FAQ

Below are answers to some of our most asked questions. If you still have questions, please feel free to contact us during business hours.

Why should I get my wood or gas system inspected?

A thorough and careful chimney inspection will alert the homeowner to any physical defects in the firebox or flue, build up of debris or the presence of any blockages. In addition, the inspection will reveal the status of the structure, its stability, fire worthiness and it's ability to safely vent toxic gases. Additionally, it will find any water entry issues that can cause significant and expensive damage to your system and home.

Why should I get my chimney cleaned?

There are several reasons that cleaning your chimney is beneficial. The first and most important is fire safety! Soot and creosote are flammable unavoidable by products of combustion that line the walls of your fireplace and chimney system. Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires, which damage structures, destroy homes, and injure or kill people.

Additionally, a dirty chimney can significantly hinder the performance of your system, potentially causing harmful smoke and carbon monoxide to enter your home.

What do I do if I have a chimney fire?

If you realize a chimney fire is occurring, get everyone out of the house, including yourself, and call the fire department!

How do I avoid a chimney fire?

• Have your chimney inspected annually by a qualified professional and cleaned when necessary.
  
• Use seasoned woods only (dryness is more important than hard wood versus soft wood considerations).
  
• Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and produce less smoke.
  
• Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash, or Christmas trees; these can spark a chimney fire.
  
• Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures where wood stoves are in use, so you can adjust burning practices as needed.
  
• Inspect and clean catalytic combustors on a regular basis, where applicable.

Why does my dryer location matter?

CSIA points out that clothes dryers have historically either been located in basements or on the main floor of a house and generally within a short distance from an outside wall. Because of these logistics, the danger of lint plugging the exhaust duct has been minimal.

But in today’s complex and technologically sophisticated homes, many clothes dryers could be located in the inner core of the house in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and even in hall closets. These new locations mean dryers need to be vented longer distances and sometimes even with sharp turns and bends to accommodate the structure of the home. These complicated systems make exhaust ducts harder to reach and also create more places where lint can collect and pile up. Because lint is incredibly flammable, it poses a fire risk.

Should natural gas dryers have maintenance?

The availability of natural gas clothes dryers is another reason why dryer exhaust duct maintenance is necessary. If a gas clothes dryer is not properly vented, it can cause carbon monoxide to be forced back into the home and that can be deadly.

What are dangerous obstructions to dryer vents?

In addition to lint obstructions or improper venting, bird’s nests or rodents, and bug infestations can also plug up a vent causing potential fire hazards or carbon monoxide poisonings. Symptoms of a clogged clothes dryer exhaust duct include incomplete drying of clothes at normal temperatures and very hot dryer temperatures.