Chimney Inspections

How many times have your clients or closings been held up by chimney related issues? The serious issues in New Jersey surrounding the lack of any requirement for one to perform chimney sweeping, repair and inspection are visable specifically during real estate transactions.   Buyer gets one estim...

I will once again be presenting some valuable chimney information at the NJ NACHI meeting on May 27.  I will be doing so with my good friend and colleague, Paul Karthaeuser from The Chimney Guys.  This will be an hour and a half plus of chimney information, visuals aids, pointers and suggestions....

A "competitor" and I use the term lightly for many reasons, has referred to me in a 1 page letter response to my 14 page chimney inspection report as a "new book inspector".    So I guess my knowledge of the code, standard and law makes me new book?   Sorry to be blogging off some steam, but its ...

The firebox is the area where combustion takes place.  It is the area that you see and is the only truly readily accessible portion of a chimneys interior.  Also known as the inner hearth of fire chamber, the firebox is vital to the success of the operation of the fireplace.  Poor design may lead...

These are two trademarked logos that need to be recognized.   This is how you know you are getting a trained chimney inspector and not just a chimney sweep!    www.gotfire.com and www.iafcipro.com 

We have successfully completed 4 in office seminars in the last month for NNJ realty offices.  Be able to grasp an understanding of chimneys and what you are seeing in the homes you list and show.   Education time can be suited for your schedule and handouts, Q & A sessions and visual aids are in...

It is amazing how frequent I see these installs in the field.  This application is only adding to water entry into the chimney systems.  The middle cap washes into the 2 other flues in thi system.  Inaddition, the caps have been altered to fit.  The proper installation of a chimney cap here would...

Understanding the Levels of Inspection is not as difficult as the public has been made to believe. THere are 3 levels of inspection as outlined by the National Fire Protection Association Handbook # 211, Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solif Fuel Burning Appliances 2006 Edition. The ...

This is a highly unkown code, even though it represents law in New Jersey.  Knowing the codes is extremely important when making home repairs of any kind.  Its even more important when repairing a chimney.   Commonly, I will see repairs being done by chimney contractors that are not compliant wit...

Here are some pointers so that you dont get scammed. If you think you are a victim of a chimney related scam, please contac the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs @ 1-800 656-6225 1. Look out for the telemarketer!! 2. Same day work is NOT legal. In NJ any work over $500 requires a contract, 3 day ca...