Nearby Levittown Freestanding Chimney Repairs

The chimney is one of the most overlooked elements of a building. The fact that chimneys will do their job perfectly, even when passed over, contributes to this theory 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 & uplifted masonry stones all present a complication to residents.

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

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

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

Quite a bit of masonry elements are porous and could absorb large amounts of water.

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

Our pros only send fully-trained chimney cleaning certified technicians to your house that may live up to the guidelines of the CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) & the NCSG (National Chimney Sweeps Guild), the two regulatory organizations for the chimney industry in the United States.

For a metal, brick or fabricated chimney repair inspection 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 may prevent some of the most upscale complications. If you don’t have a chimney cap on your chimney, stop reading right now and call us for an estimate now! Every chimney contractor knows that a safe chimney cap is a must.

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

Chimney caps also come with spark screens to prevent stray airborne particles that are still burning from exiting onto your roof.

Chimney dampers often help prevent water penetrations, heat loss and keep you warm & saving you money.

This is the perfect upgrade for fireplace chimneys in older houses that almost never have a damper.

Even just falling leaves may build up without the correct chimney cap in place.

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

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

Water starts more problems than any other element. It soaks into porous bricks & erodes the mortar. A chimney cap that covers all flues will protect you from costly repairs.

Chimneys may block proper ventilation & even allow pests to enter your home, 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 part of all our chimney caps.

Levittown Chimney Caps & Top Dampers

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 and ideal for fireplaces & chimneys serving gas, oil, wood, or coal appliances.

A composite chimney lining system is inflated into the flue, then hardened with steam pressure, forming a tough liner. A stainless steel chimney liner is air- & water-tight.

This alloy resists acids from gas appliances and 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.

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 house.

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

The required cleaning frequency might depend on use, type of installation, fuel, and burning habits of the customer.

Chimneys should be cleaned when soot & creosote accumulations approach or exceed 1/4 inch. Glaze build-up more than 1/8 inch should 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 standard 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 and 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 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 & shelf, firebox & damper. Heat, moisture, creosote and gases may be removed, repaired, or relined with a UL-listed liner system or other approved material that might resist corrosion, softening, or cracking from flue gases at temperatures correct for the class of the chimney project.

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

What do other homeowners say about Expressway’s chimney contractors? Check our Google reviews here. Our experts are proud of them.

Levittown’s chimney experts offer free inspection, no-obligation quote and the chimney report to use as your family wishes.