Month: October 2020

It may seem odd to use “art” and “firewood” together, but if you’ve ever suffered from wood fireplace issues caused by using the wrong kind of firewood, you know there’s something to the idea. No matter how excellent your fireplace is, without knowing the ins and outs of firewood, your experience can be far less than satisfactory.

Here are some ideas to help you become a master of the art of firewood.

What kind of wood is it?

Basically, firewood is divided into hardwood and softwood varieties. Hardwoods such as hickory, maple and walnut burn longer and with less smoke and creosote deposits in your chimney than spruce, pine, redwood and other softwoods.

Don’t burn wet wood

Unseasoned (wet) firewood isn’t ready for the fireplace. The high moisture content will cause it to ignite with difficulty and burn sluggishly. It also will produce far more smoke than dry, seasoned wood.

Along with the possibility of excess smoke backing up into your home, unseasoned firewood will add more flammable creosote to your flue. Creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires in America each year, so remember: less smoke = less creosote.

Arranging your logs in the fireplace

A good way to get set up for a fire is to stack logs on a fireplace grate so there’s room beneath them to add kindling (small wood chips, bark, dry grass, tightly crumpled newspaper, etc.). Don’t overfill the firebox or stack the logs too tightly together – they need air circulation to burn fully. You can also add the kindling to the top of the stack and burn downwards.

The logs you use should be about three inches narrower than the width of your firebox – again, to allow plenty of air.

Getting the fire started

Kindling and a match are the only safe and effective ways to start a fire in your fireplace. Items to never use include:

• Lighter fluid, kerosene or any other accelerant
• Clothing
• Metals of any kind
• Painted or pressed wood
• Christmas trees
• Household trash
• Colored newspaper or magazine pages

These items can release a large amount of toxins into the air, and some of them will cause the fire to burn way too hot. Stick with the tried-and-true method of kindling and dry wood.

If fires are sluggish or smoke is backing up

Assuming you’re using seasoned wood and no extra materials in your fireplace, a sluggish fire or one that pushes smoke into your room may point to a drafting issue. Drafting problems can be caused by:

• A house that’s too air-tight – crack a window near the fireplace.
• Obstructions in your chimney flue including excess creosote and soot buildup, tree debris and small-animal nests. Have creosote and other blockages professionally cleaned by a chimney sweep. Prevent these problems by installing a quality chimney cap or flue cover.
• A flue that’s the incorrect size for the fireplace. Have this issue inspected and then modified according to recommendations.
• A broken or dirty damper that won’t fully open.

Following these guidelines will make you a true master of the art of firewood and give you a lifetime of quality fires and lots of comfort and enjoyment.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, can help with any chimney and fireplace needs that arise. We offer CSIA-certified chimney cleaning, fireplace and chimney inspection and all types of repair work to keep your system running optimally and safely. Call us today at (913) 236-7141.

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Is there a problem lurking in your smoke chamber? Most homeowners know that chimney cleaning is essential for minimizing fire and safety risks and prolonging the chimney and fireplace’s life span. However, there is one section of the chimney that is unfamiliar to most homeowners. It’s called the smoke chamber, and it turns out that it gets the least attention, but it is the most at risk of a chimney fire.

What is the smoke chamber?

The smoke chamber is the area just above the damper at the base of the flue. Its purpose is to direct the flow of smoke and gases up the flue where it exits the chimney into the atmosphere. The smoke chamber is built using a corbeled or block technique to prevent fumes from backing up into the living space.

The older corbeled method no longer meets current building code requirements due to an increased fire risk. Corbeling involves staggering the bricks like steps. The jagged edges increase the likelihood that the mortar joints will suffer accelerated deterioration due to its proximity to the heat and gases rising through the narrow chamber.  The deterioration can cause gaps or voids that inhibit venting, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The accumulation of creosote in these areas can also increase fire risk and reduce its structural integrity.

On the other hand, smoke chambers in newer chimneys are built with a smooth surface. The absence of the jagged edges strengthens the mortar joints, increasing safety, efficiency, and performance.

Smoke chamber parging

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends corbeled smoke chambers be parged to correct any deficiencies. Smoke chamber parging is a restorative process that smooths out the jagged surfaces filling in any cracks or gaps in the mortar joints with new mortar material. The restoration process reduces the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning while increasing the fireplace’s performance. In cases with poor construction or extreme deterioration causing a structural issue, a cast in place restoration process may be recommended to repair the corbeling with a smooth, seamless surface. For minor damage when there are no structural issues, a sealant may be used to repair the gaps in the smoke chamber’s mortar joints.

Smoke chamber repair

It is recommended that homeowners have a professional chimney inspection to determine if their smoke chamber needs parging. If a review determines that parging is necessary, the chimney sweep will make the required repair to restore the smoke chamber to meet current local building codes. It will increase safety and will also improve fireplace efficiency, draft, and performance. Contact us to schedule your smoke chamber inspection today!

