How to Avoid Chimney Fires

 

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 32,200 home heating fires were reported to fire departments within the United States. These fires caused an estimated 190 deaths, 625 injuries and $442 million in property loss.  Home heating fires account for 500 deaths per year.

There are over 25,000 chimney fires in the U.S. annually, and three out of 10 house fires (44,000) are related to heating appliances. For this reason alone, it is important to keep chimneys maintained, but performance problems can also arise that are not related to hostile fires.

Note: A "Friendly Fire" is one that is intended such as a fire in the fireplace or a candle burning. It becomes a "Hostile Fire" when it reaches beyond its intended location.

ALL OF THESE FIRES ARE PREVENTABLE

It is important to remember that ALL wood creates creosote, even hardwoods. The creosote must be removed by brushing with a special wire chimney brush for tile flue liners, or a poly brush for stainless steel flue liners or metal chimney pipe. The wrong type of brush can damage metal liners.

Chimneys should be swept when there is 1/8" or more of creosote on the flue walls. This is difficult to see, so another rule of thumb is to have the chimney swept annually for open fireplaces or at least twice seasonally for inserts or freestanding stoves.

How to prevent chimney fires

• Have the chimney swept regularly by a professional chimney sweep, who will also inspect the chimney to be sure it is in good working order.
• Use only dry wood (check with a moisture meter) that has been seasoned for a minimum of 6 months.
• Never burn dry Christmas trees, wrapping paper, or newspaper as these items often cause fires.
• The use of a "Chimney sweeping log" may result in a chimney fire since it detaches creosote from the flue walls and brings it closer to the fireplace, but does not remove the creosote.
• Use inserts and freestanding wood-burning stoves according to the manufacturer's instructions by leaving the door closed during burning, and regulating air intake so it does not overfire the stove. Overheating can ignite creosote in the pipe or flue without direct flame.

Most chimney fires are not detected by the homeowner

Chimney fire damage is usually detected by a chimney sweep during sweeping and inspection. Telltale signs are broken flue liners, blown out mortar joints, buckled metal liners or pipe, white hot spots, and burnt honeycomb creosote. There may also be expansion breaks in masonry. With this in mind, we estimate that there are 10 times the official reported totals!

While there are chimney fire signs to watch out for such as a loud wooshing or freight train sound and flames shooting out the top of the chimney, chimney fires are usually of short duration and not noticed while people are out of the room.

Damaged chimney flue liners can allow Carbon Monoxide, creosote, and smoke to escape into the area outside the liner and possibly into the house, making a damaged chimney a potential hazard. This is why it is so important to have regular inspections completed.

For more information visit www.chimkc.com

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Marge Padgit is a veteran chimney contractor, writer, and podcast host. Contact her at margepadgitt@gmail.com

Water is a Masonry Chimney’s Worst Enemy

Brick and stone are used in construction because of their aesthetic and durability, however, these materials, along with mortar, are susceptible to water damage and need to be maintained to prevent failure.  Since restoration or reconstruction is costly, it is important to keep a watchful eye on any chimneys in a home.

Bricks, stones, and mortar all absorb rainwater to some degree based on their density and hardness. Some of these masonry materials, such as soft-type brick, absorb and retain water more easily than hard-type brick. Unfortunately, many builders use soft brick since the cost is lower, and problems usually won’t show up for several years after a structure has been built and they are long gone.

Spalling bricks and missing mortar due to water penetration

All types of masonry should be treated with a professional water-repellant sealer every two to five years. The sealer will reduce penetration of water into the masonry by causing the water to bead up. This process alone can save homeowners thousands of dollars. Without water repellant, the masonry will absorb moisture, go through freeze/thaw cycles, and at some point will begin to spall (faces pop off). In severe cases, mortar is washed out and bricks may fall out.

The next area of concern is the cement cap, otherwise known as a wash, splay, or crown. The cement cap acts as a roof for a chimney, and if properly built will shed water away from the top portion of the chimney rather than directing rainwater onto the masonry. This area is the most common space to find damage to the masonry since most cement caps are not built properly and to International Residential Code requirements. The IRC requires a 4” thick cap with a 2” drip edge and drip channel, with bond breaks around the flue tiles to allow for expansion. A properly built cap will last for many years and will help protect the masonry below it.

