Are birds and other animals building nests in your chimney? This may seem harmless, but it can actually put your system and loved ones at risk. However, if you investing in sweepings, cleanings, and nest removal services, it can help maintain and keep your chimney and fireplace clean and safe. At Lords Chimney, you can count on our team to get the job done right.
The Threats Of Debris In Your Flue
If nesting or any kind gets lodged inside of your flue or chimney, you could face serious dangers when it comes time to light a fire. First of all, these materials are fire hazards. If they ignite, you could find yourself facing a chimney fire. These events can also cause extensive damage throughout your structure, which will require time-consuming and costly repair work before you can light a fire again.
Excess build up can also clog up your system, meaning smoke and poisonous gases could easily work their way into your home. If smoke does not successfully exit your chimney, you will have a smoke-filled living space. This can cause your furniture, curtains, and carpet to stink. It can also lead to carbon monoxide exposure, which can be deadly. The risk of illness, house fires, and even death increase dramatically when you have clogs and obstructions in your chimney. So why put your family and home at risk? Call our team of experts today to put your mind at ease.
How Can We Help?
At Lords Chimney, we would love to help keep your home and chimney as safe as possible. Along with nest removal, we can remove animals too. Be sure to consult with us first though. Some species, like the chimney swift, are protected by law and cannot be removed. In these cases, you will need to wait until they leave on their own, then we can come and remove their nests. We also recommend preventative measures to keep animals out of your chimney such as a chimney cap. Chimney caps are known for their ability to keep out water, but they can also keep out animals and excess debris, as well.
Finally, you should consider investing in your annual sweeping this spring or summer. Our CSIA certified technicians are qualified to remove creosote, nests, and other debris that could be hindering your fireplace’s performance. Once we have swept your system, you will be able to rest easy knowing your system and family is safe. Call on our team today, so you are all set and ready to go when cooler fall temperatures come back around!
Don’t have that chimney inspection on your calendar yet? Call the experts at Lords Chimney right away! Inspections play a vital role in ensuring your fireplace stays in great condition and safer for use all year long. We want your system to be ready to go when the holidays come around – give us a call now!
You Deserve Convenience
Managing a household (no matter your family size) can be a stressful job! It seems like there are always things going on and, with the holidays coming soon, life is only going to get more hectic. Amidst it all, we know it can be a challenge to fit in your yearly chimney inspection.
That’s why we urge you to schedule now! We want to make this process as easy and stress-free as possible and, by getting in early, you save yourself the hassle of finding a slot during our fall rush. Get the appointment time that works best for you by giving us a call right away!
Get That Fireplace Running
When the time comes for holiday get together’s and family gatherings, you want your fireplace to be ready to go! By getting your maintenance done now, you know everything will be all set when you go to light that first fire. We would hate to see you call to make an appointment, only to discover the next available slot is after your big party or event. In addition, running a fireplace that hasn’t been thoroughly checked over is never a safe option!
Ensure that your guests, friends, and family stay as safe and comfortable as possible by getting your inspection in now. There’d be nothing worse than firing things up only to face smoke back-up or nasty odors. That would definitely put a damper on things fast! Not to mention, built up creosote can be extremely flammable. Play it safe – give us a call right away!
What To Expect
When it comes to providing you with quality service, the staff at Lords Chimney goes above and beyond. We implement all of the proper footwear and coverings, so that your home stays clean and damage-free throughout our entire inspection process. We will use top of the line equipment to search every nook and cranny and, should you need a cleaning, we’ll get that covered, too!
And don’t worry about a mess. We’ll clean up everything, so your home will look just as good as it did before our arrival. For customer service that can’t be beat, you can count on us!
Also, should we note any necessary repairs, we will offer sound advice as far as proceeding forward. With our long list of tools and services, we are certain we can assist you no matter what, and we will be happy to get your next appointment scheduled right away. Give us a call now!
If you own a fireplace, you may notice some bad odors creeping into your home as outdoor temps rise and humidity increases. Dealing with these nasty smells is never fun. However, Lords Chimney has solutions for you! Learn more below. Afterwards, contact us today to see how we can help you out!
Scheduling A Cleaning
First things first, you’ll want to get your annual cleaning scheduled. This is so that any soot, creosote, or other debris is properly removed. By doing this, it ensures your fireplace is safe for regular use. In addition, it can do a lot when it comes to minimizing odors! You see, all of these materials smell less than ideal. When negative air pressure sweeps down your chimney, it brings these nasty odors with it! Remove creosote and say good-bye to a lot of the nasty smells you’re facing.
When scheduling your cleaning, you’ll definitely want to ensure your sweep is CSIA trained and certified, like the staff at Lords Chimney. Count on us for care you can trust!
Controlling Air Pressure
While a cleaning will definitely help, you still may find yourself facing some issues with smell. To put a final stop to this, you’ll need to find a way to control the air pressure in your home, so that outside air doesn’t keep coming down your chimney. Introducing new air somewhere else in the home (i.e. opening a window) may help, but that still doesn’t always solve the problem.
We recommend installing a top-sealing damper. This will seal off your chimney, so that downdrafts are no longer a problem. Top-sealing dampers also keep bad weather, animals, and dirt/debris out of your chimney, ensuring your entire appliance in better condition all year long.
