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Chimney Cleanings |
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Our
company has developed a cleaning system guaranteed to give our
clients a top-quality chimney cleaning. Our certified
technicians go through an intensive in-house training program to
become fully acclimated to our system. We only use
state-of-the-art equipment and our technicians understand that
excellent customer service skills, and maintaining a clean
environment for our clients is key to our success. Safety
inspections of chimney/flues are an extremely important service
offered to all clients.
Fireplace, Wood Stove or Insert Flues
If you have a fireplace, wood burning stove or insert, you most likely have creosote build-up in your chimney. As wood burns, the combustion process produces solid byproducts that build up in your chimney or flue pipe as a black, sticky layer that is highly combustible. Without regular maintenance this combustible material " creosote " will eventually block the flue preventing proper drafting and may even cause a chimney fire. The only way to remove these deposits is through regular cleaning. All chimneys that connect to appliances that burn fuel and are vented to the outdoors are required by NFPA 211 to be inspected annually and cleaned when needed. This is a recognized national standard.
Furnace Flues
The incomplete by-product of combustion of fuel oil is unburned carbon & sulphur called oil soot. Oil soot accumulates on the walls and at the base of the chimney, which should be inspected and cleaned annually. Blocked furnace flues can send carbon monoxide fumes or soot to back up into the home. Discoloration or stains on walls and appliance casing may be signs of a partially blocked flue which should be remedied immediately. All chimneys that connect to appliances that burn fuel and are vented to the outdoors are required by NFPA 211 to be inspected annually.
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Inspections (Type I & II) |
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Type I Inspection
A
type I inspection involves a visual inspection performed by our
Certified technicians after the flue is cleaned (swept).
Our inspectors will view the chimney/flue by looking up through
the flue from the bottom with a strong light, This process is
then repeated from the chimney top. Our inspector may also
perform a walk-thru, following the chimney up through the
dwelling, inspecting the external walls of the chimney at all
visible locations. This is the most basic type of inspection,
but it will uncover most serious problems. This inspection is
always included with a flue cleaning. Upon
completion, our inspector will provide our clients with a system
evaluation & condition report.
Type
II Inspection
Type II inspections typically involve inspecting the chimney
flue with a s. During this inspection,
a camera is either lowered down or raised up through the flue. A
monitor
allows the inspector to view the condition of the internal walls
of the entire flue. The technician then has the option of taking
instant pictures or making a video tape of the entire
flue. The client can view the entire inspection immediately
following this inspection.
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Purchase & Sales Package |
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Your home inspector may not be able to determine the condition or the costs associated with repairing your chimney flue. To ensure a chimney flue is defect free and meets current NFPA standards have it professionally inspected by a
reputable chimney company. We understand that timing, proper documentation & communication to multiple parties is critical during when a P&S is in progress. Our Purchase & Sale package includes a type 1 inspection by our certified technicians after the flue is cleaned.
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Chimney Cap Sales & Installation |
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We offer a full line of chimney caps that are both
durable and affordable. Our caps are guaranteed to keep out
animals and protect your chimney from the corrosive elements.
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Chimney Relining |
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chimney with a damaged liner or an improperly lined chimney can
be a seriously dangerous hazard to your home and family.
The purpose of a flue-liner is to contain the heat and smoke
created by a chimney fire and to prevent it from reaching and
damaging the building the chimney is attached to.
Under no circumstances should fires be built in fireplaces or
furnaces which vent to chimneys that have a damaged or improper
flue-liner. Unlined or damaged chimneys allow heat and
smoke to move through the brick chimney walls very quickly and
will easily allow the adjacent wood to catch fire. In
addition, poorly lines chimneys venting gas or oil burning
appliances can allow poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide to
leak into the dwelling with fatal consequences.
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Damper Installation & Repair |
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A damper is the movable plate used for controlling
the flow of air and smoke in a fireplace. Dampers can rust, warp and need replacement. Top-sealing dampers mount to the top of the chimney and are
controlled by a stainless steel cable that attaches to a handle in the firebox area.
Top-sealing dampers are used to replace deteriorated, malfunctioning or missing dampers. Dampers reduce heat loss,
eliminate down drafts, and save on heating and air conditioning costs.
