Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ | United Chimney Corp

Toll Free: (888) 776-7933 (PRO SWEEP)

Serving the Northeast including Long Island,
NYC & Northern New Jersey Area Since 1995

  • Chimney sweeping & cleaning
  • Chimney inspection
  • Troubleshooting & diagnostics
  • Video scanning
  • Repairs & restoration
  • Fireplace installation
  • Waterproofing & leak resolution
  • Stainless steel relining
  • Custom caps
  • Solving draft problems
  • Gas violations resolved
  • Masonry repairs
  • Animal removal

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q – HOW IS A CHIMNEY SWEPT?  WILL IT BE MESSY?

A.  A typical chimney cleaning can be done from the top or from the bottom depending on a homeowners specific set up.  If we are performing service on an oil or gas furnace or wood burning stove chimney, one technician will disconnect the smoke pipe and vacuum the bottom to collect dust and debris before it enters your home while our second technician typically sweeps the chimney from the roof.  If we are completing a fireplace chimney cleaning similarly one technician will be on the roof and a second will be at the base of the fireplace to vacuum all debris once again so it does not enter the home.  We also offer a no mess guarantee!

Q – HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY CHIMNEY CLEANED?

A.  The answer to this question depends on how you heat your home, the age of your home and the condition of your existing chimney.  If you heat with oil, especially if you have a ventilation problem, your chimney needs to be cleaned and inspected each year to avoid a chimney blockage.  Problems with your furnace or boiler can also cause a large amount of soot in the chimney.  If you heat your home with gas, though a clean burning fuel, it comes with its own set of potential issues.  Most of today’s gas furnaces are highly efficient.  This causes the fumes they produce to be cooler and produce higher levels of water vapor.  This water vapor in turn produces more condensation.  These vapors also contain chlorides from house-supplied combustion air which combine to form hydrochloric acid.  This acidic moisture can cause flue deterioration.  When burning fire wood you should have your chimney cleaned at least every 12 months (more if you burn more than 2 cords of wood).

Q – HOW CAN A CHIMNEY SWEEP HELP TO MAINTAIN A SAFE HOME?

A.  Paying a little money now for maintenance can save you a lot of money later on costly repairs!  By maintaining a clean chimney you can protect your home against fire damage and carbon monoxide poisoning.  Proper inspections and maintenance have saved lives.

Q – SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT CARBON MONONXIDE POISONING?

A.  Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it is not easily detected.  The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for common illnesses like the flue and can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue and even depression.  We stock and sell carbon monoxide detectors and have them available for all of our customers.  Though these detectors are not a substitution for regular maintenance, they can prove to be lifesaving devices.  Carbon monoxide buildups are always caused by poor ventilation in one form or another, and a blocked chimney is among the largest cause of this.  This is why regular chimney maintenance is key in keeping a safe chimney and home.

Q – CAN I BURN ANY TYPE OF WOOD IN MY FIREPLACE?

A.  Creosote build up can become more of a problem by burning unseasoned wet or sappy woods like pine and spruce.  Burning hardwoods like oak, hickory, cherry or maple is usually suggested.  A useful tip is to check the ends of the wood you are burning, if they are not cracked then the wood is probably not dry enough.  Never burn any type of painted wood or plywood that can potentially give off toxic fumes, or excessive amounts of paper that could produce a large flame and cause a chimney fire. 

Q – WHY DO I NEED A CHIMNEY CAP?

A.  Chimney caps are vital for several reasons:

  • Keeping out the weather:  having a chimney cap will prevent rain and snow from entering a chimney.  moisture in your chimney can lead to several expensive repairs.  When this moisture is mixed with the sulfur laden soot that is already in your chimney, it becomes sulfuric acid and eats away at the inner walls of your chimney. This can cause extensive damage.
  • Keeping out birds and animals:  having a chimney cap will keep birds, bats, squirrels or other animals out of your chimney.  Animals have been known to make their nests in chimneys which can reduce your chimneys draft causing hazardous gases like carbon monoxide to leak back into your home.

Q – DOES MY CHIMNEY NEED A LINER?

A.  Yes! NFPA states that all chimneys must have a liner that are able to contain the products of combustion.  A lot of people have flue liners that are in such poor condition they are serving no purpose.  This is one of the main reasons the NFPA recommends annual inspections of all chimneys.  When sweeping a chimney we also conduct a level one, 20 point inspection that can help us determine if your chimney structure is in good condition or detect possible hazards.

Q – WHAT IS A CHIMNEY LINER?

A.  Most masonry chimneys are built with terra-cotta clay tiles that are stacked and mortared inside a brick structure.  These start out as a gas tight and heat resistant insulator.  Over time these clay tiles begin to break down and crack and could lead to heat transference or seepage through the brick and mortar.  When this happens a stainless steel liner needs to be inserted into the  chimney to draft a furnace, woodstove or fireplace.  The appliance will then vent through a gas tight, high efficiency, stainless steel liner.  

Q – I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF SOOT AND ASHES COMING FROM MY FIREPLACE ON HOT, HUMID DAYS.  SOMETIMES I NOTICE IT WHEN IT RAINS AS WELL.  WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AND HOW CAN I GET RID OF IT?

A.  The first thing you need to do is have your fireplace chimney swept.  If this smell persists after a typical chimney cleaning there could be some underlying issues causing the smell.  Make sure your damper is closed and you have a raincap on your chimney, moisture problems within a chimney have been known to cause this problem. If you still find the problem to persist you may need a TSR (third stage removal) treatment.  This is needed when a glazed creosote or tar build up is present inside your chimney.  This glazed creosote will need to be chemically removed and will eliminate this odor as well as eliminating this potentially hazardous and flammable build up.

Q – HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY DRYER VENT BE CLEANED?

A.  Most dryer vents should be cleaned at least every one to two years.  This depends on the length of your vent, how many bends it has and how often the dryer is used.  Dryers that have shorter vents and little usage may be able to go longer than normal before being cleaned.  On the other hand if you have a large family or are constantly running the washer and dryer then you might need to have a dryer vent cleaning each year.

Q – I HAVE RUST STAINS ON THE TOP OF MY CHIMNEY AND RUNNING DOWN THE SIDING.  WHAT CAUSES THIS AND WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

A.  Pre-fab fireplaces have a metal covering called a “chase cover” to prevent water from entering the interior of the chimney structure.  Chase covers were usually made by using cheap galvanized sheet metal.  Over time the metal coating wears off by being exposed to the sun, rain and other elements and causes it to rust.  This can be carried down your home by rain causing a rust stain on your siding that will only get bigger with time.  The best way to fix this problem is by removing the old chase cover and replacing it with a stainless steel chase cover that comes with a lifetime warranty from our company.  Guaranteed never to rust or we will replace it.

 

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