by Billy Sweet | Jul 13, 2018 | CSIA Certification
When you’re shopping around for a new physician, you usually do your homework and choose the one with the most experience, the best training, and greatest reviews. This is commonplace for physicians, mechanics, lawyers, dentists, and more–yet, for home maintenance such as chimney care, we so often see homeowners choose amateurs, local handymen, and DIY projects. This is not only a waste of money, but it’s dangerous!
Choose a Professional for ALL Chimney Work
Whether the chimney needs a sweeping, some brickwork, relining, a part installation, or more, there is no one better suited for the job than a trained professional. It is our goal at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep to bring down the amount of residential fires in our area by not only providing services, but also valuable information about fire and chimney safety. We know that the best way to keep your family safe, is when you hire a professional.
- It is what your homeowners insurance wants (and they may pay for it!)
- It is required by most municipal codes/permits
- It is required to maintain many manufacturer warranties
Choosing a professional to do your chimney work may be the best decision you’ve ever made. When installations, repairs, sweeps, and inspections are done right, you save money and can rest assured your family and home is safe.
CSIA–Not Just Any Certification
When you do a quick search for CSIA certified chimney sweeps in and around Boston, Billy Sweet is at the top of the list. We make it no secret that we train and test our sweeps through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the nation’s standard for the chimney industry.
- CSIA is accredited and meets the highest of education standards, regulated by the Indiana State Workforce Innovation Council.
- CSIA was established in 1983 and is the national standard by which officials, manufacturers, and others measure chimney service excellence.
- CSIA is a nonprofit organization governed by industry volunteers and dedicated to lowering the number of residential and commercial fires across the country.
- CSIA members must adhere to a stringent Code of Ethics which protect homeowners from scams. If found in violation, certification can be revoked.
- CSIA focuses on public safety and industry advancements that increase safety and reduce the number of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion, and other chimney hazards.
- CSIA certification requires re-certification every three years through examination or continued education credits.
All of the reasons why we make CSIA certification a priority here at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, are the same reasons you should at home! We are not only CSIA certified, but also members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and active in our communities of Boston, North Shore, and Portland.
Don’t hesitate and call when you have a major problem–we offer preventative maintenance year-round. Make an appointment online or call 617-469-4528 today.
by Billy Sweet | Jun 29, 2018 | Chimney Maintenance
Your chimney is a focal point for home decor and necessary for home heating. Without the chimney, your fireplace would not have proper airflow to burn well, and would allow harmful smoke and toxic gases into your living space. In order to work properly, it must be properly constructed from top to bottom. Understanding the anatomy of your chimney will help you notice changes, suspect damage, and maintain it properly.
Foundation
Like the house itself, the chimney must be properly supported from beneath. Without a proper foundation, the masonry can shift, leading to cracks, leaning, and eventually structural damage.
Look for: signs of settling or movement, especially inside the firebox.
Ash Dump
The ash dump leads from the firebox through a type of trap door which makes it easy for homeowners to clean ashes from their fireplace by scooping it into the space below. The ash dump is a safe place for the ashes to cool and collect until it is too full to use.
Look for: ashes spilling out of the outlet or clogging the door.
Firebox and Hearth
The firebox is the space where the fire burns. It endures the most abuse–the highest temperatures and often the least attention. The hearth is the floor of the firebox which extends out toward the room. It is durable and usually decorative.
Look for: stains or cracks that indicate water damage.
Chimney Damper
Installed at the base of the chimney or a top mount damper installed at the top of the flue, the damper is essential for proper chimney function. It allows for adequate airflow to light and maintain a fire. A top mount damper and a throat damper can also prevent airflow during the off season.
Look for: drafts that affect your heating or cooling, a smoky fireplace, and animals in the flue.
Smoke Chamber and Shelf
The smoke chamber is the space above the fireplace where the heat and gases mix before continuing up the flue. The slanted wall directs the smoke upward, and the smoke shelf keeps the smoke and gas from falling back into the fireplace.
Look for: a smoky fireplace, rough walls, and dripping noises within the chimney that aren’t visible.
