Locust Valley, LI’s Top Prefab Chimney Specialist

The chimney is one of the most undervalued things of a structure. A Home’s chimney tends to not receive the attention or the concern usually directed other damaged household systems. Chimneys are far from the quiet, passive black holes that are ‘just there’ that most occupants assume them to be. Compromised or deteriorated flue liners of masonry chimneys often become soft, cracked or otherwise damaged – such that it/they no longer have the ability to control & contain the life-threatening by-products of combustion.

Carelessly lined chimneys might cause a number of high-priced structural and cosmetic issues for the property owner & also create potentially pertinent safety hazards.

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

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

Chimney caps have long been recognized as an important chimney safety & trouble-prevention feature.

Common brick is like a sponge, absorbing water and wicking moisture to the chimney interior.

Caps & dampers keep out the weather, all animals & most debris – all while keeping sparks from leaving the chimney which may 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 could prevent some of the most expensive setbacks. If you don’t have a chimney cap on your chimney, stop reading & call Locust Valley’s local roofing experts 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

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

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

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.

It is hard to realize how industrious animals & birds often be over the summer crafting a wonderfully cozy nest right inside your chimney.

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

Our chimney repair and installation pros are knowledgeable about many types of chimney caps, guards & dampers.

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

Chimneys can block correct ventilation and even allow pests to enter your house, potentially spreading disease & causing havoc. Our strong mesh & 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.

Locust Valley 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 & gases, keeping them out of your house.

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

The liner protects your house from heat transfer to nearby combustibles. Liners also protect masonry from the corrosive byproducts of combustion.

Flue gases are acidic and eat away at mortar joints from the inside. Liners also provide a properly-sized flue for efficient appliance performance.

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

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 should be removed. Our technicians employ a variety of cleaning techniques to remove chimney deposits. Frequent (at least annual) chimney consultations are the only way to know when the chimney is in need of maintenance.

 

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 & 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’s impossible to sweep 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 & damper. Heat, moisture, creosote and gases may be removed, repaired, or relined with a UL-listed liner system or other approved product that could resist corrosion, softening, or cracking from flue gases at temperatures proper for the class of the chimney job.

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

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

Expressway Chimney offer free consultation, no-obligation quote & the chimney report to use as you wishes.