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Over 20 years
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Houston
281-497-4000

Beaumont
409-240-0013

Houston 281-497-4000
Beaumont 409-240-0013

What to Look for if Your Fireplace Isn’t Working

So, you’re all set to put your fireplace to use, but something is off. Whether there’s a slight issue you can’t quite pinpoint or something big and obvious, you’re not getting the experience you’re hoping for and you want to find solutions fast. But where do you start?

Well, here at Lords Chimney, we know that the more educated homeowners are, the safer they’ll be able to operate their appliances. That’s why we’re here to give you the lowdown on what to look out for in both gas-fueled and wood-burning fireplaces and appliances.

Fireplace Troubleshooting

For Your Gas Appliances

When it comes to operating a gas appliance, one thing we urge all of our customers to do is trust their senses. Your nose, for example, is more sensitive than you might think – if something smells off, it’s likely you have some type of gas leak.

Another indicator is burning eyes or even the “feeling” of something being off. In other words, trust your spidey senses! If your stomach is upset, your head hearts, you’re feeling dizzy, or something else along those lines and you have nothing to blame it on, there could be carbon monoxide in your home.

Now, in the case of a carbon monoxide leak, the biggest warning sign is your carbon monoxide detector going off. Don’t have a carbon monoxide detector? Then it’s time to invest in one! It could make all the difference in keeping you and your loved ones safer.

If your detectors do start beeping, it’s important to leave the area immediately and call the appropriate authorities for assistance. Carbon monoxide causes hundreds of deaths every single year, so this is one substance you can never be too careful with.

Another thing to keep in mind when working with gas appliances is to check your batteries. Believe it or not, some homeowners call in a sweep to check on an appliance that’s not working only to discover the batteries were in backwards.

If your carbon monoxide detectors aren’t going off and your batteries look good, but problems are still occurring, it’s time to call us in for an inspection. Most gas appliances are designed to automatically shut down when your safety may be threatened. The unit could be overheating, not venting correctly or maybe the oxygen levels are off.

And in some cases, it’s the safety feature itself that isn’t working. Regardless, the entire system will need to be checked out, so a visit from our team is always a great first step.

For Your Wood-Burning Fireplace

When it comes to a wood-burning fireplace, a common sign that something is off is smoke in your living space. Now, in many cases you’ll actually see the smoke entering, but sometimes you’ll smell it without seeing any in your home. Many love that classic smoke-y smell and think it’s normal, but it actually shouldn’t be present. If you smell smoke at all, something is wrong, and it’s time to call in the experts

What does smoke in your space typically indicate? Well, there are a number of things that cause this. You could have excess creosote build-up, clogs in your flue, incorrect chimney dimensions, poor draft or air flow, a stuck damper, or some type of masonry damage. Fortunately, our team has the tools and training to spot and resolve the issues in no time.

It’s also important to keep an eye on your masonry. If it’s showing any signs of cracking or crumbling, then there’s likely water damage. Ignoring water damage leads to inefficiency and costly repairs, and it can even trigger a house fire, gas leak, or chimney fire if too much damage is done.

We have preventive services that can help, including waterproofing, flashing installation, crown repair, and more.

When Will My Fireplace Need Replacing?

Sometimes repair work simply isn’t an option if the damage is too extensive or if your system is too old. So, how do you know when it’s time to invest in a new unit altogether? Well, our team can help with that, too.

The fact of the matter is that if you know how your chimney is supposed to work, then you’ll know when it’s time for repairs or replacement parts. Lords Chimney can help you gain the necessary knowledge to know when it’s time to hire someone for professional care. We’re happy to keep homeowners as informed and as educated as possible.

One thing is for certain – you don’t want to wait until the system completely fails before investing in care from a certified sweep. This is when major accidents happen, and you could end up putting your home and family at risk.

In the end, it’s important to remember that fireplaces, stoves, inserts, and the like are all appliances that will eventually need to be replaced. Fireplaces are known for their longevity, so it’s easy to forget that. Yet, if you buy a home that’s decades old with the original unit still installed, just know that you might be replacing it sooner than you think.

Basically, when we come to look at your system, anything over 20 years old will get a bid for replacement. This will give you an approximate estimate as far as when a new system will be in order so that you can start planning for it (and saving up).

If we take a look and realize that you need something new right away, it’s important that you stop using your appliance until a new one is installed. If a new one isn’t in the budget, shut your fireplace down until it is. Your safety and satisfaction depend on it!

Pick Up the Phone & Reach Out Today

Regular maintenance is vital for good chimney health, so if you have yet to schedule your annual inspection then it’s time to reach out to the Lords Chimney team today at 281-497-4000 or you contact us online! We look forward to helping you out soon!

Why You Should Have Your Dryer Vents Cleaned

If you own a home in the Houston area, and you need your dryer vents cleaned, why not turn to your reliable chimney sweeps to help you out? The staff at Lords Chimney are CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technicians, fully trained and qualified to help you maintain a safer and better functioning appliance. You Should Have Your Dryer Vents Cleaned - Houston TX - Lords Chimney

Dirty Vents Lead To Inefficiency

Many underestimate the negative impact of clogged and dirty dryer vents, but consider how many times you run your dryer throughout the week. Many homeowners run it multiple times and, if your family is big enough, you may even find yourself running the machine two or three times in one day! That’s a lot of energy being used, so it’s important to do everything you can to ensure it’s functioning as efficiently as possible. Clean vents play a huge factor in that!

