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All Seasons Chimney Truck

1083 Little Britain Rd
New Windsor, NY 12553

CALL US NOW 845-567-1217

Company Blog

Prepare Your Fireplace and Chimney for an Upcoming Rough Winter

Prepare Your Fireplace and Chimney for an Upcoming Rough Winter Image - Poughkeepsie NY - All Seasons Chimney IncColder days are coming, and preparing your home for freezing temperatures is on the top of your to-do list. Cold winter weather can cause a lot of damage to parts of your house, including your chimney. Is your chimney ready to face this upcoming rough winter? All Seasons Chimney can help you prepare your chimney for this weather so that you will be able to enjoy your fireplace as the snow falls outside. We can inspect your chimney to be sure it is in good condition, and we offer several prevention services that can protect your chimney from cold weather damage. Since the majority of this type of damage has to do with water penetration, we would like to tell you how we can help keep your chimney working efficiently and safely this winter.

Chimney Cap

If your chimney is uncapped or your existing chimney cap is old and damaged, All Seasons Chimney can help you with picking out a good cap and with professionally installing it. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), a chimney cap is the least expensive prevention measure you can take against water penetration. We will be sure your new chimney cap fits perfectly to keep out water from rain and melted snow. You will also get protection from animal invasions as well!

Flashing

The seal between your chimney and your roof, flashing keeps water from rain and melted snow from running down into your chimney. In our years of experience, we have seen a lot of water damage caused by damaged or no flashing around the chimney. When water gets into the bricks and mortar of your chimney, it can freeze and expand when the temperature drops. As this water thaws, it causes the masonry materials to crack and break apart. This damage, if left unrepaired, can lead to the collapse of your chimney structure. Our CSIA-certified technicians will measure the area around your chimney to make custom sheets of flashing that will protect your chimney from water leaks and damage. We can also repair damaged flashing.

Waterproofing

To protect your chimney from water penetration, efflorescence, and mildew, All Seasons Chimney can apply a waterproofing agent to your chimney. We only use waterproofing formulas that are 100% vapor permeable, which means vapors can escape from the bricks and mortar even though water cannot be absorbed. We will never use a clear sealant as that will trap vapors and cause more spalling damage. Our waterproofing services are guaranteed to last for ten years, which makes this a very smart investment.

Get your chimney ready for the upcoming rough winter! Contact us at All Seasons Chimney to schedule an appointment for our water penetration prevention services.

Tips for Safely Operating Your Fireplace This Winter

Enjoying cozy warm fires is a favorite pastime of many, and knowing the best safety tips for operating your fireplace helps you to truly relax in front of the fire. At All Seasons Chimney, we place a high value on safety, and we would like to share with you some fireplace safety tips from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) so that you can reduce the risk of an accidental fire in your home this winter.

Tips for Safely Operating Your Fireplace This Winter Image - Poughkeepsie NY - All Seasons Chimney

Preventive maintenance is very important for several reasons.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and when it comes to your fireplace and chimney, this saying could not be more true. Having your chimney professionally swept and inspected every year before you light the first fire of the season ensures your chimney will work properly and efficiently over the winter. Other preventive actions to take include installing smoke and carbon monoxide detector alarms throughout your home, having a fire extinguisher on hand, and making sure the area around your fireplace is clear from flammable items.

Follow these tips when lighting a fire in your fireplace.

Open up the damper as wide as possible, and be sure that any buildup of ashes have been removed. Place discarded ashes in a metal container with a lid, and keep this container outside on a non-combustible surface. Build a safe fire by placing the largest pieces of firewood on the bottom and the smallest pieces of kindling on the top. Use your fireplace tools to tend to your fires, and always keep the firescreen closed when a fire is burning. You can use wadded up newspaper to help you get a fire started, but try not to overdo it.

Use common sense as you operate your fireplace.

Only burn seasoned firewood (wood that has been allowed to dry for at least six months after being cut) in your fireplace. This means you should never burn trash, plastic, or charcoal in the fireplace. Refrain from using liquid accelerants including gasoline to help light a fire. Never leave a fire unattended, especially if children and pets are in your home. A screen should be set up in front of the hearth area as well to protect kids, dogs, and cats from getting too close to the fire. You should also always be sure that a fire has been completely extinguished before closing the damper and going to bed for the night.

If you need more safety tips for operating your fireplace this winter, contact us at All Seasons Chimney. We are happy to help you reduce your risk of an accidental house fire.