[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”3.22″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”#210b00″ background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(33,25,21,0)” background_color_gradient_type=”radial” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”top right” background_color_gradient_start_position=”10%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/chimneykeepers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Carpenter-Image-23.jpg” custom_padding=”80px|0|80px||true|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”27px|0px|27px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”|800||on|||||” header_font_size=”68px” header_line_height=”1.4em” background_layout=”dark” max_width=”700px” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”44px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_line_height_tablet=”1.4em” header_line_height_phone=”1.4em” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”FAQ Section” _builder_version=”4.5.6″ custom_padding=”90px||90px|”][et_pb_row admin_label=”FAQ” _builder_version=”4.5.6″ max_width=”900px” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”900px” global_module=”170″ saved_tabs=”all”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.03)” closed_toggle_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” icon_color=”#f46624″ _builder_version=”4.5.6″ toggle_text_color=”#333333″ toggle_font=”Montserrat||||||||” toggle_line_height=”1.5em” body_font=”||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.8em” border_style_all=”none”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Why should we choose CHIMNEY KEEPERS as our chimney professional?” _builder_version=”4.5.6″ _module_preset=”default” open=”on”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Where is good general info on chimney and fireplaces?” _builder_version=”4.5.6″ _module_preset=”default” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How often should my chimney be cleaned?” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ open=”off”]<\/p>\n
The National Fire Protection Agency (<\/span>NFPA<\/a>) recommends a yearly inspection and cleaning and repairs done as necessary. Freestanding woodstoves or fire place inserts used to heat the home should be inspected and cleaned if needed every year. Regular, open fireplaces need to be maintained and cleaned on a consistent basis as well. Usually, a cleaning is needed for every cord of wood burned or at least 2-3 years.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How long will it take to clean my chimney and is there any mess?” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ open=”off”]<\/p>\n It usually takes about an\u00a0<\/span>hour<\/b>\u00a0to clean most <\/span>masonry chimneys<\/strong><\/em> including setup of tarps, vacuum and tools, cleaning the chimney<\/span>, and reloading our truck when completed.\u00a0We guarantee\u00a0absolutely n<\/strong><\/span>o mess\u00a0<\/b>in your home.\u00a0<\/span>Pre-fab fireplaces\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>typically take about\u00a0<\/span>35-45<\/b>\u00a0min. <\/span>Woodstove inserts<\/strong><\/em> can take from\u00a0<\/span>1-3 hours,<\/b>\u00a0depending on how often they are cleaned, the type of wood burned, and the way the stove is operated. (Choaked down to slow smolder type burning will produce more creosote taking longer to clean.)<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Do you install chimney caps?” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ open=”off”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Can you do repairs?” open=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.89″]<\/p>\n Yes, we repair fireboxes, replace lost or damaged damper blades, or install\u00a0<\/span>top mount\u00a0dampers<\/a>\u00a0if a replacement blade is not available. We also repair crowns, replace rusted chase covers, install chimney caps, and apply water\u00a0repellent\u00a0treatment to\u00a0chimneys. If you are having problems with your chimney, we can most likely find\u00a0 a workable solution. Call\u00a0Chimney Keepers\u00a0with your problem, we want to help!\u00a0\u00a0919-772-8110<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What is a chimney liner?” _builder_version=”4.5.6″ _module_preset=”default” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Currently, most masonry chimneys are built with terra-cotta clay tiles stacked and mortared inside the brick structure. These tiles serve as a gas-tight and heat-resistant insulator against the masonry structure. Without a liner, or with cracked and damaged liners, there would be heat transfer or actual seepage through the brick and mortar. A liner is a stainless steel tube inserted into a chimney to draft a furnace, woodstove or fireplace. The appliance will vent through that stainless pipe and use the existing chimney structure as an encasement. New liners are gas-tight systems insulated for highest efficiency. This can solve most drafting and safety issues of chimneys, flues that are fire damaged, or older unlined chimney flues.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”I have rust stains on the top and running down the siding of my chimney. What causes this and what can be done about it?” _builder_version=”3.0.89″ open=”off”]<\/p>\n Pre-fab fireplaces have a metal covering (chase top<\/a>) to prevent water from entering the interior of the chimney structure. The chase top is usually made of a cheap galvanized sheet metal. Over the\u00a0years, the metal coating wears off from sun exposure, rain and other forces. Most tops have a low spot that holds water as well. When pine straw and leaves blow around some are bound to get stuck in the water that has collected during rain, snow, and ice storms. Pine straw and certain leaves are very acidic when they are decomposing especially when sitting in water. The acid breaks down the galvanized coating and you soon get bare metal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n After a while the metal starts to\u00a0rust\u00a0and when water runs off the top during a rain it carries the rust down the side of your beautiful siding causing a stain that gets bigger over time. You may even hear water dripping on the inside of your chase after a rain event as the rust has\u00a0pitted the metal allowing water to seep through. Then you know you have a problem. The rust stains on the outside of a chimney are the first clue that there is a problem as it can take several months for the metal to pit enough for water to seep through. The time to act is when you first\u00a0notice rust stains\u00a0not when you hear water dripping.<\/p>\n The best way to fix the problem is to remove the old rusted chimney chase top<\/a> and replace it with a new one. We use and recommend\u00a0stainless steel\u00a0for its strength and ability to resist rust. You can use the regular galvanized metal which is the cheapest but not as long lasting. The cost difference is usually $250-$300 less than stainless steel. We now have a product called ColorClad. It\u2019s the same metal used for the nice looking metal roofs you see and you can get in colors. ColorClad chase tops have a 25-year warranty against rust. This is a good alternative to Stainless Steel and much better than galvanized. Plus, it less costly than\u00a0stainless\u00a0steel.