Did you know that chimneys in the home date back as early as the twelfth century? Between then and now many warm, fond memories have been made alongside a fire. Even before this, fires were enjoyed inside – sometimes even around an open fire. As you can imagine this wasn’t the safest approach. However, in the dark ages, you did what you had to do to keep warm and cook food for your family.

The Origin of Fireplaces

The birth of what we consider a fireplace coincides with the rise of two-story homes. This took away the option to have a fire simply in the middle of a home and let the smoke rise up and out. Rather, there was a new approach: light the fire in a section of the wall. This way it could rise and leave the home unobstructed with holes made throughout the wall. The smoke was still an issue until a flue was created. This helped to draft smoke up and out of the home. Some of the more advanced and wealthy homes even installed hoods. 

14th Century Advancements

Once hoods were introduced to the concept, further advancements were made as well. Full, official chimney structures started to be built into the walls of homes, allowing for more advanced and thorough heating solutions. This even allowed for multiple fireplaces to vent through the same flue system. However, at this point, the flue exit was still pretty minimal, and drafts weren’t completely taken care of.

16th Century Turning Point

Surprisingly, a big push for ventilation improvements came after the Tudor period in England. Lumber and timber supplies became less prominent and more expensive, which meant homeowners were forced to look for alternative sources of heat. The solution was coal. This came with toxic smoke as a byproduct, which begged for more advanced and efficient ventilation systems. Due to the need and throughout the years of technological advancements, the ventilation system continued to improve. 

Today

From there, ventilation was perfected, even when wood was back to the main supply, making wood-burning fireplaces a vital and primary source of heat for many centuries. Even today, in the 21st century, homeowners enjoy fireplaces in the cold months as a supplementary heat source and even for aesthetics. Our ventilation systems are optimized, and we’ve even introduced modern solutions such as gas and electric fireplaces. These allow for ease without compromising the timeless coziness that fireplaces provide for any home. 

Call Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace Today

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace is known in the Kansas City area for its reliable and efficient chimney services. The expert team is known and trusted to perform premium chimney and fireplace services. Between extensive training, certifications, and consistent customer satisfaction, we can get the job done fast without compromising quality. Everything we do from the first call to the finished project; we make sure you are 100% satisfied.

If your chimney needs service or repairs, contact us today at 913-236-7141.

The post Chimney Chronicles: Tales of Historic Chimneys and Their Stories appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Now that the winter is here, the fireplace is a source of heat. Many homeowners use their fireplaces as a heat source. It may be an economical choice considering the cost of energy to heat your home. Let us discuss some of the concerns homeowners may have and how to protect them. 

Be aware of the dangers involved in fireplace use. It is important to know the causes of chimney fires and how to protect yourself and your family from them. More than 25,000 chimney fires are incurring with over $125 million in property damage each year.

Chimney Inspection 

An annual chimney inspection is your first defense against chimney fires. A professional company like Northeastern Chimney LLC will inspect your entire chimney. We will ensure a safe fire-burning season. They will discuss a plan for the maintenance of your chimney to protect you from any danger.

Chimney Sweep

A clean chimney will help prevent a chimney fire. Schedule an annual chimney sweep along with your annual inspection. Creosote buildup is a main culprit of chimney fires. Creosote is a flammable tar-like substance that builds up on the inner walls of your chimney. This happens when you burn wood in your fireplace. If not cleaned out regularly, it may catch fire, causing a chimney fire.

Stainless Steel Liner

Invest in a stainless-steel liner. Stainless steel withstands very high temperatures. A liner will also protect your home from seepage of carbon monoxide gas through the bricks in your home. Stainless steel is durable and will last a long time.

Good Seasoned Wood

The fastest and hottest wood is hardwood. Be sure to choose the best wood for your fireplace. Also, be sure that it is thoroughly seasoned. Wood holds a lot of moisture. With moisture, wood will smoke, and the smoke goes up the chimney and causes creosote. Allow wood to season for at least 6 months and up to a year. It is a good idea to buy your wood now for next year. This way you are sure that it is completely dry. Dry wood will burn hottest and creosote buildup will be minimal. 