Finally, faulty flashing is often a source of leaking into the attic or other floors of the home. If water damage is found next to a chimney at the ceiling area, suspect the flashing as the first place to look. Gaps or missing pieces of flashing, or unsealed areas will likely be areas of concern that need to be addressed with sealant, repair, or replacement.

If your chimney is spalling, has deteriorated mortar,  a cracked or improperly built cement cap, or leaking issue, contact your local chimney professional for help. 

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Marge Padgitt is a 40-year chimney industry veteran and the author of Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking. Website: www.chimkc.com. 

Why Santa Uses a Chimney to Enter a House

 

For generations, Santa Claus has been celebrated in various stories from around the world. Whether referred to as Father Christmas or St. Nicholas, his cheerful tale has always filled children with delight and provided Christmas with a special atmosphere. Nowadays, Santa Claus is known as the jolly gift-giver who enters homes through the chimney. To make sure the chimney is clean https://www.midtownsweeps.com/residential-services/chimney-sweeping/ and the cookies are prepared, let us explore the common stories about Santa Claus and the cozy atmosphere created by a fireplace.

The Narrative of St. Nicholas from Washington Irving

The inception of the tale of Santa Claus entering the abodes of children through the chimney is attributed to Washington Irving, author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". In the early 1800's, Irving published a book called "Knickerbocker's History of New York" which told the story of New York during its fifty-year Dutch rule in the 1600's. The book stated that St. Nicholas was seen "riding jollily among the treetops or over the roofs of the houses, now and then drawing forth magnificent presents from his breeches pockets and dropping them down the chimneys of his favorites." Additionally, Irving mentioned how sometimes, Santa himself "rattles down the chimneys" to give gifts to children.

Irving's book, with its numerous references to St. Nicholas, resonated with American readers. This work helped form the holiday customs in the US -- particularly the fresh concept of a Santa who visits through the fireplace to distribute presents and sweets.

But Hang On -- There's "Even More"!

In 1823, Washington Irving wrote a few words about chimneys https://midtownsweeps.com/, but it wasn't until Clement Clarke Moore's poem, "A Visit From St. Nicholas," was published that the image of Santa with rosy cheeks and a white beard, wearing fur clothes that had been soiled by the soot from the chimney, was fully realized.

The poem's narrator hears a commotion on his roof, and then in a flash, Saint Nicholas appears down the chimney! After filling stockings, he quickly hops back up the chimney and onto his sleigh. Nowadays, this tale is more often referred to as "Twas the Night Before Christmas" which celebrates Father Christmas and the wondrous gifts he has to offer.

Read "Twas The Night Before Christmas" Here: 

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Twas The Night Before Christmas, by Clement C. Moore

What is the Reason for the Chimney?

Down the centuries, children have been fascinated by St. Nicholas/Santa's chosen way of entering homes - via the chimney. This has posed the question: Why not enter through the door or windows? What was it that made Washington Irving, Clement Clarke Moore and other early authors pick this particular method of entry?

Since the Middle Ages, people have been captivated by the idea of magical beings entering into homes. This notion began with the superstitious belief that witches could pass through walls. To counter this, Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger wrote Mallues Maleficarum, published in 1486, proposing that instead witches could get in by way of the chimney. However, this failed to stop the public from embracing tales of goblins in Greece, brownie fairies in Scotland, and the Italian bell-ringer of sweets, all of whom were said to enter through the chimney.

The history and evolution of the Santa chimney story is complex. It has been shaped by religion, European folklore, and American authors. Because of these contributions, the present generation of children can be filled with excitement and delight while anticipating Santa's descent down the chimney to give them presents and treats on Christmas morning!

The combination of the Internet and the development of new technologies has resulted in a great deal of progress in communication and information. Nowadays, individuals have the ability to interact with one another from all over the world, and access vast amounts of information in mere seconds. This has been made possible due to the combination of the Internet and the proliferation of new technologies.

