Our Company Blog

The Science of Combustion

Have you ever wondered about the process going on inside your chimney? Learn here about how burning happens.

Keeping Proper Draft

Keeping Chimney Draft Efficient

If you had a balloon with holes in it, no matter how hard you try to inflate it, the air just keeps escaping the wrong way. A similar problem could also happen with our chimneys. There may be instances when we wonder why there’s smoke coming out of the fireplace instead of going up the chimney. When this happens you can almost immediately assume that your chimney draft has been compromised.

Some people might think that somehow the problem can fix itself, but it won’t. There’s something seriously wrong going on inside your chimney that needs to be addressed right away. This requires the expertise of a professional  to check what is going on with your chimney. Beach Stove and Fireplace can tell you everything you need to know about chimney draft and how to keep the smoke going out the right way.

About Chimney Draft

Chimney draft is the term used to describe the passage of air through the flue when the combustion process starts. Draft inside your chimney is necessary because it allows hot air and unwanted smoke to go out of the house in a uniform manner.

The draft inside your chimney is better when the temperature outside is cooler and the warmth created in the fireplace can be felt more. The reason behind this is that the difference in temperature increases the pressure in the building and when it does, more draft is made because it pushes air from the firebox into the flue – the hotter, the better. This would be the ideal scenario, but sometimes draft can be compromised and decrease tremendously.

It increases and decreases depending on the structural integrity of your chimney. This means that if there are blockages inside the chimney, it makes it harder for the drafting process to take place. If this happens, then the draft decreases. When you say that draft has decreased or is compromised, not all or not enough smoke is taken out through the flue efficiently. The flue plays a vital role in this process and once it malfunctions, bigger problems will soon arise. Chimney or house fires and the possibilities of carbon monoxide poisoning could be potential hazards.

What to do

To increase the draft inside your chimney, the flue needs to be clean and free of obstructions. This will allow smoke to properly flow out of the flue and into the open air. Also, the structure of your chimney needs to be tough, secure and tight so that the smoke will only come out in the right place – the chimney opening – and not in various places.

Eventually when you need to replace your flue, our CSIA-certified experts can do the work for you. Replacing it means increasing draft efficiency and ensuring chimney stability at the same time. Two for the price of one. Call us now!

What’s Blocking Your Chimney?

A chimney’s job is to safely transport the toxic byproducts of combustion up from your fireplace or stove through the flue and into the atmosphere. When your chimney is clogged by debris, nests, or any other form of blockages, you may be facing several problems including:

• Your chimney won’t be able to draft correctly
• Your fireplace/stove and chimney will become less efficient
• The blockage can become a fire hazard
• The blockage can cause carbon monoxide or other toxic fumes to vent into your home
• The blockage can create unpleasant odors (as in the case of a dead animal) or sounds (as in the case of nesting animals)

If you have a chimney that’s been properly maintained, cleaned annually, and outfitted with the necessary components to keep debris and Mother Nature out and sparks inside, then you shouldn’t have to be concerned with anything getting inside your chimney. However, if you’re unsure if your chimney has a cap or top-sealing damper or if you’ve been hearing the twittering of birds inside your chimney or smell a dead animal, then there’s a very good chance that your chimney has become a home to unwelcome guests and needs a professional inspection and sweeping.

Those of us at Beach Stove and Fireplace will be able to quickly and completely remove your chimney blockage so that you can feel confident that your fireplace and chimney are once again safe for your enjoyment. Our sweeps are all certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. You will even be able to see for yourself that your chimney blockage is gone via one of our closed circuit cameras. We’ll also be able to suggest ways to keep blockages out of your chimney for good. (See our suggestions below.)

6 Things That May Be Clogging Your Chimney

The truth is that we never quite know what we’ll find inside an uncapped chimney. We’ve found some interesting and sometimes perplexing things—petrified animals, stray toys, etc. Here are our most common discoveries:

1. Birds’ Nests: Because birds are always searching for someplace warm, dry, and away from predators, the chimney is often an ideal home for them. Believe it or not, we are not able to clear any and all nests out of your chimney. If we determine that the nests belong to a type of bird called a “chimney swift,” then the Migratory Bird Treaty Act prevents us from removing them. The law exists to protect these birds, which got their name specifically because they nest almost exclusively in chimneys, as they want to nest on vertical walls in dark, enclosed areas such as inside chimneys, hollow trees, or caves. Believe it or not, the chimney swift has become far less common since fewer people use their chimneys than once did.
2. Vermin: We commonly find insect infestations inside chimneys, as well as opossums, squirrels, raccoons, and mice who use the chimney as their den. As you can imagine, animals can create quite a big stink and plenty of noise. And because they multiply, this problem only tends to worsen if not dealt with.
3. Foliage: An uncapped chimney, especially one that’s near one or more trees, may quickly collect leaves, branches, flying seed pods, and other tree debris.
4. Debris and Trash: In addition to Mother Nature’s debris, we sometimes find bits of paper and plastic that have ended up inside the chimney.
5. Creosote and Soot: The byproducts of combustion can build up so profoundly that they impede the flow of air inside your chimney. A good cleaning by one of our C.S.I.A. certified professionals  can clear this issue up for you.
6. Assorted flying objects: This may sound like a joke, but we’ve been known to find golf balls, Frisbees, kickballs, Christmas decorations, and other surprises inside chimneys.

How to Prevent Chimney Blockages

Following a professional cleaning, the very best way to keep animals, debris, and trash out of your chimney is to have a chimney cap or top-sealing damper installed. These components have additional advantages, too, and can add years to the life of your chimney by keeping damaging rainwater out.

If you suspect something is blocking your chimney, call Beach Stove and Fireplace today. We can be reached at 631-998-0780.

Chimney Maintenance — What You Need to Know

Whether you are purchasing a home with a working chimney or wanting to use your current fireplace when the weather gets cooler, there are some basic maintenance tips for ensuring safety and efficiency.

• Your chimney should be inspected and cleaned annually. This ensures that the chimney is structurally intact and ready to use safely.
• When scheduling your chimney cleaning and inspection, only use NCSG (National Chimney Sweep Guild) certified chimney sweeps.
• Regardless of how often your chimney and fireplace have been used, 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 smells over a hot summer), while others recommend an early autumn 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 get going).
• Never use the chimney unless the damper is fully open.
• Creosote is a substance created by flue gas residue and unburned wood particles. It is highly combustible and any buildup that isn’t removed makes your chimney and home at risk for a chimney fire.
• Never burn trash or plastics in your chimney. This can also add to the buildup in your chimney.
• A chimney cap can prevent water, debris, and animals from getting into your chimney. If you do not have one installed, consult with a certified sweep to determine the best cap for you chimney. This is a preventative measure designed to help keep your chimney free of contaminants.
• 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. Consult a professional sweep about dealing with Chimney Swifts.
• 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.
• 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. The liner protects the inside of the chimney from intense heat which can damage the chimney.

Responsibly using a chimney means not skipping annual check-ups. Your fireplace will heat more proficiently and you can feel more secure when you build your first fire of the season.