Looking for the gas chimney repair in Knoxville TN now? We design, install and service most gas logs in chimneys around east Tennessee. Clear Chimney serves all of east Tennessee for your gas log and chimney cleaning needs.
We take pride in ensuring that our neighbors in Knox, Blount, Loudon, and Jefferson counties enjoy clean, beautiful, and problem-free fireplaces and chimneys.
Whether you’re nestled in the heart of Knoxville or residing in the scenic areas of Blount, our comprehensive services are designed to meet your needs. By focusing on these specific counties, we make sure every fireplace and chimney in our community gets the attention it deserves.
Our commitment extends beyond just cleaning; we aim to enhance the safety and aesthetics of your home. With Clear Chimney, you can rest assured knowing your fireplace is in expert hands, no matter where you are in east Tennessee.
When your gas fireplace begins to show signs of trouble, having dependable repair services at your disposal is crucial. Near Knoxville, TN, the importance of this cannot be overstated for several reasons.
Safety Comes First
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 211 code, all chimneys and fireplaces must be inspected annually by a professional, irrespective of the fuel type. This requirement holds true for gas fireplaces and gas log sets as well. Regular inspections and maintenance by a qualified technician can prevent hazards like gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning, ensuring your home remains a safe haven.
Prevent Costly Repairs
Minor issues with gas fireplaces can escalate into significant problems if left unchecked. A reliable repair service can identify and resolve these issues early, saving you from expensive repairs down the line. Often, these problems are small and can be quickly addressed, but ignoring them can lead to more complex issues that are costly to fix.
Maintain Efficiency and Comfort
A well-functioning gas fireplace not only adds warmth to your home but also contributes to your overall comfort. Ensuring your system is in top shape means it runs efficiently, saving you money on energy bills and keeping your home cozy throughout the colder months. Trustworthy repair services ensure your fireplace is operating at its best, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted comfort.
Expertise and Peace of Mind
Experts who specialize in gas appliance diagnostics and repair bring both knowledge and peace of mind. You can trust them to handle issues with the precision and care they require, freeing you from the worry of potential fireplace malfunctions. With professional intervention, you can be confident that both small glitches and significant repairs will be managed effectively.
Having access to reliable gas fireplace repair services in and around Knoxville, TN, is not just about convenience—it’s about safety, cost-efficiency, and maintaining the comfort of your home. Regular inspections and timely repairs are essential in keeping your fireplace running safely and smoothly all year round.
In addition to our expertise in gas logs, we offer a comprehensive suite of services to ensure your home remains safe and efficient:
Gas Fireplace Inserts Installation: Enhance the functionality and aesthetic of your fireplace with our professional insert installations.
Chimney Cleaning: Keep your chimney in top condition, reducing risks and improving efficiency.
Chimney Repairs: From minor touch-ups to major overhauls, we handle all types of chimney repairs.
Leaky Chimney Repairs: Prevent water damage and structural issues with our targeted leaky chimney solutions.
Gas, either natural gas or propane, is used in wood stoves, fireplace inserts and other heaters. Gas logs are the easiest to use without the mess of soot, sweeping and firewood. High tech remote controls are our top seller for temperature control and ease of use.
Create cozy times
Beyond convenience, fireplaces add undeniable beauty and warmth to any home. They create a cozy ambiance that invites relaxation and comfort, making them a desirable feature for homeowners year after year.
Imagine coming home to the flickering flames, offering not just heat but a serene atmosphere to unwind after a long day.
With the combination of practical gas log solutions and the timeless allure of a fireplace, your home becomes a haven of both modern convenience and classic charm.
Our goal is to provide a one-stop solution for all your fireplace and chimney needs, backed by years of experience and a commitment to quality service.
Gas log remote control
Why is it Important to Maintain Fireplaces and Chimneys?
Fireplaces and chimneys add warmth and charm to any home. However, proper maintenance is crucial to ensure they remain safe and efficient. Here’s why:
Safety First A well-maintained fireplace minimizes risks such as chimney fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. Creosote buildup, a byproduct of burning wood, is highly flammable. Regular cleaning significantly reduces this hazard.