Heatproof Glass Doors

It is important to protect the inside of your home as well. A good heat-proof glass door is recommended by the experts. Keeping this closed will keep any sparks from falling into the room. 

We can help you with everything including chimneys and fireplaces. Call Northeastern Chimney LLC at 860-233-5770 for your annual chimney sweep and inspection. This is the best preventative action that you can take to keep your home, fireplace, and chimney in perfect working condition. 

As members of the NCSG, we stay on the cutting edge of the latest technologies in sweeping and masonry repair. Click on the logo to visit the NCSG website.

Every one of our chimney sweeps (not just the owner) is fully certified by the CSIA. That means that the sweep we send to your home has proven expertise in the sweeping industry.

The post Avoiding Winter Chimney Fires: Crucial Prevention Tips appeared first on .

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

Fireplace safety is vital to your family and home’s well-being, but do you really understand? In addition to having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors placed fifteen feet from the fireplace, you need to consider chimney safety. Why? One word- creosote. So let’s look at understanding creosote buildup: risks and solutions. 

What is Creosote?

When you burn organic materials such as wood or plants, a chemical byproduct called creosote is produced. It is a combination of tar and other chemicals that sticks to the inside of your chimney and creates a buildup. Over time, there can be quite a creosote buildup inside your chimney.

Why is a Creosote Buildup Unsafe?

Creosote is an extremely flammable substance, and it becomes more dangerous the more there is of it. A hot ember could float upwards and land on the buildup that could spark a chimney fire. The fire may not be confined only to your chimney; it could also spread to your roof and attic, eventually to your whole home. Creosote burns and spreads quickly, giving you little time to escape your house. Creosote is responsible for some twenty-five thousand chimney fires in the United States annually. 

The Three Stages of Creosote Buildup

The First Stage of Creosote Buildup

In the first stage of buildup, a thin coating of creosote flakes begins to build from smoke, making contact with the chimney’s interior. 

The Second Stage of Creosote Buildup

In this buildup stage, creosote takes on a tar-like appearance and becomes harder to remove. In this stage, you can still save your chimney and fireplace.

The Third Stage of Creosote Buildup

In the last stage of creosote, the buildup is thick and restricts air movement, giving you less efficient burns and an increased chance of a chimney fire. By this stage, removing the creosote is much more difficult, and you will probably require a new liner.

How Do I Prevent Creosote Buildup?

The best way to prevent a creosote buildup in your chimney is to have a qualified chimney service inspect and clean it at least once a year. Removing creosote from your chimney will exponentially reduce the chance of a fire. It will also increase airflow so you can have a more efficient burn. If you use your fireplace often, you may want to have it cleaned every few months to prevent creosote from building up.

Another way you can reduce creosote buildup is to burn hardwood like oak, birch, and hard maple. These types of wood produce more heat and produce less creosote. They may cost a little more, but you can’t put a price on your family’s safety.

You should also ensure the wood you use is seasoned because it will produce less smoke. 

Fluesbrothers Can Remove Creosote

Our chimney techs can come to your home and inspect and clean your chimney to remove dangerous creosote buildups. Call us today at 913-236-7141 or fill out our contact form if it’s been some time since your chimney has been cleaned. One of our chimney experts will gladly answer any questions about scheduling an appointment. Get creosote out of your chimney now and prevent chimney fires.

The post Understanding Creosote Buildup: Risks and Solutions  appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Do customer reviews matter when you are evaluating a chimney sweep company? According to a 2021 report by PowerReviews, Yes… over 99% of customers read reviews. It is part of the evaluation process for consumers to want to know what they are buying and who to trust prior to making a decision. But is getting 5 stars good enough for customers or are the comments that follow those stars the validation that consumers need?

