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New Chimney liners can help prevent catastrophes
JC Heating of Levittown Pa. is a chimney service company with the prime focus on relining oil-fired, gas-fired and solid fuel appliances. The Clemenson brothers, who own and operate a residential heating oil company, received their chimney service training from the Chimney Safety Institute and became certified in 1989.
Over the course of time, it became apparent that the chimneys serving the home heating system was often neglected and rarely inspected and virtually never cleaned. Most homeowners are aware of chimney problems with wood-fired appliances, but don't give a second thought to the central heating system. In fact, most homeowners believe the oil companies address it during the annual service, most only check the chimney base where accessible and not the entire chimney.
The introduction of high efficiency residential heating equipment and their new low stack temperatures created a problem. Condensation would occur in the area where the chimney would pass into the unheated attic or through the roof line. This condensation would leech through the chimney and often be mistaken for a roof leak.
The inspection of a chimney prior to the installation of new high efficiency equipment is necessary for a successful job. The manufacturers of the system require a specific size flue. A system with a six inch flue will not properly vent into a chimney with an 8 by 12 inch flue tile. The new lower stack temperatures and the nearly four times flue ratio will certainly cause operating difficulties and condensation problems. The liner may be insulated to help keep the flue gases warm while rising through the chimney. A lightweight insulation cement may be added to strengthen older weak chimneys.
Equipment installers need to educate homeowners about the potential negative impact that modern equipment may have on a 40-year-old chimney. It is a fact of physics that a lower stack temperature gas rising through a larger vertical flue will cool and condense. This condensation can be so extreme that symptoms may manifest within weeks of installations. The National Fire Codes ( NF PA 31 ) contains sizing charts for chimney relining. Including the cost of the chimney liner in the initial investment will add to the expense of the project, but it will also insure years of trouble free venting and extended life of your chimney.
Our CSI Certified Chimney Sweeps use state of the art equipement, complete with a lighted camera and video monitor. We look for any problems that may affect the safety of your chimney.
 Chimney Cleaning and Inspections
Call 215-945-4833
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