Bill On Fire
Welcome to Bill On Fire, an informative online video series by Chimney Company owner Bill Bassels. The Bill On Fire series includes videos of the services that we provide, problems that occur, and interesting aspects of the job that we encounter. It is designed to be informative, not instructional, showing you areas of the industry that you would normally not be able to see.
Please remember, work shown here is performed by supervised, licensed, and certified professionals. DO NOT attempt anything you see here yourself. So sit back, enjoy, and thanks for watching Bill On Fire.
Smoke Chamber
EPISODE #4
In this episode Bill parges the inside of a smoke chamber to fill in the voids.
EPISODE #21
Here is an example of another smoke chamber being parged on an exterior wall.
EPISODE #44
This homes chimney liner was installed improperly causing smoke issues inside the house.
EPISODE #52
Unlined chimneys can often create smoke issues inside the home.
CONCRETE CAPS
EPISODE #5
Installing precast concrete caps.
EPISODE #13
Check out this enormous concrete cap and the end result over time.
EPISODE #47
See why improper installation of a concrete cap can lead to chimney deterioration.
CLEANING & INSPECTIONS
FLASHING & EAVESTROUGHS
EPISODE #62
Sometimes chimneys are difficult or even impossible to clean due to the design of thier flue.
EPISODE #63
This customer ordered the Chimney Company Value Pack and got a much needed inspection.
EPISODE #7
Bill describes what chimney flashing is and illustrates a poor eavestrough design.
EPISODE #60
This unused chimney is sealed up with stainless steel flashing to prevent leaking.
LINERS
EPISODE #2
Watch Bill and his team as they install a rigid steel chimney liner into this rebuild.
EPISODE #3
This stainless steel liner is sealed to the chimney crown and attached to the smoke chamber.
EPISODE #10
See why metal liners on top of clay flues must be properly flashed.
EPISODE #11
Watch as Bill explains why this rebuild needs a new chimney flue liner.
EPISODE #12
In this episode Bill shows why unlined chimneys are a serious problem and how we corrected this one.
EPISODE #15
This rebuild shows various unique problems that we encountered in this chimney and how we solved them.
EPISODE #22
In this episode you will see an example of a certified stainless steel rigid liner prior to installation.
EPISODE #25
See the damaged caused to a pre-fab chimney as a result of improper air-space requirements.
EPISODE #28
Here is an example of why installing a stainless steel liner may not always be the most logical solution.
EPISODE #32
Here we have to install a flex liner due to an offset in the chimney.
EPISODE #43
See why proper installation of a chimney liner above the concrete cap is just as important as below.
EPISODE #58
An unlined chimney causes smoke to filter into this homes basement.
EPISODE #65
See why lining a fireplace flue is important.
EPISODE #69
See how an unlined chimney can cause smoke to leak into a home.
EPISODE #70
This gas liner has deteriorated badly and must be replaced.
SMOKE PROBLEMS
EPISODE #44
This homes chimney liner was installed improperly causing smoke issues inside the house.
EPISODE #46
See how we fix this home owners issues with leaking smoke.
EPISODE #52
Unlined chimneys can often create smoke issues inside the home.
EPISODE #56
Gaps in the flue cause this chimney to leak smoke.
EPISODE #58
An unlined chimney causes smoke to filter into this homes basement.
EPISODE #68
Testing a chimney to pinpoint the cause of smoke leaking into the basement.
EPISODE #69
See how an unlined chimney can cause smoke to leak into a home.
DETERIORATION & REBUILDS
EPISODE #1
Bill explains the effects a pointed chimney has on bricks and mortar and why it should be avoided.
EPISODE #12
In this episode Bill shows why unlined chimneys are a serious problem and how we corrected this one.
EPISODE #15
This rebuild shows various unique problems that we encountered in this chimney and how we solved them.
EPISODE #26
Here is an excellent example of why partial rebuilds are not normally recommended.
EPISODE #38
See a completed chimney rebuild in a typical east york neighorhood.
EPISODE #39
Over time chimneys can deteriorate and become unsafe, Bill explains how and why.