The Customer Review

As we all know, when you are thinking of purchasing a product or service, you’ll take a look at the reviews. Sometimes the review is just a simple 4/5 or 5/5 rating. But does that tell you enough to make a decision? At Superior Chimney, sure we’re happy to get the 5/5 stars, but it’s the extra time a Superior Chimney customer takes to explain for others why they gave us a 5/5 review.

Let’s first understand where some of Superior Chimney’s reviews are and why these are important.

Where are the Customer Reviews?

Some of the most common online reviews for Superior Chimney are on the following platforms: Google, BBB or Better Business Bureau, Angi, Yelp, Facebook and NextDoor with a few extra reviews on Houzz and Amazon. That’s a lot of platforms for our over 4,000 reviews. And that’s the way we like it. By having a variety of platforms more homeowners can find a reputable company to come into their home and perform services that they know are vital to the safety of their home. That’s because we’re talking about lighting a real fire in the fireplace, gas or wood. Both need to be done and maintained with care annually.

How Important are the Customer Ratings?

According to Search Engine Journal, they asked the question: “When deciding which local business to use, how important are the following factors of the review profile?” 85% state the overall star average rating, 73% care how recent the latest review is, and 60% for the number of reviews. Let’s take a deeper diver into these numbers.

Yes, the stars are important as it shows the overall experience. But again, that extra step with comments that customers write is vital to a new customers evaluation. For instance, here’s what some of our customers say:

On BBB: Aaron J. – 5 stars – 12/07/2023

“Superior Chimney and the technicians were very thorough and respectful of our home. They did not pressure us to make unnecessary changes and were honest in what was a concern for today vs what could wait. I am not a chimney expert, and they took the time to explain why something was needed.”

Megan J. – 5 Stars – a month ago

“I highly recommend. Superior Chimney Services. Brad and Chase specifically.  They are a fantastic team. Work well together especially when my kids tried to “help”. They explained what they were doing in terms I understand. They gave a few different options including their personal recommendations on what they would do with their homes. Brad walked me through everything and made sure I understood what was going on.  They had everything they needed to get the job done quickly and efficiently, and they even cleaned the work space better than it was before they got here. 20 out of 10 stars hands down!!  Will use them again in future homes if needed.”

On BBB there are over 420 customer reviews with a 4.95/5 rating. On Google there are over 1,300 customer reviews with a 4.9/5 rating. These understanding customers are what drives more customers to Superior Chimney. The new customers want the same trust and treatment as what the other homeowners received. And we couldn’t agree more.

The Time It Takes

There is a proven process that is practiced at Superior Chimney to ensure the experience is consistent with each customer. Each chimney technician is Nationally Certified by CSIA. That is a crucial step, but not the only step. Next comes the training, which takes a couple of years with an experienced Superior Chimney technician before they are ready to service a customer’s chimney as a lead technician. The consistency of excellence is part of what we’ve been delivering for over 19 years. That’s why customer reviews are so important. They show not only the recent customer satisfaction, but also the consistency of excellence throughout the years. Nothing has changed, and that’s the way we want to keep it.

What’s Next? Now that the end of the year is near, and you had no time to get the fireplace swept and inspected, start the New Year off safe and warm by getting a Superior Chimney sweep/inspection service. It’ll be comforting to know that over 4,000 customers gave not only 5 stars, but their own words of comfort and ease you can expect.

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

As the holidays are a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate, there is a quiet group of individuals that take their job seriously to ensure the utmost care for each home with a fireplace. Yes, it’s the chimney technician. These special people, for some reason, don’t mind the soot and the dust that naturally accumulates in a fireplace. They gladly come into the home and make the chimney all better. But we can’t forget the masonry workers that spend more time on rooftops than they do the sidewalk fighting the weather elements that batter down on them and the chimney each day. All to make it safe and look good… all at the same time. So, we thank you… our chimney technicians and masonry technicians for doing the dirty work and keeping homes protected and the families safe.