Optimal Performance Maintenance ensures your fireplace operates efficiently. This means better heat output and reduced energy costs, offering you all the coziness without the added expense.
Prolong Lifespan Routine inspections can spot wear and tear early, preventing costly repairs down the line. A little upkeep extends the life of your chimney and fireplace.
Enhance Air Quality Ensuring your chimney is clear helps in keeping indoor air fresh and clean. Blockages prevent harmful gases from escaping, impacting the air quality in your home.
Preserve Property Value Regular maintenance shows prospective buyers that the home has been cared for, maintaining or even enhancing its market value.
By investing in routine checks and cleaning, you not only protect your home but also those who live in it.
How Are the Technicians Trained for Chimney and Fireplace Services?
Ongoing Education and Skill Enhancement
Every year, our team dedicates approximately 50 hours to ongoing training.
This includes staying abreast of the latest industry codes, learning about new products, and adopting modern procedures to ensure excellence in our service offerings.
Customer Safety and Satisfaction
We prioritize customer safety and satisfaction by consistently updating our expertise.
This dedication to continuous improvement enables us to provide reliable and safe service to all of our clients, maintaining the highest standards in the industry.
By investing in substantial ongoing education, our technicians are thoroughly prepared to handle any chimney and fireplace challenge with confidence and competence.
Why we are different
When you search for gas chimney repair Knoxville TN, you will find several companies that may be able to solve your problem. The issue is their travel limitations. Most will not travel outside of the Knoxville city area. So, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN are often out of luck for chimney cleaning services with these big names.
Since Clear Chimney is a locally owned family business, we strive to give you the best chimney inspection and chimney repair service bar none. We welcome you into the Clear Chimney family on day one. You will receive the best pricing, the most discounts and white glove service (though the white gloves will be covered in soot from your chimney at times).
While delivering these top-notch services, we maintain professionalism at all times. Our team is trained to respect your home, ensuring your property is protected and clean throughout the process. We take specific measures, like using drop cloths and shoe covers, to keep your space spotless.
In addition, we communicate clearly and promptly, so you know exactly what to expect every step of the way. Rest assured, our dedication to excellence extends beyond just the results—we aim to make the entire experience as seamless and reassuring as possible.
Check out our coupon section for discounts and specials. Also, use out request service form to get on our mailing list for customer only offers through out the year. Call the best honest chimney sweep in Knoxville today at (865) 999-7373 to speak with a professional directly.
In conclusion, whether you’re looking for seasonal maintenance or urgent repairs, our team is here to help. Don’t miss out on exclusive offers and top-notch service—reach out to us now for gas chimney repair Knoxville Tn!
The smoke that escapes from your fireplace into your house is a result of poor drafting (air moving in an upward or downward direction), or something blocking the way of the draft. We often ask why is fireplace smoke in my house?
A poorly, drafting chimney allows smoke from the fireplace to enter the room rather than exhausting it to the outside. A blockage in the chimney prevents drafting in the same way that a closed nozzle at the end of a hose prevents water flow. The air being pulled (draft) up your chimney works under the same scientific principles as water flowing in a hose, and it corresponds to the amount of pressure in a water hose. The only difference is that the air pressure is negative, and the water pressure is positive. Similar to the way a kinked or plugged hose stops water flow, a poorly drafting chimney is the result of an airflow restriction.
This can be caused by a of multitude of factors such as: excessive creosote build-up, closed or plugged dampers, improper construction, structural damage, chimney height in relation to peak roof height, home renovations, excessive bird nesting materials in the flue, or even a dirty chimney cap. The following are some of the possible reasons and solutions for the undesirable fireplace smoke in your house.
Is the Damper Open?
Heat rises, and if your damper is closed, the fireplace smoke will come in the house. Many people leave the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use. A common mistake is forgetting to open the damper again before lighting a fire.
