Chimney Questions, Answered
Straight answers to what homeowners around Newton ask most before booking a sweep or a repair.
Sweeping
How often should a chimney be swept?
The national standard, NFPA 211, calls for a chimney to be inspected once a year and swept when the inspection finds enough buildup to need it. A home that burns wood through a whole Sussex County winter will usually need a sweep every year. That is the main work of our chimney sweep service in Newton.
Does sweeping make a mess in the house?
It should not. Cloths go down on the hearth, the firebox opening is sealed off, and a vacuum runs the whole time the flue is being brushed so soot is pulled away from the room.
Does a gas fireplace need its chimney checked?
Yes. Gas burns cleaner than wood, but a gas flue can still be blocked by a nest or fallen debris, and gas exhaust is corrosive to some liners. Having it looked at yearly is sensible.
Can I burn a creosote log instead of having a sweep?
No. Those products can dry out some deposits so they brush away more easily, but they do not remove them and they do nothing about blockages or damage.
Inspections
What is the difference between inspection levels?
A level 1 inspection covers the parts that can be reached easily. Level 2 adds a camera through the full flue and applies when a house is sold, an appliance is changed or something has gone wrong. Level 3 means opening up part of the structure. The chimney inspection page explains each one.
Should a chimney be inspected before buying a house?
It is a good idea. A general home inspection rarely looks inside the flue, and liner damage is expensive to discover after closing.
Repairs and leaks
Why is water coming in around my chimney?
The usual sources are failed flashing, a cracked crown, a missing cap or brick that has turned porous. Each needs its own fix, which is why chimney leak repair begins with finding the source.
When does brick need repointing?
When the mortar has worn back from the face of the brick, gone sandy or dropped out. If it is left, water gets in behind the brick and the damage speeds up. See chimney repair.
What is the white powder on my chimney?
It is efflorescence, salts carried to the surface by water moving through the masonry. It brushes off, but it is a sign that the chimney is taking in moisture somewhere.
Liners and caps
How do I know if my chimney needs a new liner?
Cracked or missing clay tiles, a flue that is the wrong size for a new stove or furnace, or no liner at all in an older house. Chimney liner installation and replacement sets out the options.
Is a chimney cap really necessary?
A flue without one is open to rain, snow, leaves and animals. A chimney cap costs little compared with the damage it prevents.
Booking
Which towns do you cover?
Newton and thirteen towns within about ten miles of it. They are listed on the Service Area page.
How do I book?
Call (862) 386-2248 or send the form on the Contact page with your town and what you need.