Chimney Cleaning in North Arlington, NJ
Fireplace, wood-burning stoves, gas or oil heating appliances all contribute to dirty chimneys. Burning wood produces a black, sticky combustible layer that requires regular cleaning. We sweep your chimney clean by brushing the inside to eliminate built up soot.
Depending on your usage, the damage can range from a light layer to heavy build-up of burnt solids. A yearly clean-up by American Chimney Service eliminates your concerns, and gives you peace of mind.
The Basic Cleaning Process
Licensed, bonded and insured, American Chimney Service's technicians are experienced and arrive properly equipped for the job with instructions to bring any potential problems to the attention of the homeowner. Our sweeps first inspect your fireplace or heating system, the chimney or flue pipe, the spark arrestor and other related components. If they see any problems, they will make recommendations for remediation.
After the inspection, technicians cover the inside of the fireplace to contain soot or dust created during the cleaning process. They then climb to the roof and clean the insides of the chimney with poles, brushes and scrapers - soot and debris falls to the bottom. The sweep later re-enters the house, removes the debris, cleans out the inside of the fireplace, and vacuums any remaining dust or soot.
Chimney Re-Lining North Arlington NJ, 07031
A safe, compliant chimney lining is mandated in most fire codes as a result of extensive testing by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) to address concerns about durability, performance and safety. Therefore, in a contemporary masonry chimney, the flue lining is made of terra cotta, ceramic or metal, and serves several functions:
1. It contains combustible products and leads them outside of the house into the atmosphere, protecting the house.
In the NBS tests of unlined chimneys, adjacent woodwork caught fire in only 3 1/2 hours, which is why an appropriate liner is so very important.
2. A safe, code compliant liner protects a masonry chimney's walls from heat, potential damage and corrosion from combustion byproducts.
The NBS tests revealed that in unlined chimneys, highly acidic flue gases often penetrated the brick and mortar, eating away at the chimney's mortar joints, and allowing heat to transfer more rapidly to nearby combustibles – which means that dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide can leak into the living areas of the home.
3. Liners contribute to optimal efficiency for your appliances.
The key to maximized performance in most oil/gas furnaces and modern wood stoves is a correctly sized flue. Why? Because in addition to leading the products of combustion out of the house, the chimney draft also supplies combustion air to the appliance. If the liner is correctly sized, it prevents excessive soot buildup in wood burning stoves, and minimizes production of carbon monoxide that can occur with conventional fuels.
The "Big 3" categories in chimney liners.
Old, damaged or unlined chimneys are potentially hazardous. There are three main liner options we offer to keep your chimneys working well, and your home safe. We recommend you have your chimney liners inspected regularly to be sure they meet modern safety standards.
1. Clay tiles.
Inexpensive, easily obtained, and high on performance, clay tile chimney liners are the most popular choice for liners in todays' marketplace. They are, however, vulnerable to splits and cracks, and must be checked regularly and repaired if necessary. We are fully equipped to do that for you.
2. Metal chimney liners.
Used primarily in liner upgrades and repairs, stainless steel or aluminum liners provide safety, performance and durability. Stainless steel liners are used for wood burning fireplaces, oil or gas furnaces. Aluminum is used as an inexpensive alternative for medium efficiency gas furnaces. High heat-resistant insulation is used with metal liners to help ensure safety and enhance performance.
3. Cast chimney liners.
Cast-in-place cement liners create a smooth, insulated passageway for flue gases. This form of liner can actually improve the integrity of older chimneys, and is for use with all types of appliances and fuels.
The Importance of Chimney Inspections in North Arlington NJ, 07031
Until very recently, expert inspection and evaluation of fireplaces, stoves or other venting systems was left up to the discretion of chimney service technicians. Now, there are standards and codes established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regarding home heating appliances (NFPA 211).
Here is what to expect from your American Chimney Service technician for each level:
Level 1
A Level 1 inspection is the minimum required for systems that are status quo – that are not changing and are in continued use under the same conditions. In a Level 1 inspection, our technician will examine easily accessed portions of the chimney exterior, interior and accessible components of the chimney connection. Your American ChimneyService technician will examine your chimney structure, flue, appliance installation and connections as well as check for combustible deposits and obstructions.
