Fireside Chat

 Please submit any questions you have and I will answer them either by  email or address them on this site. 


Questions from readers:


12-5-2009
Smoke Problems

I tried to light a fire last night and the living room smoked up and set off the smoke alarms.  I have done this before, light a fire that is, and never set-off the alarm.  What happened?----Up in smoke--Sand Springs, OK

Dear Up in smoke:
Since this is a new problem we can rule out a design flaw.  Did you check the damper before lighting the fire?  If a damper is present it must be in a fully open position before lighting a fire.  Sometimes a damper can close on their own because the energy released from a fire will dislodge the damper.  If you have ever stood in front of a raging camp fire you can feel the energy (wind current) that comes from it.  This is the energy I am talking about.  It could also be from a back draft or down current if it was windy in your area last night.  The wind can push the smoke back down the chimney if it is very strong or if there is no safety/rain cap intact. It is  important that every chimney have a proper cap installed.  The cap is designed to protect the chimney crown and flue from weather deterioration that can lead to costly repairs in the future.  The spark arrestor is also a safety feature to keep larger embers from existing the chimney and catching fire.  Another cause could be if you built the fire incorrectly.  The fire must be built on a grate at the very back of the firewall.  If built to closely to the front of the firebox it can not draw/vent properly and can cause a smoke problem or a fire that won't stay lit.  Another cause can be if your house is "too tight".  This means you may have all your windows closed and your heating system on which can cause a venting problem in itself.  Still another cause can be if you are using processed artificial logs.  These are made of paper and compressed wood particles/chips and held together with parafin and waxes.  This greasy, waxy residue that is left behind on the walls of the flue  will cause a smoke problem.  After a few uses these waxy layers buildup and will not allow the smoke to rise and vent properly--thus coming back down the chimney.  Another cause can be if you need a sweep or cleaning.  When a chimney needs a cleaning does not  translate into how long ago you had your chimney cleaned but rather how many times you have used your fireplace since it was last cleaned.  A chimney needs to be cleaned when there is 1/8 of an inch buildup of soot on the walls of the flue.  Normally a rick of wood equals a cleaning.  Some people only use their fireplace on special occasions only or for the holidays.  They can go many years without a cleaning.  The inspection for safety reasons, still needs to be preformed annually as with any heating appliance.  Others use their chimneys for pleasure on a daily basis or as their primary source of heat thus needing to have it cleaned each season or sometimes twice a year.  Another contributing factor could be if you lit a fire and it was extremely cold outside.  The cold air sits in the chimney and can act as a barrier for the smoke.  If you have a gas starter in your fireplace you should light the gas a few minutes before making your fire and let the flame warm the inside air of the chimney, this will let the warm air below rise and help with any smoke back problems you may have.  Also, only use properly seasoned wood for the best results.  These are the most common reasons for smoke problems but there are still others---design flaws,  problems with the flue diameter, fire wall construction, etc.  I can resolve any type of venting problems you may have with your chimney. Give me a call today and enjoy your fire tonight!
 

Monday, December 7, 2009

I saw you on Good Day Tulsa a couple of weeks ago and you mentioned you were from Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  What brought you back to Tulsa from sunny LA?-----Just wondering in Broken Arrow

 Dear Just wondering:

I am wondering that myself--sweeping chimneys and building fireplaces along the PCH in Malibu, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey  and in the hills of Hollywood and Beverly does not compare with the cold temperatures of NE Oklahoma.  But a major family illness was the reason for the move--we needed to be closer to family love and support.  It was difficult giving up a well established (25 years) business and all that Southern California has to offer and return to Oklahoma and start from scratch. But a man can't be selfish.  As anyone who is in business for themselves can attest, it takes time, energy, integrity,  and patience to build a good reputation. And having a good reputation in a area the size of Southern California means a great deal.  But there are some things that take priority over even a well established business--and that is love.  I have had only one wife but many jobs. Twenty five years ago we stared this business as a team in Los Angeles.  The team players are the same--we have just been traded to Oklahoma.  Now is the time for me to roll up my sleeves and make my reputation known here.  Again, I still have my integrity and energy, and am responsible to a community  where I will put down my roots.  And most importantly I still have my wife.  We can weather the time and patience together.


