Time To Schedule a Chimney Cleaning for Your Home Near Kiawah Island? Call Ashbusters Chimney Service

We’re Proud To Offer an Extensive Chimney Service List

So, when we say, “full service,” what exactly do we mean? Well, here at Ashbusters, we’ve got a ton of different services – both maintenance and repair-related – to offer local home and business owners in our community.

Check out this list of everything we can take care of for you:

• Chimney Sweepings
• Chimney Inspections (Levels I – III)
• Chimney Repairs
• Chimney Masonry
• New Construction
• Full and Partial Rebuilds/Restoration
• Structural Demolition
• Repointing
• Waterproofing
• Chimney Leaks
• Chimney Cap Replacements
• Crown Repair/Rebuilds
• Chase Cover Replacement
• Flashing Repair
• Chimney Relining
• HeatShield®
• Stainless Steel
• Gas Service & Repair
• Dryer Vent Cleaning

And if you can’t seem to find the service you’re looking for? We’re more than happy to address your concerns and answer any questions you may have so you can enter this whole process comfortably and confidently. You can reach us online by filling out this appointment request form, or give us a call at 843-595-4927.

How Does a Chimney Work?

While we’d never suggest attempting to repair or work on your own chimney or fireplace as a DIY project, we do feel it’s beneficial for homeowners to at least have a base level understanding of how a chimney functions. Why? Because when you know how something is supposed to perform and behave under normal circumstances, you will also know when something is awry.

Essentially an elaborately ornamented tube that connects your fireplace to the outdoors, your chimney utilizes outside air to fuel combustion and then releases the produced exhaust out of your home.

Chimneys operate in accordance with the principle that hot air rises to replace cold air – so, when a fire is burning in the hearth, the hot air that is produced during combustion naturally rises, creating what’s called a chimney draft, or a difference in pressure between your chimney’s flue and your living space. This pressure difference then draws cool air in in order to feed the fire, and the cycle continues.

Why Is It Important for Me To Know the Parts of My Chimney?

Next to understanding the science of how a chimney works, it’s also nice to be familiar with the various components that make up a chimney system. Because these appliances are literally designed to safely create and maintain a fire inside of your home, it’s always better to know more than less…even if you never even see the inside of your flue.

Chimneys are deceivingly complex structures, designed to perform a very necessary, but dangerous job. We’re going to go through a rough overview of the main parts and pieces that make it all possible, but know that there is a lot more to it than initially meets the eye.

The main and most important components of your chimney are as follows:

• Firebox: This is the part of your system you’re likely the most familiar with, the firebox – or, the place that holds the fire.
• Smoke Shelf: Moving up within the structure, at the back of your appliance right between the firebox and the smoke chamber, you’d find the smoke shelf. Like the name suggests, this piece is a small ledge that helps channel the smoke upwards into the smoke chamber. It also prevents external debris from reaching the firebox where it could easily catch fire.
• Damper: Found both inside the chimney flue (called a throat damper) or outside at the top (top mount damper) depending on the kind of chimney, this device acts as a seal when your chimney is not in use.
• Smoke Chamber: Designed to loosely resemble an upside down-funnel, the smoke chamber helps direct the fire smoke up and into the flue.
• Flue: This is the part of your chimney that actually comes into direct contact with the harsh fumes and byproducts created during combustion. Depending on your appliance and type of chimney, this open cavity is lined with either terra cotta clay or a flexible metal tube. The size, shape, and liner material all vary based on the specifics of whatever appliance you have.
• Flashing: Flat pieces of metal designed to look like shingles, flashing creates a watertight seal between your roof and your chimney.
• Chimney Crown: Intended to protect the otherwise open and vulnerable chimney chase (the part of the structure that surrounds the flue), the chimney crown is the flat, shelf-like structure at the top of the system.
• Chimney Cap: Installed atop the chimney flue, the cap is your system’s first line of defense against rain, debris, and animal entry. Because of their design, chimney caps are also constructed to allow the exhaust a safe exit.

Interested in learning a bit more about the inner workings of your chimney and how it all seamlessly works together to allow for an enjoyable fireside experience? We’re always happy to go over the science behind these fascinating systems…there’s so much to learn! Whether you have some basic questions you can’t find the answer to or you’re looking to schedule a specific service, we’re the team to trust. You can reach us through this form on our website or by phone at 843-595-4927.

What’s the Difference Between a Masonry Chimney & a Prefabricated Chimney?

If you’re just starting out on your fireplace and chimney research or ownership journey, you’ve likely seen a few terms thrown about: prefabricated chimneys and masonry chimneys. Is there a difference? Why is there a distinction and how do you know which one you have (or might want to consider having installed)?

The distinction comes from the materials and the way in which the chimney was constructed. A traditional masonry chimney is one that has been built on-site using bricks and mortar. A prefabricated chimney system, on the other hand, refers to a structure designed and built in a factory before being installed into a house.

In terms of functionality, aside from differences in system upgrades and various parts (like having a fireplace insert installed and terra cotta flue liners vs. metal liners), both brick and prefab chimneys perform the same job. It just comes down to a matter of stylistic and aesthetic preferences, as well as costs, when determining which one might better suit your needs.

Building a house and interested in tying everything together with a gorgeously crafted and built-to-last masonry chimney? Ashbusters has an incredible team of masons that can construct the brick chimney of your dreams. Fill out this appointment request form or give us a call at 843-595-4927 to learn more.

What Should I Look for When Choosing a Chimney Service Provider?

Like any other home service provider search, choosing the right company can mean the difference between a job well done, and throwing away money on something that requires a redo. That’s why we like to equip local homeowners with a list of things to look for when weighing your options.

Keep in mind, this list of questions is not exhaustive or exclusive – it is merely meant to be used as a launchpad for your research. At the end of the day, choosing a chimney sweep and service company is a personal decision and the most important thing is that you feel safe and comfortable.

• How long has the company been in business?
• How/where did you hear about them? Was it through a viable source?
• Do they have any reviews? How has the company responded to negative reviews?
• Are they friendly and approachable? Do they seem willing to acquiesce to your requests?
• Are they licensed and insured?
• Do they hold any memberships or certifications with well-known industry organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)?

Here at Ashbusters Chimney Service, we sure can’t speak for other chimney service companies in the greater Charleston/Kiawah Island area, but we can tell you that we have some pretty good answers to those questions – and the data to back it up. Schedule your annual chimney sweep service or inspection with our dedicated and CSIA-certified technicians today!

Book All Your Hearth-Related Services With the Experts at Ashbusters

No matter if it’s about time you finally established a preventive fireplace and chimney maintenance routine for your system, or you’re looking to fix that pesky leak, Ashbusters is the place to call for it all. Serving homeowners in various parts of the country for the better part of three decades, we’re certain we’ll be able to handle any issue you come up against.

We’re proud to offer our services to Kiawah Island residents, as well as those located in nearby communities such as Isle of Palms, Daniel Island, Hanahan, West Ashley, Goose Creek, Wadmalaw Island, Ravenel, and more. All you have to do is get in touch with us to schedule a service, then our experienced professionals will take care of the rest.

To get a service estimate, fill out this form through our website, or give us a call at 843-595-4927. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Our service area just wouldn’t be the same without the solid residents of Seabrook Island.