Professional Local, Lawrence Chimney Builders

The chimney is one of the most taken-for-granted features of a home. The fact that chimneys will do their job fittingly, even when forgetten about, contributes to this misnomer that ‘it’s probably fine’. Chimneys perform several essential functions and their simple appearance misrepresents their complex construction & performance requirements. Weakened or deteriorated flue liners of masonry chimneys could become soft, cracked or otherwise unsafe – such that it/they no longer have the ability to control and contain the life-threatening by-products of combustion.

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

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

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

Chimney caps, also called rain covers, are probably the most inexpensive preventive measure that a client could employ to prevent water penetration and harm to the chimney.

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

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

For a metal, brick or fabricated chimney repair estimate call or text our team at 631.388.7555.

One of the least expensive parts of the chimney venting system is the one that might prevent some of the most upscale issues. If you don’t have a chimney cap on your chimney, stop reading right now and call our trusted team for an estimate now! Every chimney contractor knows that a safe chimney cap is a must.

Chimney caps come in all different varieties, shapes, sizes & materials.

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

Our chimney contractors might recommend the best solution for your chimney.

When closed, the damper serves as a chimney cap & with a slight pull of the chain it releases the spring-loaded top into the open position when you’re ready to enjoy a nice fire.

These blockages might cause fire hazards and smoke back drafting into the building.

Rain is moisture & moisture is an enemy of a healthy fireplace & flue. Chimney liner tiles & mortar can crumble & crack, leading to serious leaks. 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 & recommend the best option for you and provide a written estimate to install a new chimney cap, damper, or guard.

Water causes more issues than any other element. It soaks into porous bricks & erodes the mortar. It’s a common problem: raccoons, squirrels, birds & bats try to make their home in your chimney.

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

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

Lawrence Chimney Caps & Top Dampers

The method recommended for your chimney may depend on the type of deposits. The Thermocrete process coats the inside of the chimney with a durable ceramic sealant. Thermocrete has UL Listing & is approved for gas & oil.

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- & water-tight.

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

The liner protects your house from heat transfer to nearby combustibles. 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 erode, heat transfers more quickly to combustibles and gases like carbon monoxide may leak into the home.

Modern stoves and furnaces need a properly-sized flue to operate efficiently. An improperly-sized liner can cause creosote buildup in wood stoves & increase carbon monoxide risks.

Our aim 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 in excess of 1/8 inch may be removed. Our experts employ several cleaning systems to remove chimney deposits. Frequent (at least annual) chimney estimates are the only way to know when the chimney requires repairs.

 

Several of the typical chimney cleaning methods we provide include:

Standard Sweep. This is the normal cleaning method and uses brushes to clean the flue. A powerful, well-filtered vacuum prevents soot and 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 is impossible to sweep the flue by standard or mechanical methods, chemicals may be used to loosen & dissolve heavy deposits.

A thorough chimney sweep will remove soot, creosote & blockages from the flue liner, smoke chamber and shelf, firebox & damper. Heat, moisture, creosote and 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 necessary for the class of the chimney job.

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

What do other clients say about our chimney team? Check our Google reviews here. Our technicians are proud of them.

Expressway Chimney offer free consultation, no-obligation quote & the chimney inspection to use as your family wishes.