1. Safety. Chimneys perform a vital safety function. They protect your home from catching fire, and protect your structure from heat and smoke. Serviced routinely, your chimney will last the life of your home. Neglected, and costly repairs could be required. Worse off, a damaged chimney presents a number of safety hazards and increases the chances of damage to your home. Avoid all of this with routine cleaning and maintenance.

2. Aesthetics. Part of owning a masonry brick fireplace or wood burning stove is about enjoying the classic, timeless beauty of a wood burning fire. But dirty fireplaces, chimneys, and accessories can tarnish the experience – especially in a beautiful home or locale. Take the time to clean and maintain your masonry fireplace or wood burning stove and enjoy them to their full potential. Having company over? Make a statement with a clean space – and make your stove or fire the center of it.

3. Spot Damage Early. Like bad news, damage to brick, masonry, and flue and chimney components generally gets worse with time. A simple crack in brick can, with time and neglect, turn into a much bigger issue. Creosote buildup can cause similar issues and could prevent the timely resolution of issues. Regular cleaning and maintenance (we recommend both yearly in the form of cleaning and inspections) can help avoid these issues, and allows for repairs before its too late (and too expensive).

4. For your Health. A clean, functioning chimney safely contains smoke in the fireplace firebox or wood burning stove, and moves it up and out of your home through the flue. Dirty chimneys may pose a risk, as blockages and buildup could degrade your chimney’s ability to safely and efficiently remove smoke from your home. Excess creosote buildup could constrain the flow of smoke – or worse – combust. And damaged bricks and heat shields could fragment and create physical barriers. All of this equates to safety risks, and an increased chance smoke could flow into your home. Cleaning and maintenance will help you avoid these things, and maintain you and your family’s health.
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5. Code Compliance. Municipal, county, and state building codes change and evolve over time. These cover your fireplace and chimney too. Through regular chimney service, you can stay up to date on evolving codes, and ensure any repairs are conducted according to the latest. This is one more reason to hire a certified, reputable team like ours. Take the guess work out of code compliance and let the professional chimney sweeps get the job done.  ​

​When was the last time you changed the liner in your chimney or conducted a cleaning? If you’re not sure, it's time to look into the matter further, and you should probably consider getting your chimney evaluated. You might be in need of a new liner.
 
Although chimneys appear to be intended to endure practically anything, the fact is that they aren't quite as robust as we might imagine. Liners, in example, might readily lose their prior solidity and play a role in a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning by allowing gases and/or burning embers to escape. Newer liners are stronger than ever before – but any material can become damaged – especially with heavy use.
 
If you do discover that you require a new liner, you have a variety of options. Today's fireplaces are unlike the fireplaces of yesteryear, which is a positive thing for homeowners. The fireplaces of today are not always built of brick. Many are constructed of softer, more pliable materials. This allows you to change the liners without having to completely rebuild the chimney.
 
But, first and foremost, you must determine whether or not you require a new liner. It is essential to get your chimney examined by someone who understands what they are looking for. While these tasks can be completed on your own, we highly recommend working with certified professional chimney sweeps. As more and more families install fireplaces in their homes, chimney sweeping has become a crucial part of ensuring that our houses are safe. Our company can install, clean, and maintain your chimney to ensure that it is safe to use.
 
One of the major responsibilities of a chimney sweep is to inspect your chimney for possible fire threats as well as obstructions. This is especially true if you have a gas fireplace. If a homeowner has a blockage in their chimney, gases can readily accumulate inside the residence. A chimney sweep may perform an initial check of your chimney and then recommend a more in-depth inspection based on their findings.
 
Best of all, we can assist with other tasks that may require attention. Give us a call today and we’ll get started!
 

1) Is your fireplace going to be built in a new home or will you be adding one to an existing one? As you would assume, installing a fireplace is significantly easier if you're building a new house or adding an extension. If you're adding one to an existing house, keep the following points in mind. Is there an existing chimney in excellent condition that I could utilize for venting? Is there anyhow I can situate the fireplace so that it can immediately vent outdoors if I don't have a chimney to utilize for venting? Or am I thinking of a vent-free fireplace?
 
2) What kind of fireplace are you looking for? Do you want a fireplace that burns wood? If you're venting your fireplace through a chimney, make sure it's in good operating order. If you don't have a chimney or it would be too expensive to install one, another alternative for venting your wood-burning fireplace is to use a direct venting system. A direct venting system may be installed in almost any room that has an outside wall. Do you choose a gas fireplace over a wood-burning fireplace? A gas fireplace eliminates the labor and clutter of burning wood and can be vented through a chimney, directly vented, or even vent-free.
 
