It is the soot that could cause you problems, but you mentioned that you can see through the screen and I would think it is not blocking the smoke from exiting the chimney or the chimney cap. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Greetings Craig, The United State Dept of HUD is the dept that provides the guidelines for both the Manufacturing and installation of fireplaces in the mobile home industry, so I will assume your fireplace is built and installed according to the HUD standards. The professionals from American Chimney Cleaning are well-trained to handle all your chimney cap installation. The reason I can speak of this is my wife and I had a disagreement about whether should it be green or shiny cooper. ALBEMARLE CHIMNEY SWEEP & DUCT CLEANING... serving VA/NC ELIZABETH CITY/ 252-338-5525/ GREENVILLE/ROANOKE RAPIDS 252-493-6080/ VA 757-620-8506. Do I need to replace it? I have owned and operated American Chimney since 1981. I can still see light through it like an automotive air filter. The chimney cap protects the flues from birds, squirrels, debris and water but also helps with ventilation, preventing the formation of any foul smoky smell at the stove or fireplace. 95 Some folks who actually do go through with the cleaning of their cap do so because they have a copper chimney cap which will turn greenish over time without proper maintenance. Remove the screws and the cap should easily pull off . Specializing in Chimney and Fireplace Cleaning and Repair. Chimney Cap Cleaning. They can also install a chimney cap to help protect your home from the elements. To clean a copper chimney cap you can either pour vinegar on the cap and dump salt on it, rubbing the salt with a dry rag and rinsing dry with water or you can make a paste from salt, white vinegar, and flour. It’s important for homeowners to be aware, however, that maintenance of chimney caps with screens is crucial. If you have a stainless steel cap,  detergent and water is the first. The cap is usually attached by a few screws. In extreme cases, the hardened layer of buildup requires cleaning with special tools or chemicals. Home. Carefully place removed chimney caps … You can hire a professional to do the job for you but it will be much more inexpensive if you climb on the house yourself and do the job. Each year before you begin to burn your fireplace, it is prudent to inspect your chimney cap. After that, wash the cap and let it dry. You can find other Chimney sweeping contractors in your area by going http://www.NCSG.org Burn Safe and Warm Regards Clay. Your email address will not be published. Generally speaking you will save money by performing this service by yourself. Get great deals on Chimney Caps. Cut off a generous section of sheet plastic,... Go to the Roof. Creosote builds … Chimney caps provide great benefits, especially when the appliance comes with a wire mesh screen. Take this time at home and knock out some home improvement tasks! It was replaced about 100 fires ago. Usually, when the chimney cap is clogged, it will be more difficult to start a fire. Which chimney cap is best for your chimney? Personally I would not suggest applying any product or chemical to the chimney cap or screen, and I have not heard of any such spray product to date. You should clean your cap, especially after a long winter of frequent burning. I own a mobile home. Lets cover the topic of your having 100 fires, it is not the number of fires someone has, as I personally may have 100 fires, but each one could burn for 1, 2 or 3 days and that means that I’m burning a lot more wood than someone who only uses their fireplace for a couple of hours each evening. It should form a paste. The simple answer is: The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Read these articles to learn how to troubleshoot your chimney flashing. It will need to sit for about an hour on the cap, rinse with water and towel dry to prevent water marks from forming. You want to inspect it or have a professional inspect it because a clogged chimney cap will cause the chimney’s draft to drastically decrease. Chimney Cap. Our motto is “under promise and over deliver.” From chimney inspections, cleanings, dryer vents and new installations, our Chimney Professionals can do it all.After successfully serving clients in the area for years, we are proud to bring you the same high level of service. Let me address your last statement first, if you have a fire, stop and call 911 ?. A fireplace is more than just an aesthetic. You have invested $5,000-$10,000 in your fireplace, why not protect that investment. Use a steady placed ladder to climb onto the roof; Use a wrench to unscrew any nuts that hold the cap in place and remove it; Use a rag soaked in a mixture of water and detergent, clean the chimney cap; Use a stiff brush to rub the cap and get rid of any soot stains; Use a piece of cloth soaked in vinegar or club soda to scrub away any stains made by burnt coal. I trust we will provide you with enough information to solve your chimney and fireplace needs. SERVICES OFFERED. Let the aura of your kitchen get back to what it was in day one with our chimneys. A chimney cap is a must-have appliance that no chimney should be without, because of the important benefits offered. How to Clean Your Chimney Seal Up the Fireplace. Learn