Company Blog

How Is a Chimney Installed?

A fireplace is one of the most desirable perks of homeownership. After all, who doesn’t want that added warmth and ambiance that a fireplace provides? Of course, without a chimney, a fireplace is nothing but a hot box waiting to fill your home with unwanted fumes and smoke.

There are two main options to consider when installing a chimney in the home and we hear at All Seasons Chimney want to walk through these options with you. Your satisfaction is our biggest desire, which is why we want to show you the pros and cons of both masonry and prefabricated chimneys.

Let’s make the right choice for your home. Call 845-567-1217 for more details.

Masonry Chimneys: A Timeless Craft

When we think of chimneys the first thing that typically comes to mind is the classic masonry chimney with its stone or brick and mortar composition.

The Installation Process

Building a brick and mortar chimney is a sophisticated craft that requires skilled masons who take into account every detail – from the height of the chimney to the size of the flue. The structure is built brick by brick, starting with a foundation and working its way up to the chimney crown. If even one brick is laid out of place or the mortar is mixed incorrectly, the whole structure is at risk of becoming unstable. However, when done right, this artwork can last a lifetime.

Other Considerations

  • a masonry chimney that runs along the side of a home viewed from the ground upCost: When building a structure out of stone or brick, the upfront cost can be higher due to the nature of the materials and the skill it takes to install it. That being said, because they last a lifetime, you won’t need to worry about replacement costs anytime soon.
  • Durability: Speaking of saving money over time, the durability of brick and mortar or stone chimneys is unmatched. These structures can hold up to tremendous temperature fluctuations, as well as exposure to elements (when well maintained).
  • Longevity: If regularly inspected, maintained, and waterproofed, a masonry chimney can last a lifetime.
  • Aesthetics: A masonry chimney can be a beautiful addition to the curb appeal of your house, improving its overall value. Masonry chimneys are a beautiful addition to any home as they compliment a host of various architectural styles. 

Prefabricated Chimneys: Efficiency & Convenience

A prefabricated chimney is designed and manufactured within a factory. It is created to be easily installed. These chimneys are built almost entirely of metal components and can be built to specific design standards.

The Installation Process

Installing a prefabricated chimney is simply a matter of putting together the various sections of the already built metal chimney and securing them properly to the home. This doesn’t mean it’s a job for a DIY-er, though. Always leave it to a professional to ensure you don’t risk gas leaks, smoke in your home, house fires, and more.

Other Considerations

  • a black roof with a black prefab chimney covered by a curved metal (gray) chimney capCost: The cost of a prefabricated chimney is lower than that of its stone or brick counterpart. The components of the chimney are almost always mass produced meaning the material costs are low. In addition to low material cost, prefab chimneys are less labor intensive to install.
  • Longevity: Like any part of your home’s construction, how durable or long-lasting a prefabricated chimney will be is largely dependent on the quality of the materials used. While they may not last as long as a masonry chimney, it is a realistic expectation that they would last two or three decades if proper care is given to them.
  • Insulation: Many prefabricated chimneys have insulation built into their design which increases their efficiency and decreases overall heat loss.
  • Maintenance: Prefabricated chimneys require regular inspection and sweeping services, and sometimes a component can get damaged or need replaced – but overall they demand less attention than masonry chimneys.
  • Aesthetics: Modern prefab units look great and can be easily personalized to your desires and and tastes. Yet, while there are countless ways to spruce up the prefabricated chimney, some feel it doesn’t live up to the appeal that comes with the stone work of a masonry chimney.

Which Is the Right Choice for Me?

Knowing the various pros and cons of masonry chimneys and prefabricated chimneys is an important step in considering what addition you make to your home. At All Seasons Chimney we are experts in the installation, inspection, maintenance, and repairs that every chimney needs. We also understand that every home and every family has a different set of needs.

Trust us from the start – we’re happy to help.

For Chimney & Fireplace Services, Call On Us

From the earliest stages of choosing a fireplace and chimney for your home to the regular care and maintenance that makes a chimney last, our team at All Seasons is here for you. Call us today or reach out online to see how we can help you on your journey of fireplace delight.

Common Gas Fireplace Repairs

There are many things that would draw a person to installing a gas fireplace. It offers the charm, warmth, and aesthetic appeal of a fireplace – just without the regular cleaning of soot and ash or the purchasing of fuel that a traditional wood-burning fireplace requires.

