Seasoned, Local, Baldwin Chimney Contractor

The chimney is one of the most under appreciated things of a home. The fact that chimneys will do their job properly, even when forgetten about, contributes to this thought that ‘it’s probably fine’. A chimney deteriorated by constant exposure to the weather might be a potential safety hazard. Leaky or deteriorated flue liners of masonry chimneys can become soft, cracked or otherwise non-functioning – such that it/they no longer have the ability to control and contain the serious by-products of combustion.

The challenge is that scores of masonry chimneys were not designed to handle the venting requirements of modern high-efficiency heating appliances burning natural gas and oil.

Expressway repairs damage to all parts of your fireplace or chimney. Whether an owner needs a chimney repointing, chimney repairs to missing or loose bricks, repair of a leaking chimney crown, broken flue liner or other chimney defect.

Water in the chimney also causes rust in steel & cast iron, weakening or destroying the metal parts.

Chimney caps, also called rain covers, are probably the most inexpensive preventive measure that a customer can employ to prevent water penetration & weakening to the chimney.

Defective mortar joints or the use of substandard mortar or brick might greatly increase the tendency to absorb and steer water to the interior of the masonry chimney.

Caps and dampers keep out the weather, all animals and most debris – all while keeping sparks from leaving the chimney which can ignite nearby combustibles like your roofing shingles, siding or nearby trees.

For a metal, brick or fabricated chimney repair evaluation call or text us at 631.388.7555.

One of the least expensive parts of the chimney venting system is the one that could prevent some of the most pricey leaks. If you don’t have a chimney cap on your chimney, stop reading & call Expressway Roofing & Chimney for an estimate now! Every chimney sweep knows that a safe chimney cap is a must.

Many chimney caps today are built from aluminum, galvanized steel or decorative metals.

In especially windy areas chimneys also can prevent downdrafts by blocking crosswinds from entering the chimney.

With precision engineering this damper is easy to open & close, sealing tight when not in use.

This damper attaches to the top of the chimney’s flue tile liner, providing a tight, gasketed fit that seals in heat and seals out weather, insects, birds and animals.

It is hard to think how resourceful animals & birds can be over the summer crafting a wonderfully cozy nest right inside your chimney.

Metal fireboxes, liners & dampers all may suffer rust and deterioration. Chimney liner tiles & mortar will crumble & crack, leading to serious problems. The chimney cap cover deflects rain & the side mesh prevents pests and leaves from entering. A properly fitted chimney cap or guard can slow wear-and-tear on your chimney & lining, saving you from costly repairs.

Our experts will come out and recommend the best option for you & provide a written estimate to install a new chimney cap, damper, or guard.

Water starts more damage than any other element. It soaks into porous bricks and wears away the mortar. A chimney cap that covers all flues can protect you from expensive repairs.

Chimneys can block proper ventilation and even allow pests to enter your house, potentially spreading disease & causing havoc. Our strong mesh & lids will keep even the most determined animals out!

Your fireplace can send sparks onto the roof or nearby flammable products. Stray sparks can be stopped by the mesh cover that is a component of all our chimney caps.

Baldwin Chimney Caps & Top Dampers

The method recommended for your chimney may depend on the type of deposits. A flue lining in a masonry chimney is defined as “a clay, ceramic, or metal liner.” Thermocrete has UL Listing & is approved for gas & oil.

A composite chimney lining system is inflated into the flue, then hardened with steam pressure, forming a tough liner. A stainless steel liner locks in moisture and gases, keeping them out of your home.

This alloy resists acids from gas appliances & extreme temperature cycles.

Chimney liners serve three main functions. NBS tests showed that unlined chimneys let heat move so quickly that adjacent woodwork caught fire within 3½ hours.

Flue gases are acidic and eat away at mortar joints from the inside. As mortar joints wear away, heat transfers more quickly to combustibles & gases like carbon monoxide may leak into the home.

The chimney not only vents combustion products but also supplies draft for combustion air. An improperly-sized liner may cause creosote buildup in wood stoves & increase carbon monoxide risks.

Our goal is to provide recommendations that can improve the safety and efficiency of your appliance & venting system.

Chimneys should be cleaned when soot and creosote accumulations approach or exceed 1/4 inch. Glaze build-up over 1/8 inch can be removed. We employ various cleaning systems to remove chimney deposits. Frequent (at least annual) chimney checks are the only way to know when the chimney requires attention.

Several of the usual chimney cleaning techniques we provide include:

Standard Sweep. This is the normal cleaning method & uses brushes to clean the flue. A powerful, well-filtered vacuum prevents soot & creosote from entering the home. This cleaning is effective for soot & light creosote deposits but has little effect on glaze build-up.

Mechanical Sweeping. Mechanical cleaning uses wire brushes, plastic cables, or special chains rotated at high speed by an electric motor. It is often employed to remove hard creosote or glaze deposits. In rare cases where it’s impossible to clean the flue by standard or mechanical methods, chemicals may be used to loosen & dissolve heavy deposits.

A thorough chimney sweep should remove soot, creosote and blockages from the flue liner, smoke chamber and shelf, firebox and damper. Heat, moisture, creosote & gases could be removed, repaired, or relined with a UL-listed liner system or other approved product that will resist corrosion, softening, or cracking from flue gases at temperatures proper for the class of the chimney service.

Chemical Cleaning: This needs two trips — sometimes 3 if necessary. Our chimney pros may usually complete the job in a couple of hours & ensure your property stays clean and undisturbed. Our experts pride ourselves on “no mess,” top-notch service with minimal interruption to the owner.

What do other customers say about Expressway’s chimney crew? Check our Google reviews here. Our technicians are proud of them.

Expressway Chimney provide you with a free consultation, no-obligation quote & the chimney estimate to use as your family wishes.