The Chimney Sweep is the 2nd oldest
&
Deadliest profession ever
Alaskan king crab fisherman have taken claim to the deadliest
This is the wrong site to discuss the oldest…
A Brief History…
It was not that long ago that puff backs and chimney fires were a common occurrence. Many of the homes we live in today were built long ago. They were never intended to vent the types of heating appliances we use nowadays.
As time progressed home heating fuels transitioned from wood, coal, and oil. Today the most common heating fuel is natural gas. Exhaust from natural gas combustion is very different from other fuel types. The main by-products are Carbon Monoxide and Water Vapor.
What most homeowners are unaware of is older chimneys were designed to vent the dirty hot exhaust from burning wood, oil, or coal won’t work properly with natural gas. The reason is gas is efficient, meaning most of the heat goes into the living space. Problem is very little heat goes up the chimney. What’s wrong with that you ask? Well, chimneys work on convection; Hot air rises, right? Now if there’s little or no heat going up the chimney and you have a cold masonry chimney built from clay bricks and terra-cotta flue tiles Before the chimney can to warm up and start convection the furnace shuts off. This creates an abundance of condensation, no friend to masonry.
If that isn’t bad enough, if the chimney had ever been used to vent oil or coal, the sooty deposits left behind contain sulfur compounds. When those compounds come in contact with water vapor, the main by-product of natural gas combustion, the resulting sulfuric acid levels are increased exponentially. (More information on our chimney cleaning page)
The most significant advancement in the chimney industry has been the introduction of stainless steel. Finally there is a material that can withstand not only the extreme temperatures associated with fuel combustion, and the corrosive nature of sulfuric acid as well. Certified Chimney uses the highest quality stainless alloy (.316) as well as 2-ply flue liners with a smooth interior wall rarely seen in New England. (see our products page for more info)
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) currently states all oil to gas conversions MUST be relined with a stainless steel flue liner. Clearly defined in the national safety code NPFA 2.11
Chimney cleaning, maintenance, repair, and inspection is a rapidly evolving industry. There has been a great number of advancements in the tools and methods. Certified Chimney has been on the forefront of technology for over 20 years. We have formulated and distribute some of the most effective breathable masonry water preventer and 3rd stage creosote removal products on the market today. (professional use ONLY)
With the advent of these technologies and upgraded building & safety codes today we all enjoy safer living. Yet regulations alone can not guarantee safety. The only way to ensure lasting home heating safety homeowners MUST have all active flues inspected by a Certified professional on a regular basis.