With all the benefits of a gas fireplace, it can be hard to imagine that anything could ever go wrong. However, like any complex appliance, your gas fireplace is susceptible to operational glitches and failures. While these problems are almost always minor, they can cause quite the headache if not dealt with promptly.

Fortunately for you, All Seasons Chimney are experts at pinpointing problems and solving them, so that you can fully enjoy your gas fireplace to the fullest. And while our techs will leave your fireplace clean and working efficiently, we thought we would provide you with a few things you can do to troubleshoot some of these problems before asking us for a visit. 

Common Gas Fireplace Problems to Watch For

  • close up of flames in a gas fireplaceIgnition Failure: Problems with the ignition in gas fireplaces are among the most common. These switches are necessary to initiate the process of combustion. As gas is supplied to your fireplace, the ignition provides a spark that should ignite the gas and cause your fireplace to cleanly burn and supply heat. Without this spark, all you have is a gas place without the fire.
  • Uneven Flames or Soot Accumulation: While gas fireplaces are designed to mimic a wood-burning fire, the flames should be relatively even and the gas should burn cleanly. If the flames are abnormally uneven and soot residue begins accumulating, it probably means that your burners are dirty, your air to gas ratio is off, or your fire is not being ventilated properly.
  • Unpleasant Odors: For some, the absence of smell is among the things that are appealing in a gas fireplace. The gas in a gas fireplace has an additive that gives it an unpleasant odor, so that it is noticeable when it leaks. If you smell an unpleasant odor (and your un-showered teenager isn’t in the room), it could mean that you have a leak in your gas line. 

Troubleshooting Problems – Keep Your Gas Fireplace Working

So, what’s to be done if your gas fireplace is giving you issues?

✔ Gas Supply Inspection

If you seem to be having a problem in the gas supply, the first thing to do is examine the supply line. Look for cracks, debris buildup, an unobstructed and fully open valve, and anything else that might hinder your supply line to do its job effectively. If you notice the unpleasant smell of leaking gas, turn off the gas supply, leave your home, and call appropriate authorities immediately.

Then, reach out to us at All Seasons Chimney, so we can spot and fix the leak before you put your system to use again.

✔ Clean Ventilation Passages 

Your chimney or ventilation system is a key component in making sure your gas is burning cleanly. Unfortunately, debris and other obstructions can collect within the ventilation system which limits airflow and causes problems within the fireplace. Always make sure these passages are clear and clean. 

Cleaning and maintaining chimneys and ventilation systems is one of our specialties at All Seasons Chimney. Many obstructions within the ventilation of a fireplace happen in dangerous and hard-to-reach places. It is important that you have your chimney or ventilation professionally serviced and cleaned on a regular basis. Call us today to make sure the vents and chimney to your gas fireplace is clean and clear.

✔ Thermocouple Inspection

A thermocouple is an electrical junction between two dissimilar electrical conductors. A working thermocouple is dependent on temperature. If it’s not working or if it’s malfunctioning, it will cause other components of your fireplace to not work, as well. Over time, this important but inexpensive tool can become faulty which turns into a variety of problems within your gas fireplace system.

Regular maintenance will help make sure your thermocouple is working. However, when things start to malfunction, repairing the thermocouple is a great place to start because if it isn’t working right, it will cause other things to get wonky.

Hazards of Gas Fireplace Malfunctions

Even though most malfunctions in your gas fireplace are minor and easily fixed, unaddressed problems can cascade into big issues for your home and its residents. Here are some risks that regular maintenance by professionals can help you avoid:

  • a rectangle-shaped white carbon monoxide alarm detectorGas Leaks: When gas leaks into the house it can begin to mix with oxygen and turn your home into an explosion waiting to happen. Unaddressed leaks can mean that any spark or leak within your home could ignite a combustion reaction that, at minimum, causes a fire within your home. The more the leak is ignored, however, the bigger the explosion can become.
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: When gas is being supplied (but not completely burning), or when burnt emissions aren’t able to vent out, then breathable oxygen is replaced with carbon monoxide. This poisonous gas is invisible and odorless. It causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, cognitive confusion, and even death. Each year more than 100,000 people in the United States visit the emergency room because of carbon monoxide, and it causes more than 400 deaths. Often these symptoms are mistaken for the common flu.

We’re Here to Help – Call Today

At All Seasons Chimney, we believe you can enjoy everything your gas fireplace has to offer – without having to worry about the dangers of it not working. Call us today to schedule your fireplace maintenance. We will leave you with a clean and working fireplace that will provide you with peace of mind all year long.

Give us a call at 845-552-1701 or book with us online today.