Month: September 2022

A fireplace is a wonderful way to heat and beautify your home. And whether you’re a new fireplace owner or a seasoned veteran, you may believe some of the most common myths and misconceptions we’ll explore in this post.

1.) I Can Wait Until Fall to Clean the Chimney

Many fireplace owners forget about their fireplace once summer arrives, thinking it’s best to wait until fall to schedule annual cleaning and maintenance. However, it’s typically better to have a professional chimney sweep come during summer to perform this service and here’s why.

Because most people wait until fall to schedule chimney cleaning and maintenance, chimney service companies get busy quickly, so scheduling time during their fall rush can be difficult and you may not be able to get it done. Waiting until next season can be dangerous, especially if you have significant creosote buildup or a severe blockage. Furthermore, if you wait until the last minute to book an appointment for chimney cleaning, and the technician discovers damage that requires immediate attention, there may not be enough time to get it fixed before winter.

Scheduling your chimney cleaning in summer ensures you can book an appointment that’s convenient for you and gives you plenty of time to repair any damage or perform maintenance that will make your fireplace and chimney safe to use once winter arrives.

2.) I Don’t Need to Close The Damper

The fireplace damper is a vent typically at the base of the flue that you keep open when using the fireplace to allow airflow to feed the fire and the combustion byproducts to go up the chimney.

Many people think it’s safe to leave the damper open during summer because the fireplace isn’t in use. The idea is that leaving damper open will air out the chimney and improve airflow to keep your home cool. However, leaving the damper open during summer is a bad idea, and here’s why. First, keeping the damper closed keeps your home cooler by preventing cold air from your HVAC system from going up the flue, thus keeping your home cool and improving energy efficiency. Second, closing the damper prevents moisture from seeping down, and debris and critters from getting stuck in the flue.

3.) I Didn’t Use My Fireplace Much This Winter, So I Don’t Need an Inspection

Another common myth that crops up, especially during mild winters, is that if you don’t use your fireplace frequently or at all, there isn’t much creosote to bother with so I can skip the cleaning this year.

Wrong!

Creosote isn’t the only problem that you have to worry about when owning a fireplace; water damage can be just as bad. The masonry materials that comprise your chimney are porous and absorb water. Once water seeps in and freezes, it expands causing tiny cracks. Over time, these cracks worsen and can weaken the structural integrity of your chimney. Even if you didn’t use your fireplace once during winter, the chimney was still exposed to the elements, so it’s crucial that you call a professional chimney service to inspect the system for damage and fix it before it gets out of hand, and summer is the best time to do this.

Cleaning My Fireplace At The End Of Winter Prevents Summer Odors

Many people think that if they clean their fireplace and chimney right after winter, they won’t have to worry about foul odors during the summer, but this isn’t typically the case.

No matter how thoroughly you clean the fireplace and chimney, creosote particles absorb into the porous bricks and mortar. The reason you may get an odor during summer is because the heavy, humid air flows down the flue, into the house, and brings the odors with it.

One way to solve this problem is to install a top mounted damper to seal the chimney during the summer and prevent the warm air from getting in. A top mounted damper also prevents debris like leaves and branches and critters from getting into the chimney.

The post 3 Summer Fireplace Myths appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

During the hot summers, you are more likely to spend more time cooling off in the swimming pool than sitting beside a warm fireplace. Although you may not be planning on using the fireplace, you still need to look for common summer chimney problems. It will minimize future chimney repairs and keep your home and family safe.

Creosote Build-Up

Your wood-burning fireplace is a welcome sight on a cold night in Overland Park, KS. While the smoke and exhaust billow out the chimney, creosote deposits build up inside the flue. This carbonaceous volatile organic compound is naturally created when the oils in the wood are distilled during combustion. Without periodic chimney sweeping, the creosote will harden into a brown or black and oily or tarry material that is extremely difficult to remove without professional assistance. In addition, the summer heat or a lightning bolt strike during a thunderstorm could ignite the creosote and start a fire in the chimney. A chimney fire can quickly engulf your entire house, resulting in extensive property damage, injuries, and even death.

Animal Nesting

Muskrats, opossums, raccoons, small birds, and other wildlife running around in the neighborhood may find your open chimney an inviting place to hide from predators. Their nests and the mess they make attracts rodents and pests. You may hear live animals moving around inside the chimney at night. It is also dangerous. Their nests are combustible and can ignite just as easily as creosote. In addition, animal nests restrict the airflow and can cause a hazardous backdraft the next time you light the fireplace, filling your home with smoke and poisonous carbon monoxide gas.

