Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

National Fire Prevention Week October 8-14

As fireplace professionals, the safety of our clients is one of our top priorities. At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, we are happy to help our friends and neighbors learn more about protecting themselves and their families during National Fire Prevention Week October 8-14, 2017.

Every Second Counts – Plan Two Ways Out

The theme of National Fire Prevention Week 2017 is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out.” What is the aim of this campaign? Helping families better prepare for what to do in case of a fire emergency in the home!

According to a recent survey by the NFPA, only one third of American families had developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Likewise, only 8% of respondents said their first thought on hearing a fire alarm would be “Get out!”

By creating – and practicing – a home fire escape plan, families can feel more confident that they can safely react in the event of an emergency. While these escape plans are important for all families to enact, they are especially important for those with young children. The sights, sounds, and smells of a house fire can be extremely scary and disorienting to children! Practicing the home fire escape plan at least twice a year can give children the confidence to escape on their own if necessary.

Practicing Fireplace Safety

Fireplaces are an excellent way to heat our homes and creating a warm and welcoming ambiance. However, they can be dangerous when not used or maintained properly. The following safety tips can help ensure you are using your fireplace safely and help prevent accidental fires.

• Have the chimney swept at least once per year.
  The primary cause of heating equipment fires is failure to clean, including creosote buildup in chimneys. Having the chimney swept at least once per year ensures it is clean and free from blockages. Doing this significantly reduces the risk of house or chimney fire.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
  Even small home fires should never be left unattended. This is especially important in homes with pets or small children. Glass doors or fireplace grates can also be used as a way to keep everyone safe from burns while still enjoying the fire.
• Keep décor away from the fireplace.
  Carpets and other home furnishings should be kept at least three feet away from the fireplace while in use; this includes hanging mantle décor such as stockings during the holiday season. Keeping furnishings away from the fireplace protects them from burn and scorch marks. More importantly, it also reduces the risk of a stray spark or ember starting a fire.
• Remove and store ashes properly.
  Coals surrounded by ash can remain hot enough to start a fire for up to three days. Because of this, it is important to properly remove and dispose of ashes. Remove and place ashes in a dedicated metal ash container; ashes should be stored away from combustible surfaces and materials. Additionally, they should never be mixed in with household trash or in dumpsters.

At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, our goal is to allow our customers to safely enjoy their fireplaces and other heating appliances all year long. For more information on National Fire Prevention Week or fireplace safety tips, contact us today!

Make Sure Your Chimney Is Relined Before Fall

The shorter days and cooler temperatures of fall are just around the corner! In anticipation of the change in seasons, many homeowners are once again getting their fireplaces and chimneys ready to use. If your chimney needs to be relined, now is the perfect time to have it done.

What does the chimney liner do?

Although it cannot be seen with the naked eye, the chimney liner is one of the most important features of your fireplace system. Chimney liners are “clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney, intended to contain the combustion products, direct them to the outside atmosphere, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion.”

Chimney liners have one primary purpose: protecting surrounding building materials from fireplace buildup and heat transfer. Gas, smoke, and other byproducts of combustion created by a fire are extremely hot. Due to this, the chimney liner needs to contain this heat, as well as protect the surrounding building materials. This prevents house fires from occurring when the fireplace is in use. The National Bureau of Standards estimates that without a chimney liner, building materials surrounding the flue can catch fire. In fact, it can happen in as little as three hours, due to heat transfer when using the fireplace!

In addition to protecting against heat transfer, chimney liners also protect the rest of the flue against corrosive buildup. Caustic byproducts of combustion such as creosote can damage masonry; flue liners are uniquely designed to protect the bricks and mortar against these types of buildup.

Three types of chimney liners:

There are three main types of chimney liners that are used in homes. The type of liner your home needs will depend on: the type of fireplace you have, the fuel it burns, and the age of your fireplace system.

• Clay tile liners.
  They are an inexpensive, popular liner that is standard is most chimneys. However, they can be difficult to repair or replace. This is because they are constructed of individual refractory tiles. Due to this, relining a flue using a clay tile liner is often extremely difficult.
• Cast in place liners.
  These liners are created by pouring a special cement mixture directly into the flue, evenly coating the entire chimney. This can be helpful in stabilizing a damaged clay tile liner.
• Stainless steel liners.
  Provide unparalleled safety and durability. They are often used in homes with gas burning fireplaces due to their unique byproducts of combustion.

Does my chimney need to be relined?

Chimney relining is not a part of regular annual maintenance. It is typically recommended when the flue liner has been damaged, there are significant drafting or smoking issues, or the fireplace insert or fuel source has been changed.

If the chimney liner has been damaged, relining the chimney ensures you can still use your fireplace safely, without the worry of heat transfer to your home. Likewise, relining the flue can solve smoking issues caused by a too large or too small flue. Relining may also be recommended after switching fuel sources, particularly when switching between wood and gas.

The start of burning season is just around the corner! Make sure your fireplace is ready by having the chimney relined. Contact us at Clean Sweeps of Michigan today for more information on relining your chimney.