by Billy Sweet | Jul 7, 2017 | Chimney Maintenance
Your chimney is designed to last, but there are some factors that can cause serious damage, deterioration, and even require a rebuild. Water penetration is one occurrence that can shorten the life of your chimney and cost you a fortune in repairs. It’s easier to avoid the leak in the first place rather than repairing the damages that are inevitable if measures aren’t taken to prevent it.
Water and Your Chimney
Masonry chimneys are significantly affected by water penetration because of their make-up. Masonry is constructed of various materials, all of which are adversely affected by water. In fact, if water penetrates your masonry it can destroy the system from the inside out causing:
- Rusted fireplace accessories and doors
- Rot and decay of adjacent wood and wall coverings
- Water-stained and weakened walls, ceilings, floors, and masonry
- Deteriorated central heating and duct system
- Damaged flue liner
- Collapsed hearth support and chimney structure
- Deteriorated metal or masonry firebox assemblies
- Chimney settlement
- Rusted damper and firebox assemblies
- Clogged clean out area
What You Can Do
The best thing you can do for your chimney system is to schedule routine maintenance. When you schedule a regular chimney sweep and annual inspection, a system weakness is more likely to be caught before it becomes a leak. You may not notice that your chimney cap is crooked or that your flashing is loose, but a chimney expert will. Necessary repairs can be made before a leak occurs, causing a drop in efficiency, increased fire risk, and even health concerns. In addition to scheduling these important appointments, you can assess your chimney yourself at intervals that are convenient for you.
What To Watch For:
- Listen for water.
If you can hear dripping in your fireplace or distantly in the chimney system, then you have a problem. Call a professional.
- Look for water.
You can see signs of water on masonry. On the exterior you might see white stains on the brick. This means water has penetrated, leaving minerals on the outside surface. In the interior it can look like mold in the firebox – and it probably is. If you see or smell mold or mildew in your system, this is a health risk and means a serious leak has occurred. Call a professional!
- Check that the chimney is capped.
Don’t overlook the cap because it’s on the roof. You can see it from the yard, and will notice if it’s crooked or missing. You can even use binoculars to make certain it’s in good shape. Even between service appointments, Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep will come out and replace a missing cap.
Hire a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS)
Billy Sweet Chimney Sweeps repairs leaks, installs and replaces faulty caps, crowns, flashing , and damaged components. We put customer safety and comfort first, and we know that water leaks put families at risk. For good measure, we offer waterproofing services that gives your chimney the added protection it needs for another year of seasonal weather.
If you suspect a chimney leak, call Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep today at 800-248-4900 or request an appointment online using our online scheduling tool!
by Billy Sweet | Jun 23, 2017 | CSIA Certification
When it comes to professionals, there always seems to be a spectrum to choose from. There are those companies that are licensed, certified, and guaranteed. Then there are those that are merely amateurs, charging for professional work. Don’t fall victim to such scheming!
CSIA Certification
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has been around since the 1980’s and is the standard for the chimney industry. Your realtor, insurance company, and local authorities will look for this signature on documents, inspections, and referrals. Simple put, it means your chimney sweep has:
- Purchased study material (at a cost of over $300.)
- Attended an in-person review, training school, or online review.
- Taken the exam (at a cost of over $200.)
- Signed a Code of Ethics designed to protect consumers from scams.
Once a chimney professional has completed the exams and becomes a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS), he must maintain this membership by re-examination or continued education credits every three years. Additionally, if a chimney sweep is found to be in violation of the Code of Ethics, his membership can be revoked.
Certified Vs. Non-Certified
When you choose a certified professional to come into your home, you have the assurance that they’re backed by a larger group. You don’t just get a handyman interested in chimneys. You get a trained professional who puts the safety and comfort of customers first at every turn. That is our main goal at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep. Top-notch service costs more, but benefits the homeowner exponentially over time!
