Newsletter August 2009

Greetings,

It is my pleasure to share with you the latest from Rockford Chimney Supply. Headquartered in Michigan, I well know what a tough economy is. That's why I have decided to freeze our prices until the end of the year, so we can shoulder some of the increased operating and shipping costs. From my family to yours, Brad White Owner

Find Out More About Our Napoleon Stoves Wood Stove

Fire Safety Tip
Proper Sizing of The Chimney Flue

This will depend on the unit that is being vented, and not the current size of the chimney. If you have a wood burning fireplace insert with a rectangular exhaust, First, measure the height and width of the opening of the door where you put the wood into the insert. Then, give us a call and we will calculate for you the proper liner diameter for the insert you have. You will also require a rectangle to round insert boot to convert the opening from rectangle to round. One option we offer for this type of transition is a Rectangle to round insert boot.

Find out What is the diameter of the exhaust on your appliance. If it's 6" you will most likely need a 6" liner. However, you may have other options if your current flue size is too small for a 6" liner. Keep in mind that all flexible liners measure a 1/4" larger on the outside. Meaning a 6" liner as described on all of our products is the ID dimension, the OD is 1/4 larger.

We have other options if the above mentioned boot will not work with your application. Remember, the capacity of a chimney to remove smoke from an appliance is directly related to the liner sizing. A properly sized chimney will mean better efficiency, no smoke in your home, and less likely to have a chimney fire.

1-866-708-2446 

Special For August - Chimney Caps

Why do I need a chimney cap, you might ask?

The best investment you can make to protect your chimney is a good quality chimney cap. A chimney cap prevents entry of rain and animals and helps contain sparks. Chimney caps can also help solve certain chimney performance problems, and are also designed to protect the mortar crown area at the top of the chimney.

RAIN & SNOW
The number one cause of damage to chimneys is rain/snow and weather. Water is absorbed into the bricks and mortar, and weather changes cause expansion and contraction which deteriorates the masonry, compromising your chimney's structural stability.

BIRDS & ANIMALS
Birds and animals are attracted to chimneys. Chimneys offer a nice, tall place to live with secure protection. However, animal and bird nests are highly flammable, baby birds make incessant noises that will nearly drive you mad, and if the critter can't exit through the top of the chimney, she and her babies will try and exit through the bottom - right into YOUR house!

Raccoons and squirrels can get into the house and cause thousands of dollars in damage to furnishings, rugs, curtains and everything in reach in their desperate attempt to escape from your home. They also harbor lice, fleas, rabies and other diseases that can put your family at risk.

Most folks figure that the baby critters will grow up and leave the nest, exit the chimney top, and then you're safe to use the chimney. Not true! First of all, far too many babies cannot escape the chimney and will die in there, creating horrible odors and maggot infestations. Second, the remaining nesting materials can block the chimney so that fumes and smoke cannot escape, as well as providing fuel for a raging chimney fire.

Keep in mind that migratory birds are considered endangered and cannot be removed by law. Chimney sweeps are not even allowed to remove a nest. An animal control agency may have to be contacted for the removal. After the animal or bird evacuates your chimney, on its own or through forced eviction, you must have the chimney cleaned to remove the nesting materials, then install a chimney cap to prevent their return. The screening built into the cap is carefully designed to allow proper drafting yet keep out uninvited wildlife guests.

SPARK ARRESTORS & PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS
A good chimney cap also includes a screen that helps control sparks. On windy days, chimney draft can be affected and if sparks exit the chimney they can ignite nearby trees, leaves and other flammables. If your home is located within a wooded area, a chimney cap with a spark arrestor is strongly recommended.

The ROCKFORD SOLUTION
You can check out our selection of caps, by Clicking Here

QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions regarding the type and size of caps that you need, we would love to talk with you.

1-866-708-2446