Famous Chimney Technicians

The world’s most famous chimney technician is Bert. No, not Bert and Ernie’s Bert, but Bert in Mary Poppins. Yes, Dick Van Dyke somewhat glamorized chimney sweeps, but he showed the hard work and dirty job that it can be. But he also showed that it’s a special group of individuals that care and stick together for the love for their profession. In Mary Poppins, they celebrated it with a song and dance on rooftops. As Mary Poppins most famous quote says, “Practically Perfect in Every Way”. We all agree with you, Mary Poppins.

I bet most of you forgot about Bill the Lizard. Who? Bill the Lizard was a famous chimney sweep from the wonderful Alice in Wonderland story. Because of Bill’s talents, he is recruited by the White Rabbit and Dodo to go down the chimney, doing the dirty work of the White Rabbit. He didn’t have a huge part, which makes us all ‘curiouser and curiouser!’

A Chimney Sweep is a Good Luck Charm

All over the world, the chimney sweep is considered good luck! In Great Britain for example, a bride would look for a chimney sweep on the wedding day. The tradition continues today with brides keeping the tradition alive by hiring a chimney sweep to attend weddings to ensure good luck in the days and years ahead.

In Germany, a New Year’s Day gift with a chimney sweep symbol signifies good luck for the upcoming year. The chimney sweep symbol or ornament is used (not the chimney sweep themselves) are attached to a gift and given to others as a sign of heath, happiness and good fortune in the year ahead.

In numerous countries throughout Europe, it’s good luck to rub a button on your own clothing when you pass a chimney sweep on the streets. Next time a Superior Chimney truck passes your home, be sure to rub the button on your coat or clothing for good luck!

They Learn So You Don’t Have To

It’s a commitment to want to be full of soot and dust. All Seventeen of our technicians are Nationally Certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). This organization exists so homeowners like you can use/trust reliable, highly trained chimney technicians. As many of our customers have shared all over social media, our chimney technicians are highly skilled, trustworthy and polite. By choosing Superior Chimney, you’ve found your lucky charm. 

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

If you have a chimney in your house, you will encounter several problems. Here are these problems and how to fix them:

Smoking

You should never have smoke in your home after making a fire, whether it’s the first or last of the season.

When your fireplace and chimney vent properly, fire by-products are pushed up and out of the house, while outside air is drawn into the flue to keep the flames alive. This critical air exchange is referred to as the chimney “draft.”

A smoking fireplace is a classic symptom of a poor draft, which can result in a quick-burning fire or fire by-products “back-puffing”—getting backed up in the firebox or flue and issuing into the room as smoke and dangerous gasses such as carbon monoxide.

Many factors can contribute to a draft problem. It’s hard to fix the problem, especially if you have never done it before, so it’s good to work with chimney contractors to help you identify the source of the draft problem and fix it.

Blocked flue

A flue can get clogged by leaf debris, animal nests, or creosote buildup, a dark brown to black coating in the chimney as fire by-products harden.

These impediments come in the way and prevent smoke from getting from the firebox to the outdoors via the flue. The result is the smoke coming back into the houses. 

The situation is even worse when the temperature in the flue rises and creosote builds up. The material can ignite a chimney fire, causing significant structural damage to your home. You don’t want this, do you?

Looking out for nests or debris with a flashlight up your chimney flue can let you know if you have a larger obstruction in the flue. If you notice a significant obstruction, contact a CSIA-certified chimney sweep.

The professional should inspect the chimney and, if necessary, clean it to remove creosote that will have accumulated. They should also remove nests and other debris to prevent back-puffing.

Negative air pressure

A high chimney draft requires neutral air pressure, which means that outside air enters the home at the same pace that interior air escapes it. As a result, you have equal indoor and outdoor air pressure.

This leads fire by-products to depart the flue as outside air enters it.

If your house has a negative air pressure, more air enters than escapes, resulting in higher outside air pressure than inside air pressure. The increased air inflow from the exterior drives smoke down the flue until it reaches your home, making it uncomfortable to live in. 

