Our Company Blog

The Different Types Of Bricks

Did you know that different kinds of brick are used for different types of structures? The untrained eye could look at many different buildings and assume they’re all using the same kind of brickwork and mortar, but a lot of things actually factor into what materials get used. This is a big reason why investing in professional care for all of your chimney-related issues is such a must!

Learn more about some of the different types of bricks below, then count on our experts to help you out with any repairs or reconstruction work. We’d be happy to lend a hand!

Red Clay Bricks

Clay bricks are sometimes seen in the construction of a chimney. They are a strong, sturdy option, and they provide good results, although they aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing alternative. That being said, they can typically be painted a color that better suits the homeowner’s tastes.

Engineering Bricks

Engineering bricks are another type that are ideal for use in chimneys. They are able to withstand high temperatures, chemicals, and excess moisture, all of which are necessary qualities in a chimney. There are a lot of acidic byproducts that exit through your chimney, and they can easily break down areas that are prone to weakness. By investing in a strong brick from the start, you won’t have to worry about a thing!

Concrete Bricks

Concrete bricks are very durable and are made purely from solid concrete. They are also able to be formed in a wide range of colors, and they are ideal for those looking to create a great aesthetic.

Sand Lime Bricks

Sand lime bricks are also good for those looking to invest in a great-looking structure. They are smooth and sleek, and they typically come in an attractive gray, so they’ll look fine alongside most colors and decor types. They are also extremely strong and durable, so you won’t have to stress about them breaking down any time soon!

Always Invest In Waterproofing

No matter which type of brick your structure is utilizing, it is vital to invest in waterproofing services to ensure it stays better protected. If moisture is given the opportunity to enter your brickwork and mortar, your entire structure will start to break down, and in no time you’ll be experiencing all kinds of gaps, cracks, holes, and more.

Damages of this nature lead to even more issues, some of which can put your family members at risk. When your chimney isn’t properly sealed, your chances of experiencing smoke back-up, carbon monoxide leaks, house fires, and more increase significantly. It’s not worth taking any chances, so ask our team about our waterproofing services today!

National Chimney Safety Week 2019

We just got done celebrating National Chimney Safety Week! As a company that prides itself on staying certified, educated, and up-to-date on it all, you can bet that this is a week we love to talk about, as it spreads the importance of annual inspections, regular repairs, and frequent sweepings.

Now, just because National Chimney Safety Week ended on October 5th, it doesn’t mean you still can’t keep learning about ways to keep your structure safer for use and out of harm’s way. The A-1 Chimney team would be happy to provide you with some great resources to reference, and we can set you up right with the care and preventative maintenance you need to get the most from your system all season long.

Ready to learn more? Great! Read below, then reach out to our experts today. We look forward to serving you soon!

Importance Of Hiring A CSIA Certified Sweep

One of the best ways to ensure your fireplace and chimney stay in tip-top shape is to hire a CSIA certified sweep to handle all of your maintenance and repairs. A sweep that is associated with the CSIA will have the training and expert knowledge necessary to spot any excess creosote or hidden damages, and they’ll know how to do the job as thoroughly as possible, so that nothing gets missed.

Scheduling Annual Inspections

Another important step in keeping your system functioning safely and efficiently is to schedule an inspection once every year. Some like to get this out of the way in the spring and summer months, while others wait until right before the start of their burning season. Either way, getting it done is important, and it will give your techs the opportunity to spot anything that could threaten the safety of your home and family.

Burn Smarter

How can you keep your chimney working well throughout the holiday season? Burn only seasoned wood. We know it’s tempting to throw trash into the fire, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas when you have an abundance of paper plates, old wrapping paper, and more, but this can contribute to excess smoke and creosote accumulation.

Along with this, burning unseasoned wood (or wood that has too much moisture still inside of it) can contribute to extra creosote deposits and increase your chances of experiencing a chimney fire. Don’t risk it! Only burn logs that are lightweight, darker in color, cut short, split at the end, and that make a hollow-sounding noise when smacked together – all of these signs indicate it’s well-seasoned and ready to burn!

Invest In Preventative Maintenance

Taking preventative measures ahead of time can save you time, money, and lots of stress down the line. This means investing in things like chimney caps, waterproofing, flashing, and more! Our team can help you out. Let our experienced, certified, and dedicated experts check things over and ensure you are set up right today!

What To Look For When Hiring A Chimney Sweep

A broken down or clogged up chimney can lead to all kinds of dangerous situations, including house fires, chimney fires, gas leaks, smoke exposure, carbon monoxide exposure, and more. Because of this, it’s important to ensure the team of sweeps you hire really know their stuff!

If you’re looking to work with a team that can provide you with reliable care for the long haul, make sure to look for the following qualifications before finalizing anything. A good sweep will be happy to answer any questions and provide you with appropriate identification and proof of certifications. Be thorough – you deserve the best care possible!

A CSIA Certification & Further Education

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has a strict code of ethics and sets the standards when it comes to training sweeps across the nation. Their extensive exams, recertification process, and countless training sessions ensure the team you work with knows the ins and outs of any type of fireplace or chimney they come across.

Here at A-1 Chimney Specialist, we take training and education seriously, as you can see from our list of credentials. We are not only certified with the CSIA but hold a membership with the National Chimney Sweep Guild, as well. We are dedicated to being the best that we can be for our loyal customer base!

