We Know Chimneys

Chimney Insepctions

A Chimney inspection should address structural soundness, fire safety and insure a healthy environment through proper containment of noxious gases.  An inspector must also be able to clearly and simply communicate to everyone involved the relative importance of each finding.  These are skills that a chimney inspector will learn during certification classes.

All Boston Brick & Stone, Inc. Chimney inspectors are certified by F.I.R.E., which is the only chimney inspection certification program available in the United States.  We also put our key chimney personnel through the same certification.  This insures that every member of our chimney team, inspectors, supervisors and production managers have a strong working knowledge of the most current chimney technology available.

Our standard chimney inspection consists of:

• The flue and smoke chamber are scanned with a high tech chimney inspection camera.
• Visually inspect the Firebox, throat, damper and smoke chamber.
• Visually inspect the Facing, hearths and all attached components.
• Visually inspect the Foundation and hearth support.
• Visually inspect the chimney where it passes through the attic.
• Visually inspect the chimney at the roof intersection, which includes a thorough look at the flashing and surrounding roof.
• Visually inspect the chimney as it protrudes above the roof line.
• Visually inspect the flue with a powerful light.
• Visually inspect the crown and the attachments.
• Conduct a push test. This is critically important, and requires real experience and knowledge to correctly evaluate the results.
• Following up on any potential problem. This may include more testing and closer examinations.
• On-the-spot reports of facts and solutions complete with repair costs. This picture and diagram filled report is designed to give both laymen and professionals sufficient information to make decisions easily and with confidence.

For more information on the F.I.R.E. Certification Program go to www.gotofire.com

Chimney Design

Boston Brick & Stone can design any brick, concrete or stone chimney and fireplace.  We are recognized for our expertise when it comes to chimneys. We have consulted architects and engineers on many projects including the University of Southern California’s Ronald Tutor Campus Center Rotunda Fireplace. Forest City - a national shopping mall and theater developer called upon Boston Brick & Stone, Inc. to construct the see-through fireplace at the Victoria Gardens Mall in Rancho Cucamonga.  The West Coast Director of Forest City was so impressed with the fireplace that he insisted that a name plaque imprinted with Boston Brick & Stone’s name should be installed in the chimney for all to see.

Chimneys and fireplaces are designed based on the footprint available, the overall design of the house and the personal taste of the owner.  Our designs always comply with all building, fire safety and health codes.  Our goal is to give each customer a beautiful fireplace and chimney that is code compliant, meets the customers requirements and is fully functional.

Construction:

When it comes to chimneys Boston Brick & Stone, Inc. is on the cutting edge of technology.  We understand the building codes and how they apply to the construction of Chimneys.  We are constantly on the web looking for the newest technology that will save a chimney, or improve its structural integrity.

The entire West Coast of the United States is earthquake country.  That brings a unique added challenge to chimney construction.  Every Boston Brick & Stone chimney is constructed with steel reinforcement and mortar far superior to anything used in the past.

Once the ideal structure has been engineered and we are certain it will operate perfectly when a fire is lit, the fun begins.  We spend extra time to make sure the chimney and fireplace will fit the style of the house and will also have the look and feel of the customer’s personal taste and lifestyle.

Each customer is assigned a production manager and a crew.  All production managers speak fluent English and every crew member is a full time employee of Boston Brick & Stone.  Many of them have been with BBS for years.  They take pride in their work, but never forget they are working at someone’s home.  Each afternoon the office calls every customer to explain the progress of the job, when the crew will return, when the next inspection will occur and answer any questions. No job is considered complete until the customer has told us they are happy with the work.

Restoration:

The art of restoration of masonry has three challenges.  First duplicating the exact look the original architect designed.  Second: constructing it to comply with all current building codes.  Finally: insuring the piece (especially a chimney) will be fully functional.  There are only a few masons who can combine all three.

The skill and patients necessary to re-create the design of a legendary architect such as Paul Williams is rare.  Most have never worked with other highly skilled masons.  Masons who have learned their craft so well, they have become artisans.   At Boston Brick & Stone, Inc. our master mason has been with the company for 20 years. The owner, Dave Laverdiere, the Quality Control Manager, and the Project Managers have many years experience in all areas of construction. It is the coordination of all of these skills that makes Boston Brick & Stone, Inc. the first choice of many local Historical Preservation Societies.

You can get an idea of the care and attention to detail necessary to construct a historical design that is also functional and meets present building code requirements in the article “Our Most Challenging Job Ever - thus far”

Repair:

Repairing a chimney takes skill and understanding.  The challenge is to insure that the chimney and fireplace are structurally sound, and safe both from fire hazards and noxious gases.

The technology on chimney repair took a giant step forward with the advent of FireGuard.  This product enables Boston Brick & Stone to seal the gaps in the mortar on the inside of the flue forcing all sparks, smoke and carbon monoxide to pass up the flue and out into the atmosphere to disperse safely.  For more information about FireGuard go to:   www.firesafeinc.com/firegard.html.

Few things are more disheartening then anticipating a lovely evening by the fire only to have the room filled up with smoke. Sometimes the solutions are simple, and sometimes more technical is necessary. We have found ways to improve the installation of metal steel liners without diminishing the draught of fireplace.  There are several articles on chimney repair, click on the red lettering Chimney Tips