Our Company Blog

It’s Time to Invest in Your Firebox

January is the time of new beginnings and new resolutions. Many times these resolutions deal with health issues, such as eating more nutritious food or exercising more. Others might have to do with your work, such as putting in a few extra hours a week to catch the boss’s eye and earn that promotion. Or maybe you’re finally going to tackle that redecorating project that you’ve been putting off for the past several years. One thing is certain, there’s no time like the present to get those projects going. Another thing you should be seriously considering is making sure that your fireplace and chimney system has been properly cleaned and maintained. That’s where Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc comes in. We can make sure that your chimney is clean and polished and running efficiently.

What We’ll Do

There are many different things that we’ll be looking for when we come over to clean your chimney. First, we’ll check the exterior and make sure that the brick and mortar structure of your chimney is in good shape and that the chimney crown and chimney cap aren’t cracked or damaged. This is important because if these areas aren’t in great shape, it could be causing leaking which could cause the interior of your chimney and your home to be damaged. We’ll also check the interior of the chimney for blockages and creosote buildup, which could be fire hazards. We’ll make sure that the chimney flue liner isn’t showing signs of wear and tear and that your dampers aren’t rusted and still maintain a tight seal.

Firebox Repair and Replacement

Another thing we’ll be checking out is your firebox. The firebox is the part of your fireplace where you actually build the fire, which makes it a vital piece of your fireplace system. Because it is the area that gets the full impact of the heat, it needs to be able to withstand the temperature without breaking down. Over time, however, because the joints are undergoing continual expansion and contraction, the joints will begin to break down. In order to make sure that the fire is properly contained, you need to make sure that the joints are in a good state of repair . In time, however, you will need to look at replacing your firebox. If your firebox breaks down, you risk having the fire drop through into the ash dump, and then you’ll be looking at major, expensive repairs.

Call Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc

When it’s time to look into replacing or repairing your firebox, the company to call is definitely Chim Cheroo Chimney Service We know how important it is to keep your chimney and fireplace system in a good state of repair so that you can enjoy many safe, cozy nights in front of your beautiful fireplace. Let us show you how great our service and repairs are. Give us a call today!

Rebuilding Your Firebox

All you’ve been dreaming about as the end of summer approaches is cuddling up on a cool fall evening to bask in the warmth of a glowing fire in your beautiful fireplace. And then those dreams come crashing down when, as you’re cleaning your fireplace, you see that there is cracking and crumbling where there shouldn’t be. Don’t worry! The experts at Chim-Cheroo Chimney Service are there for you and for any repairs or rebuilds that your firebox might need.

What Part of my Fireplace IS the Firebox?

The Bob Vila website tells you that a masonry fireplace is made up of a brick or stone firebox, a brick or stone chimney, and, usually, a wood mantel. The chimney is, of course, the part of your fireplace that carries the smoke up and out of your house. Then there is the mantel, it’s the shelf above your fireplace. This will prevent smoke from getting inside your home. Lastly, the firebox is the part of your fireplace that actually houses the fire. According to the CSIA website, if it’s a factory built fireplace the firebox will be made up of a lightweight metal component.

How Sturdy is the Firebox?

The firebox of your masonry chimney is made of brick or stone. This means it can withstand the very high temperatures of the fires you build. However, even this sturdy material can, over time, have a certain level of deterioration take place. According the CSIA website, there are several different circumstances that can cause this deterioration:

1.  The heat of your fires will cause thermal expansion and contraction to occur. Over time, this will cause mortar joints to weaken.
2.  If the mason who constructed your fireplace didn’t use quality materials or wasn’t experienced in building a quality fireplace, you may experience a breakdown in your firebox.
3. Your chimney has no chimney cap or the chimney cap isn’t in good repair. This allows rain, sleet, and snow to seep down your chimney and into your firebox. This will cause the mortar and even bricks to crumble.
4. In addition, if water is allowed to seep into the firebox, it can settle on the smoke shelf. It will combine with the soot that forms behind the damper and mix to form an acidic sludge. That sludge will then seep into the firebox, which will destroy the mortar joints.

Can a Damaged Firebox be Salvaged?

To the untrained eye, these damages may appear to leave you with a hopeless fireplace situation. However, you have expert technicians like those at Chim-Cheroo Chimney Service available to survey the damage. They will analyze the situation and develop a reconstruction plan, so you will soon be on the path to recovery and repair. Call soon for your annual chimney and fireplace inspection, cleaning, and repair. Whether your firebox needs repairs or a complete rebuild, these specially trained and CSIA certified technicians will know just what to do. In no time, you will be sitting in front of your beautiful fireplace. Give Chim-Cheroo Chimney Service a call today!