Magical Masonry Heaters for Green Home Heating

 

Sometimes old things are better than new, like old houses, historic buildings, and castles. The latest trend in home heating fits into that category. Masonry heaters have been around for hundreds of years in Europe, but are just recently catching on in the U.S. And the great thing about heaters is that they are GREEN. People needed to heat their homes in an efficient manner in olden times just as today in order to save their forests. Inefficient open fireplaces took too much of their valuable resources, so another method had to be developed. No one knows who the first mason was who came up with the idea of devising something that would retain heat for long periods of time, then radiate it into the home while using less wood, but whoever he was, he (or she) was a genius.

Masonry heaters have been redesigned and altered over the years, but heaters all have the same characteristics with complex channels to slow down and trap heat from flue gasses, and a mass of masonry to retain that heat, then radiate it to the living space over a period of up to 20 hours. By the time the products of combustion get to the exit of the flue, the smoke is white, and the particulate emissions are very low. One load of wood can usually provide heating for the average size home for 8-12 hours. Compared to even the best high-efficiency wood–burning stoves on the market today, gas and oil-fired furnaces, and certainly inefficient open fireplaces, masonry heaters can’t be beat. Service should be completed annually by a professional chimney sweep familiar with masonry heaters, which are unlike any other wood-burning appliance.

To see technical specifications and testing results, photos of heaters, manufacturers, and a list of heater masons, contact the Masonry Heater Association of North America through www.mha-net.org. There is a chat list set up for anyone interested in masonry heaters at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MasonryHeaters.

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Marge Padgitt is the author of The Chimney & Hearth Pro’s Resource Book and Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking. She is the president of HearthMasters, Inc.  www.hearthmasters.net.

Chimney Fire in Prairie Village, KS Captured on Camera

 

A chimney fire occurred in February of 2023 in the 4600 block of West 82^nd St, Prairie Village Kansas. The neighbor captured photos of the fire department putting out the fire and sent them to us. The neighbor happens to be a client of HearthMasters. Since it is not common to get photos of chimney fires while they are in progress, we decided to post this event in order to warn people about the dangers of chimney fires.

Chimney fires occur when flammable creosote ignites inside a smoke chamber or flue due to an errant spark, a fire that is too large, or the use of paper, which can be pulled upward by draft and ignite the creosote. The amount of creosote inside the flue, along with draft, will determine how long the fire keeps going.

Most chimney fires are extinguished by expanding creosote, and often homeowners are unaware that they occurred. The damage may be found later by a chimney sweep. The interior and exterior of a chimney may be severely damaged by expansion and contraction caused by the heat of a chimney fire, making it unusable, and causing thousands of dollars of damage. Chimney fire damage is covered by homeowner’s insurance.

Some chimney fires are noticed at the time the occur, and that is when the fire department is called to put it out. Homeowners should always call the fire department when a fire occurs because it might not be contained inside the chimney if there are any breechings in the masonry or if combustible framing is incorrectly installed next to the chimney, which unfortunately happens too often. 

One of our customers stayed up all night watching his house after a chimney fire occurred, and had to call the fire department back three times because it kept reigniting combustible framing in the wall area. Had he not stayed up the house may have burned completely, 

After a chimney fire has occurred, the chimney should be inspected by a qualified professional chimney sweep using a chimney camera. If damages are found, which is very likely, the sweep should document the damages with photos and a written evaluation report for insurance purposes. Homeowners should not attempt to remove burnt creosote or do an inspection themselves.

Close up of firemen on the roof

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Marge Padgitt is president of HearthMasters, Inc. in Independence, Missouri. She is the author of The Chimney and Hearth Pro's Resource Book and Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking. www.chimkc.com 

The Benefits of Biomass Tax Credit for Wood and Pellet Stoves

 

High-efficiency wood-burning insert by Regency

By Marge Padgitt

Homeowners planning to install an alternative heating appliance should review the Biomass Tax Credit that provides an incentive for homeowners to install highly efficient wood and pellet stoves. This tax credit, which runs from January 1st, 2023, to December 31st, 2032, allows eligible taxpayers to receive a credit of 30% of the purchase and installation costs, up to $2,000 annually.

