Santa's Friend Chimney Service Blog

The Importance of a Clean Dryer Vent

Being a homeowner carries many responsibilities and even the small ones can make a big difference. Many appliances require regular maintenance and the clothes drying system is one of them. Debris and lint can build up in the ductwork of a clothes dryer, decreasing operating efficiency and creating a potentially hazardous situation.

Buildup within the dryer duct can inhibit the dryer exhaust process. If the dryer is not vented properly or debris or lint is blocking the duct, carbon monoxide may be forced back into the home, endangering occupants. The situation can also increase the possibility of a dryer fire. A certified dryer exhaust technician will inspect and clean the dryer venting system and verify the correct sizing and installation.

Plastic ductwork is flammable, so it should be replaced with a metal version. Annual inspection of the dryer exhaust vent and ductwork is recommended. As venting distances become longer in modern home construction, safety hazards increase because lint has a greater surface area in which to collect. Improper vents can create comfortable hiding spaces for birds and other animals, increasing the safety risk to humans and creatures.

The U.S. Fire Administration reported that dryers were responsible for 15,600 structure fires, 400 injuries, and 15 deaths annually from 2002 to 2004. In residential buildings, failing to clean the appliance is the leading cause of a clothes dryer fire. The Chimney Safety Institute of America certifies dryer exhaust technicians to perform inspections and cleaning, making this preventable.

A clean exhaust venting system makes the dryer operate more efficiently and prevents moisture and heat from becoming trapped in the home. Clean ducts for gas dryers prevent trapping of carbon monoxide within the home. Extending the life of the clothes dryer while preventing damage to the home and its occupants is the goal of annual dryer duct inspection.

Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips

Ah, Christmas is just about here and homes everywhere are being decorated for the season. Lights, trees, and Santa’s are going up everywhere. While this is a time where everyone looks forward to seeing each other’ s displays as well as getting together to decorate, it is also a time to keep safety in mind, especially when it comes to Christmas trees. Here are a few tips to keep your home safe this Christmas.

• When choosing a natural Christmas tree, choose one that is fresh. You can do a quick check by checking the needles on the branches, as they should not fall off when touched.
• If using an artificial tree, make sure the tree is properly labeled and certified as being fire retardant by the manufacturer.
• A natural tree should have approximately two inches cut off from the bottom before placing in the tree stand.
• Do not place the tree near any heat sources, such as a fireplace or radiator. There should be a distance of at least three feet.
• The tree should not block any fire exits for the home.
• Fill the stand with water and refresh the water every day to ensure the tree stays as moist as possible. Allowing the tree to dry out is a definite fire hazard.
• Check your lights to ensure they have been tested and are safe to use for indoor use.
• If any lights are broken, replace the bulbs before decorating the tree. You should never have any more than three strings of lights attached. Also check for frayed wiring and discard any strings that show this type of wear.
• No natural flame decorations should be used on the tree, as they could easily catch fire.
• Never leave the lights on the tree on without supervision. This means before leaving the home or going to bed, turn them off and unplug them.
• When the tree begins to drop needles, it is time to dispose of it, as it is drying out. Put the tree by the curb or take it directly to the dump.

Top Tidbits You Need To Know About Your Chimney

Whether you are buying your first home with a chimney or perhaps having one installed so you can enjoy a fireplace, there are some basic facts you should know. That new fireplace will add significant ambiance to the home, but there are also some maintenance and safety issues of which you need to be aware.

1. You chimney should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year. This ensures that the chimney is structurally sound and clean, therefore safe to use.
2. When scheduling your chimney cleaning and inspection, only use NCSG certified chimney sweeps.
3. Regardless of how often your chimney and fireplace have been used the prior year, the fireplace and chimney still need a thorough cleaning prior to the new season. Some prefer to have them cleaned in the spring (stating the benefit of having the creosote buildup removed and avoiding any musty odors over a hot summer), while others recommend an early fall cleaning (this will ensure that any birds or debris that may have gotten into the chimney during the spring and summer will be removed before the fireplace and chimney are in use again).
4. Never operate the chimney unless the damper is fully open.
5. Creosote is a substance created by flue gas residue and unburned wood particles. It gathers in the flue with usage of the chimney. As little as 1/8″ is enough to start a fire.
6. Never burn trash or plastics in your chimney. It is meant to burn wood, not become a trash incinerator.
7. A chimney cap can prevent water, debris, and animals from getting into your chimney. If you do not have one installed, consider having this done as soon as possible.
8. Chimney Swifts are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty. If a swift makes its home in your chimney, it cannot be removed until the birds migrate south for the winter.
9. You should use some type of fireplace screen when your fireplace is in use. This can prevent embers from inadvertently escaping the fireplace as well as prevent children and animals from reaching into the fire.
10. Your chimney has a protective liner inside of it. These lines can be made from a variety of materials, such as stainless steel and clay. The liner should be checked periodically to ensure structural integrity.

