The single most important step to take towards fireplace safety is to call a professional chimney sweep for an annual cleaning. They will sweep out soot and debris, remove any rocky or waxy creosote that has accumulated, and inspect both your chimney and fireplace....
Anyone who has recently bought a home has a million things to worry about, especially if a remodel is involved. Chimneys are often overlooked, out of sight and out of mind until the first fire is lit. Then the only real concern is whether or not the chimney is pushing...
Chimneys make nice warm homes for birds and small animals alike, dragging in sticks and grasses to line their nests. Unfortunately, these cozy cabins completely prevent the chimney from doing its job, which is to draw smoke out of the house. While birds and squirrels...
Because chimneys extend above the roof and are continually subjected to the elements, waterproofing is an important measure to take to keep moisture out and protect mortar joints. Waterproofing maintains the integrity of insulation and prevents staining, water damage,...
We love our fireplaces in the winter but in order for the fireplace to work properly every season, there are some maintenance tasks as well as things to avoid doing. It is not uncommon for people to start fires the wrong way or burn things that should not be put into...
Homeowners and renters alike want to keep their possessions nice and they want to have them safe from theft or fire damage. The best way to protect these items as well as loved ones from fire damage is to be proactive and practice fire prevention. It does not take a...
A pellet stove is a residential heat source that burns biomass or wood pellets. The stove feeds this fuel from a hopper-style storage container into an area called the burn-pot, creating a constant flame that needs minimal adjustment. Users receive the benefit of a...
More and more homeowners are converting their old fireplaces to gas or installing gas-burning inserts. While they love the look and feel of a wood burning fireplace, some of the costs and maintenance become a turn off. Gas logs give them a viable option to continue to...
For the most part, areas generally experiencing very cold temperatures in the United States are getting a bit of a respite right now. In fact, many Northeastern states have seen temperatures in the 60's recently. Do not let this little Indian Summer fool you, though,...
A fire in the fireplace is a source of warmth and comfort, but it also creates residue that can build up within the venting system. The National Fire Protection Association And Chimney Safety Institute of America recommend annual inspections of chimneys. Since 2000,...