<\/p>\n Oh, another thing, the stainless steel top has a\u00a0lifetime\u00a0warranty against rust, corrosion and manufacturing defects. The galvanized cap only comes with a 6-month warranty against rust and manufacturing defects. On the other hand, ColorClad has a 25-year\u00a0warranty, is better than\u00a0galvanized, and is less costly than Stainless. You can get it in a color of your choice (most get it to match the trim of the house): white, sand, brown, black and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n To get a cost estimate call us at 919-772-8110. Remember, Stainless Steel or ColorClad tops are good selling points in the future and provides good peace-of-mind today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How often should dryer vents be cleaned?” _builder_version=”4.5.6″ _module_preset=”default” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Most <\/span>dryer vents should be cleaned at least every\u00a0two years\u00a0or so. This depends on the length of your vent, how many turns in it, and how often the dryer is used every week. Dryers that have short vents and little usage may be able to go longer than normal before being cleaned. On the other hand, if you have a large family and\/or are constantly running the washer and dryer, then you might need to have the dryer vent cleaned yearly.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cleaning the dryer vent can help prevent the possibility of a fire in your house or dangerous carbon monoxide buildup, in the case of a gas dryer, plus can save you money on electricity or gas cost. A clean vent pipe allows the dryer to move the proper amount of air through the system taking the humidity out of the clothes, caused by the heating of gas burners or electric elements in your dryer, thus allowing your clothes to dry quicker with less energy consumed.\u00a0Take time to notice if your dryer is running longer with the same amount of clothes, it may be time to have the vent cleaned. And, with all the talk about power shortages, we all must do our part and make sure our appliances are operating at peak efficiency.<\/p>\n Speaking\u00a0of\u00a0energy savings, one of the best ways is with a programmable thermostat that will automatically raise and lower the temp in your home when you are\u00a0away. They work by allowing the temp to rise during a summer day to around 80-81 while you are not home and, before you get home, you can program the thermostat to have the temp back to 78. Some other ways of saving energy is to set your A\/C cooling temp at 77 or 78 degrees instead of 74 or lower, and during heating season try 68 instead of 70. You won\u2019t notice the difference till the electric or gas bill comes. (If you need help figuring out how to spend all the money you saved give me a call! \u00a0\ud83d\ude42\u00a0 I try to hang clothes out on nice days to get the FREE drying provide by Mr. Sun. I figure some things in life are free, you just have to take advantage of them.<\/p>\n Climbing down off my soap box now\u2026<\/p>\n We often see the\u00a0white vinyl\u00a0vent coming out the back of bunch of dryers we service. This type of vent pipe is highly<\/span> flammable and causes dangerous fumes if it catches on fire. If the lint catches on fire while the dryer is running it can blow flames into the vent pipe catching the vinyl connector between the dryer and wall on fire. It can also blow flaming balls of lint around in the area where the dryer sits and behind the\u00a0sheetrock\u00a0behind the dryer which causes the fire to spread faster. Hopefully, you could catch it soon enough so that the Fire Dept. gets there in time to keep the damage to a minimum. The washer\/dryer area is one place we recommend putting a\u00a0smoke detector\u00a0to give an early warning about smoke or fire in this area. It\u2019s also good to have an ABC-type\u00a0fire extinguisher in that area handy in case you need one quick. That can be the difference between knocking down a small fire or having the house burn down.<\/p>\n We recommend and can replace the old white vinyl dryer vent material<\/strong> with the new flame-resistant silver UL listed flex.<\/p>\n Pricing\u00a0for dryer vent cleaning starts at\u00a0$129\u00a0for a one-story house with dryer venting down under the floor, and\u00a0$139\u00a0for two-story with dryers upstairs and venting out high. This includes up to\u00a025 feet of vent. Other guys give a low price but for only 5-6 feet of vent to clean.\u00a0If the dryer is on bottom floor of home and vents out down low, this is considered a one-story price.<\/p>\n In addition, we are equipped to completely replace an old unsafe dryer vents with new sheet metal vents or metal flexible vents where needed in most cases. Call Chimney Keepers at [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What is the difference between vented and non-vented gas logs? What else is there?” _builder_version=”4.5.6″ _module_preset=”default” open=”off”]<\/p>\n There are several different types of gas logs. We deal with the most popular types,\u00a0vented\u00a0and non-vented\u00a0or\u00a0heating\u00a0logs. The differences between these two log sets is very technical. But to boil it down,\u00a0<\/span>vented-type logs<\/strong> can only be used in fireplaces with a working chimney that meet current codes. The damper is locked open upon installation and must be kept open when burning. Placement of the logs can be changed to make the fire look different. The flame has a more orange look and soot is more prevalent in the chimney. A chimney cap is HIGHLY recommended when using either type of log set to prevent water and other debris from falling on the log set. Water can rust the burner and grate and can also damage the logs in a short amount of time.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Non-vented\u00a0logs<\/strong> can be used in fireboxes, when approved, with or without a chimney flue and still meet current building codes. The damper (if there is one) is only cracked open (1\/4\u2033 to 3\/8\u2033) allowing most of the heat to enter the living space. If you are using a vent-free fireplace, a window needs to be cracked open during use to allow for fresh air into the home.\u00a0 Once vent-free logs are set up they must stay in this configuration throughout their life. The flame is more blue with yellow tips and these logs produce no soot. In some cases, they don\u2019t look that great in the fireplace. However, most of the newer models have come a long way in the looks department.<\/p>\n To find out more info about the good and bad of un-vented logs read this in-depth article<\/a> at hearth.com.\u00a0
919-772-8110\u00a0today and get your dryer vent system serviced and cleaned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n