What is dryer lint?

Dryer lint refers to visible accumulation of fabric fiber and other small particles sticking on the clothes which gather on the lint screen of the clothes dryer. These are tiny bits of different kind of particles that shed from edges of our garments during the drying process. With passage of time, the drying process results in accumulation of textile fibers within the dryer. This is generally the reason why towels, shirts, sweaters become thinner over repeated washing. The fibers loosen up and leave the cloth and gather over the lint screen.

Fabrics like cotton, wool, linen are made of numerous fibers weaved together to form the cloth. But fabrics like synthetic and rayon release less lint. In the process of washing, the fabric becomes softer during the washing process while they are wet. In the tumbling action, there is exhaust of hot air. The agitator in washing machine loosens up the fabric. Static friction is created during the spinning time due to hot air. Over a period of time, when the fabric fibers lose their weave, the fibers accumulate on the lint screen. Other than that, different particles sticking on the clothes in the process of wearing like dust, hair, microorganisms, plant fibers etc. too gather over the lint screen causing “Dryer Lint”. Therefore, lint screen needs to be cleaned periodically so as to not cause gathering of lint in the dryer. If dryer lint is formed, it can cause fire anytime.

One needs to take proper safety measures to avoid any accidental dryer lint. Avoid mistakes that result in dryer fire. Use belt dryers, if you don’t have the need of drying your clothes frequently. Proper cleaning of lint screen at regular intervals can result in better cloth wash, safe drying and energy efficiency as well.

How to clean chimney at home?

It is important to clean the chimney regularly to prevent dangerous creosote fire. Cleaning chimney by yourself will help you cut down your expense drastically. You just have to buy a few tools and get started. Here are the DIY ways of cleaning chimney at your home.

1.    Inspect
Wear goggles and air respirator and move up to clean ashes and grate from the firebox. Open doors and windows and after a while open the damper. Take a big torch or the brightest flashlight that you have and shine it in the flue and smoke chamber. If the soot is 1/8th of an inch or more, it’s an indication that the chimney needs immediate cleaning. If you find that the buildup is shiny and deep, or has a blackish tarlike appearance, you need to call a professional chimney sweeper.

2.    Buy proper chimney cleaning tools
You really need to use correct set of chimney cleaning tools to be able to clean your chimney. Some of the tools are - a brush with long handle, metal liner brush, an old towel or drop cloth, harness for safety, flashlight or torch, safety goggles, poly sheeting, duct tape and a vacuum cleaner.

3.    Protect the house’s interior
Spread a huge cloth or canvas tarp into the room and use poly sheet to cover the fireplace. Seal it with duct tape.

4.    Do brushing in the flue
Brush the flue up and down multiple times over and use flash light to check whether your work is done. Now use vacuum cleaner to start cleaning the chimney and add rods until there is no feeling of extra brush resistance.

Clean chimney at least once in a year and if the problem persists, it is advisable to call a professional cleaner.

 

Grease Duct Cleaning NYC Manhattan and 5 Boroughs

In large hotels and resorts, the quantity of food prepared is usually large and lump sum. Not only the quantity is important but a lot more important factor is that the quality of food should be excellent for you guest to come back to you regularly. It is in these places that grease duct are provided for venting out the grease laden fumes as when you cook large quantity of food this is common. As these ducts are specifically designed for grease vent out, these are commonly found in commercial food joints in places where stoves and deep fryers are kept. The smoke of the cooking should not stay at that place as it would be impossible for the cook to cook the food and it may spoil the flavours of various foods prepared. 

Construction of grease ducts require good planning
Construction of grease ducts should be well planned and proper grease duct cleaning is a very important aspect and these are governed by the evidence of compliance kept as certificates by the owners of such large commercial establishments. 

After a specific point of heating the grease, it turns into vapors which merge into the air stream. The grease which evaporates when cools down generally settles down on the grease ducts. And hence it is very important to do grease duct cleaning at regular intervals like three to six months. If regular cleaning is not done, it could be risky as the grease that settles down is highly inflammable which can cause break out of fire. So when you are planning to install grease duct special prior permission are required as these are usually found in commercial establishments and regular cleaning should be done. Compliance and certificates are issued by cleaning and maintenance contractors after regular duct cleaning of grease.  

