Our Company Blog

The Importance of Storm Collars

Stopping water penetration of your chimney is an important responsibility for homeowners. Water can leak into your chimney and cause a lot of destruction to your home. Consequently, this includes the corrosion of metal components. Including components like the damper and chimney liner and the staining of ceilings and walls. Plus, even the rotting of the wooden structures which are adjacent to the chimney.

Water not only damages your chimney and home. In addition, the presence of moisture in your chimney can also lead to mold growth. Since it rains quite a bit in Austin, TX, Atlas Chimney has been working for over 25 years on preventing chimney water leaks. We know the best methods of keeping water out of your chimney and we will ensure your chimney is leak-proof. One of the best preventive measures we use is a storm collar as part of a flashing system. We would like to tell you more about storm collars. Also, how they are an important part of a good flashing system to protect your chimney from water penetration.

What exactly is a storm collar?

A storm collar is also known as a chimney collar. It is most often used with prefabricated chimneys. This is to prevent rain from getting into the space where the chimney pipe meets the roof. It is usually built into the flashing system around the chimney. Comparable to a chimney cap for masonry chimneys, storm collars are different because instead of sitting at the top of the chimney like a cap does, they fit directly onto the chimney pipe.

How long will my storm collar last?

While storm collars are durable, they do not last forever. Eventually you will have to replace your storm collar.  Notice water in the attic or water stains on the ceiling in the room of your fireplace? If so, it is time to replace your storm collar, according to the Home Guides at SF Gate.

Why do I need a flashing system?

The area around your chimney where it meets the roof is very vulnerable and needs to be protected by a flashing system. This is constructed of sheets of metal that are strategically layered on the roof and wrapped around the chimney. Providing a watertight barrier, water from rain and snow will be unable to enter at this point. Not only does Atlas Chimney repair flashing systems, but we can also construct new customized flashing systems. This will stop water from leaking into your chimney. When our customers have a prefabricated chimney that consists of a metal pipe, a storm collar will always be used as an important part of the flashing system.

Prevent water penetration of your chimney this spring. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to learn more about storm collars and our flashing system services!

Atlas Chimney Cleans More Than Just Fireplaces

When you think of Atlas Chimney, you might not think of pizza ovens as being one of the appliances that we clean and service. However, we are proud to offer these services to the pizzerias and restaurants in the Austin area! Of course, you may already know that you can count on us for all of your chimney and fireplace needs. Plus, our professional dryer vent and air duct cleaning services. Additionally, we wanted to tell you that you can trust us to safely clean your professional brick pizza oven too. We would like to tell you more about one of our clients, Quattro Gatti Ristorante e Pizzeria. Also, why it is so important to have a professional chimney sweep clean a brick pizza oven!

Neapolitan-style pizza and gnocchi in downtown Austin!

Real Italian food is a big favorite among the staff at Atlas Chimney. This is why we love having the chance to enjoy eating at Quattro Gatti Ristorante e Pizzeria. Gianfranco Mastrangelo, the owner, was taught everything he knows about Italian staple eatery by his grandmother. Learning quickly, as he grew up in New York City in the restaurant business. Mastrangelo told Culture Map Austin how he was able to perfect his craft. He did this by watching visiting Italian chefs like Mastro Ciccio, Francesco Etzi, and Antoinio Starita. Fortunately for Austin, Mastrangelo moved here to open Quattro Gatti. He built the oven he uses to cook his thin crust pizzas in less than five minutes! We are honored to clean this oven that is responsible for cooking so much delicious food.

A professional chimney sweep is recommended to clean the exhaust stacks of a brick oven.

Unfortunately, the exhaust stacks can be neglected when a brick pizza oven is being cleaned. Having said this, they should be cleaned on a monthly basis. Soot builds up on the inner walls of exhaust stacks, just like it does on the inner walls of chimneys. This not only puts you in danger of having a chimney fire, but it also can put the reputation of the taste of your pizza at risk. You really do not want your pizza to taste like soot! To be able to properly clean the exhaust stacks, you need specialized tools. This is why you should hire a professional chimney sweep to do this job for you. Atlas Chimney is certified and experienced in cleaning pizza ovens. So you know can trust us to make your restaurant safe and be sure your pizza tastes great!

Keep your brick pizza oven clean. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for our pizza oven cleaning services today. We are also here for your chimney and fireplace maintenance, repair, and installation needs as well as your professional dryer vent and air duct cleaning services too.