Frequently Asked Questions

A flue is a venting system; each system needs its own.
So if you heat your home with gas or wood you would have two flues.
Often times they are in one chimney, so if you were to look down the chimney, it would be separated into two venting systems inside one chimney

A chimney liner is like the exhaust on your vehicle if it does not function properly or there isn’t one you and your family would inhale toxic fumes.
Your chimney liner does the same thing so it needs to be free and clear of any blockages, as well as structurally sound to ensure all fumes and toxic gases exit your home properly.

Here are the most common reasons: Your chimney is unlined. Your chimney is lined with terra cotta flue tiles and are cracked, shifted, and/or deteriorated. You are installing a new furnace. A furnace is not sized properly to the chimney. You had a chimney fire

There are obvious ways to tell, but to be absolutely sure and feel safe that it is in good working condition you should contact us for an inspection.

It would depend on how often the system is used, but we do however recommend that it be inspected annually. We could then advise you of the chimneys condition, Firebox, and flue. Quite often a minor repair or use suggestion can save the homeowner a costly expense in the future.

A utility flue often vents a furnace and/or hot water heater. These appliances can cause deterioration inside the chimney where debris can block the escape of deadly carbon monoxide. Although gas is generally a clean burning fuel, the chimney can become non-functional from bird nests or other debris blocking the flue. Modern furnaces can also cause many problems with the average flues intended to vent the older generation of furnaces.

A flue is a passageway inside your chimney that vents the gasses and smoke out of your house. Chimneys can have several flues within a single chimney chase.

All chimneys should have caps to prevent leaves, sticks, debris, animals, birds as well as rain and snow from entering the chimney flue. Water and snow entering the chimney can cause damage to the firebox and damper and cause general deterioration to the liner system and mortar joints within the flue. Chimney caps are probably the most inexpensive preventive measure that a homeowner can employ to prevent water penetration and damage to the chimney as well as keep birds and animals from entering the flue.

The frequency of cleaning gutters depends on your environment. If you live in an area that has a lot of grown trees it is best to clean your gutters 3 or 4 times a year to keep them free from debris so that the water draining from your roof can run freely. If you are in a neighborhood that has newly planted trees that are not as tall, cleaning your gutters once a year should be sufficient.

We are all mesmerized by large amounts of powerful rushing water. But how often do we think about the power and the damage repeated rain showers can do to our house? Uncontrolled rain water falling from your roof can cause many, if not major problems. A properly installed gutter system can reduce, and in most cases eliminate the damage caused by drainage problems. Without rain gutters you have a much higher percentage of having moisture build-up behind siding and fascia boards that will eventually cause decay. Water can enter your basement due to excess rain or an early thaw. The pounding force of rain coming off of the roof can cause dead or damaged plants, soil erosion, stained concrete, ruin landscaping, and cause wear and tear on siding, window casings, and garage doors.

Seamless gutters are nationally recognized as the most popular form of guttering. It eliminates unsightly seams and reduces the possibility of leaks. There are many colors to choose from and the baked on enamel finish never needs painting. Seamless gutters protect the beauty of your home and expensive landscaping.

Having dirty, clogged gutters prevents water flow and in some cases can be worse than having no gutters at all. If you do not have the time or ability to clean your gutters and perform regular maintenance, then you will want the protection of gutter guards. Gutter guards help prevent clogs, birds’ nests, debris, and plant life from building up in your gutters while still allowing water to pass and drain through your gutter system.

How your gutter is fastened, is just as important as the type of gutter you select.
We use the hidden hanger system. The hidden hanger is a bracket that clips under the top of the front gutter hem and is secured to the back. The bracket is then screwed into the fascia board with a wood screw. Since it’s inside the gutter, it is not visible. This system also allows easy removal of the gutter, should it ever become necessary.

Replacing a roof, whether on a commercial or residential building, is a labor-intensive project and, depending on the type of roof, could take anywhere from a few days to 2 or more weeks. The time involved is substantially affected by the weather, as well. Wind, snow, rain, or even just the threat of one of these and will slow the process considerably.

An average life-span of a roof is about 20 years. The length of time a roof will last will vary depending on what materials are used. Certain metal materials as well as clay and slate will last longer than your typical shingle roof.

Your roofing contractor will offer guarantees or warranties set according to the materials as well as the design of your roof. Proper roof maintenance and the quality of materials can also affect the life-span of your roof.

You can do your wallet and your roof a favor by taking care of it. It is recommended to clean your roof once a year. And, inspecting it twice a year as previously mentioned should help extend the life-span of your roof.

Here are some signs that will tell you that the roof needs to be replaced:

Several curled up shingles are a sign that the damage may be too great to repair. Stains on your interior ceiling tells you that the leakage to too extensive to repair. Several bare shingles where the rock material is missing is a sign of age on your roof. Missing, lose or cracked shingles is an indicator that the roof may need to be replaced. The age of your roof is another indicator that the roof should be replaced.

If you aren’t sure what to do with your roof give us a call and we will be more than happy to come and take a look at your roof for you.

All homes and business’ generate a lot of moisture. Moisture is similar to heat and rises to the top. Since moisture can do a lot of damage to any building, it needs a place to escape so that it doesn’t rot your roof.

Buildings are equipped with a ventilation system which includes ceiling fans, vents and ridge vents. This ventilation system allows air flow to keep the moisture from damaging the top of the building.