The fireplace is usually the centre of the house during the cold season to the people who live in the large urban system of Houston who are also the homeowners. Although our winters are not as long as the north, the drops in temperature can be severe and unpredictable and a working heating system is a must. It is important to make sure that your hearth is a comfort, and not a danger, which is best achieved by investing in professional Fireplace Safety Services. Since ancient times, from bungalows in the Heights to the contemporary mansions in Sugar Land and Katy, all chimney systems should be accorded special care to ensure that the structure is not damaged and seemingly put off fire hazards. Knowing how your chimney works and why it needs regular attention can save you thousands of dollars worth of repairs and more importantly it will save the lives of people you are responsible to.
Southeast Texas has its own climate and poses certain difficulties to masonry and ventilation. The counties of Harris and Fort Bend have high humidity levels and change in clay soils which may result in chimneys settling, cracking or accumulating moisture-related rot. When these minor problems are not addressed, they may turn into serious safety problems including leakage of carbon monoxide or chimney fires. You are going to invest in the life of your property and your family by focusing on professional inspections and cleanings.
The reason why Inspections Annually are necessary.
This is a myth that most individuals tend to believe. They think that they only use their fireplace a few times per year, which does not mean it needs any form of maintenance. This is a harmful illusion. The inactivity periods are in fact the times in which some of the biggest problems can take place in the city of Houston. The spring and summer seasons bring birds, squirrels and raccoons, who regard an open chimney as an ideal nest building site. These blocks can totally seal the passage of the flow of air and the smoke and the toxic gases such as carbon monoxide will be held up in your living room the instant you even light your first fire of the season.
A professional examination is not just a flashlight flu examination. Technicians operate high-resolution cameras to scan the interior of the chimney thoroughly and they are certified. They seek tiles in the clay liner which could have broken by house settling or former chimney fires. A minor crack can enable the rest of the extreme heat to penetrate the wooden framing of your house, and this may cause a structure fire that originates within the walls and is hard to notice. Annual inspections are taken to see that there is no debris left and the structural integrity of the venting system has not been compromised prior to you even lighting a match.
The Hazard of Cretosote Deposition.
During burning of wood, smoke emitted contains unburnt fuel particles. This smoke will tirelessly increase and cool down and as it does so it condenses on the walls of the chimney forming a substance called creosote. Creosote is also very flammable and it exists in various stages. At an initial stage it is a flakey soot which is easily brushed off. But when unattended it may harden into a tar-like crust very hard to dissolve and quite combustible.
Creosote-fueled chimney fire can burn at a temperature high of more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat is too great to melt metal liners and it breaks masonry. The majority of owners of houses do not even suspect that a chimney fire has taken place until an investigator makes the discovery. Professional sweeping aims at eliminating this source of fuel. To prevent a disastrous house fire, there is no other method that is more effective than professional sweep by Houston residents who have a wood-burning fireplace.
Fighting Texas Humidity in Your Chimney.
The first foe to masonry is water. The Houston region has a heavy rainfall/humidity almost throughout the year. Bricks and mortar are porous materials which means that they are a sponge. Water penetrating into the brickwork may cause a process known as spalling, whereby the surface of the brick starts tearing or peeling off. This accumulated with time weakening the whole stack resulting in leaning chimney or a complete collapse.
The application of special waterproofing sealants is frequently a part of the activities of professional chimney services. These are not ordinary paints; they are the vapor-permeable membranes which make the masonry to breathe but cannot permit the liquid water to penetrate inside. Moreover, the concrete slab at the very top (the chimney crown) should be checked by cracks. In case of any damage to the crown, all the rainwater will fall down the inside wall of the chimney and the damper will be rotted and the walls will grow mold within. It is important to keep the water out in order to prevent costly reconstruction projects.
Gas Fireplace Conversion Advantages.
Most of the suburban homeowners such as those in Cypress and Pearland are deciding to change their wooden-burning fireplaces into gas log sets or fireplace inserts. Gas fireplaces provide the appearance of a fire with a lot more control and a lot less mess. No wood to be hauled, no ash to scoop, no sparks to bother about. To busy families, the ability to use a remote control to turn on a fire is a significant upgrade of their lifestyle.
Safety wise, gas fireplaces are the most efficient and they generate minimal amounts of particulate matter. Nevertheless, even they need professional maintenance. The gas lines should be inspected to check any leakages and the venting system should also be checked so as to ensure that any byproducts of combustion are exiting the home. Another technician will also clean the pilot assembly, the glass doors to make sure that the unit runs at optimum performance. This is not only a value addition to your home but it also offers a secure back-up source of heat during power blackouts, which have been an issue in the past few years among many Texans.
Enhancing Energy efficiency and Air Quality.
It is even possible to have a chimney that is in bad conditions and thus it ends up costing you on your monthly utility bills. When your chimney damper is not closing properly, you are letting your expensive air-conditioned air out of the roof every summer long. On the other hand, in the winter season a leaky chimney may cause drafts that will increase the efforts of your furnace. Even dampers can be professionally repaired to form an airtight seal that keeps the climate in your home under control with the installation of top-sealing dampers.
Another important advantage of professional care of fireplaces is indoor air quality. When a chimney is not working, it may discharge the fine soot and gases in your house. This may worsen breathing problems such as asthma or allergies that are already prevalent in the Houston community because of the high pollen levels. You are putting those small measures of making sure that your chimneys are clean and even well ventilated, so that you can be certain that the air that your family is breathing is clean and safe.
Reliance on Local Expertise in the Long Term Security.
Your house is probably your greatest investment endeavor. The chimney is one of the risks that should not be left unaddressed. The needs in terms of safety are similar whether you have a historic brick chimney in a neighbourhood such as the Montrose or a modern pre-fabricated system in a new development. You must have a team that is knowledgeable about the local building codes, soil conditions of the Gulf Coast and the new technology in fire safety.
You establish a history of maintenance that is priceless should you ever decide to sell off your house by having the local expert perform regular inspections. Potential buyers/inspectors of the home would seek evidence that the fireplace has been dealt with by professionals. More importantly, you have the peace of mind that you know you have a safe haven at home. Memories should be made in a fireplace and not cause anxiety. When you have the appropriate professional assistance, you will be able to cozy up around your hearth and have many decades of it.