The more debris you have built up inside of your vents, the harder your dryer has to work to get your laundry properly dry. If you find yourself forced to run cycle after cycle because your clothes continue to feel damp, don’t assume the problem lies with the appliance, itself. It’s very likely that a simple cleaning done by our professional crew will solve the problem!

Ensuring Your Home Stays Safer

Along with this, dirty vents can lead to some pretty serious and life-threatening issues in your home. One thing of concern is gas leaks and exposure to harmful toxins, such as carbon monoxide. As you may know, carbon monoxide can be deadly when not treated soon enough and, unfortunately, detecting its presence in your home is nearly impossible, due to its colorless and odorless nature.

Clean dryer vents, along with multiple carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home, greatly minimizing the risk of loved ones being harmed by this poisonous gas. We’ll ensure all pathways are cleared and ready to go, so any fumes produced by the dryer can safely escape outdoors. Rest easier by giving us a call right away!

Harmful fumes are a major issue but, unfortunately, they’re not all you have to worry about when it comes to lint buildup in your venting system. As you can imagine, lint is highly flammable, so it’s important to keep it a safe distance away from the extra heat your dryer produces. Yet, when it piles up and clogs your system, it blocks the pathway for these high temperatures to escape, causing the appliance to overheat and potentially triggering a fire in your dryer.

This occurs thousands of times per year all throughout the United States, causing hundreds of injuries, some deaths, and costing the homeowners thousands of dollars in damages. Don’t let yourself become a victim of this easily preventable disaster. Call us in right away, so we can get you back to where you need to be!

Have Your Dryer Vents Cleaned Today!

Is your dryer taking way longer than normal to dry your clothes? Are you noticing excess lint in and around your appliance? Is your laundry room feeling especially warm lately? You may need a dryer vent cleaning! These signs, along with musty smells, hot clothes, and a malfunctioning dryer vent hood flap, indicate your vents are filled with dirt, lint, and other debris, all of which are causing blockages and leading to inefficiency.

A dryer that’s not working right can be extremely frustrating, and if a dirty dryer vent is involved, you could find yourself in some danger! Learn more below, then give our experts a call today. Our team members are Certified Dryer Exhaust Technicians, ready and able to serve you soon!

Doing More To Prevent House Fires

At Lords Chimney, we prioritize fire safety and keeping homes in our service area as safe as possible. That being said, this doesn’t just pertain to fireplace maintenance! Keeping your dryer vents clean and free from excess lint and debris does wonders to reduce your risk of fires, and we’re here to ensure you don’t have to stress about a thing.

You might be surprised to know that dryers are the cause of thousands of fires every single year in the United States, and the majority of these fires are due to dirty vents. As you can imagine, homeowners in these situations have lost a lot, and their loved ones were put at serious risk. It’s not worth taking any chances when the safety and well being of your family is involved. Rest easier by counting on us today!

Reduce Your Risk Of Gas Leaks

Unfortunately, when it comes to dirty vents, fires aren’t the only thing you need to be concerned about. When your system is clogged, the fumes your dryer produces have nowhere to escape. This means they’ll turn around and go right back into your living space, affecting the health of the people within it.

When people are exposed to harmful toxins, like carbon monoxide, they can face some serious health issues. Carbon monoxide can cause dizziness, nausea, confusion, vomiting, headaches, and more, and in many cases, people pass out. If not treated promptly, carbon monoxide exposure can be fatal. Unfortunately, this gas is extremely hard to detect, as it has no color or odor.

Preventative maintenance is always your best option! By investing in dryer vent cleanings (as well as regular chimney and fireplace care), you reduce your risk of exposure significantly. We also urge homeowners to put carbon monoxide detectors throughout their home. Should any gas be present, these often offer the first and only warning signs that something is amiss.

Call Us With Questions Today!

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the condition of your dryer vents, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’re ready and willing to help out folks all throughout our service area. We can’t wait to make your home safer soon.

All About Carbon Monoxide

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. This is why it’s very important to have your chimney inspected annually to ensure your chimney system is venting properly.

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 Is Carbon Monoxide Gas?

white carbon monoxide detector on a black ceilingCarbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and extremely toxic gas that is produced by burning fuels. Carbon monoxide is often called the “silent killer” because due to its properties, it is impossible to detect without specific equipment.

Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels, including the wood, natural gas, or propane you use to heat your home. Depending on the type of heating appliance you have, your appliance may either burn hot enough to combust all traceable levels of carbon monoxide, or it will be vented out of your home through a chimney or ventilation system. If a ventilation system becomes blocked, such as from soot, debris, or nesting animals, carbon monoxide can be forced back into your home rather than exiting through the chimney or ductwork. A malfunctioning appliance also can cause a carbon monoxide hazard.

Its many sources include burning coal, wood, charcoal, oil, natural gas, kerosene, and propane. This means that most fireplaces, stoves, grills, space heaters, water heaters, furnaces, and even vehicles produce carbon monoxide gas. However, these appliances are normally either properly vented or located outdoors so they pose little to no risk to homeowners and their families.

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 believe that you are experiencing the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately move to a fresh air location. Ideally this is outside, but can also be next to an open door or window. Call Poison Control and local emergency services before reentering the building.

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 Happen?

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?

  • white rectangle carbon monoxide detector on a floor planHave your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected by a reputable chimney company like Lords Chimney every year.
  • Generators and grills should never be used indoors or in enclosed spaces such as garages or sheds.
  • 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, and do not use your stove or oven to heat the home, either. Although they do not have a flame, they do burn gas and can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside your house.
  • Do not allow cars to idle in garages, even when the garage door is open.
  • Move grills away from windows and doors.
  • 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.

Questions? Give Us a Call

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.