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Crown Repair |
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The crown is the cement slab placed on top of a masonry chimney. There are two types of masonry crowns, poured in place or pre fabricated and the repairs vary for each type. If deterioration is present and left unattended it will eventually lead to damage to the chimney structure beneath. Depending on the severity of damage and type of crown, repairs range from minor crown seals to complete crown rebuilds.
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Firebox Repair |
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The firebox is the part of the fireplace where the wood is placed in order to make a fire. If you have an older home, you may find that your firebox has cracked bricks or deteriorating mortar joints causing a potential fire hazard. Depending on the severity of damage of the firebox, repairs range can from minor tuckpointing to a complete firebox rebuild to restore the structural integrity of the firebox. There are also other options available which
your technician can discuss with you during the inspection process..
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Flashing Repair |
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Flashing
involves sealing the cracks between the chimney and roof lining
with a special high-temperature sealant to stop water damage. If
watermarks are present on your ceiling near your chimney
flashing could be the culprit.
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Waterproofing |
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Masonry
chimneys are more prone to water damage than the rest of your
home because they extend far above the roofline, unprotected
from the elements. Moisture is the major cause of chimney
corrosion and disintegration. External moisture enters the
chimney through cracked caps, porous masonry, poor mortar joints
and improperly installed roof flashings. Masonry chimneys
subjected to moisture damage can have efflorescent salt stains,
spalled bricks, eroded mortar joints, flaked bricks. If left
untreated, water damage can crack or break the masonry clay
chimney tiles and damage the appliances connected to the
chimney.
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Wood & Pellet Stove Installations |
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Bringing a new wood stove into your home is like welcoming a new member to the family. Your hearth will quickly become the heart of your home, where everyone, including the cat and the dog, will gather on winter evenings. You’ll soon be wondering how you got along without it. Today, there are a massive variety of stoves to choose from with many different designs, colors, styles, shapes and sizes. Although wood-burning technology itself is older than recorded history, woodstoves now have precision engineering and design, making them highly sophisticated machines designed for extracting maximum heat from wood with minimum possible waste or pollution.
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Brick Work/Tuckpointing |
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Masonry chimneys constructed of brick and stone can develop voids, cracks, crumbling mortar, or uneven areas of mortar from settling or foundation problems. Separations between brick and mortar can allow air and water to leak through gaps in the chimney. Repairing cracked mortar is called tuck-pointing.
Tuck-pointing is typically needed when exposure (of 25-30 years) causes mortar joints to crack, flake, or disintegrate. Large holes and washed out mortar are typical signs that tuck-pointing is needed.
Although the right material and technique are usually enough to deliver a water-tight job, it usually takes the skill of experienced professionals to use the proper mortar mix and tools to match existing mortar.
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Demo/Rebuild |
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We specialize in all aspects of chimney maintenance and repair. From simple annual cleanings to complete chimney demo/rebuilds and everything in between. Our experienced masons are chimney building specialist and get the job done right. Our service and installation crews are professionally trained to the highest industry-recognized standards.
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Veneering & Restoration |
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If you are considering resurfacing your outdated exterior or interior fireplace we can help you create the perfect look to accent your home. Fireplace stone veneers bring the beauty and durability of natural stone to your fireplace and hearth. Thin stone veneers can be used to recover existing fireplaces or to clad new ones. If you are not sure of the style of your fireplace or what materials you would want to use we can help you create the perfect look.
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Animal Removal |
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If you hear noises coming from your chimney it could be that a that a raccoon has moved in to utilize the space as a denning site to have her babies. It could also be that a squirrel or a bird has entered the chimney and cannot get back out. If the damper is not closed then the animal may get into your home. Never try to trap or smoke an animal out of a flue, doing so may result in a blockage or chimney fire. If you suspect an animal is living in your chimney it is a good idea to have the flue and smoke shelf professionally cleaned of any debris prior to using.
Once cleared the chimney can be secured with a spark arrestor screen. Although you may have a cap on the chimney it may not be animal proofed. The material that must be used is 1"x1" welded wire mesh (16-19 gauge). Squirrels can easily chew chicken wire or screening so it is important to use welded wire mesh.
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Emergencies |
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We offer 24 hour emergency
repair service to our existing customers.
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Fireplace Gifts & Accessories |
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Our
service technician will provide you with a catalog to view our
products upon arrival.
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Cornerstone
Chimney®
is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Unauthorized
use may violate trademark and other laws. Email: Info@CornerstoneChimney.com Telephone:
1(781)337-3880
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