How Often Does My Chimney Need To Be Cleaned Or Swept?
This a tougher question than it sounds. The simple answer is: The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” This is the national safety standard and is the correct way to approach the problem. It takes into account the fact that even if you don’t use your chimney much, animals may build nests in the flue or there may be other types of deterioration that could make the chimney unsafe to use.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that open masonry fireplaces should be swept at 1/8″ of sooty buildup, and sooner if there is any glaze present in the system. This is considered to be enough fuel buildup to cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the chimney or spreading to the home. Factory-built fireplaces should be swept when any appreciable buildup occurs. The logic is that the deposit is quite acidic and can shorten the life of the fireplace. Call Patriot Chimneys today to schedule your Chimney Cleaning from our team of Chimney Experts!
My Fireplace Smells? What Does That Mean?
The smell is due to creosote deposits in the chimney, a natural byproduct of woodburning. The odor is usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high and the air conditioner is turned on. A good sweeping will help but usually won’t solve the problem completely. There are commercial chimney deodorants that work pretty well, and many people have good results with baking soda or even kitty litter set in the fireplace. The real problem is the air being drawn down the chimney, a symptom of overall pressure problems in the house. Some make-up air should be introduced somewhere else in the house. A tight sealing, top mounted damper will also reduce this air flow coming down the chimney.
My Fireplace is Gas So Does It Need to Be Cleaned?
Without a doubt! Although gas is generally a clean burning fuel, the chimney can become non-functional from bird nests or other debris blocking the flue. Modern furnaces can also cause many problems with the average flues intended to vent the older generation of furnaces. We suggest you check the areas on gas and carbon monoxide for more information.
I'm Unsure How To Work My Fireplace Damper? Can You Show Me How?
Patriot Chimney is always here for our customers. This is a common question from many new homeowners. If the damper is not functioning correctly or if it’s closed, you’ve got a situation on your hands that may lead to a smoky room at best and a fire hazard at worst. The damper is a hinged metal plate or valve used to seal the fireplace when not in use. You want the damper to be fully open, and you want it to be in the open position before you light your fire, for obvious safety reasons.” Have a question about how something works with your fireplace? Call us at (817)-689-5840 our team of Chimney Experts are here to help!
How Long Does a Chimney Cleaning & Chimney Sweep Take?
Our team of experts aim to serve our customers with the highest quality of Chimney Services. A typical Chimney Cleaning or Chimney Sweeping can take about an hour. If longer is needed or our technician discovers a problem with your chimney, the homeowner is properly notified of the technicians findings.
How Often Should My Dryer Vent Be Cleaned?
At Patriot Chimneys we recommend that all Dryer exhaust vents should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year depending on the size of the household and dryer usage. A properly cleaned and inspected Dryer Vent can help prevent Dryer Related Fires and also allow your dryer to run more efficiently.
Are Dryer Vent Related Fires Common?
Yes. Improper maintenance is the leading cause of dryer fires with lint being the material that ignites. The fires are caused by overheating due to insufficient Air Flow!
Facts about home clothes dryer fires
- 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.
- Failure to clean the dryer vent is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.
- More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months, peaking in January.
Patriot Chimneys recommends that all Dryer Vents be cleaned and inspected at least once per year by a Certified Technician.
What Are The Most Common Signs My Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning?
- Drying your clothes is taking longer than one cycle in order to dry each load
- You are noticing less lint (sometimes no lint) on the lint trap when you check
- You notice lint accumulation around the dryer vent hood (normally outside your home)
- Clothing is extremely hot after a drying cycle, airflow is restricted
- The surface of your dryer can be quite hot whilst in use
- You see excessive lint on your clothes
- You cannot remember when your dryer vent was last cleaned