For homeowners with chimneys, ensuring that their homes are safe and secure is of utmost importance. Many homeowners may not know they should install a spark arrestor, and it can be a simple, yet vital, component that makes a world of difference. So, if you’re still wondering whether or not you should call Chimney Champions, here are three good reasons to pick up the phone.
A fireplace is the focal point in any room. You probably love lighting a new fire in it every day, and enjoying the warmth and calm that follows. Here at Chimney Champions, we love fireplaces and are dedicated to keeping chimneys and fireplaces clean. We also love to provide some tips and tricks for homeowners. So, if you’re tired of venturing back and forth from the woodpile to your fireplace, here are our indoor firewood storage ideas. You can thank us later!
Heavy rains and winds can take a toll on your chimney. Strong storms can kick up in an instant and last for just a few minutes. However, they leave a trail of damage behind, including impacts to your home. If you have trees in your yard that hang over the house, then you’re at even more risk for storm damage. Here are a few things the experts at Chimney Champions want you to know when inspecting the chimney damage in the aftermath of a storm.
April flowers bring May showers! But that’s not all that comes along with the Spring. All those lovely fairy tale critters are now coming out of the woodwork (literally!) and looking for a new place to call home.Don’t leave your home vulnerable to water and animal intrusion, which can lead to a multitude of health & safety issues – not to mention taking a big chunk out of your wallet!A seasonal Specialty Inspection with Chimney Champions® is a great way to make sure your chimney system in optimal shape, and to address any issues BEFORE they get out of control! The Specialty Inspection is a full inspection of the chimney system and fireplace, with use of Infrared Technology and aerial drones. Specialty Inspection does not include Sweep.SPECIAL OFFER…*For a limited time, when you schedule your Specialty Inspection with Chimney Champions®, you can add a Sweep onto your service for only $50!Contact Chimney Champions® … Continued
When it’s chilly outside, it’s nice to make your home warm inside. This is the time of year when everyone looks to use their fireplaces for quick warmth and relaxing ambience. Unfortunately, however, this is also the most common time of year for house fires caused by dirty fireplaces. Just this past weekend, Savannah Fire Rescue had to cut holes in a Tatem Street home to put out a chimney fire. The fireplace was dirty, and long overdue for a professional cleaning and inspection; however, it was used anyway.Firefighters everywhere see this sort of problem more than you may realize – even in Florida!This is a common danger that can be easily prevented by having your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected by a CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep, and making sure it is safe BEFORE using it. Call Chimney Champions® at 904-268-7200, or book online to schedule your service today!
You should always hire a CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep® to perform annual services on your fireplace. But what do you do in between those regular services? Some of the reasons to hire a professional: Chimney-cleaning is a obviously a very dirty job, but it’s also a dangerous one! There is great value in hiring a qualified and skilled Chimney Sweep who possesses the proper training and experience, and who uses state-of-the-art tools to ensure this work is done properly. You can avoid the risk of injury or illness (the nasty stuff you can breathe in is no joke!) by contacting Chimney Champions® today!At Chimney Champions®, we want you to always put safety first. THESE ‘DO-IT-YOURSELF’ TIPS SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN PLACE OF PROFESSIONAL SWEEPS, BUT ARE RATHER TO BE USED AS HELPFUL INFORMATION TO REFERENCE FOR IN BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS. If you are going to perform supplemental cleanings to your fireplace … Continued
SEPTEMBER 30 – OCTOBER 6, 2018 IS NATIONAL CHIMNEY SAFETY WEEK!According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are over 20,000 residential chimney fires each year, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs… AND PREVENTABLE INJURIES AND DEATHS!Keep your dryer vents clean, always make sure your home has Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors, and change their batteries regularly! You should always keep fire extinguishers in your home, but be sure to check them periodically for recalls! While fire is an obvious danger that we should all take seriously, it is not the only hazard to our fireplaces. Click here to check out one of our recent blog posts, and see for yourselves just how bad a system can get when vulnerable to animal intrusion.These are some of the reasons Chimney Champions® wants to help you protect your home and family. Be sure that your fireplace is CLEAN AND SAFE before using it this … Continued
At Chimney Champions®, we frequently get calls about things not working properly. During one of our recent calls, a client indicated that for some reason, they couldn’t get their damper to open.⊗ WARNING! ⊗ The pictures below are not for the faint-of-heart!During the course of our inspection, we found that our client’s damper was wedged shut due to the amount of “debris” left behind by Chimney Swifts. That’s right, folks! “POOP.” “DOOKIE.” “NUMBER TWO.”Call it whatever you want – either way, it’s nasty stuff!The picture on the bottom-right shows some of the chunks that came out from the client’s smoke chamber and damper area. A total of THREE trash bags and SIX vacuum bags were used to clean up after the little guys.This excrement is extremely hazardous to your home AND your health!Birds aren’t the only things that can make their way into your chimney; Raccoons, Rodents, Bees, and plenty more environmental elements … Continued
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIREWOOD: Does it Really Matter? Yes, it really does. Choosing the right type of wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove involves many factors. When the firewood was cut, for instance, can play a role in whether or not it is the right wood for you. The more recently the wood has been cut, the more water it contains. Well-seasoned wood is dryer and is therefore easier to get started, and produces a hotter, cleaner burn. Firewood should always be stored outdoors, off the ground, and with some type of overhead covering to prevent direct contact with rain or snow. This area should be well-ventilated to allow the air to circulate and dry the wood out. Firewood that has been stored properly and cut at least six months before burning will produce a much better burn.Many think the most important factor to consider when selecting firewood is what … Continued
Thinking of Removing Birds from Your Chimney? …Not So Fast!!Every year, the appropriately-named Chimney Swifts migrate to North America from Peru during springtime, and commonly build their nests inside of chimneys. Their glue-like saliva allows them to attach their nests onto the inside wall of your chimney. This species of birds (Chaetura pelagica) is federally-protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, therefore it is against federal law to remove or disturb them – or their active nests – during their breeding season without a Federal Migratory Bird Depredation Permit. Breeding season typically lasts until around the end of the summer, but you can check out this interactive migration map to learn more about their migration habits!Though their chirping can be loud and bothersome, Chimney Swift hatchlings typically leave their nests around 30 days after hatching. To help prevent the youngsters from falling down your chimney shaft, you should make sure your … Continued
