Dryer Safety Tips

Hey fans! Absolutely Chimney is back and better than ever after their two week hiatus.  Today we are going to focus on some dryer safety tips.  Because we all know those pesky big dryers can start a fire and ruin an entire home. Many don’t realize the highly combustible nature of dryer vent lint and could be contributing to a dangerous situation in the home without knowing it. In fact, more than 15,000 homes burned down last year alone due to a dryer vent fire.

 Here are six tips from the National Fire Protection Agency to keep your dryer safe and sound.

1. Be sure a professional installs your washer and dryer. Properly connecting the appliances will prevent overloading a circuit and generating an electrical fire.
2. Never dry clothes without a lint filter, and clean the lint filter after each load of laundry. This will help prevent the buildup of lint in the line leading outside the home. In newer construction, be sure the dryer vent line runs to an outside wall and not into the attic or an interior space.
3. A professional should inspect gas dryers to make sure the gas line and connections are intact and not leaking. A qualified professional should inspect your gas dryer at least once a year.
4. Rigid or flexible metal venting materials should be used, and the outdoor vent flap should open when the dryer is operating. Chim Chimney recommends a cover on the vent to prevent birds and other animals from nesting in the cozy, warm opening a dryer vent provides them.
5. Once a year, the vent pipe should be professionally cleaned – more often if you notice that drying times are taking longer.
6. Don’t overload your dryer and turn it off when you leave the home or go to bed.

Need any more advice or tips on your chimney and/or fire place? Click here! 

Until next time!

-Nick

How to Start a Fire

Welcome back folks! Today we're here to explain how to start a fire meant for a chimney.

1. Make sure your chimney is clean and free of blockages. It's always a good idea to get your chimney swept before you start lighting fires in it. 
2. Open the damper.
3. Prime the flue.
4. Develop an ash bed.
5. Build an “upside down” fire.

-Nick

Best type of Burning Firewood

Here is a nice little info-graphic on what types of burning firewood to use:

How to Replace your Fireplace Mortar

Happy Monday everybody! Today, we will focus on some do it yourself projects.  

Chimney Company Hiring

Chimnee Cricket provides a range of services including small Construction, Landscape Projects. We are a medium sized company that has strong family values, and fortunately, we are looking to add to our successful team.  If you enjoy doing different types of outdoor/indorr projects, working hard, and making good money, then this is the job for you. 

Requirements
You need to have a variety of experience and knowledge.
Must be mechanically inclined, knowledgeable and dependable with verifiable recent work history. Must be capable of performing hard, heavy work, masonry work, chimney and fireplace work. 
If you cant or don't like to work  - You will not like this work. If you know some of these trades but not all, don't worry, we have great teaching specialists.

Please submit a resume or detailed work history with dates worked. 
Must be dependable with verifiable recent work history in the field.
General construction, mechanical knowledge, necessary.
Heavy equipment experience helpful. 

* Drug Test Required *
* Drivers License Necessary *
* Resume with recent work history required*
* Two References required*

All potential candidates should contact Jon at jon.cerrito@chimneycricket.com

Chimney Company Offering Free iPad

Here at Absolutely Chimney, we strive to let our readers know everything we've learned.  We will do anything we can that will benefit the consumer and make you a well informed shopper.  We want to make sure you are informed of all the deals and 'free stuff' we come across.  I know I like free stuff, and I am sure you do too!

Chimnee Cricket, a fireplace service and product supplier, is revamping their marketing approach.  They want to make their presence heard on social media, so what they are doing is giving away a free iPad.

In order to be eligible to win a brand new, free iPad, you need to do the following:

1. Go on FaceBook and search for Chimnee Cricket (facebook.com/chimneecricket)
2. Like their page
3. Share their promotional photo

That is all you need to do! Once the FaceBook Page reaches 5,000 likes; we will randomly select one of those 5,000 people and reward them with a brand new iPad!

Until next time,

Nick

Chimney Dampers

The process of selecting a chimney cap can be confusing, but the truth is that if you have an active chimney, you should have a chimney cap. Chimney dampers allow you to close the chimney flue when the fireplace is inactive. Closing the chimney flue is ideal to prevent heated or cooled air from escaping the home through the chimney. An open flue is an invitation for inefficient climate control and adds additional problems, due to prolonged exposure of the chimney to the elements.  Closing your chimney flue not only keeps your heat or cold air inside, it also cuts back on your electric bill.  And who doesn't love cutting costs on their power bill?

Furthermore, a chimney cap can actually help the performance of your chimney. Even if you don't live in particularly windy area, wind can still affect your chimney's draft. Strong gusts can cause the draw of your fireplace or stove to fluctuate rather than remain at a continuous, steady rate. This can cause downdrafting, a serious problem where the smoke from your fire is being blown back down your chimney. Installing a chimney cap can block some of the wind and help your chimney's draft remain constant.  And more importantly, it will prevent dangerous leaks and fires, providing an extra layer of protection for you and your loved ones.

That's all for today.  Enjoy your Monday, it will be over before you know it!

Nick