In order to work efficiently and safely, the components of your chimney system, such as the damper, need to be in good condition. Your chimney damper plays an important role. When it is opened, it allows the toxic byproducts of combustion to exit your chimney, and...
The snow, ice, and freezing temperatures that winter brings can end up causing a lot of damage to your masonry chimney. In the Indianapolis area, we must endure some tough winter weather, and The Mad Hatter knows that we will be busy repairing damage after a big snow...
You could have a dangerous fire hazard in your home - your clothes dryer. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), approximately 16,800 residential fires were reported in the U.S. in 2010 that involved clothes dryers. The majority of these fires...
If your older traditional masonry fireplace has not been heating your home as well as it should, you may be considering options to make some improvements. Unfortunately, older fireplaces just are not very efficient as a lot of its heat escapes out of the chimney, and...
If you decide to buy an older home, you most likely know you will have more maintenance responsibilities to be sure all of the systems in your home are up to modern building safety codes and regulations. Standards can change over the years, and you need to ensure the...
The harsh freezing temperatures of winter can bring lots of damage to masonry chimneys, and The Mad Hatter wants to help you be prepared this winter. Why does so much damage occur to chimneys in the winter? According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA),...
Known as “the silent killer,” carbon monoxide is an odorless and tasteless toxic gas that is given off by any burning fuel, which means that your fireplace or stove produces it. Responsible for killing hundreds of Americans each year, carbon monoxide also causes...
When you have pets that live indoors, you must think about keeping them safe around the fireplace when you have a fire burning. Dogs and cats can be curious about fire, and if you are not careful, your pets could get hurt. Not only do you have to consider keeping your...
With so many options available, choosing firewood is not as easy as it may seem. Knowing which types are the best to burn can help you tremendously when you are shopping for your wood fuel supply. At The Mad Hatter, our customers regularly ask our staff for...
While a wood-burning flame during the fall and winter can be very enjoyable, it also holds a lot of responsibilities. Not knowing and understanding the best practices for burning wood can lead to hazardous situations, including a devastating house fire. As fireplace...
