Chimney Inspections & Sweep
It’s the focus of family gatherings and a great way to take the chill off the coldest winter nights. It’s also a danger to your house and family. A wood stove or fireplace that is improperly cared for may start a fire where you don’t want one.
Routine Inspections
According to the National Fire Protection Association, the second leading cause of house fires is heating equipment, and two out of three heating equipment fires result from space heaters, which includes fireplaces, chimneys, and wood stoves. Of fires that start in the chimney or fireplace, most are the result of creosote. Sadly, most are also preventable with regular inspections and maintenance.
Chimney Inspections
- The chimney is inspected from both inside the fireplace or wood stove and again from the top of the chimney.
- The chimney’s inner surface is examined for creosote. If the creosote coating is paper-thin, your chimney does not require cleaning. If the layer depth approaches 1/8 inch – about the thickness of two dimes stacked together – your chimney needs cleaning. If it is ¼ inch thick or deeper – about the thickness of two nickels – do not use your chimney until it is cleaned.
- The condition of the roof surrounding the chimney is also assessed. Is the flashing intact where the chimney and roof meet? Is the roof sound?
- The cap above the chimney flue is inspected as it may need replacing to prevent small animals from entering.
Fireplace/Wood Stoves Inspections
Chimney Sweep
Regular chimney cleaning will remove the inevitable buildup of creosote and soot. Unfortunately, there is no simple rule of thumb for when to do it. Do not rely on advice to do it once a year or at some other set time. Clean your chimney when it needs it - when the creosote is thick enough to warrant cleaning. You cannot keep the chimney completely creosote-free, but left to sit, eventually it will harden into a stubborn glaze if it does not burn first.
Remember, scheduling routine chimney sweeps helps to catch dangerous creosote before it catches you.
Chimney Leaks
We will fix your leaks!
All work is guaranteed!
With all the heavy rains that we have been having, you might be experiencing some water coming into your home due to a leaky chimney. There are many reasons why your chimney leaks. It could be from the deterioration of the chimney due to being exposed to the elements and the wear and tear over time. When a chimney leaks; water will come into your attic then drip into your home. You may have stains right now on your ceiling, walls or even your fireplace surround! Not only is the water damage unsightly, it can also effect people who have problems breathing from the mold that forms.
Before your chimney can be fixed, it has to determined where the water is entering your home. There are many places that water can enter your home, always making leak diagnosis a difficult challenge.
Other professionals might examine the chimney and simply grout or caulk places where they think water is coming through.
The leak source is determined by spraying water with a hose directly on the chimney on a clear day, beginning at the bottom and working up.
First, water is sprayed on the flashing as it may have rusted, eroded over time, or may not properly overlap.
The water is continuously being sprayed upward, ending at the the cement cap and chimney crown, which may have been improperly constructed or may have cracked over time. A helper inside your home will look for interior moisture on the ceiling, walls, and on your fireplace surround.
Once the leak is detected, we will repair your chimney the correct way! There may be more than one leak, so once the first leak is found and fixed, the process is begun all over again until ALL leaks are found and fixed.
Stoneman, Inc. must be as thorough as possible as we guarantees ALL our work to our customers.