The damper is a hinged, metal plate used to seal the fireplace when not in use, and to regulate a fire in the fireplace by controlling the flow of air (draft) coming in the chimney.
To open the damper, you usually have to crouch down and peer upward toward the rear of the fireplace. A flashlight will help. A metal lever inside the fireplace controls the damper. Pushing on the lever opens it, and notches along the length of the lever allow you to adjust the opening to get the draft needed for the fire to burn without fireplace smoke backing into the house. The correct procedure for using a damper is to open it fully before lighting the fire, then close it a few notches after the fire is well under way by moving the lever with a fireplace poker. If the fireplace smoke begins to come in the house, reopen the damper a notch at a time until the smoking ceases. After all the embers have burned completely, close the damper.
Open a window
Another common cause of fireplace smoke in the house is insufficient air in the room containing the fireplace.
Try opening one or two windows in the room a few inches while the fire is burning. This will increase the draft in your chimney by bringing more air(oxygen) in to the fire, which should allow it to burn hotter.
Energy efficient homes are better insulated and keep out cold drafts; however, a negative side effect is that there is often not enough outside air coming in the house for a fire to burn hot enough to rise through the flue or to cause drafting, which carries that hot air up the chimney. The chimney flue becomes the source of make-up air so that as air is drawn down the flue, it picks up smoke from the fire and delivers it into the living area. Cracking a window eliminates this negative pressure.
Inspect your chimney for blockages
If you’ve opened the damper and smoke still fills your home, there may be a blockage in the chimney itself. Common culprits include:
Outside debris: Leaves, twigs, or other debris can obstruct airflow.
Animal nests: Birds or squirrels might have nested in the chimney, creating a barrier.
To address these issues, consider hiring a professional chimney sweep. They can safely get on the roof and inspect the chimney for any external obstructions. A certified professional will not only clean the chimney but also ensure it’s free from potential blockages that can disrupt the airflow and cause smoke to enter your living space.
By addressing both internal and external airflow issues, you can effectively reduce smoke in your home and enjoy a cozy, smoke-free fire.
Grate Placement
The fire must always be made in a grate to provide enough air flow around the logs. Without a fire grate, the fire will smoke and not get hot enough to ventilate properly, thus bringing fireplace smoke into your house.
Sometimes smokiness is a result of the fire being built too far forward in the fireplace. This causes smoke to enter the room instead of going up the chimney. The remedy is to build the fire as far back against the rear wall of the firebox as possible.
Use Seasoned Wood
A fire that appears to smolder or make hissing sounds while burning, most likely has a high water content. It simply can’t burn hot enough for the hot air to rise up the chimney flue and get replaced by cooler air. The smoke and gases will not be able to exit the room.
You will have to go without a fire unless you have well-seasoned wood that has been split for a minimum of six months (the longer the better), and stored in a covered and elevated location. A piece of seasoned wood will be lighter (in weight) than the same size, but green (unseasoned, newly cut) piece of wood. It will sound hollow when hit against another piece of wood. Green wood will also be lighter in color and generally have a stronger, fresher smell to it, while seasoned wood will usually appear darker and have little odor. Seasoned wood can also be identified by cracks on the end of the logs.
Stacked Wood Placement
Build your fire with larger pieces of wood on the bottom, leaving gaps for air to circulate between the wood. Continue stacking wood with each layer going crisscross to the previous layer, and decreasing in size. Wad up some newspaper and stick it under small pieces of kindling and wood chips on the top of the stacks of wood, then light the paper. This will produce a hotter fire more quickly, and it will burn cleaner because smoke won’t have to pass through cold logs. This method will keep smoke going up the flue and out of the room.
Competing Appliances
Many factors influence a home’s airflow including interior mechanical systems, fuel burning appliances, such as furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, and water heaters.
Make sure no exhaust fans (kitchen, bath, attic fans) are running while you have a fire. Also make sure all of the air vents in the same room as the fireplace are open if you have an air-forced furnace running, or else the return air vent will suck air from the fire, possibly bringing fireplace smoke into the room. Central vacuums can also create depressurization by removing large volumes of air from the house.
