by Billy Sweet | Oct 23, 2019 | Chimney Cleaning
As temperatures across the country finally drop, leaves are turning and falling little by little. Make sure these leaves aren’t falling into your chimney and clogging it up. One of the best times of the year for your fireplace may also be the worst if you have a flammable obstruction in your flue. Leaves and other organic materials can be a dangerous hazard if your chimney isn’t capped. Call a chimney expert now to make sure your flue opening is protected with a cap.
Protection from the Top Down
Without a chimney cap, your flue opening is left wide open so that anything can fall or climb right into it. If you have trees hanging above your house, the leaves and limbs can fall directly into your flue, obstructing airflow and leading to serious fire hazards. The cap also protects your chimney from other hazards.
- Chimney Caps Keep Water Out
Your chimney is susceptible to all types of weather if it’s left uncapped. Precipitation can enter year-round, leading to serious water damage whether it’s spring showers, summer storms, winter snow and ice, and more. Protect your chimney system against costly damage by protecting it against water damage with a cap.
- Chimney Caps Keep Other Weather Out
Your fire may be affected by wind if it isn’t capped. If you live in an area of high wind, you can have a special cap installed that moves with the wind instead of allowing it to blow into the flue. This prevents gusts from affecting your flame while a fire is lit and prevents drafts from affecting your central air and heating.
- Chimney Caps Keep Animals Out
Animals don’t just become a bother in the spring. They can enter your chimney in winter too! If the flue is uncapped, anything can get into it that can get onto your roof—birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and even raccoons. Keeps critters from damaging your chimney, leaving debris behind them, and even dying and becoming an obstruction.
- Chimney Caps Keep Sparks In
When your fire burns hot, sparks may rise up the flue and even out the chimney still alight. These sparks can go on to ignite debris on the roof or even dry grasses and brush on the ground. A chimney cap is equipped with a spark suppressant that sends it straight back down the flue.
Don’t light your fire in a dangerous chimney this fall! This is the time for your fireplace to shine, and it can all be ruined when the chimney isn’t capped.
Prevent serious fire hazards by calling the chimney experts at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep today. Prevent water damage, weather interference, and animal intrusion by trusting the professionals this fall. If you’re not certain that your chimney isn’t free of damage or debris this fall, schedule a chimney sweep or inspection today.
Call 617-469-4528 today or schedule an appointment online.
by Billy Sweet | Oct 9, 2019 | National Chimney Safety Week
Fall is the best time to educate homeowners and the general public about chimney safety because winter is when most fires happen. It’s when you’re using your fireplace or furnace to heat your home that disaster can happen, especially when the chimney isn’t maintained properly. In order for our friends and neighbors in the Boston, North Shore, and Portland area to have safe and efficient fires this burn season, we offer services to keep the chimney working properly and lasting year after year. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is doing its part to make the public aware of chimney risk and safety by planning and promoting National Chimney Safety Week each year.
Safe Chimneys Mean Safe Communities
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and CSIA agree that the safest and most efficient chimneys are those that are cleaned regularly and inspected annually. When a chimney is clean, the air flows more easily, allowing smoke to vent properly. When this process works efficiently, there is less fire risk and less damage to the property and less frequent injuries and deaths due to fire. We believe that even one chimney fire is too many, and we offer comprehensive chimney services year-round to insure that chimneys in our communities are safer. When chimneys and fire appliances are safer, that means our communities are safer. Homeowners in New England count on Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep and have for over 30 years. With a company that puts safety first, makes education and certification a priority, and who offer the highest level of professionalism in the industry, it’s easy to choose Billy Sweet for safer chimneys.
Safer Chimneys Mean Fire Prevention
CSIA has scheduled National Chimney Safety Week for September 29th through October 5th—one week before NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Week and National Chimney Safety Week go hand-in-hand. Fire Prevention Week, running October 6th through 12th is a time for communities to raise awareness about fire prevention and fire preparedness. Not all fires can be prevented, but a little bit of preparation can save lives in the event of a fire. Chimney Safety Week is all about preventing fires, and Fire Prevention Week is all about living through fires!
