Over the past couple of months, I have received many emails, phone calls and other correspondence from customers who tell me that they haven't used their fireplaces/ chimneys/ wood-burning stoves for a year or so, and thus think and sometimes insist that an annual cleaning and/ or inspection isn't necessary.
Wrong.
Because safety is our priority here at Powers Chimney & Masonry, it is my job as the Marketing Executive to inform all of our customers, friends and family that an unused chimney, fireplace or wood-burning stove is potentially just as dangerous as one that is used regularly.
In the article below, the assistant fire chief of West Pelzer, SC warns that a chimney needs to be cleaned an inspected every year, regardless of how often it was used, if at all.
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/dec/25/mans-home-damaged-chimney-fire-christmas/
You never know when you might have a build-up of creosote or burning ash in your chimeny, fireplace or wood-burning stove! This is not something that is a DIY project; it needs a professional.
Be sure to be safe, not sorry. Powers Chimney & Masonry provides that assurance to you. Right now, when you schedule any chimney cleaning, we're giving you a 20-point safety inspection - free of charge. This is a $50 value.
Call us today to schedule your appointment! (360) 691-9828
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Merry Christmas!
From all of us here at Powers Chimney & Masonry, we'd like to wish you a safe and happy holiday weekend.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Inspections and Importance
Below I've posted a link to an article that touches on the fact that chimney inspections are vital when it comes to safety, especially during the winter months.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45667977/ns/local_news-phoenix_az/t/time-sweep-keeping-chimneys-clean-important-winter-temps-arrive/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45667977/ns/local_news-phoenix_az/t/time-sweep-keeping-chimneys-clean-important-winter-temps-arrive/
I took the picture above this morning. It's hard not to be tempted to just light a fire and get cozy when we're cold, and the weather is as frozen as it is outside (though it really is beautiful!)
But the important thing to remember is that safety is the priority.
You can't know whether you have a creosote build-up, or if there's another structural problem unless you have a proper cleaning and inspection conducted. This needs to be done by a professional. Going to a DIY website and viewing some tips on the subject won't get the job done correctly or safely. You could end up with damage to your chimney, fireplace, home or structure in general. Safety hazards greatly increase when you don't have a professional clean your chimney. There are plenty of DIY chimney cleaning tips and tricks out there on the internet, but none of them really explain the dangers in doing that.
First of all, you may not have the proper tools to even clean the chimney. Secondly, without having a professional inspect your chimney, you can't possibly know if there's structural damages, how to fix problems, etc. And last, but certainly not least - it's dangerous. Period.
So here's the bottom line: DON'T do a DIY cleaning job on your chimney; call us instead. We have experienced and practiced technicians to clean and inspect chimneys properly. We can also give you a free estimate for repairs if needed.
Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC (360) 691-9828
Monday, December 19, 2011
Company Christmas Party
That's our crew at the Santa's Breakfast Company Christmas party!
Sadly, I (Kimi) had to miss out on all the fun because I had a prior engagement that I was committed to the day of the party. The guys had a lot of fun though! The buffet was incredible, and Santa and even Mrs. Claus were there! Included in the festivities were carolers and elves. The crew had a fantastic time.
Merry Christmas from all of us here at Powers Chimney & Masonry, LLC!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Mostly Cloudy
...but not raining!
It's the perfect opportunity to have your chimney cleaned and inspected, so you can be warm and cozy when it does start to rain.
Additionally, if you need an estimate for repairs or improvements, we can do that for you - free of charge. When we give you the estimate, our technicians will carefully go over everything with you, explaining every detail and line item, leaving you with a sense of assurance and comfort.
Call us today to schedule your cleaning & inspection or estimate! (360) 691-9828
It's the perfect opportunity to have your chimney cleaned and inspected, so you can be warm and cozy when it does start to rain.
Additionally, if you need an estimate for repairs or improvements, we can do that for you - free of charge. When we give you the estimate, our technicians will carefully go over everything with you, explaining every detail and line item, leaving you with a sense of assurance and comfort.
Call us today to schedule your cleaning & inspection or estimate! (360) 691-9828
Monday, December 12, 2011
Beyond Chilly...
It's downright freezing this morning!
I have a 4WD vehicle, but even that was slipping and sliding on the road to the office.