- Preventative Care
Routine maintenance like chimney inspections and sweeps are part of our specialty. A certified professional has the tools, the experience, and the know-how to get the job done quickly. They can also detect an issue with your chimney at its earliest.
- Masonry Repair and Renovation
When it comes to exterior masonry repair, you don’t have to worry about liability or damages when someone is on your roof. A certified sweep is not just covered. They are experts at these repairs. At Billy Sweet, our certified technicians are skilled masons!
Certified chimney sweeps have access to the best technologies. Also, access to top professional advisors, a network of professionals, continued education courses, and more! When it comes to the cost of hiring a professional, you may find that hiring a certified chimney sweep is slightly higher. The difference is the service, the expertise, and the benefits.
Some of the Benefits of Hiring Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep
- When we repair your exterior masonry, we apply a waterproofing sealant for FREE! This in order to preserve your masonry and offer your the best service possible.
- We only sell and install quality products that are backed by manufacturer warranties. Plus, we guarantee our work for a year.
- When we clean and inspect the chimney, we document the process before and after, using a video scanning system.
- There are many benefits to hiring a certified chimney sweep, and even more benefits when you hire Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, your #1 chimney experts in the Boston area.
Contact Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep today, and discover what a certified professional can do for you!
by Billy Sweet | Jun 9, 2017 | Chimney Inspection
The chimney system is important for the safety and comfort of your family. Whether it was built with your home, or a later addition, it was built to last. However, it must be properly maintained. The great majority of your chimney system is hidden to the eye of the homeowner. Unfortunately, even the eyes of your certified chimney sweep, unless you schedule an inspection!
Inspections Explained
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) as well as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend routine maintenance for the safest and most efficient chimney system. This includes regular chimney sweeps and annual inspections. For thoroughness and simplicity, there are three levels of inspection:
- Level One – Scheduled annually when nothing has changed with your system and no problems are indicated. This level includes only readily accessible portions.
- Level Two – Required before the sale or transfer of land, following a natural disaster, or fire. This inspection is a more thorough examination of the entire system, including hidden spaces.
- Level Three – Scheduled if a level one and two inspection indicate a hazard, and usually requires the removal of components (walls, parts of chimney, etc.) to access the hazard.
Billy Sweet Does Video Scans
At Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, we document every job. When a homeowner schedules a level two inspection, our technician visibly inspects the readily accessible portions. They get a thorough look at the hidden portions with the use of video surveillance. We use Chim-Scan® technology and Wohler Vis2000-Pro to get the best view possible!
When your inspection is complete, including a full video scan, you’ll be able to view the video while your technician explains his report. You don’t have to guess, and neither do we. The Chim-Scan® system offers the best view possible of the entire chimney system. With it, we can detect:
- Voids
- Cracks
- Weaknesses
- Soot and Creosote Buildup
Following your inspection, you will get a report signed by your CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS) for your personal records and legal purposes. In addition, the video footage is available for your needs as well. It’s especially beneficial if your home is on the sales market, offering full disclosure to prospective buyers.
You can schedule your inspection, including a video scan, today. Don’t depend on a mirror and flashlight, because that puts your family and home at great risk of fire, injury, and death. Call Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep today at 617-469-4528 or request an appointment online!
by Billy Sweet | May 26, 2017 | Chimney Maintenance
Want work done on your chimney? You can plan ahead if you have kept up with routine maintenance appointments. After an inspection, you should have gotten a report of necessary repairs that are needed before burn season. Plan ahead, and obtain a work permit from your municipal authorities. There are many reasons to obtain this permit, and it’s not just for the city.
Save Money
You can save money by following the correct steps for building and repairs in your community. You can avoid fees, as well as repairs in the future if you don’t adhere to regulations and hire a properly certified and licensed professional.
Protect Your Investment
Whether you are a first-time homeowner, property manager, or business owner, your holdings are investments. Any property that you own is a value, and any changes that you make should improve the property, thus increasing the value. If you fail to adhere to municipal codes and safety regulations it can actually decrease the value of your property, sometimes substantially.