Flue Liner
The flue liner extends up the entire chimney and is made of clay tile, stainless steel, slip casting, and even HeatShield cerfractory sealant. It helps to properly size the flue for optimum airflow, protects the home from heat and gases inside the chimney, and protects the masonry from corrosive chemical byproducts inside the chimney.
Look for: pieces of clay tile inside the fireplace, chimney hot to the touch.
Chimney Crown, Cap, and Flashing
In order to maintain the integrity of the chimney, it needs protection against water penetration year-round. The crown is a mortar ceiling placed on top of the chimney, extending outward from the flue. The cap protects the flue opening, and the flashing protects the vulnerable intersection of the chimney and roof.
Look for: signs of water damage.
Every part of the chimney is essential and should be intacted for the chimney to work properly. Schedule an annual inspection to make certain the chimney is in good shape.
Call Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep at 617-469-4528 or request an appointment online today.
by Billy Sweet | Jun 11, 2018 | Fireplace And Stove Installation
Despite the rising temperatures, longer days, and summer holidays, now is the perfect time to think about your fireplace for this winter. The spring and summer months offer the perfect opportunity to make all of your fireplace changes, installations, and repairs–and it won’t interrupt your home heating this fall and winter. At Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep we sell, install, and service stoves, fireplaces, and inserts. We can help you with your dream fireplace this summer, and have it ready for the first fire this fall.
Stoves
Stoves can be installed anywhere in your home as long as a vent or chimney can be installed. Whether it’s gas, pellets, or wood you want, we have it here at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep. Our fire experts can walk you through the decision-making process, and help you choose the best fuel for your new appliance. Stoves of any type are a great addition to your home. They can be freestanding, made to look like a traditional fireplace, can be installed in a corner, against a wall, or in the middle of a room. They are even highly efficient and can heat a whole house. Gas and pellet stoves offer the best convenience with easy-ignite burners, heat control, and constant fuel. Stoves can also come in styles that feature a flame-viewing window, styles from contemporary to rustic and everything in between, and some models even have space for firewood storage.
Fireplaces
Like stoves, our fireplaces can be highly efficient. When you’re planning a fireplace, you can choose from a firebox rebuild, a new construction, or a gas log set. Gas is a great option, and gives you control and convenience. However, gas isn’t always enough to heat a large space. If you’re looking to use your new appliance as a primary heat source, you might consider an insert or stove. This is another reason why it’s important to talk with a professional from the beginning of the planning stages. One of our fireplace experts at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep can make sure you’re matched with the best new appliance for your home and your needs.
Inserts
If you’re looking for beauty AND efficiency, look no further than an insert. Like stoves, they come in pellet, wood, and gas-burning models that can revitalize your damaged chimney and use your worn out firebox. When you choose an insert, a certified chimney sweep will first take measurements, order the appliance, and then it is retrofitted directly into the existing firebox. This means the appliance is smaller than the previous one, which may make it necessary to also reline the flue to match the new, smaller capacity.
An insert is convenient, is highly efficient, and is beautiful. You can choose a model that keeps with your interior design and your personality. We have installed sleek stainless steel inserts that are simple and attractive and also traditional cast iron models with ornate detail. Inserts are a closed unit, so you don’t lose conditioned air during the summer, and it’s a magnificent heat machine in the winter.
Looking to make a change, upgrade, or conversion? Talk to a fire expert at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep before settling on a stove, insert, or fireplace, and it can be ready in time for burn season!
by Billy Sweet | May 24, 2018 | Chimney Masonry Maintenance
New England has a lot of special features, and many of them have to do with the historic area. Parks, museums, colleges, lighthouses, and even trees are celebrated for their historic relevance. If you’re lucky, your home falls into the historic category with its own history and stories to share. Historic homes can definitely be whimsical and beautiful, but may also be a handful–especially if it has a chimney.
Historic Homes: Blessing or Curse?