Addressing Air Pressure in Newer Homes
In newer homes, the issue of tightly sealed environments can create competing air pressure problems. When using your fireplace, consider cracking a window nearby. This simple action breaks the seal and balances the house pressure, ensuring smoke travels up the chimney rather than lingering indoors.
Solutions for Older Homes
Older homes often face air pressure challenges due to excessive escaping air. One common culprit is poorly sealed attic doors, which allow air to escape through the attic space. To counteract this, check the seal on attic doors and consider adding extra insulation. This can help maintain a balanced air pressure, optimizing fireplace performance.
By tackling both the structural and appliance-related factors affecting air pressure, you can ensure a smoke-free and efficient fireplace experience.
Wind Factors
If you think of your chimney as a straw, in the same way as sucking fluid up through a straw, your fireplace chimney sucks air up through the flue to the outdoors. If you blow through a straw, the air pressure pushes the fluid out of the straw. In the same way, strong winds can push air down your chimney causing smoke to enter your house if you are burning a fire in the fireplace.
This can be a real problem in homes that are located in windy areas, such as a beach house. If that’s the case a cowl on your flue would be better than a cap. A chimney cowl is designed to prevent wind blowing the smoke back down into the room below. They increase the draft of a chimney and prevent back flow.
Why Seek Professional Help If Your Fireplace Fills the House with Smoke?
When your fireplace floods your home with smoke, it’s more than just a minor inconvenience; it’s a potential hazard. Here’s why enlisting professional help is crucial:
Expertise and Experience
Professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and specialized training to diagnose and fix chimney problems. Certified chimney sweeps have the expertise to identify issues like blockages, draft problems, or structural damage that an untrained eye might miss.
Comprehensive Inspection
Experts conduct thorough inspections that extend beyond just a quick glance. By getting onto the roof and closely examining the chimney exterior, they can check for obstructions such as bird nests or debris and ensure everything is clear and safe.
Safety Assurance
Handling chimney issues yourself can be risky. Professional technicians are equipped to manage the intricate work involved in cleaning and repairing chimneys safely. They also have the tools necessary to perform detailed work without endangering themselves or your home.
Long-Term Solutions
Instead of temporary fixes, professionals provide lasting solutions that prevent future smoke issues. They can offer tailored recommendations, such as improving ventilation or making structural repairs, to ensure your fireplace functions efficiently and safely.
Peace of Mind
Ultimately, hiring a professional gives you the reassurance that the problem is correctly diagnosed and resolved. Knowing that experts have addressed your fireplace issues provides peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your fireplace without worry.
In summary, turning to a professional when your fireplace smokes ensures that the job is done right, protecting both your home and health.
How Does a Cold Downdraft Affect My Fireplace, and How Can I Create an Updraft?
When a chimney is situated on an exterior wall of your home, it often becomes vulnerable to the chill of the outside air. This results in a cold downdraft, where dense, cold air pushes downward inside the chimney. Such downdrafts are heavier than the smoke from a fresh fire, forcing the smoke back into your living space instead of letting it escape through the chimney.
Creating an Updraft
To counteract this issue, it’s crucial to establish an updraft before lighting a fire. An updraft encourages air flow upwards, carrying smoke out of the room rather than letting it linger. Here’s how you can achieve this:
Light a Starter Fire: Use materials like crumpled newspapers that ignite quickly.
Warm the Flue: Hold the lit newspaper up the chimney. Tools such as a fireplace poker can help you safely reach into the chimney. This act helps warm the air column, reversing the cold downdraft into a rising updraft.
Use Caution: Always handle fire safely. Utilize appropriate fireplace tools or wear fireproof gloves to protect yourself during this process. If you’re unsure of how to proceed safely, consulting a professional is a prudent step.
Remember, creating an updraft not only improves the efficiency of your fireplace but ensures a safer, smoke-free environment in your home.
