10
Jul
Why should I check my chimney in Toronto?

Why should I check my chimney in Toronto?

Your chimney provides protection against fire hazards, and the firebox has the same function. With regular chimney inspections and proper maintenance, you are helping to prevent a dangerous fire and avoiding repairs much more expensive than the cost of preventative measures. For chimney restorations, upgrades, and inspections, call Wilkens Contracting today! If you have been asking why you should get your chimney checked in your home in Toronto, then this article is for you!

Keeps your home and family safe

There is nothing more important than keeping your home and family safe while enjoying the fireplace or wood stove in the cooler months. Your chimney is an important ventilation system that allows smoke, toxins and dangerous fumes to escape the home. A clean chimney means a safer, more efficient fireplace and home heating appliance.

More efficient home heating

Also, your fireplace efficiency decreases when additional creosote is deposited in the chimney. The additional circulation of cooler air reduces energy efficiency requiring you to burn more wood and other fossil fuels, more often to stay warm. Also, small birds, rodents and insects can clog the flue preventing the escape of toxic fumes. And since the toxic fumes have difficulty escaping a clogged chimney, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, AKA the silent killer also increases.

Prevent unforeseen chimney repairs

A wood-burning fireplace can reach temperatures of 1100°F or more. This creates ash, bits of wood, soot and other particles that are by-products of the combustion process that can cover the flue liner, smoke shelf, damper and masonry with dirt, grime and contaminants. Professional chimney cleaning helps to reduce wear and tear on these components so you can prevent costly chimney repairs from having to replace them prematurely.

So, why should you have the chimney checked in your Toronto home? The answers are written in stone, or should we say brick! For chimneys and brick restoration, repair, or upgrading, contact Wilkens Contracting today! Click here to find our contact information or to speak with a representative.

 

 

 

 

 

13
Feb
How Can a New Chimney Benefit my Home

How Can a New Chimney Benefit my Home

This winter season have you been noticing the poor state of your chimney or fireplace, leading you to question how your old, worn-out ventilation stack might be causing you and your home harm? Obtaining a new chimney could see you receiving many more benefits to your life than your poorly maintained chimney was giving you. Enlisting the help of our expert team of builders at Wilkens Contracting could hold you in great stead come the next winter season!

Increased Heating and Safety

A chimney in poor working order will not be as efficient at heating your home and releasing the smoke out into the sky. You might not want to use it for fear of its degenerative state. With a new chimney, you can use your fireplace more effectively, heating your home without worry.

Using your fireplace and new chimney regularly could also see you saving money when it comes to your heating bills.

Mood Inducing

Your overall mood and emotional state could benefit this winter season thanks to a new chimney, as you will be more likely to use your fireplace. And what’s better than curling up by a fire, with a good book and a nice cup of tea during the winter? Not much. Your fireplace is the perfect setting for a romantic evening in or a relaxing afternoon too.

Free Estimate

We offer a free chimney estimate to all of our potential clients who wish to hire us to build a new chimney, or repair their old one. We do this as a way to show our sincerity at transparency. Just provide us with your contact information and what you are looking to have done, and we will get back to you in a prompt manner!

Contact us online, or call 416-425-8055 for Wilkens Contracting today!

23
Dec
Quality Chimney Repair in My Area

Quality Chimney Repair In My Area

With the onset of winter, Toronto homes are turning to their fireplaces and heating systems to stay warm this season. Have you noticed the state of your chimney leaves something to be desired? Are you unable to use it this winter as it has fallen into disrepair? Wilkens Contracting offers quality chimney repair to the Toronto area, and beyond, to help those who need to keep warm this winter!

 Continue to read through this article to learn how our masonry company can help you this season.

 Expert Knowledge

Wilkens Contracting has been servicing Toronto since our establishment in 1977. We are a fully licensed and insured family based company that aims to treat every client as if they were part of the family! All work is performed by our own team, thoroughly trained and wholly qualified to take on any masonry job you may need help completing.

 When you hire our company, for all of your masonry needs, you will obtain friendly and professional help, that will be able to extend the life of your chimney for many more decades to come. Whatever you may need; tuck pointing, replacing flue tiles, re-cementing chimney crowns, brick restoration, and more, our expert team has you covered.

 Don’t just take our word for it, check out our testimonials to hear from our previously satisfied clients.

No Pressure

Unfortunately, chimney repair fraud is a very real thing. It is essential to understand this before contracting someone or some company to do the work for you. Some will attempt to frighten you into hiring them, using terms like carbon monoxide poisoning or house fires to pressure you into making a quick decision.

