Chimney & Fireplace Repairs
Identifying And Addressing Chimney And Fireplace Repairs
Chances are you haven’t stuck your head up your chimney lately to check out its condition. The real problem is that even if you did, you wouldn’t be able to get an accurate reading of your chimney’s health. Truth is, most fireplace and chimney problems are hard to pinpoint or identify without proper tools and professional knowledge. That’s why there’s White Glove.
When your chimney or fireplace is not working safely and efficiently, you can suffer physically and financially. We have over twenty years of experience installing, maintaining and repairing chimneys and fireplaces and can help you figure out what is causing problems. You can trust that we will conduct thorough, expert inspections on each visit. Your satisfaction is important to us and we stand behind our service.
Common Chimney and Fireplace Problems
Carbon monoxide is created when fuel is not used up entirely and can make its way into your home through leaks, cracks, or holes. It is not easily detected without professional tools as it is odorless, colorless and invisible. The effects of carbon monoxide on your health can range from sore throat and headache to asthma, permanent organ damage or even death. To keep your family protected from this toxic gas, we will conduct a thorough inspection for leaks and inefficient fuel burnings. We are here to ensure that your home is a safe and warm environment for you and your family.
Chimney leaks can be attributed to a number of causes, and should be taken very seriously. These leaks can allow water into the chimney structure, causing decay and structural deterioration. When your chimney is exposed to the elements in this way, its life is significantly reduced and the safety of your family is put at risk. There are many signs that point to chimney leaks, such as spalling, efflorescence and crumbling brick and mortar. We know what to look for and can quickly pinpoint the source of these leaks. We also have the skills and tools to make sure that these leaks are fixed and that future water damage is prevented.
Crown repairs are commonly needed due to age or improper installation and maintenance. The crown is situated at the top of the chimney and is meant to direct water away from the area. When it is improperly sealed or deteriorating, water is able to enter into the chimney, causing it to deteriorate. We will often check the crown first when there are reports of leaks within the chimney as this is a common cause and is inexpensive to replace.
Flashing repair is often necessary for a few reasons. Flashing is a series of layered, metal segments that cover the area where chimney meets roof. Because these metal segments are exposed to the elements, they are often victims of corrosion, wind-damage or animal-damage and can become ineffective over time. When the flashing bends, shifts, or separates from the roof or chimney, water can easily escape into the chimney, leading to serious water damage. It is important to have your flashing checked for damage or gaps, to ensure that your chimney is protected from leaks and their effects.
Whatever problems you are experiencing, we are knowledgeable and qualified and will help you get your chimney and fireplace back into perfect working condition.
If your chimney needs to be relined, our knowledgeable staff at White Glove can perform this important chimney service.
Identifying The Cause Of Your Problems
Whether you are experiencing the symptoms of a draft problem, a soot problem or a mechanical problem, we at White Glove do not simply address the warning signs, we address the origin. Many common problems can be due to flue obstructions, fireplace or chimney damage, pressure imbalance, leaks, gaps or holes in flashing, an improperly sealed crown, or atmosphere-related challenges. Whatever the source of your chimney problems, White Glove and our extensive network of hearth professionals and contractors are fully capable of pinpointing and fixing the issue. In fact, if your system is not working properly after being repaired by a White Glove Chimney professional, you don’t pay for our services.
Why Is My Chimney Smoking?
A smoking chimney can be a sign of several different issues. There may be a blockage in the chimney caused by animal debris or other matter. You may also be seeing the effects of creosote buildup. Creosote is created when fuel is burned incompletely. The buildup of creosote can lead to smoking or aesthetic problems and can also be a fire waiting to happen. Other possible causes are clogged screens and flue problems.
Where Is All Of This Soot Coming From?