Unpleasant Odors

Whew! Do you have to hold your nose when you walk past the fireplace? Fireplace odors can be nasty in the summer. The heat and humidity oxidize organic matter in your chimney, like rotting leaves, dead animals, creosote, soot, and other debris in the chimney. Regular chimney sweeping will help prevent those unpleasant odors.

Storm Damage

The Kansas City area is in the heart of “tornado alley,” so we get our fair share of summer storms, lightning, and hail that can damage your chimney. Since Chimneys are typically the highest point of the house, they are more vulnerable to storm damage. Severe weather can loosen or even knock off the chimney cap, damage the crown, and cause brick and mortar to crack, flake, and crumble. In addition, storm damage puts your chimney at risk for water damage, so always inspect the chimney immediately after a significant weather event.

Chimney Sweep Inspection

Have you had your annual chimney inspection and sweeping yet? Summer is an excellent time to do it. So, when you need a professional sweep to inspect, clean, and repair your chimney, fireplace, and heating stove, the certified chimney sweeps at Fluesbrothers get the job done safely and efficiently.

The post Common Summer Chimney Problems appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Here’s How

As we ever so slowly turn towards Fall, it is time to discuss heating efficiency.

Traditional masonry fireplaces may make your home cozy, and we love the smell of wood burning. But there are alternatives and measures we can take to improve efficiency. Here are ways to maximize your chimney’s heating efficiency this coming winter.

Wood Stoves

Modern wood stoves are very good at generating heat for a home. Wood-burning stoves are designed to be much more efficient than traditional open fireplaces. Wood stoves have official efficiency ratings of between 70% and 80%, while open fireplaces can be as little as 10% efficient.

Install a Gas Insert to Increase Heating Efficiency

A gas insert is a factory-built unit that, in many ways, is like a fireplace in a box. The insert is made to fit directly into the open firebox of your masonry fireplace and is connected to its own vent system, which is run up through the existing chimney.

Gas-fueled fireplace inserts are ultra-safe and high-performing. Heavy insulation and closed-combustion technology mean you will get great heat in an appliance that meets all EPA regulations and runs safely and predictably, winter after winter.

Install a New Chimney Liner

Liners are typically installed to ensure a safe passageway for the flue gasses in the chimney, but did you know that they also improve energy efficiency? Not only are they a safety precaution but having a properly sized venting system for your heating equipment optimizes efficiency. Think of it as a straw with a hole in it – cracks within the flue liner can cause excess air and gases to escape within the walls of your chimney and put you and your family at risk.

Burn Seasoned Firewood

Fresh wood has a high moisture content. After all, trees need a constant supply of water to grow. The high moisture content makes for a smokier fire that generates less heat and burns quickly. Instead, source seasoned firewood that has been dried for at least six months. The lower moisture content will burn slower at higher temperatures with less smoke and soot for a more efficient fire-burning experience.

Close the Damper

The damper is a metal device that keeps air, moisture, and debris out of the firebox when the fireplace is not being used. But forgetting to close the damper after the fire is out like leaving a window open, and all the heat that was generated will go out the chimney. Close the fireplace damper when the fire is completely extinguished will retain the heat in the firebox and continue to warm your living space for several hours. Making sure your fireplace has a working damper will definitely help with keeping the energy in the house.

Install Glass Fireplace Doors to Reduce Heat Loss

Installing glass fireplace doors is an easy and practical way to increase your fireplace’s heating efficiency. Even though the damper must remain open to vent the exhaust when flames are present, closing the glass doors when the fire is smoldering will prevent the heated indoor air from being sucked into the fireplace. It will also help radiate the firebox’s heat throughout the living area.

The post Make Your Chimney More Efficient appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

The fireplace is the center of the house, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that truly makes the house a home. Historic fireplaces, even more so than others, with their unique characteristics and personality. Regardless of their charm, this pinnacle of the home is not immune to problems, especially historic fireplaces. There are a lot of things to consider with a historic fireplace restoration project, so where do we begin?

It is important to maintain your historic chimney for both safety and aesthetic reasons; either or both might lend to considering restoration.