For instance, commercial requirements require quarterly grease duct cleaning, whereas normal stoves may necessitate the grease duct to be cleaned only every six months. Grease turn into hydro carbon and can take different forms like vapor, liquid or solid. And it can catch fire in an instant. That is why it is very important to clean these ducts regularly.

United Duct Cleaning is an Air Duct Cleaning NYC company which offers Duct Cleaning, Air Duct Cleaning, Dryer Vent Cleaning and Chimney Sweep in New York City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens and Five Boroughs

Chimney Waterproofing NYC Manhattan and 5 Boroughs

Chimney waterproofing is necessary to prevent leakage of water from the exterior of the chimney. Waterproofing of chimney will ensure the structural stability and safety of the chimney and its surroundings.

If you are not taking adequate steps to protect your chimney from extreme weather conditions, you may land up with chimney reconstruction. Looking at it from this perspective, it is advisable to waterproof your chimney before the onset of problems .Chimney water proofing will avoid a costly chimney repair, apart from the ugly appearance atop your roof. Any accumulation resulting from the moisture ingress in your chimney will obviously reduce the functional efficiency of the fireplace considerably.

Waterproofing your Chimney
You must take into consideration a few salient points before you start the process of waterproofing your chimney. You should confirm that all mortar joints are rigid and healthy. Any cracks or breakage in the mortar joints are to be duly repaired, prior to waterproofing. If you observe only minor cracks in the mortar joints, you can fill the cracks with the special type of waterproofing chalk to prevent any possible leaks. Even if there are no detectable cracks presently, consider the problem that masonry materials are highly porous and are liable to absorb a good amount of moisture. Due of this reason, you must go for the waterproofing of your chimney before face any serious chimney problems. Engage an experienced chimney maintenance contractor, to meet your specific chimney waterproofing needs.

For people who are interested in buying old houses, it is very much essential that they should ensure that the chimney has been duly waterproofed in the recent times. You need to assess the water proofing requirement of the chimney from time to time, so as to avoid any major damage to your chimney leading to unplanned expenditure. When you are in the process of buying a new house, it is recommended that you arrange for the inspection of the chimney and its internals by designated agency before you finalize the house purchase agreement.

United Duct Cleaning is a Residential Duct Cleaning NYC company which offers Duct Cleaning, Air Duct Cleaning, Dryer Vent Cleaning and Chimney Sweep in New York City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens and Five Boroughs

Chimney Repair Contractors NYC Manhattan and 5 Boroughs

Chimney repair contractors are well equipped to handle various tasks like chimney inspection, chimney cleaning and chimney repairs and modification.

Chimney inspection 
The National Fire Protection Association’s standard prescribes three levels of inspection for chimney and venting system. Each level of inspection includes certain scope of work and modalities.

Level I Inspection 
This level is recommended for chimneys with good accessibility. In general, this is the level of inspection is done in most of the houses. In Level I inspection, the structural stability of the chimney and the formation of combustible deposits, such as creosote is assessed.

Level II Inspection 
This level of inspection is prescribed for new installations, sale of property, after an accidental damage to the chimney. The scope of a Level II inspection includes that of the Level I inspection in addition to the inspection of accessible portions of the crawl spaces and basement structures. It also includes a smoke test and a video inspection of the chimney internals.

Level III Inspection 
Level III inspections are usually prescribed for investigating an incident that has led to the damage of chimney or building.

Safety Inspection
Safety inspection of the Chimney will cover checking the condition of the firebox, damper, and flue duct to assess the problems of build ups, mortar deterioration, obstructions inside the flue, and defects in damper parts. 

Scope of Services of Chimney repair contractors

• Chimney demolition
• Lining/relining of chimney with refractory or other lining materials
• Identifying the reasons for low chimney draught & rectifying the problems
• Reconstruction of residential chimney brick stacks
• Smoke testing & chimney leak detection
• Fitting of Chimney anti-down-draught chimney cowl
• Repairs to Chimney capping & vent ducts
• Replacement & repair of damaged chimney parts

Chimney repair contractors help you in maintaining the efficiency of your fireplace and chimney system. They deliver quality chimney cleaning and repair work to domestic and commercial customers. Their experienced staff will be readily available to assist you in solving any chimney problem experienced by you.

