Highly-skilled Local, St James Chimney Contractors

The chimney is one of the most overlooked structures of a dwelling. The fact that chimneys often do their job effectively, even when omitted, contributes to this misnomer that ‘it’s probably fine’. Chimneys are far from the quiet, passive black holes that are ‘just there’ that most occupants assume them to be. Weather-damaged lining systems, flue obstructions and compromised masonry bricks all present a problem to homes.

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

A lot of masonry chimney components (except for real stone) suffer accelerated deterioration as a result of prolonged contact with water.

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

Chimney caps, also called rain covers, are probably the most inexpensive preventive measure that a householder can employ to prevent water penetration & complications to the chimney.

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

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 quote 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 can prevent some of the most hefty trouble. If you don’t have a chimney cap on your chimney, stop reading & call St James’s local roofing experts for an estimate now! Every chimney sweep knows that a safe chimney cap is a must.

Chimney caps come in all different varieties, shapes, sizes and products.

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

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

This damper attaches to the top of the chimney’s flue tile liner, providing a tight, gasketed fit that seals in heat & seals out weather, insects, birds & animals.

Even just falling leaves can build up without the ideal chimney cap in place.

Rain is moisture & moisture is an enemy of a healthy fireplace & flue. Chimney liner tiles & mortar can crumble & crack, leading to critical problems. The chimney cap cover deflects rain & the side mesh prevents pests & leaves from entering. A properly fitted chimney cap or guard can slow wear-and-tear on your chimney & lining, saving you from costly expenses.

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

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

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

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

LI Chimney Contractors for Chimney Lining Replacements

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. Thermocrete has UL Listing & 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 liner locks in moisture and gases, keeping them out of your house.

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.

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

The chimney not only vents combustion products but also supplies draft for combustion air. Our main role is to remove flue deposits & evaluate the overall chimney system.

Our mission is to provide recommendations that will 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 can be removed. Our technicians employ multiple cleaning systems to remove chimney deposits. Frequent (at least annual) chimney consultations 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 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 could remove soot, creosote and blockages from the flue liner, smoke chamber and shelf, firebox and damper. Heat, moisture, creosote & gases could be removed, repaired, or relined with a UL-listed liner system or other approved material that could resist corrosion, softening, or cracking from flue gases at temperatures correct for the class of the chimney project.

Chemical Cleaning: This calls for two trips — sometimes three if necessary. Our chimney masons will usually complete the job in a couple of hours and 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 customers say about Expressway’s chimney crew? Check our Google reviews here. We are proud of them.

St James’s chimney experts provide you with a free inspection, no-obligation quote and the chimney report to use as the owner wishes.