Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

National Fire Prevention Week Oct 8-14

From 2011 through 2013 there were more than 68,000 chimney related fires reported in the United States causing over 60 deaths. For us here at Old Smokey’s, that is unacceptable. That is why we put the safety of our customers and their families first and foremost with every job that we complete. We are serious about fire safety and that’s why we are proud to promote National Fire Prevention Week from October 8th through the 14th.

What is National Fire Prevention Week?

National Fire Prevention Week was first sponsored by the NFPA in 1922 on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls. This date was chosen to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Coincidentally, this date is a perfect time to be thinking about fire safety because it is a time when a lot of people are starting to turn on the furnaces and use their fireplaces for the first time. National Fire Prevention Week was later proclaimed as a national health observance in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge. To date, it is the longest running national health observance in the United States.

Every year, the NFPA picks a theme for National Fire Prevention Week. This year the theme is “Every second counts, plan two ways out.” It focuses on family preparedness in the case of a fire by making sure everyone living in a house knows at least two escape routes.

Fire Safety is a Family Affair

Make fire safety a family project! This means making sure that everyone is involved in the family’s fire prevention and fire emergency planning. Use National Fire Prevention Week as an opportunity to go around your home and check for any fire hazards. Also use this as an opportunity to check all fire and carbon monoxide alarms and go over all you fire emergency plans such as determining escape routes and deciding safe places for your family to meet up once they escape.

It’s starting to get chilly outdoors and pretty soon you will be starting to run your fireplaces and other heating systems more frequently. That’s why now is the perfect time to be thinking about and discussing fire safety with your family. It’s also the perfect time for an annual chimney and fireplace inspection by one of our CSIA-certified chimney technicians. If you have any questions regarding fire safety feel free to call us at (800) 876-6539 or contact us on our contact page.

Why Getting Your Chimney Relined Is Important!

Your chimney is designed to carry smoke and gases created by your fireplace outside of your home. It needs to do this without getting overheated. It’s not uncommon to have a fire in your fireplace for more than a couple hours. However, did you know that without some sort of insulation, your chimney wall can become hot enough to catch adjacent woodwork on fire in just 3 ½ hours? The safety of your family and home depend on having a fully functioning chimney system. One that properly blocks heat from the combustible parts of your home. That’s why we here at Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney want to talk to you about the importance of chimney liners!

What is a chimney liner?

A chimney liner is a barrier between the flue and the walls of your chimney. This barrier is meant to protect the chimney walls from getting too hot and catching your house on fire. The chimney liner also protects the bricks and mortar in your chimney walls from deterioration. This is usually created by exposure to condensation or corrosive flue gases. When your masonry starts to deteriorate it can cause a number of problems. These can include structural integrity issues, greater heat exposure to your home, or leaking of toxic gases; this includes carbon monoxide seeping into your home. Consider all the things chimney liners do to protect you and your home. It’s no wonder that almost all fire codes require that chimneys have a liner!

How do I know if I have a chimney liner?

Any newly built chimney is likely to have a chimney liner installed during construction. This is not always the case for older homes, especially homes built before the 1940’s. However, even if your house was built after the 1940’s, that doesn’t mean your liner is working properly. Clay liners can become worn and the mortar joints can weaken over time. So, even if you are confident that your chimney liner is present, it is important that you have it inspected annually. Not only that, but a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified technician here at Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney! An experienced chimney professional should be able to tell you if you need a chimney relining or repair.

What are my options for fixing my chimney liner?

Do you have a clay liner that is fine structurally but needs some a few small repairs? If so, we can use a product called HeatShield® to seal any areas that may need to be fixed up. If the problem is more serious, you may need to have your chimney relined with a stainless steel or an aluminum liner. Stainless steel liners tend to be more expensive, but they usually come with a lifetime warranty. In contrast, aluminum liners are usually used with gas appliances.

Are you wondering if you should get your chimney relined? Then contact us at Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney and have one of our CSIA certified technicians today to schedule an inspection!