Chimney Inspection/Foreclosure Cleanup

I was just given your brochure "The Realtor's Guide" and want to know if I could get more copies for my agency.  I know some investors I would like to give some copies to who need your services for foreclosure cleanup.  I used you for two home chimney inspections last week and want to thank you for your prompt service. If we had gone with the home inspectors recommendation of  a cleaning and left it at that, we would have never known the true condition of the fireplace and chimney. The pending buyer was excited and in a hurry (first home) and did not want to have the chimney cleaned at that time.  I recommended to them what I had just learned---that a level II inspection cannot be done by a home inspector.  Your camera inspection documented your detailed findings and there was no way to argue over the problems that you uncovered.  Armed with this information we were able to submit an offer that was accepted because we had proof of non-compliant code conditions. Not only were we able to adjust our offer but my clients will have a safe fireplace to use. Without this fore knowledge they would have had it cleaned after they bought the home and missed receiving the money to have it repaired.  Worse yet, they could have put their family in harms way.  Thanks again Rick for the extra time you spent explaining in detail and with pictures your findings and recommendations.  I will recommend you to all who can use your services.  You are a true professional who knows his business!  --  C.R. with Coldwell Banker

I am happy to share my knowledge with you and have done many teaching/ speaking engagements for  Real Estate Investors, Real Estate Companies, and HOA's throughout Southern California.  If I may be of future service in educating the professionals and the general public here in NE Oklahoma, please let me know a few days in advance and I will arrange for a presentation. My services are free but a Diet Coke is appreciated! When speaking to any group or organization there is always a question and answer session at the end of this brief but beneficial talk. I have an extensive background in working with fireplaces and chimneys and troubleshooting problems with  guaranteed results.  Water problems and smoke problems are my speciality!


December 8, 2009

I am having some water problems and have called two roofers out who have tried to remedy it.  The water stains are next to the fireplace on the wall.  They keep getting bigger.  How can this be related to my fireplace?--Jason C.  Tulsa, OK

Dear Jason:
The chimney has several potential areas for water concerns.  The chimney crown and roof flashing is of primary importance and you should also have a properly sized and fitted rain cap to prevent further deterioration to the interior flue system.  I am going to try and explain with a picture a chimney crown.  Please look below:


Do you see the missing mortar between the bricks?  The finished crown below shows what it looks like after the repair.  Water was able to penetrate the bricks and travel down the chimney to areas below.  Since the chimney brick is put together in a jig saw fashion the water is not able to take a straight path but travels in different routes. Many people think that cement is hard so it will repel water but this is just the opposite--cement is pourous in nature thus absorbs water like a sponge.  After the January 1994 Northridge Earthquake I have rebuilt many a chimney. The brick chimney is a thing of the past in LA.  New codes do not allow for brick chimneys but only brick facades or veneer finishes due to their weight and potential to create great damage. So in lay mans terms a chimney crown is the cement finish on top of the chimney.  If there are cracks or deteriorated areas the question is not if you will have problems but when you will have problems.  In this respect the old adage  "A ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" certainly applies here.  


Water problems need to be addressed quickly before they result in damage that can only be corrected with a partial rebuild.  Most areas building codes require a minimum of a spark arrestor for safety.  A responsible chimney professional will recommend a rain cap to ensure the safety of the interior flue system as well.  In this picture you can easily see the importance of having a rain cap.  Otherwise, water enters the chimney/flue system and quickly deteriorates the interior system, walls, and ceilings.  Make sure you are adequately covered today.  If you are buying a home that does not have a rain cap or has a new cap installed (can be trying to cover up an existing problem)--Call for your level II inspection today--Don't let that inspection time line and disclosure run its course without protecting your investment and family!