If your fireplace is smokey, open a neighboring window or door while the fireplace is on.

If this reduces or eliminates indoor smoke, your home most likely has negative air pressure that you should address. 

Consider having a mason install an air supply vent at the back of the firebox to alleviate a negative air pressure issue.

This unit brings air from outside to the fire. As a result, you regulate indoor-outdoor air pressure and allow fire by-products to exit the flue.

Water seeping into the flue.

An open flue might easily leak rain or snow. Once there, the water will cool the air in the firebox and limit its ability to rise, decreasing the airflow in the chimney and causing back-puffing.

If your fireplace emits smoke just when its raining or snowing, you might be having a water seepage problem. To avoid a damp flue, install a chimney cap. As a rule of thumb, ensure it’s installed by an experienced professional. 

Poor construction

A flue that is too tiny, a chimney that is too short, or a lintel that is too high are all examples of poor workmanship.

Poor construction could lead to your chimney having a problem. The most common issue with this is the chimney smoking.

Thankfully, installing a smoke guard before the fireplace is an excellent quick remedy.

This guard at the top of the fireplace opening reduces the smoke that enters by limiting the number of fire by-products.

Best practices.

The key to avoiding chimney problems is observing best practices. These practices include:

Use safe fuel

Use well-seasoned hardwood or CSIA-approved logs; as kindling, use dried twigs or branches; and as fuel, use torn old newspaper or pine cones.

Unseasoned firewood or cardboard might produce a large amount of smoke that your chimney cannot adequately expel, so avoid them.

Take advantage of the top-down burn method.

Place the heavy logs in the firebox vertically, then add four to five horizontal layers of kindling, top with fuel and light. Lighting your chimney using this method produces a fast-burning fire that emits little smoke and ensures you are comfortable.

Watch how you place the grate.

When the fireplace grate is too close to the front of the firebox, it is likely to produce a lot of smoke. To avoid this, you should place the grate away from the firebox, which ensures that the chimney doesn’t have a lot of smoke.

Permanently remove ash from the fireplace.

Scoop the remaining ashes into a metal container when the firebox has cooled thoroughly. This leaves your firebox clean and removes ashes that can cause the fireplace to create additional smoke.

Parting shot

These are some of the common problems that your chimney can have. For peace of mind, ensure that the chimney is installed by experienced contractors who know what they are doing. This way, you reduce the chances of having design flaws in your unit.

At least once a year or before the beginning of the heating season, have an experienced contractor undertake chimney inspection Upper Marlboro and cleaning.

Again, when hiring a cleaning professional, don’t hire the first you come across. Instead, take time to do background checks on them and confirm that they know what they are doing.

The post Common Chimney Problems and How to Fix Them first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Your chimney can serve as a cozy shelter for wildlife, including bats, opossums, squirrels, and snakes. These creatures seek refuge from predators and cold weather, but their presence can create a mess inside the chimney. Moreover, their straw nests can become a fire hazard. Unfortunately, it can be tough for some of these animals to escape the chimney, and if they die inside, the organic matter decays, causing an unpleasant odor in your house. Furthermore, their waste can contain toxic contaminants that pose a health risk.

Here are five preventative measures to keep neighborhood wildlife out of your chimney:

Keep Your Chimney Clean

Keeping your chimney clean is vital to avoid attracting pests and critters. A chimney that hasn’t been cleaned in a while can emit a scent that attracts them. You should hire a chimney professional to clean your chimney at least once a year, more often, if you use your fireplace frequently.

Install a Chimney Cap / Chase Cover

A chimney cap is a protective rain hat for a masonry chimney, while a chase top covers a manufactured chimney. Installing a cap or cover with a mesh wire screen is highly recommended to keep animals out of your chimney. This type of cap allows smoke to escape while serving as a barrier to prevent animals from entering. Moreover, it helps deflect rain, snow, and wind, keeping your chimney safe from Mother Nature. 

