Pro, Local, Elwood Chimney Company

The chimney is one of the most taken-for-granted structures of a property. The fact that chimneys often do their job fittingly, even when ignored, contributes to this assumption that ‘it’s probably fine’. A chimney deteriorated by constant exposure to the weather will be a potential safety hazard. Weather-damaged lining systems, flue obstructions and uplifted masonry blocks all present a hazard to residents.

Each year there are thousands of cases of carbon monoxide poisonings due to incorrectly lined chimneys.

Masonry elements deteriorate quickly when exposed to the extreme freeze/thaw processes of Elwood, in which moisture that has penetrated the components periodically freezes & expands causing undue stress.

While most stone is not affected by water penetration, large amounts of mortar are required to bond the stone exactly.

Quite a bit of masonry products are porous & could absorb large amounts of water.

Installing chimney caps and dampers may protect your chimney and maintain a safe chimney damper.

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

For a metal, brick or fabricated chimney repair estimate call or text Expressway’s chimney experts at 631.388.7555.

One of the least expensive parts of the chimney venting system is the one that sometimes prevent some of the most immoderate trouble. If you don’t have a chimney cap on your chimney, stop reading and call our chimney pros for an estimate now! Every chimney technician knows that a safe chimney cap is a must.

Most chimney caps are made from copper or stainless steel

Some caps sometimes actually help facilitate the updraft function of the chimney as well by virtue of their special design.

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 & animals.

Even just falling leaves can build up without an appropriate chimney cap in place.

Rain is moisture & moisture is an enemy of a healthy fireplace & flue. Chimney liner tiles & mortar could crumble and crack, leading to serious leaks. The chimney cap cover deflects rain & the side mesh prevents pests & leaves from entering. Still, regular chimney cleaning & maintenance are always recommended.

Our chimney repair & installation experts are knowledgeable about all kinds of chimney caps, guards & dampers.

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

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

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

Nearby Chimney Companies for Elwood

The method recommended for your chimney will depend on the type of deposits. The Thermocrete process coats the inside of the chimney with a durable ceramic sealant. A lining cleaning is cost-effective & ideal for fireplaces and chimneys serving gas, oil, wood, or coal appliances.

It conforms to any chimney size and shape, becoming a corrosion-proof, flame- and heat-resistant, airtight system with steel-like rigidity. A stainless steel chimney liner is air- and water-tight.

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.

If flue gases penetrate brick & mortar, the chimney’s lifespan is drastically reduced. 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. Our primary role is to remove flue deposits & evaluate the overall chimney system.

Our aim is to provide recommendations that could improve the safety & efficiency of your appliance & venting system.

Chimneys should be cleaned when soot & creosote accumulations approach or exceed 1/4 inch. Glaze build-up over 1/8 inch may be removed. Our experts employ multiple cleaning techniques to remove chimney deposits. Frequent (at least annual) chimney checks are the only way to know when the chimney needs repairs.

 

Several of the common chimney cleaning methods 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 property. 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 is impossible to sweep the flue by standard or mechanical methods, chemicals may be used to loosen and dissolve heavy deposits.

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

Chemical Cleaning: This requires two trips — sometimes three if necessary. Our chimney sweeps can usually complete the job in a couple of hours & ensure your home stays clean and undisturbed. Our technicians pride ourselves on “no mess,” top-notch job with minimal interruption to a homeowner.

What do other clients say about Expressway’s chimney team? Check our Google reviews here. Expressway’s team are proud of them.

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