Like creosote, soot is a byproduct of incompletely-burned fuel. This can be a sign of an inefficient fireplace that is perhaps not burning at the right temperatures. Soot can also be a sign of a blockage in the chimney that is causing air flow problems. Although soot is an ashy dust, it can contribute to greater air flow problems as it accumulates on the inside of the chimney. If the root of the soot is not addressed, you can expect continued production of soot and creosote as well as issues with smoke. As air flow is restricted, smoke is trapped inside of the chimney with nowhere to go but into your home and lungs. Not only can this cause serious health problems such as asthma and other respiratory ailments, inefficient fuel-usage can leave your wallet feeling down and out.
Why Isn’t My Chimney System Working Properly?
A chimney system is a complicated and intricate system, and should be properly maintained to prevent problems. No matter how good you are to your chimney and fireplace, deterioration and defects can arise with time and exposure to the elements. When you trust White Glove with your chimney system, you can be sure that we will address all aspects of the system, and keep it in healthy, working order year after year.
Undetected problems with your chimney or other heating appliance may be allowing dangerous carbon monoxide to filter into your home, endangering the lives of your entire family. Let White Glove perform an inspection and all needed fireplace and chimney repairs to keep you and your loved ones safe.
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
Unlike the castles of old, the average home today is an air-tight fortress. This means that there is very little opportunity for air to enter or leave your home. Although this saves the homeowner money in heat-related costs, it can also put your family at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.
What leads to the production of carbon monoxide?
You may be thinking that this concern does not apply to you because you have a brand new, high-efficiency chimney and exhaust system. However, there are several factors that can lead to a carbon monoxide problem.
For example, when a furnace does not have the required oxygen to burn through the provided energy source, it produces carbon monoxide. When a chimney suffers from creosote or soot accumulation, blockages, or flawed flue liners (all of which can be common in a chimney that is not annually inspected and maintained), toxic gases, polluted air, and smoke cannot be properly vented. Even a new, high-efficiency system can create toxic gases when it is vented into a pre-existing chimney flue. As a result, carbon monoxide and other dangerous fumes can be trapped in your exhaust system with nowhere to go but further into your home.
The effects of carbon monoxide on your family can be devastating and even life-threatening. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are approximately two-hundred carbon monoxide deaths each year as a result of home heating system defects. Other statistics indicate that the death count is as high as four thousand a year nationwide.
In addition to carbon monoxide fatalities, studies show that there are nearly ten thousand carbon monoxide-related health problems reported each year.* In small, steady doses, carbon monoxide can cause permanent brain and organ damage. Many individuals do not even recognize the symptoms of exposure because they appear as common headaches, nausea, dizziness, and lethargy. The longer an individual is exposed to carbon monoxide in any amount, the higher their risk of permanent and possibly fatal damage.
The NSI 3000 Carbon Monoxide Monitor:
Is resistant to false alarms.
Begins a digital read out at 5 PPM.
Alarms at 15 PPM.
Sounds a loud alarm after 5 minutes of detecting CO between 36 and 70 PPM.
Sounds a crisis alarm with no delay that cannot be silenced when CO above 70 PPM is detected.
Has a sensor that is designed to last 6 years.
Has a 5 year warranty.
Would You Prefer a Monitor That Tells You Before or After You’ve Been Poisoned?
Seems like a stupid questions, but it’s not. California requires CO detection and warning equipment. The UL 2034 standards for CO monitors, which California mandates, designate 70 PPM for a 1-2 hour exposure. This is enough to give a constant headache to a young, healthy, adult male. Only 9 PPM are allowed indoors over an 8 hour period.
The US Product Safety Commission gives the idea that most people are unaffected from 1 to 70 PPM. The weird thing is that Cal-OSHA sets 25 PPM as the maximum exposure at your job. Your family, infants and elderly don’t receive the same protection at home as on a jobsite.
The mandated CO detectors specifically are not to detect “low” levels of CO. Why? They don’t want false alarms.
Guess How Much CO You Should Breathe?
