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There is no Chimney Fairy...
...Maintaining your chimney is up to you.
Chimney Cleaning
The most common service we provide is chimney or fireplace sweeping and
inspection. Everyone wants to know to know how often you need to have your chimney swept and
inspected. The Chimney safety Institute of America and the National Fire Protection
Association say you should have your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year
or more depending on use. Just because you haven't used it in a while is no reason to assume it is
safe, all kinds of things such as animals can get in your chimney during the off season. The consumer
Product Safety Commission's statistics show an average of 25,100 chimney fires responsible for 30 deaths
and $126.1 million in property damage each year. An annual inspection gives the sweep a chance to find
cracks, creosote build up or other dangerous developments in your chimney. The sweep also has a
chance to check the top of your chimney and make sure nothing has been knocked off allowing rain and the
elements into your home. Of course if we get there and your chimney does not need sweeping then you will
only be charged for the inspection. Putting off a sweep to save money is taking a dangerous chance.*
The reason you need your chimney
swept is because of the smoke,
which contains tiny unburned but
flammable solid particles which
adhere to the walls of your chimney,
called creosote, or more commonly
small spark from a fire can ignite them causing
a chimney fire. Chimneys and pipes like the
ones on wood stoves are designed for smoke to
pass through at relatively low temperatures,
they are not built to withstand
chimney fires which can burn at 2,000
degrees. Soot build up also reduces the flow
of air out of the flue so the chance of smoke
coming back in your house increases. General
maintenance dictates a yearly chimney cleaning
and inspection.*
Sooty build up is highly flammable and
the cause of dangerous chimney fires.
Chimney Inspection
So what do we do during a
chimney inspection, what are we
looking for? We offer a 21 point
inspection that encompasses all
components that a chimney and fireplace
could contain. This inspection will reveal if
the chimney is well maintained and in perfect
working order or if there are any problems
that could occur durig normal operation. The
most common problems found are leaky
crowns, leaky caps and dampers, cracked
fireboxes and the most dangerous
condition, dirty flues.*
In general we check for four basic things:
1. Is there soot built up or third stage creosote that needs to be removed to prevent a chimney fire.*
2. Is the chimney heat tight? Is there any obvious signs of wear that heat can escape through causing a
house fire?*
3. Is the chimney air tight? Is there any obvious signs of wear that smoke and poisonous gasses like
carbon monoxide can escape through your walls causing a deadly situation for you and your family.*
4. Is the chimney water tight? Is there an obvious place where wear or rust is letting water into your
home that is causing damage?*
Third Stage Creosote Removal
In less than 5% of the chimneys we
service the chimney has had so much
repeated use between cleanings that
third stage creosote has built up. This is
the most flammable stage of creosote. At first when
smoke leaves deposits in your chimney that is the
powdery sooty dust you expect and can be swept out
easily by our brushes. This is Stage One. Stage Two
is crispy and flaky, but is still soft enough that with a
little extra elbow grease our brushes can sweep it
out. Third stage is after a lot of soot has built up and
has cooked in the chimney, now it is solid and hard
and cannot be swept. It can have a musty smell that
sometimes is very strong throughout the house. To
remove Third Stage Creosote we have to apply a
chemical treatment that breaks it down so that later
This piece of third stage was taken
from a customer's chimney. It is the
most flammable form of creosote.
we can come back and sweep it out with a brush. This is an added expense for the customer, which is why it
is best to have your chimney swept before Third Stage forms. Third Creosote Stage is the most
flammable form of creosote and it is very dangerous to have a fire with it in your
chimney.*
Pre-Fab Chimney Caps and Chase Pans
If this chimney chase pan has
this much rust on the side, how
much do you think you think is
on top where water can sit?
The very best investment you can make in your pre-fab
chimney is a good quality chimney cap and chase pan. A
chimney cap and chase pan keeps rain out of your house
and keeps animals from making homes in your chimney
flue or walls. A chimney cap also contains a spark arrestor.
Rain and weather is the biggest cause of damage to your
chimney and hoe. Rain can rust out metal. Rain gets into
your walls and ruins drywall and plaster, causes mold, rot
and attracts termites and bugs. Rain can destroy your
chimney making it a serious fire hazard. *
Left: Here is a chimney chase pan so
rusted water is coming in the house every
time it rains!