The Biomass Tax Credit, enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, was implemented to promote the adoption of more sustainable and efficient heating options in residential properties. This tax credit is applicable to wood and pellet stoves that meet specific criteria. To qualify for the credit, the stoves must have a thermal efficiency of at least 75% per the higher heating value (HHV) of the fuel, and be listed as an approved appliance. The tax credit is available for purchases and installations completed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032.

In recent years, wood-burning appliance manufacturers have improved efficiency over their older models. Biomass fuel, which includes wood and wood-derived pellets, offers several advantages over traditional heating methods. One of the key benefits is its lower carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels. Biomass fuel is considered renewable as it is derived from organic materials, such as wood waste and agricultural crops. When burned in high-efficiency stoves, biomass fuel emits minimal greenhouse gases, contributing to reduced environmental impact. Additionally, biomass fuel is often sourced locally, supporting local economies and reducing dependence on foreign energy sources.

It is important to choose a stove that meets the thermal efficiency requirements to be eligible for the tax credit. Not all stoves meet these standards. There are stoves available at large box stores that do not meet the requirements, so choose a reputable hearth retailer or chimney service company to get a quality appliance. To identify qualifying products, individuals can refer to the Environmental Protection Agency's certified wood heater database, which lists stoves with efficiencies of at least 75%. Ask your hearth retailer or chimney sweep about the stoves they carry that qualify for the tax credit.

To claim the Biomass Tax Credit, homeowners must keep receipts for the purchase and installation, and the manufacturer's tax credit certificate. The manufacturer's certificate can typically be found on the manufacturer's website and should include information such as the manufacturer's name and address, the stove's make and model, proof of eligibility, and the manufacturer's signature. When filing taxes, individuals should complete Form 5695, available from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and include the necessary information, or give the information to your accountant. The credit offsets tax you owe, and it is not refunded to you.

Several manufacturers sell wood and pellet stoves that qualify for the Biomass Tax Credit. These include Regency, Quadra-Fire, Harman, Hearthstone, and Vermont Castings.

Like any heating system, biomass stoves require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and safety. Contact a professional chimney sweep for this service. Stoves should be swept annually, or bi-annually if used for continual heating purposes to remove flammable creosote. Only burn cordwood in the appliance and never burn treated wood, hedge, paper, or railroad ties. It is critical to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning, inspection, and maintenance.

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Marge Padgitt is the president of HearthMasters, Inc. in Independence, Missouri. She is the author of Wood-Fired Heating and Cooking and The Chimney and Hearth Pro's Resource Book. www.chimkc.com

Masonry Heaters are the Best Design for Heating with Wood

By Marge Padgitt

HearthMasters, Inc.

Sometimes old things are better than new, like old houses, historic buildings, and castles. The latest trend in home heating fits into that category. Masonry heaters have been around for hundreds (actually going back to Roman times) of years in Europe, but are just recently catching on in the U.S. And the great thing about heaters is that they are GREEN. People needed to heat their homes in an efficient manner in olden times just as today in order to save their forests. Inefficient open fireplaces took too much of their valuable resources, so another method had to be developed. No one knows who the first mason was who came up with the idea of devising something that would retain heat for long periods of time, then radiate it into the home while using less wood, but whoever he was he was a genius.

Masonry heaters have been redesigned and altered over the years by different masons in Finland, Russia, Germany, Austria, and the United States. But heaters all have the same characteristics with complex channels to slow down and trap heat from flue gasses, and a mass of masonry to retain that heat, then radiate it to the living space over a period of up to 20 hours. By the time the products of combustion get to the exit of the flue, the smoke is white, and the particulate emissions are very low. One load of wood can usually provide heating for the average size home for 8-12 hours. Compared to even the best high-efficiency wood–burning stoves on the market today, gas and oil-fired furnaces, and certainly inefficient open fireplaces, masonry heaters can’t be beat.

Custom granite masonry heater
Courtesy of HearthMasters, Inc.