The post Is There a Problem in My Fireplace Smoke Chamber? appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Changing of the season is in full swing! Beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaves contrast against dark tree branches make for beautiful scenery. With the winds we’ve experienced this week, along with a bit of rain, brought the first wave of leaves and branches falling to the ground…gutters…roof… and chimney.

Fall Clean Up

Protect your chimney against Fall and Winter damage by trimming away any branches and limbs that overhang the chimney. Keeping the area clear of debris will help save on potential repairs. Here’s why:

• Falling leaves can enter the chimney. Dry leaves are flammable, while wet leaves decay, leaving a musky sweet smell in your home.
• Empty branches can break, splint, crack and fall making their way inside the chimney. In Winter, snow weighs down branches causing them to scrape the sides or top of the chimney. This can affect wear on the mortar, chimney crown and bricks causing the materials to weaken leading to water leaks, faster deterioration and more.

Chimney Obstructions

We all enjoy the shade that the trees provide. It even helps to keep the home cool on those very hot days by providing some shade. But with the good comes a caution. Small twigs, leaves, branches, seeds pods and even acorns fall from the tree and get into the chimney. That’s why it’s vital to have a chimney cap.

We have seen many homemade chimney caps, such as chicken wire or a plastic crate covering the chimney (Yes, it’s true). Although creative, its best to install a professional grade chimney cap. These durable structures help to keep snow, rain, debris and animals from making your chimney their home. A  properly installed chimney cap will also minimize wind downdrafts that can cause smoke to backup from the fireplace.

Trees + Chimney = Drafting

Tree limbs that are close to the chimney may cause drafting problems. This occurs when the tree limb and branches are taller than the chimney itself. These are the branches and limbs that need to be cut back.

Keeping the space clear above the chimney allows the chimney to draft more consistently and help keep the fire inside your home healthy and able to draw out any smoke and gas. This is important for the health of your home, family, and environment.

What’s Next?

 This is a great time to get those trees in shape. Then prepare to enjoy your fireplace, whether it’s woodburning or gas, by ensuring your chimney is clear and free from debris, animals, dry or rotting leaves and branches. Superior Chimney’s technicians are certified by the CSIA organization. Check out our credentials here.

Give us a call today at 877-244-6349.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

The post What you need to know about chimney inspection levels first appeared on Southern Chimneys.

This post first appeared on https://southernchimneys.com

Traditional wood-burning fireplaces are an excellent addition to any home, but they have one major downside: inefficiency. Most of the heat goes up the chimney, and that’s one of the reasons why many homeowners consider switching to a gas fireplace. In the past, converting from wood-burning to gas fuel was an expensive process. However, fuel inserts make it easy to switch from wood fuel to gas.

What are Fireplace Inserts?

A fireplace insert is a self-contained heating appliance made of steel or cast iron that fits into an existing masonry fireplace. The significant advantage of inserts is its closed combustion system, which increases its efficiency and minimizes heat loss. They are available in both natural gas and propane models.

Electronic Ignition

Gas fireplace inserts use an electronic ignition system to light the fire.  It’s as simple as flipping a switch. Many models also have a remote control allowing the user to ignite the fireplace and control the flames without getting off the couch. Other features include automatic timers and thermostat controls.

Types of Gas Fireplace Inserts

There are essentially two main types of gas fireplace inserts: vent-free and direct vent. Vent-free inserts are just like the name suggests — they do not require a chimney or vent to release combustion byproducts to the outside.  On the other hand, a direct vent fireplace insert requires a vent to draw in oxygen and release combustion gases externally.

The type of gas insert to choose also depends on your preferences and needs because each has its advantages and disadvantages. For instance, a direct vent fireplace insert generates more heat, has a more realistic flame experience, and produces much fewer emissions than a traditional fireplace. However, it requires a chimney or external vent to operate.

On the other hand, vent-free inserts are more flexible because it doesn’t require a chimney or vent. They can be installed practically anywhere in the home, even inside a fireplace with an inoperable chimney. However, they produce less heat than a direct-vent insert. Although considered safe, vent-free inserts release a small amount of emissions into the living space.

Why Convert Your Traditional Fireplace to Gas?

Gas fireplace inserts significantly increase energy efficiency and reduce heat loss. Traditional fireplaces have a heating efficiency of around 20% – 30%, which means they lose up to 80% of the heat they generate. Gas inserts are much more efficient, with 80% – 98% heating efficiency. Gas fireplace inserts also burn cleaner, have less waste, and are more convenient to operate with a switch or remote control. They also eliminate the hard work of sourcing firewood. They also produce very little smoke and creosote, making them safer to operate and easier to clean and maintain.
Ready to make the switch from wood fuel to gas fuel? We have a large selection of gas fireplace inserts in many aesthetically pleasing styles and sizes to meet your home heating needs. Contact us to schedule a free in-home estimate.

The post Want an Easy Switch from Wood to Gas Fuel? Install an Insert! appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.