EPISODE #40
If you have an old home, there is a good chance you may need to have your chimney rebuilt.
EPISODE #50
See how small rain caps and lack of airspace can be devastating to a chimney.
EPISODE #59
This older chimney is starting to deteriorate and needs a proper rebuild.
EPISODE #61
See how improper construction led to this chimney needing a rebuild.
CREOSOTE
EPISODE #16
During this rebuild see the effects of excessive creosote and the damage it caused.
CHIMNEY FIRES
EPISODE #51
In some cases improper construction can even lead to chimney fires.
WALLS, BRICKWORK, & SILLS
EPISODE #18
Watch as the Chimney Company crew repairs a shifting foundation wall caused by improper grading.
EPISODE #24
Watch as we install a stone sill and explain why it is superior to a brick one.
EPISODE #31
Installation of stone sills.
EPISODE #36
In this episode we come across a very unique brick wall repair.
EPISODE #33
In this episode we repair damaged bricks at ground level on a garage.
SCAFFOLD SET UPS
EPISODE #23
Here is an example of a multi-leveled scaffold set-up.
EPISODE #37
Here we show the interesting scaffold set up from episode #36.
EPISODE #49
See how Bill sets up the scaffold at this difficult location.
ANIMALS
EPISODE #34
Here is an example of how animals can sometimes seek shelter in chimneys.
EPISODE #67
Animals can cause more damage to a chimney than most people realize.
ADDRESSING IMPROPER CONSTRUCTION
EPISODE #6
Here we explain why this chimney requires a complete rebuild from the roofline up.
EPISODE #8
This video shows a brick chimney that was parged and explains why it should be avoided.
EPISODE #9
This episode shows clearly why a brick chimney should not be corbelled.
EPISODE #10
See why metal liners on top of clay flues must be properly flashed.
EPISODE #13
Check out this enormous concrete cap and the end result over time.
EPISODE #14
Here we show why we believe our expertise should be called upon for chimney inspections.
EPISODE #17
Upon inspection of this chimney we discovered major structural problems.
EPISODE #19
Here we show common chimney problems on a typical downtown home.
EPISODE #20
This episode clearly shows why exterior bricks should never be covered with stone facing.
EPISODE #25
See the damaged caused to a pre-fab chimney as a result of improper air-space requirements.
EPISODE #27
Here is an extreme example of a chimney spalling due to improper construction.
EPISODE #29
This client was experiencing major smoke issues inside their home.
EPISODE #30
This Brick wall was damaged by a an improper venting installation.
EPISODE #35
During the rebuild of this chimney we discovered a damaged flue.
EPISODE #41
Once again we see how cutting corners can lead to major deterioration.
EPISODE #42
Here we do a complete chimney rebuild to fix some of the common mistakes that we find throughout the city.
EPISODE #43
See why proper installation of a chimney liner above the concrete cap is just as important as below.
EPISODE #44
This homes chimney liner was installed improperly causing smoke issues inside the house.
EPISODE #45
This chimney was extended when the house went from a bungalow to a two story, but wasn’t build correctly.
EPISODE #46
See how we fix this home owners issues with leaking smoke.
EPISODE #47
See why improper installation of a concrete cap can lead to chimney deterioration.
EPISODE #48
The Chimney Company is called in to rectify what may be the worst job we’ve seen.
EPISODE #50
See how small rain caps and lack of airspace can be devastating to a chimney.
EPISODE #51
In some cases improper construction can even lead to chimney fires.
EPISODE #53
Improper construction has led the clay tile on this chimney to crack.
EPISODE #54
In this case we see improper materials being used in chimney construction.
EPISODE #55
Once again we see the devastating effects of corbelling on a chimney.
EPISODE #57
Parging chimneys never has a good outcome, see an example here.
EPISODE #61
See how improper construction led to this chimney needing a rebuild.
EPISODE #64
This chimney is in absolute ruin due to improper construction.
EPISODE #66
See how proper construction has kept this chimney in pristine condition for over a decade.