Your home may be a beautiful colonial that predates the statehood where you have your residence. You can determine if your home and chimney are historic by contacting your state or local historic society. It may have the original crown moldings, high ceilings, sliding doors, and hardwood flooring. If your historic home was well-built, your historic chimney may be still standing, but that’s not to say it doesn’t need some updates. In fact, if it’s been neglected, your chimney may need serious repairs and possibly a rebuild. Getting the historic society involved may also determine if the chimney is in fact historic, or if it was constructed later, or if it was rebuilt or restored.
Where to Start
If you’re uncertain of the condition of your historic chimney, if you’ve noticed signs of trouble in your chimney or a decrease in efficiency, or if it hasn’t been inspected or serviced in the last 12 months, now is the time to call a professional. Only a professional can determine if your chimney is safe to use, or not.
Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep will complete a diagnostic inspection to determine the condition of the chimney system and use video scanning to survey the hidden portions of the chimney. This will give detailed view of the flue from top to bottom. Once a report is compiled, complete with digital imaging, we can work together with you to create a course of action for repairs or rebuild.
Why Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep
At Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, we specialize in historic homes, and we care about the integrity of your chimney as much as you do. Common problems we see with historic chimneys include noncompliance with current residential codes and safety standards, neglect, and deterioration of the masonry due to coastal air and storms.
We not only pride ourselves on offering expert services throughout our service area, but also our status as CSIA certified chimney sweeps and our experience rebuilding historic chimneys for our customers and neighbors.
If you’re afraid to put your historic chimney in the hands of an amateur, we understand! That’s why we field train our technicians before they take on historic jobs. They’re certified chimney sweeps, experienced masons, and will treat you with professionalism and courtesy. Don’t settle for mediocre when you can have the real deal. Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep has been operating in the area for over 30 years. Our techs are easy to identify, driving company trucks and wearing clear ID tags and uniforms. When the job is complete, our work will speak for itself.
Call us at 781-593-2333 or schedule online today.
by Billy Sweet | May 10, 2018 | North Shore Info
Home is where the hearth is.
Many would say the fireplace is the heart of the home. It’s definitely the focal point of most homes, and we strive to bring this magic into every home in and around North Shore–our home.
All About North Shore
It’s listed as one of the prettiest coastal areas in New England, and for good reason. Among the coastal villages and towns, you will find scenic beaches and vista points, moderate populations, and plenty to do! North Shore offers the perfect combination of big-city-availability, natural land, and living history.
Things to Do
Whether you’ve just moved to the area, or your vacationing on our North Shore, you can find a variety of fun and surprising things to do.
Explore
Sale aboard a schooner, fish in the open water, climb one of our functioning or historic lighthouses. You can learn more about and enjoy the schooner life by visiting Maritime Gloucester during business hours. Even residents who have long-called North Shore their home, have not seen all there is to see until they’ve seen microscopic sea creatures through a microscope, or held a sea star in their hands.
Dine Out
There are many fantastic restaurants in our community with great reviews, but you have to plan ahead for the one with the highest praise–high above the city, that is. Dine at the TOP of a lighthouse by reserving your space at the top of the Newburyport Lighthouse. The meals are catered by a chosen restaurant from nearby and planned ahead of time, and spaces fill up fast, so make sure you make your reservation now.
Sing on the Beach
You don’t have to do the singing when you walk the Singing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea. This unique beach is covered in sand that squeaks when you walk on it. You will have the most fun on Singing Beach if you arrive early, or visit during the off-season! It may be the perfect outing on a cool day.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
If you’re in Essex, you probably drive past antique shops that you might have never known were there! Along Route 133 in Essex, there are THIRTY antique shops, and you can find various opportunities throughout downtown areas, boardwalks, and shopping centers.
If you’re in the area of North Shore, we’re probably neighbors! We know all about our community, right down to the local safety codes. We know and work with contractors in the area, and we do our best to offer the best services to our community year after year.
The Importance of Chimney Maintenance in New England
The harsh winters that can befall our community is one thing to consider. Another is the coastal air. The minerals (salt) that come from the ocean water, deposit onto homes and chimneys throughout our service area. This air is corrosive and can lead to chimney damage if they are not properly maintained.
Contact Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep today so that we can get started helping you.