If you feel as if you are being pushed or harassed into making a decision, then make the decision to push them out the door and look for someone else. With Wilkens Contracting, we will communicate with you openly and honestly about what your chimney or masonry repair would need, how much it would cost, and how long it would take.

 Free Estimate

We offer a free masonry estimate to all of our potential clients as a way to show our sincerity at transparency. Just provide us with your contact information and what you are looking to have repaired or replaced on your chimney, and we will get back to you in a timely manner.

Contact us online or visit our facility in person to get your repairs and builds underway with Wilkens Contracting today!

 

 

04
Oct
Chimney Repairs at Wilkens Contracting

Chimney Repairs at Wilkens Contracting

As the autumn months give way to winter, our chimneys and fireplaces will begin to see extra use. Don’t be caught out by your broken chimney this season, enlist the help of Wilkens Contracting for all of your chimney repairs and rebuilds before its too late!

Read on to learn how Wilkens Contracting can help you and your chimney this winter!

Repairs

Keeping the masonry of your chimney in good repair is vital to the overall integrity of your structure. A chimney should be able to last fifty years or more when it is correctly maintained. This includes regular cleaning of the fireplace flues and checkups of the chimney masonry.

If you notice that your chimney is spalling, breaking apart and crumbling, or the mortar is cracking, then contact Wilkens Contracting to get your chimney repairs underway. We can repair crumbling brick, disintegrating mortar joints, rusted dampers (located in the throat of the chimney), and more!

Rebuilds

Sometimes the chimney is too far gone for repairs and is not structurally sound enough to be considered safe. If your chimney is leaning to the side, or showing signs of significant brick deterioration, with large gaps of mortar missing, then a rebuild is in your best interest.

Our masons have access to an extensive collection of old and antique bricks so Wilkens Contracting will do our best to match our materials to the ones of your home. We also colour match the mortar so your repairs and rebuilds will blend in with the rest of your home, making an aesthetically pleasing alteration.

Elemental Exposure

Having worked in Canada for the whole of our existence, since our establishment in 1977, we understand the volatile weather conditions of this beautiful country. Chimneys are freestanding structures that are completely exposed to the elements at any given time.

This constant exposure can wreak havoc on your chimney’s structural integrity and should, therefore, be checked seasonally for damages. If you find you are in need of chimney repairs before this region’s harsh winters hit, now is the time to get in contact with Wilkens Contracting.

One of the top masonry repair facilitators in the Greater Toronto area, Wilkens Contracting can complete all of your chimney repairs, builds, or rebuilds. Fill out our free estimate form, and one of our knowledgeable and friendly employees will get in contact with you right away!

Contact us online or in person to get your project underway!

17
Jul
Chimney Repair Toronto

Chimney Repair Toronto

If you need a chimney repair in Toronto, call Wilkens Contracting Inc.  Our team is made up of well experienced masons who can efficiently and safely handle the repair of your chimney. A well maintained chimney will last for years, but one that is crumbling or is otherwise unsafe puts you at risk of fires and other property damage. If the chimney needs pointing or other repairs we can get that done and extend the life of the existing structure.  In this article by Wilkens Contracting Inc. we will talk about what some of the signs are that indicate that you need chimney repair on your home in Toronto. Read on for more information.

*Before*

What are the signs that your chimney needs repairs?

The first step in getting your chimney back in shape is being able to detect when there is a problem. Here are a few things to look out for:

Crumbling Brick or Mortar Joints:

If the mortar that joins the bricks together or the bricks themselves are starting to crumble, it’s time to give us a call. Brick has a long lifespan, but still needs some repairs now and then.

Rusted damper:

The damper is the mechanism that allows you to open and close the chimney above the fireplace If it starts to rust it is probably as simple as your chimney needing to be re-crowned or it may lack a chimney cap.

Full chimney replacement:

If you have an older house, the chimney may be too far gone to be repaired and thus may need to be re-built. This will be apparent if your chimney is leaning or showing signs of major brick deterioration and/or large voids between the bricks. another symptom is that the chimney is leaning or the sides of the structure are “swelling”. We do our best to find bricks that match your original ones, including antiques. We colour match the mortar and also finish the top of your chimney to replicate the period design.

*After*

Our goal is to provide homeowners with high quality chimney repairs for prices they can afford. Our rates are highly competitive, and we are constantly working to improve on our already excellent customer care. By trusting the professionals at Wilkens Contracting Inc. to take care of any repairs, your chimney can continue to work as it should well into the future. Click here to find our contact information and to request a quote.  

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