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Chimneys

Chimney Fires: How to Protect Your Wisconsin Home

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No matter where you live, a fire can start where you least expect it. The National Fire Protection Agency estimates that United States fire departments responded to 355,440 house fires from 2015 to 2016. However, your chimney can also cause a house fire. Here’s what you need to know about chimney fires and protecting your Wisconsin home.

How Common are Chimney Fires?

Chimney fires sounds strange when you say it out loud. However, they are more common than you think. According to statistics from the Chimney Safety Institute of America, there was an average of 22,300 chimney fires between 2012 and 2014.  Knowing the signs of a chimney fire can help save you and your home. The Chimney Safety Institute of America says that homeowners should look out for popping noises, dense smoke, and a “hot smell.”

Common Causes of Chimney Fires

Chimney fires are often the result of improper care and maintenance. Here are some of the common causes of chimney fires:

Creosote

The number one cause of chimney fires is creosote. Creosote is a black, tarry substance that occurs due to incomplete burning. When creosote builds up, it prevents fumes from fully exhausting and prevents chimneys from controlling a fire. Besides causing a fire, the incomplete burning causes the exhaustion of fumes that are harmful to humans, leading to a buildup of soot.

Soot

Soot is another by-product of incomplete burning that looks like  black stains. This by-product occurs when homeowners burn untreated wood, plastics, or don’t completely burn wood. Soot is especially dangerous since it can exhaust carcinogenic gases. Breathing in carcinogens often leads to respiratory illness.

Improper Maintenance

Calling the chimney sweeper can help prevent chimney fires. The job of chimney sweepers is to clean soot and make sure your chimney is functioning properly. Homeowners should have their chimney swept at least once a year.

Knowing is half the battle, and when it comes to chimney fires, knowing how to prevent them is everything.

Preventing Chimney Fires

There are a number of things you can do in order to prevent chimney fires and producing carcinogenic gases:

  1. Get an annual chimney inspection. Inspectors will be able to tell you if your chimney needs maintenance, or whether creosote has built up.
  2. Use a chimney liner. Also called a flue liner, this will help contain combustion.
  3. Build small fires with dry wood. Wet wood can attribute to creosote build up and bigger fires create more smoke.

Final Word on Chimney Fires

Performing maintenance, and knowing the signs of a chimney fire is essential for homeowners. If you recently had a chimney fire or you need maintenance done, Over the Top specializes in rebuilds and restoration of chimneys!

 

How Does a Chimney Work and Why Does it Need Maintenance?

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The first chimney we know about dates back to the 12th century. Before that, people placed fire pits in the middle of their dwellings.

Back then, homeowners didn’t really understand how their chimneys worked or why taking care of them was so important. So, even though there was a hole in the roof, the homes were constantly filled with smoke and there was always the danger of the house going up in flames.

Luckily, those days are long gone. But it’s still a good idea to learn how a chimney works so you can better understand what kind of maintenance yours needs.

Smoke billows from a chimney from a house with an old roof

The Science Behind Chimneys

A chimney works due to principles of airflow. Hot air rises because it is not as dense as cold air. Instead of venting hot air up and out of your home, chimneys remove hot gasses from your house’s heating system. This rising hot gas leads to a difference in pressure. This is called a draft. The draft pulls in combustion air into your furnace and pushes out exhaust gas.

A chimney has both internal and external parts and so, is subject to weather, which can cause damages.

Common Chimney Problems

Understanding how does a chimney work isn’t as easy as it seems. And it’s a complex system that is often overlooked by homeowners. But failure to maintain a chimney can be dangerous.

Here are some of the most common chimney problems of which homeowners should.

Blockages

Debris such as bird nests can block your chimney flue. Even small blockages can prevent your chimney from working effectively. These blockages should be removed to restore your chimney to full functionality.

Creosote Buildup

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, the gasses from the fire cause a buildup that is called creosote. This buildup is combustible and corrosive. A large buildup could even start a fire in your chimney.

One of the easiest ways to remove this buildup is with special logs that you burn in your fireplace. However, this is not a substitute for a yearly professional inspection and cleaning. You should let the experts take care of your chimney inspection and repair.

Cracks and Holes in the Flue

Wood fires can over time cause tiny holes and fissures in your flue. As a result, dangerous gasses could enter your home.

You should have a chimney expert look at your flue each year. They can make repairs as needed to prevent further problems. If untreated, expensive structural repairs will be inevitable.

Damage to Chimney Crown and Cap

Both the crown and cap of a chimney are out in the elements. Their role is to keep debris and rain out of your flue.

If these items become damaged, they may not be able to do their job, which can result in further repairs. In the winter, water in the chimney could cause a leak in the attic as the mortar joints freeze and crack apart.

All chimneys need to be sealed every 8-10 years to prevent water from getting in.

How Does a Chimney Work? Ask No More!

We hope you now can confidently answer the question, “How does a chimney work?” But remember: Just because you understand how it works doesn’t mean you can service it yourself. Always consult certified technicians to treat any problems with your chimney.

If you make a habit of inspecting your chimney and having a professional perform regular maintenance, you will get many years of use out of it.

If your chimney needs servicing, contact us. At Over the Top Roofing and Construction, we offer chimney repair and maintenance, as well as professional roofing in Milwaukee and the surrounding communities.

5 Signs You Need a Chimney Rebuild

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Your chimney is part of your house that you probably don’t give much thought. So, when is the last time you thought about the health of your chimney and whether or not it needs repairs?