Answer: None! UCLA and other leading medical institutions throughout the world have documented the effects of chronic low level carbon monoxide resulting from tobacco smoke and other sources as low as 5 PPM:
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
Underweight babies with smaller head sizes
The fetus is severely and irreversibly affected by low levels during the 3rd trimester.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
and oxidative distress in patients with:
Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s
Multiple Sclerosis
Lou Gherig’s Disease
Cardiovascular Disease
Asthma
Other respiratory problems
What can I do?
Although these numbers are disheartening, carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented by ensuring that your chimney system is professionally inspected each year. These annual inspections are strongly recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, the National Fire Protection Association, and the American Lung Association. *Statistics provided by csia.org.
If left unchecked, chimney leaks can cause major damage not only to the chimney but also in other areas of your home. Call on White Glove for expert help with this important fireplace repair.
Chimney Leaks: What’s so bad about a little water?
Water damage is the leading cause of chimney decay and can dramatically shorten the life of an otherwise-healthy chimney. With the somewhat drastic environmental changes that we are experiencing in this day and age, the modern chimney is under even greater threat than has historically been the case. Storms seem to be getting stronger and more frequent and are showing up in areas previously unthreatened. With these intense winds and rain accumulations, most chimneys will experience water damage at some point.
What causes a chimney to leak?
There are many factors that can contribute to a leaky chimney and it is not always easy to identify the cause. Most masonry chimneys are built with brick and mortar which are porous by nature. This porosity plays an important role in the function of the chimney but can also cause the brick to decay over time, allowing water to seep in. Once water enters the masonry, it begins to corrode the inside of the chimney and can also lead to lime-leaching and cracks.
As our weather becomes more and more unreliable, we also experience more drastic shifts in temperatures. If water is allowed to enter a porous brick on a warm day and is met by a particularly frigid night, the water expands in its frozen state, constricts in its thawed state and will eventually cause the brick to deteriorate from the inside. This process of decay is known as spalling.
Other common causes of leaks are:
Damaged or improperly installed chimney flashing
A deteriorating crown
A decaying or absent chimney cover
The only way to protect your chimney from the inevitable effects of water damage is to have it professionally waterproofed. With White Glove’s proven products and expertise, you can be confident that your chimney will live a long, healthy life.
Evidence of Water Penetration
Efflorescence – The white stains on the outside of a masonry chimney indicate that water has penetrated the brick, causing salt to pour out of the chimney.
Spalling – When water enters the brick, and continuously freezes and thaws, the affected brick will deteriorate and separate piece by piece from the chimney. This leads to a structurally unsound chimney, and should be taken very seriously.
Erosion – Over time, bricks exposed to wind, rain, and changing temperatures weaken and decay along with the mortar that maintains the integrity of the chimney.
The chimney crown could be the culprit when it comes to a leaking chimney, so ask White Glove Chimney to perform an inspection and any needed repairs to this often neglected part of your chimney system.
Waterproofing Your Chimney
Water damage plays a huge role in shortening the lifespan of a chimney and should be addressed before it is an issue. The quality that makes brick such a durable and excellent material for building fireplaces and chimneys is the same quality that makes it vulnerable to water damage. Brick is porous by nature which means it breathes. This porosity allows smoke and heat to escape, making brick very safe and durable under high temperatures. However, the porosity of brick also allows water to bleed in which can lead to corrosion, lime-leaching and cracks. Anytime water is allowed into the brick, the structural security of the chimney is compromised.
In addition to the corrosive nature of water, it also changes physical states as the temperatures change. When the temperature drops drastically and then warms back up, a cycle of freezing and thawing (constricting and swelling) can take place where the water has penetrated the brick. Over time, this process will lead to the complete crumbling of the penetrated brick. To prevent this from happening and threatening the structural safety of your chimney system, it is important that you have your chimney properly and professionally waterproofed.
What’s Involved In Waterproofing?