I stopped briefly to take this picture:
I have a 4WD vehicle, but even that was slipping and sliding on the road to the office.
I stopped briefly to take this picture:
It was so cold and icy this morning! This picture shows the moon in the background, and let me just say that it's so dark in the mornings (even after 7:30am!), that the ground is still very, very frozen.
What does this mean for your home? Your masonry? Your loved ones?
In short, there's no time like the present. It's becoming necessary to have our fireplaces going, and without a proper cleaning & inspection (recommended on an annual basis), you can't know whether there's a build-up of creosote, or a problem with your ash dump, or whether your damper is able to open and close like it's supposed to. Get it done today. Additionally, moisture is masonry's silent killer! It's not going to warm up at all, and the more freezing temperatures we have, the more the masonry work on your chimney and home is going to suffer.
Don't wait until you have a chimney fire, or a chimney that's practically falling down before you schedule your cleaning and inspection, or estimate for repairs. Call us today!
(360) 691-9828
Friday, December 9, 2011
Up On The Housetop...
"...Click, click, click! Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick!"
You know the old children's Christmas carol: "Up on the housetop reindeer pause, out jumps good ol' Santa Claus! Down through the chimney with lots of toys, all for the little ones Christmas joys! Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go? Up on the housetop click, click, click! Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick!"
Well, Santa Claus is up in the north pole getting ready for Christmas!
Yes, ladies and gentlemen; that list is getting checked and double-checked as we speak! (Er, blog).
On Christmas Eve, so many of us will leave out some delicious cookies and milk for Santa, and maybe a treat for his reindeer, too! We'll write our list and set it by the cookies and milk, and try to stay up as late as we can to catch a glimpse of Santa!
Now, something that gets overlooked easily every year before Santa comes to town is our chimney! Perhaps we haven't had it cleaned or inspected this year. Maybe we haven't taken the time to get an estimate done on any repairs we need done. What happens when Santa comes down the chimney with a bag full of....creosote?! Or his antiquated suit gets ripped and torn by a stuck flue tile? Maybe there are birds' nests in the chimney, and tuckpoint work needing to be done on the outside of the chimney?
Don't delay these projects, folks! Call us today to schedule your annual chimney cleaning and inspection, or a free estimate for repairs and improvements. (360) 691-9828
Make Santa happy this year. Be responsible with your chimney & masonry work.
You know the old children's Christmas carol: "Up on the housetop reindeer pause, out jumps good ol' Santa Claus! Down through the chimney with lots of toys, all for the little ones Christmas joys! Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho, who wouldn't go? Up on the housetop click, click, click! Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick!"
Well, Santa Claus is up in the north pole getting ready for Christmas!
 |
| Photo courtesy renosantacrawl.com |
Yes, ladies and gentlemen; that list is getting checked and double-checked as we speak! (Er, blog).
On Christmas Eve, so many of us will leave out some delicious cookies and milk for Santa, and maybe a treat for his reindeer, too! We'll write our list and set it by the cookies and milk, and try to stay up as late as we can to catch a glimpse of Santa!
 |
| Photo courtesy of Kimi Crombie |
Now, something that gets overlooked easily every year before Santa comes to town is our chimney! Perhaps we haven't had it cleaned or inspected this year. Maybe we haven't taken the time to get an estimate done on any repairs we need done. What happens when Santa comes down the chimney with a bag full of....creosote?! Or his antiquated suit gets ripped and torn by a stuck flue tile? Maybe there are birds' nests in the chimney, and tuckpoint work needing to be done on the outside of the chimney?
Don't delay these projects, folks! Call us today to schedule your annual chimney cleaning and inspection, or a free estimate for repairs and improvements. (360) 691-9828
Make Santa happy this year. Be responsible with your chimney & masonry work.
 |
| Photo courtesy geekmom.com |
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Stagnant Weather Pattern
Well, the Pacific Northwest region has had an Air Stagnation Advisory in effect for the better part of this week.
Essentially, that means that the air isn't moving around much, and pollutants that would normally be dispersed are just hanging around.
This would be the ideal time to schedule your annual chimney cleaning and/ or an estimate for any repairs that need to get done before the holidays. It's not as cold outside as it's been for the previous week, which means it'll be easier to get repairs done and use your chimneys/ fireplaces sooner.