United Duct Cleaning is a Residential Duct Cleaning Manhattan company which offers Duct Cleaning, Air Duct Cleaning, Dryer Vent Cleaning and Chimney Sweep in New York City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens and Five Boroughs

Chimney Restoration NYC Manhattan and 5 Boroughs

In addition to chimney sweep and cleaning professionals, you need chimney restoration and renovation professionals too from time to time. The chimney professionals you choose should have a track record of providing quality work at affordable rates.

Almost any professional can clean the chimney efficiently. Some people may choose to clean the chimney on their own. But a complete chimney renovation or restoration can be done by qualified and experienced professionals only. For example, if you need to replace bricks of your chimney, or if some bricks need to be grafted with the existing ones, then you need specialized equipments and labor.

If your chimney’s outside portion has completely fallen apart, then you need a chimney renovation specialist who can climb up on the roof and address the problem. If you continue using a damaged chimney and you do not get them repaired in time, then the flames may escape to other house areas, and cause serious hazard to the house and the family members.

You need chimney lining to keep your chimney vent and walls protected against corrosion and heat, and direct smoke out into the atmosphere. If this lining has burnt off, you need a professional who can efficiently handle your chimney relining project. They will line your chimney vent with ceramic, clay or metal, to extend life of your chimney.

Sometimes, you need chimney enlargement too, as your old chimney is too small to handle the smoke exhausted by your house. In that case, a professional chimney restoration company can come to your house, and enlarge you chimney vent as per your requirements and preferences. 

If you want something more than a simple chimney cleaning, then you need to make sure that the company you are hiring is a specialized and experienced one. It might cost you a little more, but your problem will be dealt with by an expert, and your home will stay protected against any hazards related to carbon monoxide emission. In other words, a specialized chimney restoration company can help in improving health level of your family members, and also extend your chimney’s life.

United Duct Cleaning offers Duct Cleaning, Air Duct Cleaning, Dryer Vent Cleaning and Chimney Sweep in New York City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens and Five Boroughs 

Bird Chimney Sweep NYC Manhattan and 5 Boroughs

When the fall months arrive, you start considering starting burning. But before you light that first fire, it is best to check your chimney first. Grabbing the ladder and cleaning out the leaves is not enough. If you notice crumbled cement, bird feathers etc. falling down, or if you cannot see light on the other end, then there might be some obstructions on the way, and you need to clear that before lighting any fire. Most common obstruction that enters your chimney sweep during summer and spring is bird. Reaching that stuck bird is not everyone’s cup of tea. Most of the time, you need a professional bird chimney sweep to do the job. 

If you smell a foul odor while burning the fire, or if the smoke curls and rolls back in your home instead of going out of the chimney, then there must be a major obstruction in the vent. The chimney sweep bird removal company can come to your house, inspect the chimney and its vent, and clear it of any obstructions that might be blocking its way. Sometimes, there might be a bird nest in your chimney vent, that may come into the way of efficient burning. In any case, you don’t want a bird to get burnt while you burn the fire for your comfort. In addition to that, having a clear chimney vent will increase its efficiency significantly.

A professional chimney sweep bird removal company will have all the tools and equipments required to remove a stuck bird in your chimney vent. They will come to your place at the scheduled date and time, and bring with them all the equipments required in the process. Within minutes, the bird chimney sweep professionals will not only remove the bird, but will also clean other debris from the chimney vent.

Maintaining your chimney will keep it secure. Why chance your house fill with smoke and odor of a dead bird in the chimney vent. Get your chimney cleaned by a bird chimney sweep expert, and enjoy a warm evening in front of cozy fire.

United Duct Cleaning is a Chimney Sweep Manhattan company offering Duct Cleaning, Air Duct Cleaning, Dryer Vent Cleaning and Chimney Sweep in New York City, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens and Five Boroughs