Seal Holes or Cracks

Even with a chimney cap or chase cover, mice, snakes, and rats can still enter your chimney, squeezing through any holes or cracks, no matter how small. Remember to inspect the masonry or siding for cracks and seal the gaps to keep out unwanted guests.  

Trim Back Trees and Shrubs

Trees and shrubs too close to your house can create a bridge for bats, birds, and other animals to enter your chimney. They can also pose a potential fire hazard if an ember happens to fly out of the chimney and lands on nearby branches. Therefore, trimming any overhanging limbs so that they are at least three feet away from your chimney is recommended.

Use Animal Repellents

We consulted a professional trapper to find out whether animal repellents are effective. While repellents can be a preventative measure, they should not be relied upon solely. Other preventive measures like replacing missing or damaged chimney caps, sealing gaps or cracks in the masonry, and regular cleaning are also necessary to keep animals out of your chimney. Various animal repellents, such as sprays, granules, and liquids, are available in the market, which can deter animals from entering your chimney.

Live Animal Removal

If you think you have a live animal in your chimney, don’t try to catch it yourself. It can bite, and you could get sick from bacteria or any disease the animal may carry. Contact your local chimney removal specialist or Northeastern Chimney if you reside in central Connecticut.

Chimney Cap Repair/Installation in Greater Hartford, CT

Northeastern Chimney LLC is your premier CSIA-certified chimney inspection, cleaning, and repair provider in Bristol, Granby, Southington, and central CT townships. Call (860) 233-5770 or contact us online to consult with a Certified Chimney Sweep®.

The post How Animals Use Chimneys and Preventative Measures appeared first on .

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

Winter is here, and you’ve either built your first fire of the season or will soon. However, despite keeping your home warm and cozy and creating a nostalgic atmosphere, there could be a danger lurking in your chimney with the potential to destroy everything. In this blog post, we look at what causes chimney fires and the five steps you can take to prevent them.

What Causes Chimney Fires?

There are an estimated 25,000 chimney fires in the United States annually, some with disastrous outcomes. Chimney fires happen for various reasons, including:

Creosote Buildup

The number one cause of chimney fires is creosote buildup. Creosote is a highly combustible residue that comes from burning wood.

It accumulates on the chimney’s inner walls, starting as a flaky powder and growing into a sticky, tar-like glaze. 

Poor Installation or Damage

If a chimney wasn’t built properly or suffered damage from weather or a seismic event, it could be a fire risk. Cracks, gaps, or deterioration can allow heat to escape and ignite nearby combustible materials. 

Overloading the Fireplace

Some people like spectacular fires in their fireplaces. Whether they’re a firebug at heart or think the bigger the flames, the warmer the home, overloading the fireplace can create more heat and higher temperatures than your fireplace or wood stove can handle, leading to a fire. 

Poor Ventilation

It’s crucial to have good ventilation for your fire to burn efficiently and safely. Poor ventilation leads to overheating, which can increase smoke and creosote buildup. Make sure your damper is fully open, allowing smoke and toxic gas to escape.

Tips for Protecting Yourself Against Chimney Fires

Regular Cleaning and Inspections

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself against chimney fires is to hire a professional sweep for yearly cleaning and inspections. Professionals have the knowledge and tools to thoroughly remove creosote and detect structural issues that could spell trouble down the road. 

Use a Chimney Liner

Depending on where you live, a chimney liner (or flue liner) might be mandatory. But if it’s not, you need to have one installed. Chimney liners protect your home’s combustible components against high temperatures running up the chimney. They also protect the chimney’s masonry materials from the corrosive effects of creosote that could lead to structural damage over time. 

Install a Chimney Cap

A chimney cap prevents debris and animals from getting in and causing obstructions that block airflow. Caps also prevent sparks and embers from escaping the chimney and landing on the roof or other flammable materials.

