Is your chimney clean or dirty? When was the last time you’ve had your chimney cleaned? If you burn often, your chimney should be cleaned after every cord of wood that is burned. Soot and creosote buildup can seriously affect the performance of your chimney. Birds, small animals, leaves, twigs, bees, etc are some of the things we see on a daily basis clogging up chimneys. Chimney caps help without outside debris, but there is no replacement for an annual chimney inspection or cleaning.
Monthly Archives: September 2018
What is Glazing..and What is De-glazing?
After you burn a fire the wood will eventually cool down. When it cools down, you create creosote. Creosote is a liquid that gets attached (or condenses) to the inner wall of your flue or connector pipe. The creosote will dry out and become hard and become one of 3 stages. Stage 1 (velvet soot), Stage 2 porous and crunchy in makeup or Stage 3, shiny, rock-hard chimney glaze. The more fires you have, the more build up you are creating.
If this happens to your chimney you will need to have a De-glazing done. This is a two steps process. Mike’s Mobile uses a product called ACS (Anti Creosote Spray). We recommend that our effected customers make a few fires over the course of a few weeks and spray this the ACS into their fire. ACS changes the chemical make up of the creosote and weakens it. We can then come out to your home and clean your chimney.
Christmas Tree Safety
Things to consider about Christmas Tree Safety
Picking The Tree
Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
Placing The Tree
Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1-2” from the base of the trunk.
Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source like fireplaces radiators, candle, heat vents or lights.
Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.
Lighting The Tree
Use lights that have the label of an independent test laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use
Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect.
Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
10 Tips For The Heating Season
- Have your furnace inspected and serviced by a qualified professional.
- Have your chimney and vents cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional.
- Make sure your wood for your fireplace is dry and seasoned.
- Check to see if your fireplace screen or heat tempered glass is in good condition and securely in position.
- Keep a covered metal container ready to use for disposal of cooled ashes (Keep this at least 10 feet from your home).
- Inform children to stay 3 feet away from the fireplace or wood stove.
- Make sure that space heaters have an automatic shut off.
- Make sure to have space heaters directly plugged into an outlet (Do not use an extension cord) and place them at least 3 feet from anything that can burn.
- Inspect and test your smoke alarms
- Inspect and test your carbon monoxide alarms
How can I get an exemption from “No Burn Days?”
It is possible! Most people do not think this even exists but the counties we live in have made it possible to get an exemption from No Burn Days! Mike’s Mobile Screen & Chimney Service makes it easy for you! If you live in the San Joaquin Valley, download this form:
San Joaquin Valley Exemption Form
If you live in the Sacramento are please download this form:
Bay area, we have not forgot about you! The laws in your area are strict and we are looking into a solution for you.
When Can I Use My Chimney?
A common question is “How do I know when I can use my chimney?” We all hear talk about “No Burn Days,” but we might not know when these days are. If you live in the San Joaquin Valley, a loose guideline is that you need to check starting in November and ending in February.
If you are in the San Joaquin Valley (including the Sacramento area), you can check out http://sparetheair.com/ or call 1-877-NOBURN-5 (1-877-662-8765) to get the daily burn status.
If you are closer to the Bay Area, you will want to visit http://www.sparetheair.org
Burning safe is a common goal for all of us that use our chimneys. If you live in an area that does not get natural gas service or your chimney is your only source of heat, you can file for an exemption in your county and burn wood freely.
Prepare Your Home for Spring with Screens and Security Doors
Get ready because Spring will be here before you even know it! Be prepared for the upcoming warmer temperatures with some new screens! From window screens, door screens, security doors and windows, to even energy-saving solar screens, Mike’s Mobile Screens & Chimney Service can help!
Image Courtesy of Sacramento Vagabond Inn
Depending on the of screens that you choose, they can upgrade the look of your home, save you some money on your energy bills, and give you added privacy as well as security. So what do we offer?
Screen Doors
Retractable/Rollaway Screen Doors
Our Retractable/Rollaway screen doors are an “inside mount” style which offers superior aesthetics and durability when compared to a “surface mount” style (which protrudes 5+ inches outside your door frame). We have the combined knowledge of thousands of disappearing screen door installations and are be happy to come out and show you a display of an actual door.
Sliding Screen Door
Our sliding screen door offers an all-metal construction with steel wheels, bearings and a metal lock. Many of our customers opt for Solar Screen in their doors to take advantage of the added durability it offers. The doors are built with inside corners and adjustable wheels for a perfect fit!
Swinging Screen Door
Our swinging screen doors have many styles and colors to choose from. These are the best swinging screen doors on the market and we can fit them to virtually any door- and French sets are no problem! All doors come with a pneumatic closure installed at no additional charge and a 10 year warranty* you can even customize your door even more by adding a Solar Screen!