3) Exercise caution while selecting a vent-free fireplace. Many people find it appealing to add a vent-free fireplace to an existing home since there is no need to worry about having a safe chimney or having an exterior wall to install the direct vent. There is no heat loss since there is no venting to the outside.
 
However, if you are considering a vent-free fireplace, be aware of the following correct operation guidelines from the American Gas Association's research division: Use the fireplace only for short periods of time (no more than 4 hours at a time); do not use in a tiny enclosed space; and do not use as the sole source of heat. Furthermore, if anyone in your house is pregnant, anemic, has lung difficulties, has cardiac problems, or is diabetic, a vent less fireplace should not be built.
 
A few more things to consider about vent-free fireplaces: they might generate excessive dampness; there may be a detectable odor from the fireplace; and levels are low enough that they are not deemed toxic to healthy individuals.
 
4) An electric fireplace is another fireplace option. Electric fireplaces are very efficient and reasonably priced to run. An electric fireplace is essentially a plug-and-play gadget. You bring it home, plug it in, and relax. An electric fireplace will produce heat but should not be utilized as the major source of heat in a room.
 
5) Shop around before making a purchase. A business that offers fireplaces and/or fireplace surrounds is an excellent spot to conduct research. Some businesses that specialize in the sale of brick, stone, and tile for fireplace surrounds also offer fireplace inserts. If you visit their showrooms, you will be able to see both fireplaces and some fireplace surrounds with various designs of mantles, stone, brick, tile, and hearthstones. I went to my local stone firm for fireplace ideas when I was building my home. They had a showroom where they displayed over 20 gas and wood-burning fireplaces. Each fireplace has a unique surround made by a local mason using various sorts of bricks and stones. It aided me in deciding on the sort of brick I wanted to buy, the design of surround I wanted, and the type of stone I wanted for my hearthstone. The Internet is another excellent resource for study.
 
6) Consult a professional. Do not attempt to install a fireplace yourself unless you are getting an electric plug-and-play fireplace or you are an expert in the installation of fireplaces. Consult with a professional to ensure that it is properly placed so that no toxic gases are released and the fireplace does not pose a fire threat.
 
There are a lot of considerations when it comes to selecting a fireplace. Don’t hesitate to give us a call as you’re making your decision. And once you do, have us out to inspect and clean your fireplace. It will extend it’s value and ensure safe operation. 

First off, as a general reminder, burn only dry, seasoned firewood in your fireplace. This is actually a safety and care issue more than anything. Seasoned wood implies that the wood is clean, cut into 12 to 18 inch lengths, and dried out in a wood stack for at least one season – hence the term. Wood can also be kiln-dried, which rapidly achieves the same affects as a year stacked in a neat pile.
 
Newly cut wood is too moist – it contains sap, natural moisture and water, and must be dried out prior to burning – otherwise you risk excess smoke, which causes creosote buildup. Avoiding creosote buildup is the best way to care for your chimney, and to keep it clean between cleanings.
 
So what type of wood is best? If you have the option to pick from different types of wood, great. If not, that’s ok – as any of them are safe to burn, provided that they’re seasoned. But if you can, harder woods like ash, sycamore, walnut and oak burn at a higher temperature given their density. As a result, they produce slightly less smoke, which can help in keeping your chimney cleaner. In contrast softer woods like juniper, fir and pine produce more smoke – meaning they’ll add creosote deposits at a slightly higher rate. But again, if you can’t find these harder woods, that’s ok.
 
Sticking with clean, cut, seasoned firewood is the best thing you can do. And do everything in your power to avoid burning anything other than wood in your fireplace. It might be tempting, but the cleanup will be that much more challenging.
 
Ready for an inspection or cleaning? Give us a call today. We’re here to help! 

As the popularity of rebuilding bricked-up or boarded-up fireplaces and chimneys grows, it is critical that these rehabilitated appliances function properly. A good supply of air and a chimney are necessary for wood or coal-burning fires to function properly. To avoid stifling the fire, the fuel should be held in a grate that is not directly on the hearth floor, so that the air and waste ash can flow freely. The fire will not burn efficiently if the air flow via the chimney or flue is inadequate.
 
