Whitehouse Chimney Sweep, Jeff Schmittinger

Those who think the life of a chimney sweep is mundane and thankless have not met Jeff Schmittinger, official White House chimney sweep.

A Job that Would Make Mary Poppins Proud

For the past 19 years, Jeff Schmittinger has served as the official White House chimney sweep. After hearing one of President Clinton’s addresses to Congress regarding the state of the federal deficit, Schmittinger became determined to do his part to help America save money. According to an article by Business Week, “he [Schmittinger] called the White House and offered to clean the 35 chimneys at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for free”. On his first visit, Schmittinger discovered that the White House chimneys were in such bad shape that he had to bring two full vacuums to clean up the residue from his sweep.

Business Outside of Whitehouse Chimney Sweeping

While his White House pro bono job has not brought in the flood of new customers that one might expect, Schmittinger notes that the Chimney Sweeping industry is recession proof. According to the article, “With energy costs rising every year, a fireplace seems an especially good investment. And hiring somebody to scrape away the creosote that builds up on a chimney wall, which causes most chimney fires, is a small price to pay for the savings in heating”.

The Life of a Modern Chimney Sweep

If you think the White House project is the only exciting part of Schmittinger’s work life, think again. In the article, Schmittinger notes that he is constantly followed by the “chimney sweep stereotype” and admits to keeping “a full chimney sweep costume in his trunk”. He also serves as the official mascot at the German Fest in Milwaukee and mentions how, “In the German culture, a chimney sweep is about two steps below God”. He is even frequently asked to attend weddings due to the urban legend that seeing a chimney sweep on one’s wedding day is a sign of good luck.

About Powers Chimney and Masonry

Feeling inspired to have a chimney cleaning for your own chimney? Trust Powers Chimney and Masonry. We may not be the chimney sweep at the white house, but we are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and a member of the National chimney Sweep Guild and the NFPA. Contact us today for a free estimate or to learn more about our chimney and masonry services.

Chimney Damage and the Importance of Summertime Maintenance

As summertime approaches, chimney maintenance is often the last thing to come to mind. However, just because your chimney is not in use does not mean it is immune to damage and weathering during the summer months. The good news is that now is the perfect time to repair and protect your chimney. Don’t wait until winter to realize that your chimney needs repairs. 

What Causes Chimney Damage?

Damage usually occurs gradually from routine use or from the effects of inclement weather such as rain storms and high winds. In rarer cases, the damage can arise suddenly due to earthquakes, tornadoes, or other severe weather phenomena. Damage can also be exacerbated by a broken or ineffective weather cap that leaves your chimney and masonry vulnerable to the elements. Keep your chimney in the best shape possible and have it inspected routinely by a trained masonry professional. An improperly sealed or damaged chimney can even be a fire and toxic gas hazard.

Is Chimney Damage Reversible?

Yes, masonry professionals can do chimney repair tasks like replacing broken chimney liners, installing new weather caps, chimney cleaning and repairing the chimney itself through a process called tuckpointing.

Powers Chimney and Masonry

Looking for a chimney sweep and masonry professional? Trust Powers Chimney and Masonry. Powers CM is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and a member of the National chimney Sweep Guild and the NFPA. Contact us today for a free estimate or to learn more about our services.

Choose Masonry for your Next Home Improvement Project

April showers may bring May flowers, but they can also bring mold, fungus, and weather damage to your home. Considering a home improvement project like patio work or installing stonework for a BBQ? Then masonry is the way to go.

Entertain With a Custom Fire Pit

Enjoy a Fire Pit All Summer Long

Start your summer off right and be the envy of your neighbors with a one-of-a-kind outdoor fire pit or barbecue. What better way to entertain your friends and family than with a delicious barbecue right in the comfort of your own backyard? Powers Chimney and Masonry will provide you with the highest quality,  affordable, reliable Seattle masonry services in town. Best of all, Powers Chimney and Masonry fire pits and barbecues are fire, weather, and pest-resistant. It's a great idea to plan summer projects now so you can be roasting marshmallows by the time summer has arrived. 

Why Masonry?

Masonry provides strength and durability while also offering an environmentally-friendly way to beautify your home. The art of masonry dates back to historic Egyptian pyramids, Greek Temples and Roman cities. In fact, many of these structures are still standing today and serve as a testament to masonry’s durability. At Powers Chimney and Masonry we use natural products and pride ourselves on being environmentally friendly.

Custom Patios, Barbecues, Chimneys and Much More

Fire pit not your style? We also build beautiful patios and barbecues that are custom-designed to fit your space and needs. Estimates are always free. We even feature a one year warranty on all standard work for your piece of mind. Read actual testimonials from our customers or check out some of the custom-built fire pits from our gallery:

Contact us for more information.