Keeping Your Chimney Clean and Safe

It cannot be overstated how important it is to have your chimney regularly cleaned. With all the buildup that comes with the burning of wood, you are bound to have a lot of very flammable creosote caked on the side of your chimney flue. Regular cleaning will help prevent the possibility of a chimney fire. After all, that is the worst possible way to spend your holiday season, and it is completely preventable!

To help cut down on creosote, burning the proper wood is crucial as well. You will want your wood to be hard and to burn hot. Slow and low burns release more creosote, whereas hot fires will burn deposits up through the chimney. Be careful though. You don’t want your wood piled too high in the fireplace. There should be at least 2 inches between the logs and the chimney flue.

It is highly recommended to have your chimney swept if you have vented gas logs as well. Gas leaks could release dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide into your home. As with a wood burning fireplace, any obstructions, like animal nests or leaves, are a potential fire hazard.

Understanding Your Gas Fireplace

Fireplaces have long been a desired feature for homeowners. Sitting at home on a cold winter night, a fireplace will not only keep you warm, but also add to the ambiance of home. Today, homeowners can add a fireplace to their home, even if they do not have a chimney in place. This has made gas fireplaces an extremely popular choice for homeowners.

A gas fireplace operates in much the same way as a gas stove. There is a pilot light that ignites the main fire source. Instead of having wood logs, however, the fireplace contains imitation logs, which are available in a variety of materials. When lit, most have a hard time distinguishing gas fireplaces from wood fireplaces.

An advantage in having a gas fireplace is that gas burns clean, compared to a wood fireplace that creates smoke and can cause a creosote buildup in the flue of the chimney. In addition, modern gas fireplaces are more energy efficient, as there are ventless fireplaces that can be used. Instead of a significant portion of the heat escaping through the chimney, it remains in the room, making the fireplace a more effective source of heat.

If a homeowner does not have a chimney in place, installing a gas fireplace makes much more sense. A wood-burning fireplace would require extensive remodeling to have a chimney installed. Because gas fireplaces can be installed without vents, the homeowner avoids the added costs and can add the fireplace with minimal remodeling costs.

While there is much less maintenance and cleanup required, the homeowner needs to be aware that some maintenance is required. The fireplace will still have to be cleaned on occasion to remove buildup from dust, carbon, and soot. In addition, if this is being installed in a previous wood burning fireplace with chimney, the homeowner should still have an annual chimney inspection.

Things to Know Before You Buy Firewood This Season

You just moved into a new home and have a beautiful fireplace that you cannot wait to use. Before you strike that first match, though, do you know what type of firewood to use? Do you know how to find a reliable and trustworthy dealer? Do you know how much firewood you should buy?

Yes, there are dealers out there looking to scam buyers or doing things illegally to turn a quick profit. Firewood dealers are required to have a license from the local forestry service. This lets the buyer know they are farming their wood from approved areas and not doing anything illegal for their stock.

In addition to being licensed, they should also be able to furnish you with a list of references (for home delivery service). Experience will tell you that any dealer not willing to provide references more than likely has a long string of unhappy customers. It is an early warning sign to find someone else.

Dealers are generally required to sell wood by the cord. This is important because it will dictate the size of your order. Every cord equals 128 cu ft. To give you a visual, picture a stack of wood eight feet long, four feet tall, and four feet wide.

Certain woods will last longer and split easier. For instance, locust is very difficult to get started burning and is quite difficult to split. On the other hand, pine splits easily and ignites quickly, but it will also burn quicker. Woods like hickory and maple offer an ideal combination of being fairly easy to ignite and split, but also offer a better coaling quality, meaning they burn longer. In addition, these woods produce little smoke when burning.

Finally, you want to make sure the wood has been dried properly if you are buying it. Obviously, moist wood does not ignite quickly or burn well. Signs of properly dried wood are graying color, splitting, and bark that falls off easily.