Window Screens and Window Screen Repair
Our custom window screen frames are all-aluminum constructed with mitered inside corners- no cheap plastic corners like the other guys use along with pull tabs and springs. We charge flat rates, so getting a solid estimate with no hidden fees is easy and hassle free!
If you screen is torn, don’t worry! We also offer screen repairs and replacement window screen frames! Just like most of our other screen products, you can opt to re-screen your screens with Solar Screen due to its durability.
Pet Screens
Our pet doors are made to LAST, unlike those flimsy plastic kits from the hardware store that are just going to cause you problems. Pet doors are directly installed into your screen or sliding door and won’t crack or warp during the harsh seasons like Winter and Summer!
Solar Screens
Are you looking to lower your home’s energy bills this upcoming Spring and Summer? Solar screens are a unique, heavy-duty woven mesh that blocks 80-90% of the sun’s hot rays before they enter your home’s windows and doors. They can help lower the temperature in your home by as much as 15 degrees!
Call Mike’s Mobile Screens & Chimney Service today to get scheduled for an appointment!
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Fireplace Safety: Decorating 101 for Christmas
Fireplace Safety Tips for Holiday Decorating
Although a beautifully decorated hearth is a Christmas tradition, those decorations can pose a fire hazard if placed too close to your fireplace. Before decorating for the upcoming holidays, there are a few fireplace safety tips you should know.
Follow the 3 Foot Rule
Both the Chimney Safety Institution of America and the National Fire Protection Association recommend creating a 3 foot zone around your fireplace. Combustible materials such as decorations, paper, throw pillows and blankets should be kept beyond the 3 foot zone. This also includes you Christmas tree. Both synthetic and real trees can catch on fire if they are placed too close to the fireplace.
Do Not Hang Decorations from the Mantle
Ribbons, garland and greenery dangled from the mantle provide a beautiful effect to your hearth and fireplace, but it can also be dangerous. Don’t let decorations to dangle from the mantle, as hanging flammable materials too close can ignite either from the heat of your fireplace or from an errant spark.
Remove Stockings Before Lighting a Fire
Hanging up stockings in front of the fireplace is a holiday tradition, however make sure that you carefully remove them from the mantle before you light your fireplace. And, remember to observe the 3 foot rule and place the removed stockings safely away from the hearth.
Fire-Resistant Decorations
A great option for decorating your hearth is to purchase decorations that are manufactured or treated to be fire resistant. These can make a great option for decorating your hearth as they are safer to use. Keep in mind that fire-resistant doesn’t mean that these objects won’t burn, it just means that they are less likely to accidentally ignite. You should still observe fireplace safety tips when placing fire-resistant decorations on your mantle or near your fireplace.
Use a Spark Guard
A spark guard is a great option for making your hearth safer this winter season if you have an open-hearth fireplace. What is a park guard? A spark guard is a mesh screen placed over the fireplace opening to prevent embers from crackling out of the fireplace. It can help keep your Christmas decorations, furniture and flooring safe from sparks.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher on Hand
Even if you have followed all of the other tips for safely decorating near your fireplace, you still should have a fire extinguisher on hand. Make sure that the extinguisher is operational and current and that everyone in the home knows where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it in case of an emergency.
If you need help preparing your hearth for the winter holidays, call Mike’s Mobile Screen & Chimney Service today! (877) 520-3595
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Why You NEED a CO and Smoke Detector
Beginning July 1, 2011, the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention act (Senate Bill SB1483) requites all single-family homes with an attached garage or a fossil fuel source to install carbon monoxide alarms. As well as per building code 310.9.1of California all residence must have smoke alarms.
As reported by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) Approximately 200 people are killed by accidental CO poisoning with an additional 5000 people injured. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also reported that three out of five fire deaths are the result of no smoke alarm present in home.
Smoke alarms should be installed in the following locations:
- Each bedroom
- Immediately outside the sleeping rooms and areas
- On each level of home and basements (not including crawl spaces) and livable attics.
- In dwellings with split-levels that have a door between adjacent levels, an alarm shall be located on each level.
- Smoke alarms are not required in garages
Carbon Monoxide Alarms (CO) should be installed in the following locations:
- Immediately outside the sleeping rooms an areas.
- On each story, including basements and livable areas.
- They are not required in garages.
Do I Really Need a Chimney Cap?
Your chimney cap closes the door on water entering your chimney and the damage that it causes. It also keeps out animals such as birds, squirrels, raccoons and other critters that may think your chimney looks like a good summer home. Storms that blow high winds can blow leaves and other debris into your chimney. These are blocked when you have a cap. Blockages that occur from these causes are often the fuel for dangerous chimney fires. The chimney cap (or guard) protects the home of the risk that sparks and airborne embers will land on your roof, causing a fire hazard. Yes, you really do need a chimney cap.