Level 2
A Level 2 Inspection is required when you make changes to your system, including changes in fuel type, changes to materials and shapes within the flue, or replacement of appliances. It is also mandatory when you buy, sell or transfer property...or after a malfunction, fire, or forceful weather event. A Level 2 includes the requirements in a Level 1 inspection, and may include a visual/video inspection to examine internal surfaces and flue liner joints. During a Level 2, the technician explores accessible portions of the chimney, plus attics, basements and crawl spaces.
Level 3
A Level 3 Inspection is warranted when hidden hazards are suspected. It includes all the items checked in Levels 1 and 2, and then goes beyond to access concealed areas of the chimney or flue. it is performed with special tools and may entail removing or destroying some permanent portions of the chimney or building.
Chimney Certifications in North Arlington NJ, 07031
New Jersey Uniform Construction Code requires a chimney certification for replacement of a hot water heater, furnace, or boiler.
For oil to gas conversions, or for oil to oil and gas to gas replacements:
Prior to installing a new furnace, boiler or hot water heater, the homeowner must make sure that chimney is in safe condition, and that the chimney certification is signed and given to the local code enforcement office.
By signing the chimney certification we certify that chimney/vent is free and clear of obstruction, and is substantially clean of residue from its previous use serving an oil appliance. We further certify that the chimney/vent is appropriately lined and sized for the appliance being installed.
Every chimney should have a cap in order to protect it from the elements, as well as certain other environmental factors as shown below.
The necessity of a chimney cap in North Arlington NJ, 07031
Does my chimney need a cap? Excess moisture from rain and snow getting inside the chimney slowly damages the chimney lining. The material between liner tiles will eventually dissolve, and elements of a corrosive nature which exist in exhaust from heating system appliances mix with excess moisture which slowly weakens the lining. The chimney's structure can be weakened by water pooling at the base. Expansion damage can be caused by repeated freeze/thaw cycles of water inside the chimney. A properly installed chimney cap decreases your chimney's exposure to this damage by keeping most of the water out.
Animals can be kept out by a cap that is fitted with a screen mesh barrier. Members of your local varmint population as well as birds choose chimneys to nest in because of the warmth they provide. The results of such creatures settling in your chimney can be both hazardous to your health and potentially dangerous in the risk of your chimney getting clogged. These animals carry infectious diseases like rabies, other harmful illnesses and bacteria as well as exposing your home to fleas, ticks and worms. Be sure your cap is fitted with a screen mesh.
Some chimneys have caps that are made of stone, concrete or brick and are on stone legs or bricks above the top of the flue. Metal caps are most common with those manufactured of copper or stainless steel offering the highest level of durability. These caps usually have the screen mesh mentioned above already incorporated into their design. Usually, mass produced chimneys have caps that are specifically designed to fit.
American Chimney Service maintains the highest standards when inspecting chimneys with regard to the condition, installation and presence of a chimney cap.
The damper is one of the most important components of your fireplace. The damper stops the warm air from inside your home from escaping through the chimney to the outside environment. If your damper is open or leaks, you might as well be throwing money out the window with what you are wasting in heating costs. In most cases a homeowner will see a return on his or her investment, in having their damper replaced within 2 heating seasons.
A full sealing and functional damper is a must in North Arlington NJ, 07031
Your fireplace damper is located just above the firebox in most masonry chimneys. The damper is meant to seal the fireplace shut when you are not using it. Most fireplace dampers are made of metal and seal against metal which will eventually allow warm air from inside your home to leak. The metal plates that make up your damper warp do to expansion and contraction from heating and cooling by your fireplace, due to the warping this metal to metal seal worsens, allowing an increase in the volume of warm air leaked from your home, in turn resulting in your heating system having to work harder to keep you warm which will cost you more in dollars spent on fuel annually.