Years Of Experience

The amount of time your technicians have been in the business says a lot about how they run their company and about the results that they consistently deliver. If they’ve been around for quite some time, then they are obviously doing something right! A-1 Chimney has been serving the area for close to two decades now, and founder Robert Tubb has been sweeping chimneys for well over twenty years. There isn’t much we haven’t seen!

Reviews & Testimonials

In a day and age where finding reviews and ratings is only a click away, it would be silly to not take advantage and see how other customers felt about the company you are considering hiring. If other community members have had positive experiences, there’s a good chance you’ll have one, too! Here A-1 Chimney Specialist, we are proud of our many positive recommendations, glowing testimonials, and 5-star reviews. Customer satisfaction is our top priority!

Call Today To Book An Appointment

Whether you need an inspection done, some masonry repairs completed, a new chimney cap installed, or something else, our team can be trusted with it all. We can also clean and maintain your dryer vents! Fall and winter weather are fast approaching and our schedule books are filling up fast, so don’t wait to reach out to our reliable crew. Call now, and we can set something up!

Schedule Your Annual Chimney Inspection

If you still haven’t scheduled your annual chimney inspection, and you find yourself constantly pushing it further down on your to-do list, we urge you to pick up the phone now and reach out to our team. Booking your appointment is as easy as dialing our number, but so many find themselves waiting until the last minute, which can lead to more issues than you’d think.

The sweeps here at A-1 Chimney Specialist are qualified to set you upright, and we take customer satisfaction seriously. We never cut corners, and our certifications, memberships, and years worth of experience guarantee a job well done every time. Don’t wait to get your inspection set up with our team of experts of today!

A More Convenient Scheduling Process

So, why is early scheduling something we so strongly encourage? Well, for one thing, it makes things a lot more convenient on the customer’s end. We know that fall time can get busy between school starting, the holidays approaching, and more, so finding an ideal time to get this maintenance done isn’t always easy. Combine that with our rapidly filling calendar, and we might have trouble setting up something that works well on both ends!

If you call now, you are a lot more likely to find a time that works for you, and scheduling any more maintenance, such as repair work, sweepings, and more, shouldn’t be a problem, either. All too often, people get their inspection done late in the season, only to find out that more maintenance is required before putting their system to use. This can quickly put a damper on plans to light a fire, and they may be stuck waiting a while before we can get back in.

If you want to guarantee your system is safer and ready for use when temperatures drop, you won’t want to wait any longer to call on us!

Ideal Conditions For Masonry Repairs

If your inspection does reveal that some repair work is necessary, you definitely won’t want to light any fires until all issues are properly addressed. Doing so could result in smoke backing up into your home, carbon monoxide exposure, fires in your house, and more. Unfortunately, a lot of masonry repairs need to be completed in warmer temperature ranges, which means delaying these services could leave you without a working fireplace over the holidays.

We’ll always do what we can to get you set up and running before Thanksgiving and Christmas roll back around, but completing repairs when the weather is cold, snowy, rainy, or icy just won’t give you the long-lasting, high-quality results you are hoping for. If we can perform these services in warmer weather, you will be much better off, and you won’t wind up facing frustrating delays either.

We Do Level 1 & Level 2 Inspections

Our experts perform both level 1 and level 2 inspections, so whether you just need a basic overview or a more in-depth camera inspection, we have got you covered. If you are experiencing any questions, don’t wait to reach out today. We can’t wait to set you upright!

Prefab Fireplaces vs. Traditional Fireplaces

If you are looking to install a new fireplace in your home, but you aren’t sure if you should go with a prefabricated unit or a traditional masonry, then it’s time to consider your options. Both choices have their benefits, but it’s important to know the ins and outs of each before making your final decisions. Learn more below, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the team here at A-1 Chimney Specialists with any questions or concerns. We’re always happy to help!

All About Traditional Setups

A masonry fireplace is built into your home, and when it is properly constructed, it will stand the test of time. In fact, when you regularly maintain and inspect it, the unit can last for decades. Many people prefer this option because it offers a more classic and timeless aesthetic, which is truly hard to beat.

Masonry options also add a lot of value to a home. They typically can be fitted into an insert, so if you opt for this more efficient option down the line, doing so shouldn’t be an issue. This is also a good route for those that want a wood-burning option now but may want to switch to gas later. No matter what you go with, this traditional setup will be something you can enjoy for the long haul.

All About Prefabricated Units

A prefabricated fireplace is constructed inside of your home from factory-built parts, and it can provide homeowners with years of comfort and warmth. These appliances are less expensive than their masonry counterparts, but they do not last nearly as long, either. One that has regular maintenance and sweepings should last around a decade.

While many people view this shorter lifespan as a negative, it actually can be a positive for those who aren’t looking to make a lifetime commitment. If the thought of having a fireplace built into your home seems a bit daunting, then this is a great route to take. These units have been known to give countless families a lot of enjoyment over the years.

No Matter What, Schedule An Annual Inspection

Weighing which option is better with your lifestyle isn’t always easy, but our team is ready and eager to answer your questions and address any concerns. Please reach out today, so that we can set you up right before fall comes around. Once your new fireplace is installed, be sure to invest in an inspection every single year, so you can rest easier knowing everything is running well and safe for use. Avoiding this maintenance could lead to carbon monoxide exposure, chimney fires, house fires, smoke back-up, and more, putting the health of loved ones at risk and causing significant amounts of property damage.

Our CSIA certified crew is equipped to tackle any issues we come across, so trust us from start to finish, so you can rest easier in your home!