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Last updated Nov. 3rd, 2009

The basic task of a chimney sweep is to "sweep" or clean chimneys. Cleaning means removing the hazard of accumulated and highly combustible creosote produced by burning wood and wood products. It means eliminating soot build-up in coal and oil-fired systems. Oil and gas furnaces have distinct burning characteristics and produce different combustion by-products. Oil flues need to be swept and inspected annually because deposits of soot may build up on the interior walls of the chimney liner. Although natural gas is a clean-burning fuel, today's high-efficiency gas furnace produce fumes with high moisture content that collects on the interior walls of the chimney liner.  It also means getting rid of bird and animal nests, leaves and other debris that may block the flow of emissions from a home heating appliance, thereby increasing the risk of chimney fires and carcinogenic and gaseous buildups. Sweeps are also on-the-job fire prevention specialists. While sweeping, they are vigilant for signs of damage to your chimney system and unsafe conditions that may cause home fires or threaten residents with dangerous or unhealthy indoor air quality.

Inspection

One of the best ways to ensure that your chimney system is operating correctly is to have a chimney professional evaluate the chimney system every year. We will professionally inspect your chimney system looking for blockage, excessive creosote buildup, deteriorating chimney linings, and potential venting problems that may contribute to fire hazards or incomplete venting of toxic fumes. We will verify that your system meets national safety standards.  The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the  United States Fire Administration recommends annual inspection of all fireplaces, chimneys, and vents.

We now offer video inspections, which allow us to do a accurate and detailed inspection of your chimneys interior as well as a Level II inspection.  Click here for more information on Levels of inspection.

Our Rates

Rates (Effective 4/1/03)

Brick Work

The bricks and mortars are your chimney system's first line of defense. They are the most exposed to the damaging effects of weather and intruding animals. However, many constructors build mortar chimneys with common mortar that fails to stand up to the stresses that the repetition of heat and cold, and the eroding effects of weather places on them. Rain and frozen water can crack through mortar, leaving chinks in your chimneys system's armor that animals, like ants and mice, can penetrate and take up residence in. Chimney fires can further weaken the mortar, causing flaking that may clog your venting system. We provide complete brick work service, from repairing mortar weakened from age or stress, to replacing those damaged by the elements or burrowing animals. Some of the brick work we do includes crown repairs, tuckpointing.

Tuckpointing

Mortar joints are susceptible to deterioration. A common repair is called repointing or tuckpointing. In this process, we cut the existing mortar joint out to an appropriate depth and repack it with new mortar compound. We then strike the joint to form a concave surface that directs water out of the joint. Professionally done, as we will, a good tuckpointing job will give your chimney a much longer life span, and will often enhance its appearance.

Cap Installation

Chimneys have one or more flues at the top that can collect rain water and funnel it directly to the chimney. Chimney caps, also called rain covers or spark arresters, are probably the most inexpensive investment that you can make to prevent water penetration and damage to the chimney.  Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) specifies that any chimney lining system that is to be listed to their test standard must include a chimney cap. In addition to preventing water penetration caps also protect your home from animal invasion.  We install chimney caps constructed of sturdy, durable, and corrosion resistant material for a long service life.  

Crown Repair

The chimney crown, also called the chimney wash, is the top element of a masonry chimney. It covers and seals the top element of the chimney from the flue liners to the chimney edge. Most masonry chimneys have an inadequate crown constructed with common mortar mix. This mortar is not designed for and will not withstand years of weather abuse without cracking, chipping, or deteriorating, situations that allow water to penetrate the chimney. In fact, most sand and mortar crowns crack almost immediately after installation because of shrinkage.

We construct proper chimney crowns made with Flexible Crown material to ensure a long life.  Our Crown Material comes with a 15 year manufactures warranty.  We also ensure that the crowns have downward slopes that direct water away from the flue to the edge of the crown.

Relining

A flue lining is a clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney. It contains combustion products and directs them to the outside atmosphere, thus protecting the chimney walls from heat and corrosion. The most common material used as a masonry chimney lining in new constructions is terra-cotta clay flue tiles. Stainless steel may also be used in new constructions. Old chimneys might not even have a liner.  We inspect all types of linings for efficient and safe utilization of your chimney. 

In time, the flue liners will deteriorate. Bits and pieces of the liners may flake off, and debris may build up at the bottom of the flue, blocking venting and drafting. This may interfere with the flow of toxic gases and particles out of the house, and may also force carbon monoxide and other toxic fumes into the living space. Thus wood, oil and gas flue liners should be regularly inspected, and if necessary, professionally replaced.  When we reline a chimney we use a stainless steel chimney liner that is UL listed, and comes with a lifetime warranty.  

Water Proofing

Given time, water can level anything. All masonry chimney construction materials, except stone, will suffer accelerated deterioration as a result of prolonged contact with water. Masonry materials deteriorate quickly when penetrated by water and exposed to the freeze/thaw process. Water in the chimney can also cause rust and corrosion, weakening metal parts, and cause flaking that clogs the venting system.

We provide professional water proofing, using special products developed specifically for waterproofing masonry chimneys. These formulas are vapor permeable, allowing the chimney to breathe out, but not in. We install water guarding apparatus such as crickets, flashing, chimney crowns and caps. We also repair deteriorated mortar joints and perform brick work.

Masonry Construction

Most people don't realize that Radford Chimney Works is owned by a professional mason.  We can do about any masonry project no job is to small.  We have done projects as large as home foundations and as small as steps, walkways and patios.