Have a safe and cozy December; call us today to schedule an appointment (360) 691-9828.
Essentially, that means that the air isn't moving around much, and pollutants that would normally be dispersed are just hanging around.
This would be the ideal time to schedule your annual chimney cleaning and/ or an estimate for any repairs that need to get done before the holidays. It's not as cold outside as it's been for the previous week, which means it'll be easier to get repairs done and use your chimneys/ fireplaces sooner.
Have a safe and cozy December; call us today to schedule an appointment (360) 691-9828.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Tis The Season...
"...to be jolly! Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la!"
But boy, oh boy - does that frosty weather make us chilled to the bone! It's hard to be jolly when it's so cold outside, isn't it? The Weather Channel app on my computer shows 21 degrees Fahrenheit this morning at the office. Yikes! Time to bundle up and get cozy with slippers and a warm fire!
Before you light your fire, as yourself 3 very important questiosns:
1) When was the last time my fireplace was cleaned and inspected?
- If the answer is anything over a year (regardless of how often it's used), or that you don't know, it needs to get done before you light a fire. It's the best and safest way to warm your home.
2) If I haven't lit a fire for awhile, why is that?
- Sometimes, we stay away from comforts when they are problematic - like fireplaces. Maybe you've had smoke coming in your home, or you know there's a dead flue that needs to be dealt with. You can't really comfortably use that fireplace until those things are handled.
3) Is it important to me to use my fireplace?
- A high percentage of us would say yes! The Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association reported in 2006 that fireplaces are utilized approximately 32 times per year (22 in the winter season!) Got a woodstove? Those averaged usage at 108 times (57 in the winter season!) You're getting the most use out of your stove or fireplace during the winter, hands-down.
So, what does this all mean for you?
First, call to schedule your annual chimney cleaning & inspection. We'll be able to take care of any creosote build-up, ash, etc. Additionally, if you need improvement or repairs, we'll write up a free estimate for you, and go over it thoroughly with you.
Second, don't put this off! Obviously, based on the statistics aforementioned, you're going to need that fireplace - especially when it's as cold as it is outside today! We've got an Air Stagnation Advisory in effect here until 11am this morning - that means, pollution will be hanging around and it will be hard to have a good air quality in the Puget Sound Region until it warms up a bit. You'll want to be warm and cozy inside!
Last, we want you to be safe. We're currently running a special for this reason: With any cleaning scheduled this week, we'll give you our 20-point safety inspection free of charge.
Call us today! (360) 691-9828
Before you light your fire, as yourself 3 very important questiosns:
1) When was the last time my fireplace was cleaned and inspected?
- If the answer is anything over a year (regardless of how often it's used), or that you don't know, it needs to get done before you light a fire. It's the best and safest way to warm your home.
2) If I haven't lit a fire for awhile, why is that?
- Sometimes, we stay away from comforts when they are problematic - like fireplaces. Maybe you've had smoke coming in your home, or you know there's a dead flue that needs to be dealt with. You can't really comfortably use that fireplace until those things are handled.
3) Is it important to me to use my fireplace?
- A high percentage of us would say yes! The Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association reported in 2006 that fireplaces are utilized approximately 32 times per year (22 in the winter season!) Got a woodstove? Those averaged usage at 108 times (57 in the winter season!) You're getting the most use out of your stove or fireplace during the winter, hands-down.
So, what does this all mean for you?
First, call to schedule your annual chimney cleaning & inspection. We'll be able to take care of any creosote build-up, ash, etc. Additionally, if you need improvement or repairs, we'll write up a free estimate for you, and go over it thoroughly with you.
Second, don't put this off! Obviously, based on the statistics aforementioned, you're going to need that fireplace - especially when it's as cold as it is outside today! We've got an Air Stagnation Advisory in effect here until 11am this morning - that means, pollution will be hanging around and it will be hard to have a good air quality in the Puget Sound Region until it warms up a bit. You'll want to be warm and cozy inside!
Last, we want you to be safe. We're currently running a special for this reason: With any cleaning scheduled this week, we'll give you our 20-point safety inspection free of charge.
Call us today! (360) 691-9828
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