part of the Billy Sweet family. This means you can expect 24-hour emergency services, speedy responses, and guaranteed work at the price and time you were quoted.
Let us help you stay safe this year. Schedule services now, and you can rest assured that your chimney is safe and efficient. Schedule services this spring, and you can be sure your chimney is ready for next burn season. Don’t stress! Let us handle the mess.
If you’re in Portland, Maine or surrounding areas, call our Portland location today at 207-773-7933 or request an appointment online.
by Billy Sweet | Feb 28, 2018 | Smoke Chamber
The smoke chamber is an important part of the fireplace and chimney system, because it helps the smoke find its way up the flue. The space where you see the fire burning is the firebox. The smoke rises up, and the next place you see it is the top of the flue. No one sees what goes on behind the scenes, but just above the firebox and below the flue is the smoke chamber, which is essential for an efficient chimney.
The Smoke Chamber’s Job
The smoke chamber consists of a slanted wall to direct the smoke up, and a shelf, called a smoke shelf, that keeps the smoke from falling back into the firebox. While the smoke is in the smoke chamber, the hot air, gases, and smoke mix together before rising up the chimney. Since heat rises, it assists the rest of the smoke in pushing up the chimney.
Maintaining the Smoke Chamber
Just like the rest of the chimney system, the smoke chamber should be maintained in order to be safe and efficient over time. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the smoke chamber should be parged smooth with a refractory insulated mortar mix, which directs the air across a smooth surface, while protecting the masonry from high heat. Even if your smoke chamber has never been parged, you can likely restore it to code compliance by scheduling a smoke chamber parge.
If you have an older fireplace, your smoke chamber may have tiered brick steps that form the smoke chamber. This may have worked for years, but it is far less efficient than a smoothly parged wall. The multiple joints and bricks of a non-parged smoke chamber can allow soot and creosote buildup. This slows air, making the rest of the chimney less efficient.
Hire a Professional
You don’t have to hire a master mason to parge your smoke chamber, but it’s definitely to your benefit to hire a certified chimney sweep. Billy Sweet Chimney Sweeps are CSIA-certified and experienced in restoring chimney systems to proper function. Whether your smoke chamber needs a simple repair, or if it’s never been parged before, we’ll take care of your chimney, and you’ll be surprised with how well it works. Parging the smoke chamber raises efficiency, generates less heat lost up the chimney, and requires fewer chimney sweeps than other systems. A more efficient system means less likelihood of a flue fire, less wood wasted to reach the desired temperature, and less necessary maintenance.
If you have not had your chimney inspected in the last 12 months, now is the time to do so. You may need to have your chimney cleaned, parts replaced, or your smoke chamber may need to be parged. Without scheduling an appointment with a chimney expert, you will never know.
Contact Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep today. Call 617-469-4528 or schedule an appointment online.
