Serving public safety through education, awareness and professionalism:
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Florida Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps
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Prefabricated (Metal) Chimneys
Metal chimneys are used to vent a variety of appliances such as furnaces, water
 heaters, prefabricated fireplaces, wood or gas stoves, etc. The type of appliance being vented will determine which classification of metal chimney is appropriate for the job. Prefabricated metal chimneys should be inspected annually and cleaned when needed.Our warm, humid weather is particularly stressful on metal chimneys. The pipe walls can rust out more easily as can the chimney cap and the roof flashing. Deteriorated metal chimneys can allow leakage of smoke and fumes into the attic or living space, and can allow water leakage which results in costly structural problems.
Prefabricated chimneys are often used on wood or gas stoves, wood or gas fireplaces, furnaces and water heaters. A variety of different classifications of chimneys are used, depending on the type of appliance that is being vented. Using the wrong type of metal chimney can cause extreme safety hazards.
Prefabricated Fireplaces
Prefabricated fireplaces can be designed to burn wood or gas. They have been popular for decades because they provide the option of a fireplace nearly any where, and at a fraction of the cost of a masonry fireplace. However, improper installation leads to countless problems each year with structure fires and extreme water damage. If close attention is not paid to maintaining manufacturer's cleances then house fires can result. These types of house fires may take years to occur, as degradation of the nearby combustibles can happen slowly, gradually reducing the ignition temperature of the wood nearby.
Improper framing or poorly flashed chimneys can allow water to seep into the "chase" or the structure housing the fireplace and chimney. Slow leaks can take years before a problem becomes noticed; by the time you see it you're likely to encounter rotted wood or siding that will necessitate costly repairs.
Professional chimney sweeps will often notice potential problems during routine inspections. However, hidden problems might only be found through more intrusive inspection procedures, so please advise your sweep if a more thorough inspection is needed, or be advised that these more complete Level 2 or Level 3 inspections may be needed to identify and diagnose difficult problems. Ask your sweep for details.
Wood Stoves
Wood stoves must use the highest quality "Class A" or "All Fuel" type HT (high temperature) chimneys, which must meet stringent tests for fire safety. All manufacturers of stoves and the chimneys used to vent them will advise yearly inspection and cleaning. Again, part of the chimney cleaning process will involve inspection of the chimney and assurance that proper clearances of visible sections were maintained during installation.
Gas Fireplaces / Gas Hearth Appliances
Gas fireplaces and other hearth appliances (freestanding stoves, gas logs, unvented logs) are clean burning - but not totally troublefree. The chimney or vent system on these appliances should be checked every year for proper burning. Improper performance of the gas burner can lead to poor draft, dirty fires, dirty glass, clogged vents and can cause fumes in your house. Evidence of soot on your walls or furniture is a dangerous situation indicating a poorly drafting chimney; where soot is evident, carbon monoxide has also been present. Vented gas appliances are designed to produce soot, and therefore a chimney or vent is required. Soot inside your home always indicates a problem with the venting system. Birds and animals can enter the vent system and cause blockages from nesting materials which can also interrupt the ability to draft properly. So be sure that you have your gas fire inspected annually and serviced by a qualified technician!
Furnaces, Water Heaters & Clothes Dryers
If your furnace or water heater does not operate by electricity, then it is burning a fuel that requires a vent or chimney. These vent systems must be checked annually for buildup of soot and for proper installation. Clothes dryers should also have their vents cleaned annually due to lint buildup - click here for more details.
CHIMNEY INSPECTIONS, CLEANING AND CHIMNEY FIRES
All the chimneys and fuel vents in your home should be checked annually. Wood burning fireplaces create soot which must be removed to help avoid chimney fires, which can be more dangerous in a prefabricated fireplace system. Although rare, chimney fires can also occur in systems venting gas or oil burning appliances.
To learn more about chimney cleaning, click here.
To learn more about masonry chimneys, click here.
Locate a Member
Click here to locate a chimney sweep member company.
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