Right: This is the same chimney with a
new aluminum chase pan. No more leaks
and this one will not rust.
Masonry Chimney Caps and Crowns
Left: This is a crown that
is leaking water into the
brick below. And just
think how many animals
can fit in Right: Now
that's better. The crown
is water proofed and no
rain or animals can get in
the flue.
A good cap keeps birds and animals out of your chimney. Critters are attracted to chimneys, they are warm,
smell great and are a nice tall secure place to make a home. But their nests are highly flammable. You
would be amazed at the kinds of animals we have found in chimneys, raccoons, birds, squirrels, snakes
and one very angry owl. Baby birds constantly chirp and can drive you nuts! And if the critter can't get back
out the top then he'll try to exit through your home. Some have their babies in your chimney and when they
don't all survive they die in there creating a terrible smell and maggot infestation. Plus the critters have lice,
fleas, dander and diseases that can put your family at risk. The nests left behind are not just fuel for a raging
chimney fire but they block the chimney so fumes and smoke can't escape. The migratory birds that nest in
chimneys are called chimney swifts and like salmon they come back to the same place year after year to
have their babies. We recently had one house that had 18 inches of bird debris in their chimney. Yuck! Nest
materials, feathers, rotten eggs, dead babies and bird excremement. What a mess living right inside your
house!*
Chimney Damper
Your damper is the "door" that closes the flue when the chimney is not in
use. If you leave your damper open or it is missing or broken then your
heating and
air-conditioning are being drawn right out of the house. Your chimney is a
pipe out of your home specifically designed to pull air out. Leaving your
damper open is like leaving two windows wide open. When we are on
your roof in the summer we can lean over your chimney and feel cool air
blowing on our faces. While your neighbors thank you for doing your part
keeping the neighborhood cool, it isn't really cost effective. Having us fix
your damper or install a new damper can save you hundreds of dollars a
year on utility bills.*
Chimney Flue
A chimney sweep is
affordable maintenance
on your home. So there's no
reason to forget about your
chimney. A chimney needs to
be cleaned by a sweep at least
once a year, more depending on
use. Even if you don't use your
chimney it should be inspected
every other year. A maintained
chimney adds comfort, charm
and lots of resale value to your
home. A chimney is either a
forgotten hole in your roof or a
well maintained asset to your
home. Don't just hope, know
your chimney is maintained,
safe and not costing you extra
money. Call today for your yearly
inspection from a professional
chimney sweep.*
Not maintaining your
chimney is much more
costly than an affordable
chimney sweep. Don't let
tough economic times here in
Jacksonville, FL, NE Florida and
SE Georgia tempt you to put off
your yearly chimney cleaning
and inspection by a chimney
sweep. Even small water leaks
can rot away your wood and
drywall. Broken chimney
dampers let air conditioning
blow money right out of your
house! Cracks in the chimney
flue allow poisonous gases like
carbon monoxide to seep into
your home. Dangerous soot
and creosote build up in your
chimney puts your family and
home at risk of fire and the
unspeakable. Have your
chimney cleaned and inspected
by a chimney sweep today.*
Ash Away Chimney Sweeps is a
full service chimney care
provider offering chimney
cleanings and inspections,
minor chimney repairs, major
chimney restorations, chimney
caps, chimney chase pans,
chimney flashings, chimney
relines, dryer vent cleanings and
more. *
Ash Away Chimney Sweeps
service Jacksonville, FL,
Northeast Florida including
Jacksonville Beach, Neptune
Beach, Atlantic Beach, Mayport,
Ponte Vedra Beach, Southside,
Pecan Park, Northside, Yulee,
Amelia Island, Fernandina,
Callahan, St Johns, Fruit Cove,
Southeast Georgia including
Kingsland, Folkston, Brunswick,
St SImons, Sea Island and
Valdosta. We Are The
Best For No Mess!
1650-302 Margaret Street #118
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 379-2185
info@ashawaychimney.com
Copyright Ash Away Chimney Service All Rights Reserved
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* Every chimney repair is unique. These statements should not be construed to constitute any kind of implied or express warranty