Burn Seasoned Firewood

Many people think any wood will do when starting a fire. That might be true if you’re stranded in the woods and must stay warm, but it’s another story in the house. Seasoned firewood is dry, which burns more efficiently and produces less smoke. Less smoke means less creosote buildup. 

Experts recommend burning wood that’s been dried for at least six months. Good woods to burn include hardwoods like oak, maple ash, and birch. Avoid burning green wood with high moisture content, treated or painted wood, driftwood, and non-wood items like cardboard, trash, or other materials. 

Call Fluesbrothers Today

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace is the go-to chimney and fireplace specialist in Kansas City because we do it all. Whether you need chimney cleaning, repairs, inspection, rebuilding, fireplace installation, or dryer vent cleaning, we’ve got you covered. 

Our technicians are certified by the National Fireplace Institute and the Chimney Safety Institute of America, so you can be confident knowing their work is accurate and safe. 

Contact us today to schedule cleaning and inspection at 913-236-7141. 

The post 5 Crucial Tips to Prevent Chimney Fires This Winter appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Efficiency, Style, and Warmth Unleashed!

As the holiday season unfolds and joy fills the air, we extend our heartfelt wishes to you and your loved ones. At Best Chimney, we believe in the magic of the season, where warmth and togetherness take center stage.

While you gather around the hearth with family and friends, may your home be filled with laughter, love, and the comforting glow of a perfectly maintained fireplace. This holiday season, let Best Chimney be your trusted partner in ensuring that your fireside moments are not only festive but also safe and cozy.

Embrace the enchantment of the holidays and let the glow of a well-kept fireplace be the backdrop to your cherished memories. From our family to yours, we wish you a season adorned with happiness, peace, and crackling warmth.

As the crisp air of the Winter months approaches, now is the perfect time to consider upgrading your home’s heating efficiency. Wood fireplace inserts are not just about aesthetics; they offer unparalleled efficiency, style, and warmth. Let’s delve into the key factors and benefits that make wood fireplace inserts a compelling choice for your living space.

The Efficiency Advantage:

Heating Efficiency: Wood inserts are designed for efficiency and performance. They are sealed units that fit directly into your existing fireplace, providing high heat output while preserving indoor air quality.

Prevent Air leakage: A traditional wood burning fireplace damper must remain open for the duration of the fire and for a period thereafter until the last coals are completely out. This means that the warm home air can escape through the open flue for hours after a fireplace is done generating heat.

Radiant & Circulated heating: In addition to the radiant heat generated by the fuel, wood fireplace inserts have optional blowers to optimize heat circulation. The blower pushes warm air out while pulling cooler air into the air channel which will help increase the ambient temperature in the room and increases the fireplace’s effectiveness.

Things to Consider:

Isolated Heating: Heating the rooms you use the most saves on overall energy costs. As an excellent supplemental heat source, allowing you to warm specific areas of your home efficiently, you can embrace the cozy warmth in your living room while not worrying about other spaces within the home that are not occupied.

Inserts for Efficiency: It is estimated that a fireplace expels 70% of the residual heat generated by a traditional wood-burning fire making them terribly inefficient. Unlike traditional wood-burning fireplaces, wood inserts provide a consistent and easily adjustable heat output.

Slow Burn: A wood burning fireplace insert offers a slower, more efficient burn rate that translates to the consumption of less fuel while providing up to five hours of uninterrupted heat. This translates to less loading, less effort, and most importantly, less money spent on wood!

Style: Wood fireplace inserts have come a long way in aesthetics offering modern, classic and contemporary options to fit your design needs.

Environmental Impact: Wood inserts contribute to a smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional wood-burning fireplaces. They are an eco-friendly choice that combines style with responsible heating practices.

Elevate Your Home Comfort:

Now is the time to transform your living space into a haven of warmth and style with a wood fireplace insert. Contact us today at 781-893-6611 or schedule your appt here to discuss our range of options and find the perfect fit for your home.

Here’s to a season of efficient, inviting, and cozy warmth!