Count Rumford stressed the relevance of the flue's size in relation to the fireplace's aperture in his thesis on fireplace design principles, which was published in 1799. He suggested that the flue's cross-sectional area should be around 10% of the opening's diameter. After the mid-nineteenth century, however, fireplaces shrank in size. Sizing charts published by flue liner manufacturers show that manufacturers prefer a one-to-seven ratio.
 
Open a window and see if it helps if your fire is smoky or won't burn correctly. Better room ventilation is required if this occurs. Installing a window vent is one option, but be aware that this may result in a bothersome cross draft. Single or twin ducted vents installed into the floor in front of the fireplace or external walls on either side of a chimney breast are far more efficient ways to ventilate a room.
 
Gases, tarry compounds and acids are released when wood or coal is burned. As a result, not all of these chemicals are utilized since household stoves are inefficient. As an alternative, they rise up the chimney, where some of them condense. When unburned carbon joins together with these tars and acids to form soot, the flue's volume shrinks. Regularly used chimneys should be swept at least twice a year, ideally before, during, and after the heating season, and local trade directories provide fully qualified and appropriately insured sweeps who can perform this crucial service. The unburned components of the soot can ignite and cause a chimney fire, which can reach high temperatures and destroy the chimney, in a soot-laden flue.
 
When a flue is overly large, a liner can be installed to lower its diameter and therefore increase its efficiency. It is possible to employ a number of procedures and materials, such as flexible stainless steel flue liners or ceramic liners. Raising the hearth's level or installing a baffle over the opening are two more methods of limiting the fireplace's opening to improve fire efficiency. It's worth asking a fireplace specialist if installing a metal smoke hood or canopy in the aperture is the best solution if increasing the hearth level or adding a baffle isn't practicable or ugly.
 
Want to rebuild a fireplace, conduct repairs, or consider a project? Give us a call today – we’ll be happy to help!

A chiminea is the most common type of outdoor fireplace, and it consists of a concave base, a single entrance for feeding the fire, and a short chimney or smoke stack. Although these little outdoor fireplaces are typically built of cast iron, aluminum, ceramic, or terra cotta, there are larger and more robust devices (usually cast iron) that are intended for a controlled but roaring bonfire in the safety of your own backyard.
 
Chimineas and other outdoor fireplaces are made to be used in the summer and then stored for the winter since the clay or terra cotta-based units might shatter in excessively cold conditions. Cast iron chimineas or outdoor fireplaces are not susceptible to breaking, although they will rust quickly if exposed to snow or other weather. Depending on the material, size, and other safety or comfort features that you pick, these outdoor fireplaces can cost anywhere from $150 to well over $500.
 
Others are little more than a firebox with an open stack, with safety grills and pitched chimney stacks to protect hot embers or ash from floating away and causing a fire hazard. Only firewood should be used in a chiminea or outdoor fireplace, regardless of the kind. Other substances may emit poisonous chemicals that can both literally and symbolically destroy the ambiance of your gathering, and some fuels may leave difficult-to-clean deposits on the inside of the fireplace.
 
Outdoor fireplaces are becoming a more popular method for people to meet and enjoy the outdoors without having to travel too far from home in the evenings when the temperature becomes cooler and some brave souls brave the air conditioning. An outdoor woodstove might be the thing to try if you have fond recollections of open campfires from your youth.

Heaters or fireplaces powered by electricity:
 
The instructions and warning labels on your heater should be read and followed exactly as they are on the product you just purchased.
 
Keep an eye on it and unplug it when not in use. To avoid damaging the cord, make sure you unplug the device by pulling the cord straight out.
 
To avoid overheating, do not plug the heater into a power strip or extension cord.
 
Never block the heater's air intake or outlet with flammable materials, and always keep it at least three feet away from anything that could catch fire.
 
Wood Burning Stoves:
 
On a regular basis, have a professional inspect and clean your chimney.
 
Cover the front of the fireplace with a glass or metal screen to keep out flammable materials.
 
Lock up lighters and matches in a cupboard out of the reach of children.
 
Tips for a Safer Life:
 
During the holiday season, candles are a typical and add ambiance to a house. They should never be left unattended or burning in a closed location. To prevent a candle from falling over, always use sturdy holders. When you're done with the room, extinguish the candles.
 
The family should devise an escape strategy and practice it twice a year. There should be two ways out of each room, and an outdoor gathering spot should be chosen.
 
Ensure that you have smoke alarms on every floor of your house. Every month, set a reminder in your calendar to check them and to replace the batteries.
 