American Chimney Service uses only the finest products with respect to fireplace dampers. As technology advances, American Chimney Service likes to consider itself at the forefront of exploring the use of new materials which can help decrease the wear of your fireplace damper which will in turn increase the efficiency of your home. Greener pastures are within reach as long as we work together and use the tools that are accessible to us.
Water causes more damage to the chimneys on our homes then fire. The masonry work and other materials that your home is made of are protected by the roof and eave. Your chimney is not. Your chimney stands stoically above the roofline of your house, weathering constant exposure to the environment.
Does my masonry chimney require repairs in North Arlington NJ, 07031?
A brick chimney is constructed of a multitude of masonry and non masonry materials, including mortar and brick, terra cotta tile, steel and in some cases cast iron. These materials suffer deterioration with prolonged contact with the environment. Masonry materials quickly deteriorate when there is continued exposure to the freeze/thaw process during which moisture penetrates the masonry materials, freezes and expands, which causes stress. Water inside the chimney (which you won't ever have to worry about because your chimney has been properly capped by an American Chimney Service technician ;-))also weakens and in some instances even destroys the metal parts of your chimney.
If your home or chimney is penetrated by water, both interior and exterior damage can be caused including:
- Broken brickwork and/or spalled brickwork
- Metal or masonry firebox assemblies may become damaged by water exposure
- Damper assemblies may become rusted
- Central heating systems may deteriorate due to water or excessive moisture exposure
- The mortar between the bricks that are in essence the façade of your chimney can crack and weaken the joints between bricks
- Flue liner systems can crack
American Chimney Service employs master masons in order to be confident in the service that we provide. All of our masonry work, like everything we do, is guaranteed.
An exhaust fan provides an excellent solution when excess smoke is coming into the house from the fireplace. We install it on top of the flue, it sits on top of chimney and it pulls the smoke up and out of the house. Homeowners can control the fan speed from inside the house, making it an ultra-convenient and useful addition to your fireplace or home heating system.
Why should you add an exhaust fan to your home heating system or fireplace?
Some home heating systems and fireplaces, although constructed properly and correctly maintained may not provide enough of a draft in order to expel smoke from your house or in the case of your heating system provide enough air flow to feed your burner's fire. The causes of this can range from less breathing (a decrease in drafts) of the home due to the installation of new windows or insulation in the home, resulting in less of an up-draft up and out of the chimney, to large trees or shrubbery growing too close to the chimney therefore blocking the rush of outward flowing air. If there is no solution to these problems, an exhaust fan can be added to your chimney in order to create the correct amount of air-flow that is needed to remove the smoke from your home or as stated above pull enough air through your heating system in order to feed your burner's fire.
American Chimney Service technicians do not take kindly to inefficient home functionality, especially since you the homeowner are doing your part in running a safe and efficient home for yourself and/or your loved ones. Our technicians will take the time and make the effort needed in order to be sure you are getting every bit of efficiency from your heating system or every warm cozy moment in front of the fireplace that your original home investment promised to give you.
Video Chimney Inspections in North Arlington NJ, 07031
Nothing compares to an American Chimney Service video home heating inspection, as it provides the ultimate in assessing the conditions of furnaces, woodstoves and fireplace chimneys. Call us to schedule a video inspection for each flue in your home. You'll receive an accurate evaluation and potentially save thousands of dollars identifying hidden defects largely overlooked by home inspectors.
Video Chimney Evaluations in North Arlington NJ, 07031
In the old days, chimney sweeps peered inside chimneys with mirrors and powerful reflective lights, but this type of inspection never really identified the details within the chimney walls. Today, a video evaluation by our trained chimney professionals potentially expose hidden problems or dangers lurking inside your chimney.
We drop a camera down into the flue, and then can manipulate it to look at the walls from any angle. If there has been a chimney fire, our camera will video the damage, making it easy for adjusters to see the loss. We can provide a written report as well.
Finally, if you are just interested in knowing the true condition of your chimney and flue liner, American Chimney Service's video evaluation shows you exactly what is going on, so you the homeowner can make educated decisions with regard to repairs or any other changes to your heating system or fireplace, based on accurate knowledge of the situation.
Call us today to set up an appointment at 201-358-2800.
