Saint James, LI’s Top Masonry Chimney Company

The chimney is one of the most undervalued features of a property. Any chimney tends to not receive the consideration or the concern usually afforded other troublesome household systems. Chimneys are far from the quiet, passive black holes that are ‘just there’ that most customers assume them to be. Troublesome or deteriorated flue liners of masonry chimneys may 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.

The issue is that numerous 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 Saint James, in which moisture that has penetrated the materials periodically freezes and expands causing undue stress.

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

Chimney caps have long been recognized as an important chimney safety and deterioration-prevention component.

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

Our specialists only send fully-trained chimney cleaning experts to your dwelling that can 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 evaluation 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 will prevent some of the most immoderate leaks. If you don’t have a chimney cap on your chimney, stop reading & call our chimney pros for an estimate now! Every chimney mason knows that a safe chimney cap is a must.

The job of the chimney cap is to stop rain from entering the flue and to stop pests from building nests in your chimney or using the chimney for a doorway into your home.

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

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

When closed, the damper serves as a chimney cap and 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’s hard to realize how persistent animals & birds may be over the summer crafting a wonderfully cozy nest right inside your chimney.

Rain is moisture & moisture is an enemy of a healthy fireplace & flue. Chimney liner tiles & mortar could crumble & 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 technicians are knowledgeable about a wide variety of chimney caps, guards and dampers.

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 will protect you from expensive repairs.

Chimneys can block proper ventilation and 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.

Saint James 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 and is approved for gas and oil.

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- and water-tight.

Stainless steel liners are UL tested under extreme conditions, including simulated chimney fires over 2100°F, so you’ll sleep soundly knowing your home is safer.

Chimney liners serve three main functions. Liners also protect masonry from the corrosive byproducts of combustion.

If flue gases penetrate brick and mortar, the chimney’s lifespan is drastically reduced. Liners also provide a properly-sized flue for efficient appliance performance.

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

Our mission is to provide recommendations that might improve the safety and efficiency of your appliance and venting system.

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

Several of the typical chimney cleaning practices we provide include:

Standard Sweep. This is the normal cleaning method & 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 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 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 and blockages from the flue liner, smoke chamber and shelf, firebox & damper. Heat, moisture, creosote and gases might be removed, repaired, or relined with a UL-listed liner system or other approved material that can resist corrosion, softening, or cracking from flue gases at temperatures correct for the class of the chimney service.

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

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

Our contractors offer free inspection, no-obligation quote and the chimney inspection to use as the owner wishes.