Safety Reasons for Historic Fireplace Restoration

If you experience smoke entering the home while using your fireplace or notice traces of gasses, those are indications that restoration and repairs are needed. Older fireplaces can have cracks, damages, chimney obstructions, or creosote buildup that cause larger issues and are not always easily seen with the common eye. In an effort to avoid extensive chimney repairs or masonry work, it is highly recommended to have your chimney and fireplace professionally inspected each year.

Aesthetic Reasons for Historic Fireplace Restoration

Though not as time-sensitive as safety reasons, aesthetic reasons for restoration are often just as important, especially in historic homes. Sometimes visible damages require repairs in addition to the fireplace seeming outdated compared to other home decor. Fireplace restoration can be as simple as repairs to the mantle or as complex as tile and masonry work. There are endless possibilities to refresh everything from the mantle to the masonry that can update the fireplace while preserving its unique history.

Start with the Chimney Liner

Regardless of the reason for your project, the chimney liner is a great place to start. Many historic chimneys do not have chimney liners, so while they are beautiful, they are not functional. It is difficult to install a chimney liner in a unique historic chimney, but it is not impossible. There are options to use the existing chimney shape to create a unique liner and design a flue liner rendering your fireplace operable again. This is the best place to start with your restoration project, so it provides a foundation for the remaining repairs and remodeling.

Follow with the Firebox

After safely lining the chimney, focusing on the firebox is a great next step to honor the home’s history and add charm. Many historic homes host a firebox still in its original form or a similar design. Each time period showcases a different architectural style, and the fireboxes mirror these styles. For example, Victorian-style homes boast square fireboxes with decorative and intricate mantles, while bungalow-style homes display more rounded fireboxes with extensive brickwork and masonry. The difference in these two styles alone is a great example of restoring historic fireplaces to their unique beauty and mirroring the history of the home in the fireplace.

Can I Add Fireplace Restoration to My DIY Project List?

It might seem tempting to tap into your creative side with your historic fireplace restoration project and do it yourself, but we are going to discourage taking on the entire project alone. It is a great opportunity for you to be artistic and showcase your DIY skills by choosing the aesthetic changes to the fireplace. The unique challenges with historic homes, however, are best left to the professionals. Let us save you from dangerous and costly fire-causing mistakes.

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

There’s nothing quite like having a wood-burning fireplace to relax in front of during a cold Connecticut evening. With that season quickly approaching us, one way to make the most of it is to use fireplace tools to maximize your experience. Of course, not everyone knows how to properly use their tools. Let’s go over the six basic tools, their purpose, and how to use them properly.

How to use your fireplace spade or shovel

A spade or shovel is an essential fireplace tool. It’s how you remove ash or debris from your firebox. You can do this both while a fire is burning and after. Just be sure that, if you shovel ashes with an active fire, use a long-handled one so that your hands can stay away from the flames.

The right way to use your fireplace tongs

There will come a time that, while burning logs in your fireplace, you’ll want to move them around. A set of fireplace tongs is what you’ll need in this situation. A nice long pair can easily grasp the log you want to reposition from the outside, keeping yourself safe while helping your fire stay warm and vibrant.

The purpose of a fireplace broom or brush

Fireplace brooms and brushes are smaller than your standard house broom so that they can easily fit inside your firebox. After your fireplace has fully burnt itself out and the firebox has cooled off, use this fireplace tool to clean your hearth from the soot build-up on the walls and floor of your fireplace. This is not as thorough of a job as a trained Northeastern Chimney technician will do when they sweep the inside of your flue, but it does a good job for your firebox.

Do you need to use a poker?

In a word, yes. This is possibly the most used fireplace tool. It’s made of fireproof iron which helps you prod the burning wood as well as reposition logs instead of grabbing them with a set of tongs. If there’s only one tool in your fireplace arsenal, this is the one
to have.

What are the bellows used for exactly?

Bellows are a less common fireplace tool though we’ve probably all seen them, especially in movies set in years gone by. By squeezing your bellows, it sends a burst of oxygen into the fire. This acts as a boost for a fire that might not be catching as quickly as you’d like. You can also adjust the volume of air with the small valve on the end.

Finally, the purpose of an andiron

An andiron is a long horizontal bar or support structure that your wood sits on. It allows air to pass below the burning wood, encouraging them to burn brighter and more efficiently than otherwise.

Do you need help with how to use fireplace tools? We can help!

The next time we visit your home for a chimney sweep and inspection, be sure to ask one of our team members if you have any questions about how to use fireplace tools.

This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com