Fires can occur in more than just chimneys. You can experience an accidental fire in a dorm, hotel or motel, apartment, high-rise condo, manufactured homes, and more. The best way to protect your family and home is to use NFPA’s public education tip safety tip sheets available online. In addition to keeping the chimney, fireplace, furnace, and other heating systems like the dryer maintained properly, it’s important to take other important measures. Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Plan an escape and practice it monthly. Pay attention to problems with your heat systems and alarms. If you’re not sure that your chimney system is working properly, call in the professionals!
Call Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep at 617-469-4528 or request an appointment online to service your chimney and make sure it’s as safe as possible.
by Billy Sweet | Sep 25, 2019 | HeatShield
When it comes to chimneys, it is our personal and professional goal to make sure all of our customers are safe and comfortable this winter. We strive to further this goal by providing expert services to maintain and restore chimney systems to safety and efficiency. One of the most common services that older chimneys require at least once in their lifetime is a flue liner repair or replacement. At Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, we trust HeatShield for liner repairs—big and small.
HeatShield Meets Industry and Environmental Standards
In over 20 years, HeatShield has revolutionized the chimney industry with products that protect and last. HeatShield Cerfractory technology is a specially formulated hybrid that combines ceramic and refractory materials to safeguard against heat, moisture, and corrosion in the chimney system. HeatShield Cerfractory Flue Sealant has stood up to lab testing, is rated “super-Duty” by the American Society for Testing and Materials, and surpasses all fire safety codes set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Residential Code (IRC). This product is approved for all fuel types, which means you won’t need to convert the liner if you convert fuel types in the future. On top of every other great benefit of using HeatShield products to fix your chimney, HeatShield is also considered eco-friendly, made from recycled and natural products at a lower cost than alternatives that are less “green”.
HeatShield Installers are Expert Installers
Independent HeatShield Installers are selected, trained, and certified as HeatShield installers. It is not a program you can pay your way into, but one you earn. Our technicians have factory training and tools designed specifically for HeatShield products. Armed with the right knowledge, experience, and tools to get the job done, we can repair your liner whether you have small joint damage or need a major relining.
HeatShield Repairs
Using HeatShield Cerfractory Flue Sealant, we are able to repair joints, missing mortar tiles, and more. We simply cut and place a custom foam applicator blade beneath the damaged portion of the flue, then attach the blade to a winch at the top of the flue opening. HeatShield product is then mixed from powder, placed into the blade, and deposited into the gaps and cracks as the blade is pulled upward. This process can be repeated for however much damage is present, however, if the damage is extensive, the flue may need to be completely resurfaced.
A resurfacing application uses the same process, but the applicator blade starts at the bottom of the flue and is pulled up to the top, surfacing the whole flue with HeatShield Cerfractory Flue Sealant. Once the entire flue is coated, we use cameras to verify the repairs are made properly.
CeCure Sleeve Relining
In serious cases of flue liner damage, or when no liner is present at all, we can reline the flue with a CeCure Sleeve: thin, ceramic insulation, reinforced with stainless steel fabric. The sleeve is sandwiched between two coats of HeatShield Cerfractory Sealant, creating a long-lasting liner, safe for all fuel types.
HeatShield is the easiest and most cost-effective solution for flue restoration. Professionals are so sure about HeatShield that it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Really! Ask your chimney professional today.
You can have your liner repaired or relined today by calling Billy Sweet at 617-469-4528.
by Billy Sweet | Sep 11, 2019 | Certified chimney sweep
Homeowners often spend the spring season completing maintenance and cleaning. However, if you didn’t include your chimney in your spring cleaning, it needs to be done before fall. Your chimney has been working for you, now you can return the favor by hiring a certified professional for the job. Don’t settle for an amateur. Schedule chimney services with a certified chimney sweep now, and your system will be ready for fires again this fall.