Probably never, right?

man on roof inspecting tuckpointing

Chimneys are sturdy, but they still need care now and again, and if it’s been too long since the last time yours got a little TLC, it may be time for a complete chimney rebuild.

How Often Should I Check my Chimney?

In Milwaukee, it’s a good idea to give your chimney an annual check. A great time for this is as summer approaches and the fireplace is starting its season of disuse.

You’ll also want to give it a good once-over after any severe weather, like hurricanes or hail storms.

So, here are the 5 signs to tell if your chimney needs a rebuild.

White Bricks

Water is the worst enemy of pretty much everything in your house. And while bricks may seem immune, even the best masonry will eventually be overcome by water damage.

This kind of damage is called efflorescence, and it’s the result of water seeping into the bricks and pulling the natural salts and minerals to the surface. The water evaporates, leaving the minerals behind.

The white staining washes off easily. Soap and water will usually do the trick. But the damage isn’t so easy to fix. If you notice efflorescence on your chimney, it’s time to call in a professional.

Damaged Crown

Your chimney crown is one of the most vital pieces of masonry on your chimney. It protects the rest of the piece, keeping out weather and water damage.

Unfortunately, like any first line of defense, it tends to take the most damage, and if you don’t keep an eye on it, the damage will spread down, necessitating a complete chimney rebuild.

Crowns can crack or degrade over time. This can be due to shrinking and expansion during changing seasons, or just normal wear and tear over many decades. Either way, once a crown is damaged, it will begin letting in water and the elements.

No Chimney Cap

This isn’t a piece of actual masonry, and it isn’t necessarily “damage” either. Some chimneys just don’t have a chimney cap or haven’t had one for so long that no one knows where the darn thing went in the first place.

Either way, if you haven’t had a chimney cap for some time, it’s likely that your chimney has sustained some damage. The chimney cap acts as a line of defense even before the chimney crown, and if yours isn’t present, you may want to call for an inspection before the damage gets too bad.

Spalling

Spalling bricks are an obvious sign of chimney damage and the need for a chimney rebuild. Water is the culprit here again since spalling happens when bricks have been saturated with water.

Spalling bricks will chip, deteriorate, crumble, or even pop out of the masonry. If you see this happening on your chimney, call a professional right away.

Shaling

If water has seeped into the gap between your chimney and flue lining, you may begin to see shaling flue tiles. You’ll notice this without ever going outside since the shaling flue tiles will start to fall into your fireplace.

Do You Need a Chimney Rebuild?

It’s tempting with any house problem to let it be or ignore it, hoping it will go away on its own. After all, chimneys are strong affairs, right?

Left untreated, chimney issues can cause dangerous CO2 buildup or even house fires. If you suspect a problem with your Milwaukee chimney, give us a call today.

Why Your Chimney Might Need Tuckpointing

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When was the last time you thought about the condition of your Milwaukee chimney?

Chimneys provide a great design element to your home. Tuckpointing ensures stability and longevity through tough winters and rainy springs.

chimney smoke rising from chimney

Like any structural component in your home, a chimney will begin to show wear and tear and need maintenance. Because the outside of a chimney is always exposed to the elements, it will deteriorate more quickly.

Now, you may be asking yourself what exactly tuckpointing is. This is the process of replacing old and damaged mortar between bricks or stone.

Read on to learn why your chimney needs it.

Maintaining the Structural Integrity of Your Chimney

Mortar used in masonry chimneys usually lasts about 25 years. After that, it will begin to break down due to  exposure to moisture and freezing temperatures. If this is not remedied, the result could be a collapsed chimney and the need for a costly rebuild.

Old mortar joints will eventually allow water to enter the chimney, and this water can even work its way between the chimney and flue lining. Water coming in through your chimney can cause damage to the surrounding ceiling and walls.

Because brick holds up much longer, replacing the mortar will return the chimney back to its original condition. This is the most cost-effective way to maintain the structural integrity and appearance of your chimney.

To give you a better idea of what takes place during tuckpointing, let’s take a look at the process.

  • The old mortar gets routed at a consistent depth.
  • Red mortar added to the newly routed grooves improves stability.
  • New grooves get added by cutting small strips in the red mortar.
  • Mortar of the desired color adds the appropriate aesthetic.

Signs Your Chimney Needs Tuckpointing

The repair and maintenance history of your home’s chimney will be a big indicator of whether it’s time to have it serviced. But there are ways to tell if tuckpointing is necessary even if you don’t have this information.

If you can access the chimney from the roof, look for cracks or separation between the bricks. Take a screwdriver and try scraping the mortar. If you can easily scrape or break it away, it’s probably time to have it replaced.

Look for small pieces of mortar around the base, where the chimney meets the roof. This is an indication the masonry is deteriorating and slowly crumbling.

Do you notice dripping water in the fireplace while it’s raining? Do you have water damage on the walls or ceiling around the fireplace? These are both signs that the mortar may no longer be structurally sound.

Chimney Repair and Restoration

Due to its location, problems with the outside portion of your chimney can go unnoticed. It’s important to examine the condition of the masonry and be aware of the warning signs that the mortar is deteriorating.

If you suspect that repairs are necessary on the exterior of your chimney, a qualified professional needs to diagnose the issue. We provide residential chimney and roofing services in the Milwaukee area. Contact us today.