Santa's Friend Chimney Service Blog

Keep it Safe, Keep it Warm

Helpful Tips in Maintaining a Safe and Efficient Fireplace and Chimney

Experts in chimney maintenance always say that prevention is better than cure. This is very true. You can’t just wait for the actual accident to happen before you start ‘preventing’ it in the first place. As the homeowner, you need to do your part to keep your fireplace and chimney intact, safe and useful all year round and especially during the winter season. There are many aspects to consider. That’s why professionals are still needed in its overall maintenance. If chimneys are taken for granted, they will crash and burn and cause bigger problems that even experts can no longer repair.

At least once a year you need a certified sweep to come and clean your chimney. You will also need an annual inspection.

Chimney damage may threaten your property, health and lifestyle. These are five simple tips in using your fireplace and chimney that can be done to avert any future problems.

1. Make sure that your chimney is checked and inspected on an annual basis by professionals that are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. There is a rich database in the Internet to look for top of the game companies in this field.
2. Before even thinking of starting a fire, check and double check that the flue in your chimney is open. Also check if there is enough flow of air up in your chimney.
3. When starting the fire, manufactured fire logs are the better choice instead of plain wood. They burn up to 80% cleaner than typical wood fire. Garbage and plastics are prohibited.
4. If there are no fire logs around, wood can be used provided that they are dry and seasoned to up to six months to leave only 20% moisture or less.
5. When the fire dies down after burning, let it cool and remove the ashes to maintain proper airflow for future use. The ashes should be sealed in a metal container and put outside the house. Some tiny pieces of coal may still be able to cause fire if allowed to be in contact with flammable materials.

These are all easy steps you can take in doing your part as a homeowner. However at one point or another in your chimney’s life, there comes a time when you need to call for professional help so you can enjoy your chimney for many more holidays to come.  This is where an outstanding company like Santa’s Friend Chimney Service comes into the picture because they live by the highest standards of Ethics and Business Practices.  For 24 years now at the heart of Mississippi, they have provided the best service for cleaning chimneys. No wonder they are certified by numerous organizations. Yes, they are the ones to call for guaranteed high quality services at low prices.

Stop the Mold!

Clear The Air: Keep Mold Out Of Your Chimney

We hate having to give clients the news that their chimney is leaking. We double hate having to tell anyone that a chimney leak has created a mold issue. Water damage can be frustrating and costly, and mold growth is smelly, dirty and really tough to get rid of on top of that. Plus, if someone in your home suffers from respiratory issues like asthma, mold is more than just an annoyance; it’s a really serious hazard.

Anytime moisture gets into your chimney, there is a perfect breeding ground for mold. This can cause respiratory problems.

If you’re worried about moisture and mold problems, Santa’s Friend Chimney Service is just a phone call away — our experienced technicians can inspect your chimney. to find the source or sources of moisture problems, determine whether you have mold growth and get you on a path to being rid of both of those problems.

Do I Have Mold?

If you notice discoloration (often green, brown or black) around water-damaged areas in your home or chimney, and/or smell the tell-tale musty odor, there’s a good chance you have mold growth. And when water intrusion leads to mold, there’s reason to be concerned about it. Moisture issues can lead to toxic black mold, and — this is something you’ve probably heard a time or 20 — black mold has been shown to contribute to a variety of health and respiratory issues, including everything from coughs and flu-like symptoms to upper respiratory problems and increased asthma symptoms.

Where’s The Mold Coming From?

We say it all the time: water is your chimney’s worst enemy. And it’s a tenacious enemy, too — it’s determined to find a way into your flue and into your home, however it can. Sometimes water intrusion is the result of damage — a cracked chimney crown or torn flashing. Other times eroded masonry starts to wick so much water in through its surface that moisture pulls straight through to the inside and starts providing a welcoming home for mold. Our first step, after determining whether or not you have a mold problem, is determining where the moisture is coming from and recommending the best way to remedy it.

Removing Mold, And Keeping It Away

Safely and thoroughly remediating mold growth is important, and Santa’s Friend can help. But the key thing to really getting this problem out of your hair is preventing it from happening again. Our techs can make any necessary repairs to get your chimney back to successfully fighting off water intrusion, whether that’s applying CrownSeal sealant to your damaged crown, replacing your flashing or tuckpointing damaged mortar joints. We can also protect the chimney masonry itself by applying a specially formulated waterproofing sealant that allows your chimney to shed water but still properly vent vapors from the inside of the flue.

Santa’s Friend wants to help keep your home and chimney dry and mold-free — if you have a moisture or mold issue, give us a call!