how to fix your crown yourself. In short, if you’re still having any concerns about the stains or even soot accumulation, may I suggest bringing in another opinion or two to address your concerns. Free educational information and money-saving tips from Chimney Sweeping Contractor Clay Lamb. If the chimney caps are made of copper you must follow these steps: Chimney caps made of clay must be saturated with water and then, using a brush and some baking soda, scrubbed and cleaned. Our DIY eBook solution is here. Block Downdrafts We don’t think about it often, but chimneys aren’t a one-way passage for air to move out of our houses. A mixture of water, coffee, and white vinegar. Unsubscribe at any time. What Do Chimney Cleaning Logs Do? We burn seaosoned oak 24-7 all winter. Chimney Liners. These caps are more expensive but really do look great on the home. If you don’t have any baking soda, a mixture of 1 part bleach 9 parts water will do. You can use a stiff bristle brush to try and scrub away any creosote buildup on the cap. Now check your email to confirm your subscription. What should I do to put out the fire and is there any way to prevent this? Find answers to your creosote problems as we show you how to get rid of dangerous 3rd degree creosote. Chimney Cleaning 101 - How to Clean Your Chimney DIY - YouTube Chimney Cleaning and furnace flue cleaning; Eavestroughing & Gutter Repair service and installation; Animal Control; Masonry Repair and chimney rebuilding; Duct Cleaning (residential and commercial) Fireplace repairs and rebuilds; Gas and stove liners; Rain caps and animal screen installation; W.E.T.T.-certified inspections and reports method of cleaning you should try. Our trained technicians focus on removing creosote and any other obstructions that may be hiding within your chimney system. I’m not sure as to why the cap was replaced a short while ago or even why it is a consideration today? Best, Clay. Please try again. Without a chimney cap or chimney pot, all of these intruders can relocate into your chimney system, creating clogs, water/moisture damages (like corrosion and stonework decay), fire threats and also carbon monoxide gas issues. Stainless and galvanized steel chimney caps. If it does, then I recommend removing the screen during really cold seasons and good hot flushing in the mornings will often override long burn sluggish times. We can help you choose the best chimney top for your chimney and avoid any problems down the road. Gas Fireplace Repair and Maintenance Services in Washington State. For security purposes, please enter the following code: Clay Lamb is a Cincinnati Chimney Sweep contractor and the executive producer of the YouTube channel, podcast, and blog Ask the Chimney Sweep. Chimney sweeps may see 40 to 50 chimney fires a year, and more than half of the chimneys they service require extra cleaning because the homeowners wait too long before calling. Our effective chimney cleaning means your fireplace or wood stove is clean and works safely.Our service are skilled tradesmen.… Call Us: 972-694-6173 ... AAA Chimney Cleaning Company provides top-to- bottom service for your chimney and fireplace needs, we specialize in sweeping, inspections, rain caps waterproofing, and fireplace repairings. A safe ladder set up is necessary, and it is wise to have a buddy hold the ladder for you just in case. This chimney cap needs to be cleaned because the creosote is preventing the fireplace from venting which could cause harmful gases to back up into the home. After a year, animals may have gotten debris stuck in the wire mesh that keeps animals out of the chimney in the first place or creosote may have clogged it up in extreme cases. Learn how your comment data is processed. Plus, see our foolproof ways to start a fire in the fireplace. my question is, can you use any chemical or otherwise to put on the cap to prevent buildup, yes, every year we get on the roof and clean the screening but would like to use something so we don’t have to get up there. You may need some more mixture if the cap is large. Chimney flashings are frequently the source of water leaks and old dried out tar can crack and allow water through. Is there something you can apply to prevent it from turning green? The most effective way to protect your chimney from expensive chimney repairs is by installing a chimney cap. Chimney leaking ? Could you try removing just the cap “screening” during the “burning season”. If not Cleaned soot and creosote buildup inside of a chimney flue reduce the draw of the fireplace and create the potential for a chimney fire. Pretty much anyone can do the task of cleaning a chimney cap. Protecting your chimney with a water repellent is different than sealing it with a sealer. Posted on December 5, 2017 by Clay Lamb. The only thing I can think of at this point and I’m not even sure if is code compliant in your area, legal or even practical in your application. After you’ve reached the top of the chimney, use an appropriately sized wrench to unscrew the screws holding the cap to the top of the chimney. Success! Place the extension ladder against the house so that you can gain access to the roof. Or can I clean it? Back to business, I compliment you on using seasoned wood, so that tells me it’s not a wood issue but a draft performance issue.