Another benefit masonry heaters offer is that they don’t require electricity, gas, or ductwork to distribute the heat. In a properly designed home with an open floor plan and the heater in the center of the home, the heat will radiate evenly throughout. Ideally, heaters are built in new home construction, but they can be added to existing homes if the layout is right. Heaters require a suitable foundation to support the massive masonry, which weighs three to six tons by the time all of the firebrick, block, cast iron doors, dampers, and exterior masonry facing is installed.

Heaters can be enhanced with heated benches to sit on, mantels, wood storage bins, and even bake ovens. Pizza and bread from a wood-fired bake oven has an incredible and unique taste that is not to be missed, and entire meals can be cooked in the oven if desired. An experienced heater mason can not only design and build the right size and type of heater for a home but make it beautiful to look at as well. An exterior finish of soapstone, tile, sandstone, or brick can make a dramatic statement. Heater masons will work with the homeowner to come up with a custom design that suits the home or use one of many masonry heater kits that are available from several manufacturers (usually incorporating soapstone) in a variety of designs.

Use of natural non-toxic materials and the renewable resource of wood make masonry heaters the perfect solution for a green home.

The trade is very specialized, with only a few heater masons scattered across the U.S. Fortunately, most of these masons will travel to do installations. Some have even traveled to Japan, China, and South America to build heaters. Often several heater masons will help each other out since these are big projects. In days of old, the heater masons kept their trade secret, even to the point of not leaving the room until the heater was completely finished so no one else could see how the interior was built. At that time, the livelihood of the masons was dependent on this secrecy. The trade is so skilled that the only way to learn is to do hands-on assistance with an experienced heater mason, and that is part of the reason the Masonry Heater Association was formed. The older masons do not want this to become a lost art, so they help train others. The Certified Heater Mason program was developed by the experienced MHA members in order to assure that the knowledge is not lost.

In the U.S. many people are not yet aware of masonry heaters, so it is a challenge for a heater mason to make a living out of just building heaters. Most heater masons also build other types of projects such as fireplaces, chimneys, outdoor bake ovens. Some are timber frame or log home builders or own brickyards. Most are very aware of the green building trend and are interested in sustainable living. Many heater masons will travel to build a heater because they love doing it and love the satisfaction they get out of building something that is very specialized.

Pricing for heaters is what most would consider being on the high end, and a long-term investment. The average cost a homeowner may expect to pay is from $15,000 to $30,000, with price depending on the complexity of the heater, material costs, and labor. The expected time to get a return on your money is approximately 10 years. The time to build a completed heater may be up to four weeks or more, depending on how many skilled craftspeople are working. Many homeowners will elect to be an assistant on the job in order to lower their costs. In some cases, if a heater mason is traveling the homeowner will put him up at their house or a local hotel. When traveling the masons usually work long hours in order to get the project done sooner.

Mark Twain discovered masonry heaters while traveling through Europe and wrote about them: "All day long and until past midnight all parts of the room will be delightfully warm and comfortable … Its surface is not hot: you can put your hand on it anywhere and not get burnt. Consider these things. One firing is enough for the day: the cost is next to nothing: the heat produced is the same all day, instead of too hot and too cold by turns… America could adopt this stove, but does America do it? No, she sticks placidly to her own fearful and wonderful inventions in the stove line. The American wood stove, of whatever breed, is a terror. It requires more attention that a baby. It has to be fed every little while, it has to be watched all the time: and for all reward you are roasted half your time and frozen the other half... and when your wood bill comes in you think you have been supporting a volcano. It is certainly strange that useful customs and devices do not spread from country to country with more facility and promptness than they do."

Find out more about masonry heaters, including technical specifications and testing results, photos of heaters, manufacturers, and a list of heater masons, contact the Masonry Heater Association of North America through www.mha-net.org. There is a chat list set up for anyone interested in masonry heaters at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MasonryHeaters.

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Marge Padgitt is a past board member for the MHA.  She is president of HearthMasters, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri. Her husband, Gene Padgitt, is one of only 32 Certified Heater Masons.