Increased Safety
Municipal permits mean reduced potential hazards caused by unsafe construction and maintain a standard for public health and safety. Following code guidelines actually protects your contractor as much as it does your family and the neighborhood. Some cities that require mandatory inspections actually save you money, protect your investment, and keeps your family and home safe. This system of checks and balances doesn’t exist when doing things “under the table,” so all parties gain added protection through the permitting process.
Be a Responsible Homeowner
Part of being a responsible member of your community and your family means abiding by laws–all laws. If you’re a resident of a city, this means abiding by city ordinances as well as state and federal laws.
Your Insurance May Require It
Even if you’re making valid and drastic improvements to your home, by failing to obtain a permit, you may nullify portions of your homeowner’s insurance policy. This is a risk you might want to consider heavily. Work done in the summer can look different in the winter when your home and your safety depends on your chimney system working properly. It’s important to choose a professional and obtain the correct permits to get the work done and get it done right.
Choosing Billy Sweet
When you choose Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, you don’t merely get a general contractor or even certified chimney sweep. We are chimney experts, operating in New England since 1978, and maintaining certifications and memberships in the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the National Fireplace Institute, National Chimney Sweep Guild, and Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild. We pride ourselves on our experience and our goal is to put customer safety and comfort first. This is why we keep up with the safety regulations of the cities that we serve as well as the brands we install and the chimney industry itself.
To find out how Billy Sweet Chimney Sweeps can serve you, call 617-469-4528 or request an appointment online today.
by Billy Sweet | May 12, 2017 | The Chimney and Your Health
Your chimney’s sole purpose is to vent your fire. This protects your family from toxic gases, harmful particulate pollution, and risk of deadly fire. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) makes it a priority to educate homeowners about chimney safety. Industry professionals understand the importance of routine chimney maintenance. In addition, how vital it is to have professional certifications and training to do so.
Chimney Sweeping
It is important to hire a certified professional to service your chimney. A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep has the training and expertise to clean, assess, and repair a damaged chimney. However, if you take it upon yourself to clean your own chimney, you might injure yourself without realizing it.
- Respiratory Hazards.
Soot and smoke inhalation can cause respiratory distress, illnesses, and infection can be a result of soot inhalation.
- Skin Irritation.
Physical contact with creosote can cause rash, other skin issues, and infection.
- Eye Damage.
Creosote exposure to the eyes can result in chemical burns that can leave your eyes damaged and lead to light sensitivity.
This is why it is best to leave the job up to a professional. Your chimney sweep is equipped with appropriate tools, masks, and necessary equipment. These tools keep the soot and creosote away while cleaning, inspecting, or repairing the chimney system!
Chronic Respiratory Illness
The best way to decrease the amount of particulate pollution in and around your home is to only burn properly seasoned wood. When you burn wood that is too green, or items that shouldn’t be burned (like trash or clothes) it burns incompletely. Consequently, this results in microscopic particles that you inhale – maybe even constantly! So, what is the best way to prevent excessive particulate pollution and smoke inhalation? It is to maintain your chimney system by scheduling regular sweeps and inspections, so that your chimney does it’s job efficiently.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Along with smoke inhalation and particulate pollution, a drop in efficiency can mean your family is slowly poisoned by carbon monoxide. Additionally, a smoky chimney also brings carbon monoxide with it, but there are other ways that it can be a health risk to your family. For instance, a crack in a flue liner can allow carbon monoxide to affect your family. Over time it can seem like a cold, but can damage organs and ultimately result in death. A faster case of carbon monoxide intrusion can seem like a swift flue, and cause unconsciousness and ultimately death. To prevent carbon monoxide intrusion in your home, make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector installed and check it monthly. This is the only way to prevent carbon monoxide exposure.
At Billy Sweet, we recommend our customers check carbon monoxide detectors often. Also, schedule service appointments annually – your safety depends on it. Schedule an appointment today to discuss how the health of your chimney can affect you!