Hiring the Best
The chimney industry has been largely under-regulated for many years, but that doesn’t mean you have to hire just anyone for the job. When you’re looking to hire an expert who will come into your home and complete a service, it’s best to look only for professionals who have undergone training and testing that identifies them as exceptional. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has an extensive process that involves classroom or online education, in-person testing over federal standards and fire safety, recertification every three years, a stringent Code of ethics, and an impressive network of professionals. When you’re looking for the best, look no further than CSIA certified chimney sweeps.
Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep
At Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep our sweeps are CSIA certified. That means we pledge to put safety first. We strive to offer honest services at a fair price. We comply with all applicable building codes and are familiar with all the municipal codes in the communities we serve. We educate consumers about safe chimney and venting practices. Our sweeps continue education in order to stay on top of the ever-changing industry and technologies. These things and more are included in the CSIA code of ethics, which if found in violation, can lead to revocation of membership.
30 Years of Experience Serving New England
For over 30 years, Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep has been servicing chimneys in New England. We provide the highest level of customer service and care to our customers in Boston, North Shore, and Scarborough. If you reside in the area and are looking to schedule chimney services, don’t settle for less than the best. Our record speaks for itself, but our customers speak up as well with online reviews and continued service. We are proud to serve our communities year after year, and we feel our community involvement helps make us the best providers in the area.
Scheduling Now Before Fall
If you schedule now, you can have your chimney sweep completed before fall. When you’re looking for a chimney professional, look no further than a Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep. We offer chimney sweeps and inspections year-round, but especially necessary in the fall. If you schedule your inspection or sweep now, there is still time to make necessary repairs before fall. If you wait, you may find yourself in the cold, unable to light a fire when temperatures drop.
Call Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep to schedule your chimney services now. Dial 617-469-4528 or schedule online.
by Billy Sweet | Aug 28, 2019 | Waterproofing
Of all the things that can shorten the life of a perfectly good chimney, water is the worst. Not only does water wreak havoc on masonry—the very substance your chimney is made of—but it is everywhere. Water comes in different forms all year round. When temperatures fall, water in the chimney is even worse. Fortunately for our customers with masonry chimneys, there is something we can do to prevent water damage during all seasons, and year after year.
Water and Your Chimney
Because of the materials that make up masonry, water is best avoided. The porous nature of masonry is perfect for venting your fires, allowing smoke, gas, and heat to release through the brick and mortar. This also allows water in through the masonry—unless it’s prevented. At Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, we recommend preventing chimney leaks before damage occurs.
Your chimney leak can lead to:
- Rusted parts and assemblies
- Tilted/collapsed/settled chimney
- Cracked/damaged flue liner
- Deteriorated central heat
- Clogged clean-out system
- Rotting adjacent wood/wall coverings
- Water stained bricks/walls
In addition to physical damage, your leaky chimney may also result in a drop in efficiency. A drop in efficiency means a rise in fire risk, putting your home and your family at risk.
Prevent Leaks From the Top Down
In order for your chimney to be truly waterproof, it must have all the necessary parts installed and in proper working order. The first thing we check when we get a call about a leaky chimney is the flashing. It is often improperly installed and a common point of water entry. The chimney must also have a chimney cap and crown to shed water from the top of the chimney.
Once all these components are in place, we can take it one step further by waterproofing the masonry itself. Our waterproofing agent is vapor-permeable which means the heat and gas produced by your fire will still be able to escape but water molecules will not be allowed in. This barrier penetrates deeply into the masonry so even cracks and gaps are protected from water penetration—and this protection lasts ten years!
When to Schedule Waterproofing
If you have never had your chimney masonry waterproofed or it has been more than a decade, it’s time to schedule this important appointment. Other water repellants and sealants from your local hardware store are not enough. In fact, most of them do more harm than good. Most sealants and repellants may keep water out, but also seal gases and moisture IN. This leads to a host of other problems. Let our team at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep do the job, and get it right the first time.
We also install chimney caps, repair and install flashing, replace throat dampers with new, top-sealing dampers with an airtight seal, and repair and seal damaged crowns.
Don’t wait. Have your chimney waterproofed now, and you won’t have to worry about the water freezing in your masonry this winter. Worry about the rest of your summer, and leave the chimney up to us!
Call our Boston, North Shore, or Portland location today.
