Our Company Blog

We Offer A Wide Range of Chimney Services

At Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc, we specialize in all things chimney-related. This means that no matter what your chimney issue is, whether it’s a simple inspection a masonry chimney with blue skyand cleaning or a major repair job, there’s only one solution for who to call: Chim Cheroo Chimney Service. Our chimney sweeps are CSIA certified, which means that we have access to the best training and the best education in the industry. And that education is ongoing. We take advantage of the training opportunities that come available to make sure we stay on top of the industry standards and regulations. We are also members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild, and take advantage of the educational opportunities they offer as well. Because of these certifications, our customers are assured of receiving the best service in the business! Read on for an explanation of some of the services we offer.

Chimney Cleaning

One of the most common things we do, and the most requested, is chimney inspection and cleaning. Because this is such a vital service, it is recommended that you have it done every year. There are three levels of chimney inspections, depending on the amount of work that needs to be done and how responsible you have been with having your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned on an annual basis. A Level One inspection is just a standard inspection, where we’ll make sure that things look like they are in good condition, make sure there are no blockages, and make sure that your creosote buildup is at less than the minimum requirement. If you have made changes to your heating system, if there may have been damage from a chimney fire or serious weather system, or if you are selling your home, we’ll do a Level Two inspection, which digs a little deeper by using video equipment to see into the interior of your chimney. If you suspect that you’ve had chimney damage, neglected the upkeep of your chimney, or believe that there may be structural damage, then you’ll need a Level Three inspection, which combines the first two levels and they may also require opening up parts of the chimney to get to that damage. We are experienced at every level of chimney inspection, and have the equipment to make the job easy!

Chimney Relining

One area of particular interest during your chimney inspection will be your chimney liner. The chimney liner plays a very important role in keeping your home safe while you’re using your fireplace. There are three important jobs that a chimney liner does. First, it protects the interior of your chimney from the corrosive effects that smoke can have on it. A correctly sized liner will make your fireplace a more efficient heating source. Lastly, a chimney liner will protect the combustibles that are next to your fireplace from the heat that might radiate through the bricks when you burn a fire. But if your chimney liner has cracks or holes, it can’t do these jobs properly. If we see that your chimney liner is in bad shape, we’ll recommend either relining it or using HeatShield, a sealant that can be used to repair specific areas of your chimney.

Leaks

We’ll also look for parts of your chimney that might be leaking. When you have water leaking down your chimney, it can weaken the bricks and mortar and cause your chimney structure to be unstable. It can also cause damage to the interior of your home, weakening your chimney tiles, causing sagging and brown spots. Your walls and floorboards can mold and weaken as well. That’s why we’ll make sure to check out the status of your chimney crown and chimney cap, making sure that the crown isn’t cracked and the cap isn’t rusted or worn. If either of these things are damaged, they may be allowing precipitation to run down your chimney. Also, we’ll make sure that your flashing isn’t torn or rusted. The flashing is the metal strips that are layered at the base of the chimney, redirecting the precipitation away from this junction and keeping water out of your home.

Tuckpointing

If we notice that the mortar between the bricks in your chimney is soft and crumbly, if there are white specks on the ground around your chimney, or if the bricks are loose in areas, we’ll recommend that we do tuckpointing. This entails picking the mortar out from between the bricks using tools specially designed for the task, then replacing that mortar with fresh, making sure that it matches the existing mortar so that your chimney looks great and is sturdy enough to last for many more years.

Any Necessary Repairs

No matter what types of chimney work your chimney needs, whether that be waterproofing, repairing your chimney crown, replacing your chimney cap, or any type of chimney rebuilds or restorations, there’s really only one question to ask yourself: when are you going to make the call to set up an appointment to have your chimney inspected and cleaned? The professionals at Chim Cheroo Chimney Service can’t wait to make sure that your chimney is in tip-top shape so that your family can enjoy nights of comfort snuggled up in front of a snapping, crackling fire.

By Don Rhine on November 30th, 2019 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , | Comments Off on We Offer A Wide Range of Chimney Services

What is Involved in Tuckpointing?

Tuckpointing is a term that may be unfamiliar to people who don’t own a fireplace. In fact, it might even be unfamiliar to those of you who do own a chimney. If you want to make sure that your chimney is in the best condition, it’s important to learn about the repairs. Tuckpointing is a process that can make sure that your chimney is in great condition.

Take a Look Aroundwoman taking measurements of chimney bricks

Now that the weather is warm, it’s time to make sure that everything is in good condition, including your chimney. See what the mortar looks like and what it feels like. Does it seem crumbly or soft? Take a look around at the ground around the chimney itself. Are there white flecks or chips laying on the ground? If so, you have a condition called spalling. This is a good indication that the mortar is weak and needs to be replaced. If the faulty mortar is allowed to stay in your chimney, you may find yourself with leaks, improper ventilation, and smoky conditions, as well as structural instability.

Tuckpointing

Tuckpointing may seem like a very simple process. Just dig around a bit and get the faulty mortar out and then slap some new mortar in, right? Although this seems rather standard, it can, in fact, be a rather picky process. It takes special tools and techniques, and Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc is the place that has both of these. We make sure that our professionals are Chimney Safety Institute of America trained and certified, which means that we have the best training and education using the highest industry standards. We also have the proper tools to make sure that the mortar is removed without further disrupting the structure of your chimney.

Another important step in tuckpointing is making sure that the mortar is re-inserted properly. We make sure that the mortar is mixed correctly and applied under the correct conditions, and that it is the proper color to match your existing mortar. You want to make sure that your chimney looks good as well as works excellently, and that means making sure that you pick the perfect mortar for your chimney. When your neighbors comment on your chimney, they will be sure to mention that it looks amazing!

Call Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc

Tuckpointing is an important process for aesthetic reasons, but also for the structural soundness of your chimney and fireplace. Avoid chimney damage by having annual inspections by qualified professionals. When you call Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc, that’s exactly what you’re getting. The sooner you call, the sooner you’ll be able to schedule a thorough inspection and any repair work that needs to be done.

By Don Rhine on May 14th, 2019 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , | Comments Off on What is Involved in Tuckpointing?