Preventing a Chimney Fire

Chimney fires are more common than you may think. A quick internet search will result in many news stories of house fires that started in the chimney. Chimney fires can burn explosively with flames shooting out the top of the chimney and spreading to nearby homes, or they can be slow-burning and hardly noticeable until they've gotten hot enough to cause severe damage. The good news is that almost all house fires originating in the chimney are preventable. By following these steps, you can help keep your chimney and your home safe:

Chimney Maintenance

•Have your chimney checked every year by a chimney sweep. You will be able to find chimney repair problems and solve them before they become more serious safety hazards
•Have a chimney cleaning as often as needed to keep your chimney free of sooty build-up
•Make sure you are burning only well-seasoned hardwoods (split and dried for six months to one year)
•Use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks or embers from flying into the room
•Ask your chimney sweep to ensure that your chimney is properly lined
•After a violent storm, earthquake, or flood, have your chimney thoroughly checked for damage on both the inside and outside

Prevention

•Keep the area in front of the fireplace clear of rugs, wood or anything combustible. If keeping the area clear is not an option, find a flame retardant rug
•Get a chimney cap. While this does not replace the need to have your chimney cleaned, it will prevent debris and animals from getting inside
•Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home

Be Prepared

•Knowing what to do in case of a fire is important! Evacuate your home and call 911 immediately!

Get More Information

If you live in Washington State and are interested in learning more about chimney safety or getting your chimney inspected, contact Powers Chimney and Masonry!

206.718.8532 - Eastside
206.909.0166 - Seattle
360.691.9828 - Northend

Fun Facts about Masonry

The art of Masonry is the creation of structures that are bound together from individual pieces stone, brick or other materials. Masonry also refers to a finished structure like a patio, fire pit or driveway that results from the combined building components. Common masonry materials include brick, stone, marble, granite, limestone, concrete blocks, or even stamped concrete. The most distinctive part of masonry is the handcrafted patterns on the materials.

Interesting Facts About Masonry

·         Many of the world’s significant architectural achievements were built with masonry

·         Masonry is resistant to fire, earthquakes and sound

·         The skill and precision of masonry can never be replaced by machines

·         Architects and builders choose masonry for its beauty, originality, versatility and durability

·         Brick is man’s oldest manufactured product. Sun-baked clay bricks were used in buildings over 6,000 years ago.

·         When exposed to fire, masonry does not burn, melt, twist or warp

·         Masonry is the most environmentally-friendly building system available

·         Because it is a natural insulator, masonry requires less insulation than other building systems

·         Masonry materials come in hundreds of colors and decorative finishes.

·         Over 70% of the buildings in the world are built of masonry

·         Masonry will not decay or rot if exposed to mold

·         The Great Pyramid of Giza is over 5,000 years old and uses 2,300,000 blocks of stone

Masonry Examples

To see actual examples of masonry work, visit our portfolio of chimney and masonry work.

Get More Information

If you live in Washington State and you are interested in learning how masonry can make your home more beautiful, contact Powers Chimney and Masonry!

206.718.8532 - Eastside
206.909.0166 - Seattle
360.691.9828 - Northend

Article Source: Masonry Facts

Cleaning your Chimney: Preparing for Winter Months

How often your chimney needs cleaning depends on how often you use the fireplace, the kinds of fires you build in the fireplace and the type of wood you use for your fires. Generally, a chimney cleaning is recommended at least once per year. During the winter months, if you are burning a fire every day or for several hours per day, then you might need a chimney sweep as often as once per month.

Signs your chimney needs to be cleaned

• Burned wood odors come from the fire place even when it’s not being used 
• Fires burn poorly   
•  Fires dump smoke into the room. Smoke back drafts can also be caused by poor chimney construction—it's best to have a chimney repair or masonry professional take a look at your chimney if this is happening
• While a fire is burning, step outside and look at the smoke coming from the outside of the chimney, if it’s black this is also means it’s time for a cleaning   
•  The damper is located right above the firebox, and it's is easy to see and reach. If it’s black or has a buildup of creosote or soot on it, both indicate that it’s time to have your chimney cleaned 
• Prior to getting your chimney cleaned, there must be no fire for a minimum of 12 hours

Facts about Chimney Cleaning

•  Freshly cut woods tend to build up creosote faster than hardwoods  
•  Creosote is a carcinogen that can be deadly 
• Creosote can form when wood is burned incompletely  
•  As soot builds up over time, it can narrow or block the chimney 
• Creosote is incredibly flammable, which is why a dirty chimney is a fire hazard
• A stove fireplace chimney, woodstove chimney and wood-burning fireplaces require cleaning more often than regular fireplaces, usually more than once per year 
• The location of your chimney on your house makes a difference on how often it needs to be cleaned also   
•  Even if you don’t burn wood or coal, oil or gas-burning stoves and fireplaces still need to be swept regularly too

If you are in Washington State and would like to have your chimney cleaned or inspected, please contact Powers Chimney and Masonry!

206.718.8532 - Eastside
206.909.0166 - Seattle
360.691.9828 - Northend