At Lords Chimney, we have the products you need! We sell and install top-sealing dampers, and we will be sure to set you up with the right size for your specific situation. Trust in our experts to set you up right!
Still Have Problems?
If you have tried everything, and you are still noticing nasty odors, there are still a few things that may be going on. Excess moisture, decaying animals, and debris build-up/clogs are all reasons why your chimney may stink. It’s best to hire a professionally trained chimney expert to assess your situation and locate the true cause of the issue.
We want to help! Let us find what’s causing stink in your chimney and help you resolve it. You don’t need to deal with chimney issues any longer. Let us set you up right, so you can enjoy your fireplace to the fullest all year long! Call on our staff today or visit our website to learn more. We can’t wait to serve you!
A deadly toxic gas that can enter your home if you have venting problems with your chimney or other heating unit, carbon monoxide is responsible for killing over 400 Americans by unintentional poisoning annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), carbon monoxide poisoning also sends over 20,000 people to the emergency room, and more than 4,000 people end up having to be hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Known as the “silent killer” (you cannot see or smell it), carbon monoxide makes it very important to have your chimney inspected annually to ensure your chimney system is venting properly.
If you live in the greater Houston area and are looking for a pleasant service experience and the knowledge that your job was done correctly, give Lords Chimney a call at 281-497-4000.
Our Chimney Safety Institute of America-certified technicians, who are experienced with solving carbon monoxide issues, would like to tell you more about this toxic gas that can silently enter your home and cause serious health damage:
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, chest pain, and confusion are all symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide poisoning. Since these symptoms are so similar to the flu or the common cold, carbon monoxide poisoning can be difficult to diagnose. If you persist in having these symptoms, ask your doctor for a carbon monoxide level blood test. High-level symptoms include organ damage, loss of consciousness and death.
How does carbon monoxide poisoning work?
For some reason, your red blood cells would rather pick up carbon monoxide than oxygen. If there is a lot of carbon monoxide in the air, your body may replace all of the oxygen in your blood with carbon monoxide, blocking oxygen from entering your body, causing tissue damage and resulting, possibly, in death. Tissues can also be destroyed by carbon monoxide teaming up with the proteins in tissues.
How do I prevent carbon monoxide leaks from my chimney?
Have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected by a reputable chimney company like Lords Chimney every year. If you are purchasing a gas fireplace, be sure it carries the seal of a national testing group, such as the CSA Group. If your heat ever goes out, never use a portable flameless chemical heater indoors. Although they do not have a flame, they do burn gas and can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside your house. Most importantly, install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in your home, and check and/or replace the batteries when you reset your clocks in the spring and fall.
How do I vent my gas appliances properly?
Firstly, never burn anything in a fireplace that is not vented. Secondly, never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or anything else, which could cause carbon monoxide to build up more quickly. Thirdly, your indoor vent pipes should go up slightly as they go towards the outside. This helps prevent toxic gases from leaking if the joints or pipes are not fitted properly.
If you have any more questions about carbon monoxide, contact us today. Our experienced staff can answer whatever else you need to know about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Everything You Need to Know About Creosote
What is Creosote?
Creosote is a chemical byproduct that is produced after the distillation of tar. So when wood is burned, creosote is produced. It is known for its preservative properties and for being anti-septic. There are basically two types of creosote; the wood-tar, and the coal-tar. The wood-tar creosote, being less toxic, is commonly used in meat preservation, wood treatment and for medicinal purposes. When used medicinally, it is commonly utilized as an astringent, anesthetic, expectorant, laxative and anti-septic. The coal-tar creosote is more commonly used in wood preservation because of its toxic properties.
In its early stages of accumulation, creosote is flaky. As it left to build…it becomes more tar-like. All creosote is highly flammable.
Creosote in Chimney
There are several stages that the creosote in your chimney that you may experience. First is its’ soot: a flaky form that is easy to remove leaving the flue walls unobstructed. Second: the stage where it leaves brittle and hard deposits that are a bit more difficult to remove. The third is the glazed stage where it becomes dangerous and much more difficult to remove. Once you notice the dense, dark and shiny tar-like appearance, then this would indicate that the creosote has reached its glazed stage. There will always be some level of creosote in your chimney – as it is a natural byproduct of burning, but it doesn’t need to be left to accumulate.
Possible Dangers
The longer creosote is ignored…the greater the possible danger. Creosote is highly flammable and is a leading cause of chimney fires. You may see products, such as a log that is supposed to remove creosote while burning. Not only is this difficult to gauge in its effectiveness, it may also cause chunks of creosote to fall down your flue and get stuck along the way. Because of the fire risk, you should leave creosote removal to a professional.
Preventive Measures
To avoid higher risk for a catastrophe, don’t wait for your chimney to reach a disastrous level of creosote build-up. It is best to schedule regular chimney inspections and sweeping on an annual basis. This way you know you are not letting the buildup become a hazard. This also prolongs your chimney’s lifespan.
We hope that this has been helpful and sufficient in answering your questions about creosote. So now you are fully equipped with the knowledge to better protect and improve your home. If you have a chimney, make sure to have it checked regularly and make it a habit to schedule a regular inspection and sweeping by a chimney professional.