Keep your dryer's lint filter clean at all times. Lint accumulation has the potential to ignite.
 
Put out pan fires by sliding the lid over the flames and always have an extinguisher in your kitchen.
 
"Stop, Drop, and Roll" should be taught to every member of the family in the event that their garments catch fire. In order to acquire the greatest air for breathing, practice crawling and going down low.
 
It's a good idea to keep the phone numbers of your emergency contacts on hand.

Cleaning chimneys at regular intervals is a good idea since creosote buildup can cause a dangerous chimney fire. Creosote is a hard, crust-like substance formed by the incomplete combustion of wood. Soot, like ash, is a combustible deposit that must be removed if it accumulates on the chimney walls. If this deposit accumulates to a depth of about 1/8 inch, the chimney must be cleaned to remove it.
 
It is important to remember that fireplace kits should never be utilized as furnaces. Fireplaces should only be used for short-term fires (approximately five hours). Up to three days after burning, fireplace coals can still be hot enough to ignite a fire. As a result, a vacuum should never be used to pick up the ashes because there is a chance that live coals will remain in the ashes. If there is still smoke in the house after cleaning out the chimney, ensure sure the damper is open. If there is a lot of smoke pouring out of the chimney, it means that the wood isn't totally burned. These are just a few of the safety precautions that a homeowner should take when using fireplace kits.

The primary rationale for installing a wood stove insert rather than a stand-alone stove is to make use of an existing fireplace, but there are other advantages. A stove insert built into an existing brick or stone fireplace will undoubtedly be more efficient than a stand-alone device installed within the room. This is because the fireplace materials are insulating, provided the fireplace is an original element of the building. Keep in mind that better heat efficiency means cheaper heating expenditures.
 
There are several prerequisites for installing a wood stove insert, the most significant of which is a chimney. Without one, it is simply impossible. There are various types of chimneys, such as sound masonry chimneys or Stainless Steel Class "A" insulated chimneys, which are commonly used in new construction. We can presume that if a fireplace insert is being placed, the property already has a brick chimney, but this does not guarantee a safe and effective stove insert installation. There might be numerous issues with putting into an old chimney, such as the chimney needing to be lined, being too large or too tiny, or not being insulated. This emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation and planning before investing in a new wood stove insert, and the best suggestion would be to call a professional and have your chimney thoroughly inspected before spending any money.
 
Finally, even if you have an useable chimney, you will need proper floor protection behind your wood stove insert. This may not be the case if the fireplace has been empty, remodeled, or used for exhibition purposes. There are a few permitted materials for this purpose, such as concrete slabs, prefabricated Approved Stove Boards, ceramic tiles, or stone, but consult a specialist to ensure your fireplace meets the appropriate standards.

 Today's fireplaces are made to look like real wood-burning fireplaces, replete with logs and lifelike flames. When you choose a gas fireplace, you won't have to worry about sacrificing atmosphere.
 
Top vented, direct vented, and ventless gas fireplaces are the three types of gas fireplaces. The type you choose will mostly be determined by your home's construction and how you intend to utilize your gas fireplace.
 
Gas fireplaces with top venting are vented through an existing chimney or a freshly installed vent pipe that runs through the ceiling. For obvious reasons, these fireplaces are more common in new builds or single-story residences. Remote control, thermostatic, and blower capabilities are available on top vented fireplaces, just as they are on conventional gas fireplaces. These fireplaces range in price from $600 to $2,500, depending on the options you select.
 
Direct-vent fireplaces are those that are vented directly through the wall above the fireplace. This allows you a lot of flexibility in terms of where you can put your gas fireplace, and this venting structure also brings in fresh air from outside to utilize in combustion, ensuring that no air from inside the house is consumed. Gas fireplaces with a direct vent are also quite simple to set up. This style of fireplace can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on your preferences and budget.
 
Although ventless gas fireplaces do not require vents, they do have some limitations. Although these fireplaces can be put practically anywhere, including against a wall, they are only intended for infrequent, attended, and supplemental use.
 
A ventless fireplace may be the best option for your house if you do not plan on utilizing your fireplace as your primary source of heat or when you are away from home. This is also the least priced form of gas fireplace, with prices ranging from $400 to $1,500.
 
So, if you're seeking for the ideal accent piece for your home, a gas fireplace can be the answer. Imagine having an artistically carved, stunningly beautiful fireplace with a marble mantel and no need to bring any wood with you. Simply turn a knob to experience the warmth, comfort, and beauty of a gas fireplace.