CHIMNEY MAINTENANCE: BASIC GUIDELINES in Lincoln Square, NY
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You should know a few things about fireplaces and chimneys in Lincoln Square, NY. Do you know how to make your chimneys as efficient as possible? We at Ageless Chimney recommend using a professional chimney sweep whenever possible, but you should also have some common knowledge on hand as well. With these tips for chimney cleaning and chimney maintenance, you can avoid costly chimney repairs.
What Type of Chimney do You Have?
Not all chimneys are created equal! Being aware of what type of chimney you have will help you when you are trying to keep your chimney and fireplace working their best. There are three main types of chimneys. They are:
- Single-Walled Metal: These are usually found in older homes and look like a thin metal pipe that sticks up from the roof. They also have a round top.
- Masonry: Masonry chimneys are considered to be the safest for the home. Masonry chimneys are standard brick and come with a liner pre-installed to make sure all smoke is vented properly.
- Prefabricated Metal: These are chimneys that are made out of metal and are usually found in commercial buildings.
Check Your Flue Regularly
The flue is the venting system for your chimney. It is basically a pipe found on the interior of your chimney liner that allows smoke and the other gasses that build up during the course of the fire to safely exit your home. It is very important that you check it regularly. If your room gets a bit too smoky during a fire, you may need to get your flue cleared. You should also make sure that your flue is always open prior to starting a fire.
Make Sure You Have a Chimney Liner
Chimney liners protect your home from the heat and flammable materials produced by a fire. In unlined chimneys, the heat of a fire can rise too quickly and cause nearby belongings to catch flame. Liners provide an extra barrier.
If you plan to purchase a chimney liner, size is the most important element. A properly-sized liner will effectively allow combustible materials to safely exit your home. However, if it is too large or small, there is a greater chance of a buildup of carbon monoxide.
Put a Cap On Your Chimney
One of the easiest and most affordable, elements to your chimney maintenance is a chimney cap. Chimney caps are vented pieces of metal that sit inside the top of your chimney and prevent unwanted materials from coming inside your fireplace, while still letting the smoke escape. Chimney caps also keep heavy rains from seeping down inside your chimney and potentially causing leaks. They are also great for keeping animals from nesting inside your fireplace during the colder months.
As always when hiring for a job, you want to make sure that your chimney sweep comes with glowing references. However, you’ll also want to check that he or she carries the proper insurance. Doing so could save you from financial responsibility in the event of a fall or other work-related accident. This is why contacting Ageless Chimney in Lincoln Square, NY would be the best solution to your New York County chimney issues.
Clear Your Hearth Regularly
It is always a good idea to keep your New York County hearth clean, but not just for aesthetic reasons. Before you decide to light a nice warm fire, be sure to move any valuable items from the mantle. Fire can be unpredictable, so it is smart to clear the hearth of anything that could light on fire. This also prevents unwanted debris from going up into the chimney.
Buy The Right Detectors
Sometimes you may not know if there is unwanted debris or smoke coming into your New York County home from the chimney. One of the best things you can do to keep informed of any toxic smoke is to have your home equipped with proper smoke detectors. Always be sure that you have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed. While having a fire going is very pleasant, the safety of you and your loved ones is paramount!
Call Us Today
Getting your chimney swept and inspected improves the quality of the air in your home, keeps your loved ones safe from toxins, and reduces your home’s fire risk. Ageless Chimney takes pride in providing the safest, most cost-effective cleaning procedures. Call us today at 516-795-1313!
Lincoln Square is the name of both a square and the surrounding neighborhood within the Upper West Side of the New York City borough of Manhattan. Lincoln Square is centered on the intersection of Broadway and Columbus Avenue, between West 65th and West 66th streets. The neighborhood is bounded by Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue to the east and west, and West 66th and 63rd Street to the north and south. However, the term can be extended to refer to the neighborhood between West 59th Street and West 72nd Street. It is bounded by Hell’s Kitchen, Riverside South, Central Park, and the Upper West Side proper. The studios for WABC-TV are located here.
Lincoln Square is located on the site of San Juan Hill, a predominantly African American neighborhood of tenements. San Juan Hill was generally bordered by Amsterdam Avenue to the east, West End Avenue to the west, 59th Street to the south, and 65th Street to the north. It has been suggested that the area was named after the 10th Cavalry that fought with Theodore Roosevelt at the Battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish-American War, but this is not certain. It was possibly the most heavily populated African-American neighborhood in Manhattan in the early 20th century. One of the blocks within the neighborhood contained almost 5,000 residents.
Notable residents had included Thelonious Monk, who came to live here in 1922. In addition to the significant African American community, there was also an Afro-Caribbean community there, which has left its traces in the Bye-ya and Bemsha Swing compositions of Thelonious Monk, co-written much later with Denzil Best, who also grew up in this neighborhood. James P. Johnson also lived in the neighborhood in the 1910s and 1920s, during which time he created the “Charleston” dance.
In 1940, the New York City Housing Authority characterized the area as “the worst slum section in the City of New York” and made plans to renew the area by demolishing the old tenements. The Amsterdam Housing Projects were built on the cleared land in 1948, replacing three blocks that had collectively housed 1,100 residents.
Learn more about Lincoln Square.