There are many waterproofing options out there, but it is important that you have a professional’s advice and application. Many sealers advertised as waterproofing products are actually silicone-based and coat the chimney with a waterproof layer. The problem with these sealers is that they not only keep water out, they keep air out and trap water vapor in. But, as you now know, it is vital that brick be allowed to breathe.
At White Glove, we know the role that porosity plays and only use vapor-permeable sealers such as Chimneysaver’s Solvent-Based Water Repellent. Unlike silicone sealers, ChimneySaver allows air and water vapor to enter and exit the brick while keeping water molecules (which are larger) out.
Chimneysaver’s water repellent products come with a ten-year warranty and promise the following qualities:
100% vapor permeable
Matte finish
Prevention of efflorescence and staining
Prevention of mildew and fungus
Protection from the freeze/thaw cycle
For more information on their products, check out their website.
Whether your chimney is ancient or brand new, waterproofing is a must. And as always, prevention is much cheaper than repair! Call us today or click here to schedule your appointment online!
There could be other issues causing your chimney leak, so call on the experts at White Glove to help you find and fix the problem before things get worse. Our experienced staff can provide reliable, long-lasting results for this chimney and fireplace repair.
What is a crown and why would it need to be repaired?
The crown of a chimney is a solid covering that sits atop the masonry walls of the chimney. And just like a crown on one’s head, the crown on a chimney determines the fate of the chimney itself.
The crown of a masonry chimney serves the important purpose of draining water away from the flue. If the crown is deteriorating due to improper maintenance, age, or if it was improperly sealed, the chimney is left virtually unprotected from water damage. When water drains down into the chimney, it mixes with the lime (or holding agent) in the mortar, causing lime leaching/lime weeping. This invasion of water pulls the lime out of the mortar leaving it as a sandy buildup on the surface of the masonry. This lime leaching can lead not only to the formation of unsightly stalactites, it also leaves limeless gaps in the mortar, resulting in a structurally unsound chimney.
We at White Glove have the skill and knowledge to repair a chimney that has suffered this type of damage. However, it is much less expensive and much less invasive to make sure that the crown is waterproofed and in good working condition before this happens. If you already have a sound crown that simply needs to be waterproofed, a White Glove professional may only need to apply a crown sealant. If your crown is deteriorating or has large cracks, we may need to fill these cracks with a high-bond patching material before applying the crown sealant. When properly applied, the sealant will form a waterproof membrane between the elements and your chimney and can add up to fifteen years to the life of your chimney crown. With our professionally applied crown sealant products, you can be sure that water stays on the outside where it belongs. Long live the crown!
The Importance of Chimney Flashing
Chimney flashing is the aluminum, stainless steel or copper lining that is designed to fit over the seam where the roof becomes the chimney. Because each chimney and roof are different, it is vital that the flashing be customized to fit with your particular chimney and roof. When the chimney flashing is not custom-fitted or properly installed, or when it is damaged, corroded, or bent by winds or animals, it can no longer serve the purpose of providing a watertight seal. Because flashing is typically made of metal, over time it can corrode and rust, creating holes and rendering it ineffective. Without effective flashing, your chimney is left unprotected from water-damage at its most vulnerable point.
Many serious structural problems are caused by water-damage, including mold, damage to exposed drywall, wood rot and chimney decay. In many cases, water-damage can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage before it is even detected by the homeowner. However, annual chimney checkups conducted by a White Glove professional can protect you from such costly endeavors.
How does chimney flashing work?
Chimney flashing consists of multiple, custom-fitted, metal segments placed under the shingles surrounding the chimney and along the wall of the chimney itself. Next, a layer of urethane caulking is used to seal and water-proof the area. Because the chimney flashing is customized to the individual roof and chimney, it is important to have it checked as the house settles and shifts and when having the roof re-shingled. Any shift in the home can create a space or gap in the flashing. This separation, no matter how small, can lead to big problems and extensive damage.
To ensure that your chimney flashing is properly sealed and doing its job of keeping the elements out of your home, have your flashing inspected today by a White Glove professional!