Bigwood's Masonry & Chimney Cleaning

03/13/2024

BEWARE OF SCAMMERS

It may be just a sign of the times, but these last few years we seen a significant increase in SCAMS going on in the chimney cleaning and chimney repair business. Last year there was a con-artist going around saying our company had sent them out. We would never do that, so if something does not sound right, beware. Many of these scam operations sound quite legitimate. Too often, we get calls to go out to resolve problems and discover that customers had work done improperly and has to be torn out and redone. These scammers will often recommend repairs that do not need to be done. They also do work without pulling proper permits or licenses.

We are a reputable chimney company with 50 years experience and there are other good companies also. Ask for references, check with the better business bureau, and never get pressured into making a quick decision. Scamming is major problem. A little research can save you a lot of grief and expense.

12/17/2022

In the fall we often get to see the sun go down. It is very spectacular. Just before the sun sinks over the horizon there is a flash of light and the sky gets brighter, but within a half an hour darkness moves in and the day ends.

07/10/2022

When other chimney companies cannot solve a problem, they often refer their customer to us. We have been in business 48 years and there is not too many chimney issues we have not seen.

12/31/2021

We make many chimneys like new again, but I especially like doing the stone ones.

04/30/2020

Gas Appliances and Your Masonry Chimney

What you don’t know about your chimney can hurt you – especially if you have a gas-heating appliance that uses your masonry chimney as a venting system.

Every day, without any visible signs, acid produced by your gas appliance may be eating away at the inside of your brick, metal, or masonry chimney. The resulting damage can compromise the safety of your family because the highly acidic exhaust dissolves the chimney from the inside out. But a thorough annual inspection of your chimney, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and the Chimney Safety Institute of America, can alert you to potential problems before they become costly or dangerous.

For more information call us at 978-297-2263

11/11/2019

We thank all our veterans who have taken the time to serve our country

08/29/2019

06/13/2019

Gas Appliances and Your Masonry Chimney

What you don’t know about your chimney can hurt you – especially if you have a gas-heating appliance that uses your masonry chimney as a venting system.

Every day, without any visible signs, acid produced by your gas appliance may be eating away at the inside of your chimney. The resulting damage can compromise the safety of your family and the value of your home. But a thorough annual inspection of your chimney, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and the Chimney Safety Institute of America, can alert you to potential problems before they become costly or dangerous.

Most homeowners are aware of the need for chimney cleaning and inspection if they own a wood-burning stove or regularly use their fireplace. But many don’t realize that a gas heating appliance – whether it is a furnace, boiler or even a water heater – relies on the chimney for proper venting of the exhaust. Appliances fueled by natural gas or propane may not produce the visible soot that appliances burning other fuels do, but they can deposit corrosive substances in your chimney. In many cases, these acids may wreak havoc on your masonry chimney without producing any external symptoms until the problem has become dangerous or expensive to repair.

The Best Safeguard: Annual Inspections or installing anti corrosive stainless steel liner that is specifically designed and rated for gas use.

For more information call us at 978-297-2263

06/07/2019

Grants up to $3250 are available for homeowner who want to trade in their old wood stoves for an updated efficient new pellet stove or wood stove. This opportunity ends in August 2019. Contact us for details on how to apply.

05/06/2019

BIGWOOD’S CHIMNEY SERVICE has been installing pellet stoves since they were originally introduced in the 1980s. We have installed units such as HARMONS on the high end costing over $4500 to inexpensive units offered through Tractor Supply and Home Depot for under $900.

A concern our customers have complained about is getting repair services and general yearly cleanings. Too many people sell stoves but offer no follow-up services.

One pellet stove that has had exceptional reviews and offers excellent customer service is COMFORTBILT. We contacted them and they offered us a chance to distribute their product in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. After several months of negotiations we accepted their offer. We will not only sell their product but offer our customers full services including maintenance and cleanings. When a customer has a problem, a trained technician will be available to get their unit going again.

COMFORTBILT has a track record of offering a quality product at reasonable price. The customer has a real person they can talk to if there is a problem and do any yearly maintenance that might be needed.

COMFORTBILT offers several sized units. A technician will visit your home and suggest the unit that is best for you. Free standing or fireplace units. Numerous cabinet colors available. And the best part is that COMFORTBILT pellet stoves can be purchased at less than half the price of many gourmet stoves.

For more information call 978-297-2263

05/30/2018

When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the roof
And all my cares just drift right into space
On the roof, it's peaceful as can be
And there the world below can't bother me
Let me tell you now
I go up where the air is fresh and sweet (up on the roof)
I get away from the hustling crowd
And all that rat-race down in the street (up on the roof)
On the roof, the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so
Up on the roof (up on the roof)
At night the stars put on a show for free
I keep a-tellin' you
Right smack dab in the middle of town
I've found a paradise that's trouble proof (up on the roof)
And if this world starts getting me down
There's even room enough for two
Up on the roof (up on the roof)
Everything is all right (up on the roof)

04/08/2018

PYROLYSIS

Pyrolysis is a chemical decomposition of combustible objects that are situated close to a heat source, and it is one of the major causes of structural fires. Safety from this threat begins with an understanding of the process of pyrolysis.

Understanding this nearly invisible process can mean not burning down your home during the winter months.
Pyrolysis occurs when combustible materials are continuously exposed to high temperature for a long period of time. At high temperatures materials start to chemically break down as they are slowly dried. A direct flame is not required for a fire to start. Heat and oxygen are all that is needed for pyrolysis to occur. Ignition is spontaneous.

Pyrolysis has been the cause of over 85% of the fires related to solid fuel . Improper maintenance makes up most of the other 15%

The solution to this serious problem is to leave at least the minimum amount of space between the heating unit and combustibles, as recommended by the manufacturer. These minimum clearances are frequently ignored, which puts the entire household at risk. Make sure there is plenty of room between your wood burning appliance and surrounding materials.

The National Fire Protection Association did a test in which a stack of 1/8” thick fiberboard were placed closer than recommended to a wood-burning appliance. At just 228°F, the wood self-ignited in just 96 hours. What can be deceiving for homeowners is that the heating system can be used for years and everything can seem fine. But the destruction caused by pyrolysis often occurs over the course of months or even years
A damaged chimney liner is another cause of pyrolysis, which is why a fireplace or wood stove should never be used until a damaged liner is replaced. The damage in the chimney flue easily goes undetected without an inspection by a professional chimney sweep. For prevention of pyrolysis, it’s best to have annual inspections and have solid fuel appliances installed by professional sweeps.

Bigwood’s Chimney Service can inspect your chimney and heating installation to make sure you are safe. Call Jim or Corey for more information. 978-297-2263

Bigwood’s Chimney Service