The post Transform Your Space with Wood Fireplace Inserts appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

You should note that not all scents emitted by a fireplace are safe. Some smells, such as the odor of chemicals or billowing smoke, can be signs of danger.

To be safe, if you notice any unusual odors coming from your fireplace, you must check and figure out what’s happening. You can do the investigation by yourself, but for the best results, involve the services of a chimney sweep.

This article will take a look at the various odors that fireplaces can generate and what they might imply.

Wood burning smoke

It’s expected that you have the scent of a wood-burning fireplace in a wood-burning fireplace. The smoky smell calms many people and makes them feel at ease.

This is one of the reasons that wood-burning fireplaces are so popular.

This typical aroma does not suggest danger unless smoke is blowing into your living area.

As much as wood-burning smoke is calming, you don’t want the smoke to get into the house, making you uncomfortable, do you? To ensure this doesn’t happen, there are several things you can do. These things include:

Keep the damper open: The damper is a hinged metal plate inside the fireplace, connecting to the chimney. Consider it like a window.

In the summer, it is closed to prevent cold air from exiting; in the winter, it is completed through the chimney to prevent cold air from entering the room. When a fire is kindled, you can open the damper to allow smoke to escape.

Use seasoned wood: You can’t just put any kind of wood in a fireplace and expect it to work. Wet wood burns differently than dry wood and may make your fireplace smoky. The best wood to use is dry, seasoned wood that you can buy locally or at your home improvement store.

Burn the fires upside down: Consider creating an upside-down fire for a clean-burning fire. In contrast to a standard fire, which requires smaller sticks at the bottom and larger logs on top, the upside-down fire reverses the sequence.

You place huge fuel logs at the bottom of the grate and smaller logs on top. You then add a layer of kindling (little twigs the size of your pinky or larger) on top of the stack, followed by a few sheets of newspaper.

The fire will burn cleaner because smoke will not have to pass through the cold wood. What’s wonderful about this style is that it doesn’t require much maintenance.

Strong smokey smells

Smoky scents from your fireplace are harmless and indicate your fire is on, and everything is okay. On the other hand, a heavy smoke odor could mean that your chimney is obstructed.

A clogged chimney can lead to deadly levels of carbon monoxide in your house, so if you spot any soot or debris around your fireplace, contact a professional to have your chimney cleaned and examined.

Burning plastic or rubber odors

It’s critical to respond quickly if you notice smells like burnt plastic or rubber. These odors could suggest something lodged in your fireplace, such as a bird’s nest. Call the fire department immediately if you observe flames coming from your fireplace.

Chemical and metallic odors

Chemical or metal odors could be a warning of harmful gasses such as carbon monoxide in your chimney. If you notice these odors, you should immediately open your windows and doors and leave your home.

You should then contact the fire department or a gas professional to determine the cause of the odors.

Moldy or musty smells

Moldy scents from your fireplace are usually nothing to worry about. These odors may simply signal that your fireplace requires cleaning. If you discover mold or mildew around your fireplace, you should get it professionally cleaned.

Oil and fuel smell

It’s typical to smell these odors when you first switch on your fireplace if you have an oil or gas fireplace. Thankfully, these scents usually vanish after a few minutes.

If you detect these odors lingering, it could indicate a problem with your fireplace. If you have a gas or oil fireplace, you should get it inspected by a specialist regularly.

Lingering sulfur smells

You should be concerned if you notice a sulfur odor from your fireplace. This is because sulfur odors may signal a problem with the gas line. If you smell sulfur, immediately turn off the gas and contact a professional.

Ways to get rid of fireplace smells.

There are plenty of ways to get rid of the fireplace smells. These ways include:

Keep the fireplace clean.

You should keep your fireplace and chimney clean to avoid the formation of smells. Clean up any dirt or ash that remains after extinguishing each fire.

You should clean the chimney in the spring or summer to remove creosote accumulation, which is the source of unpleasant fireplace scents. If you don’t have the time or resources to do this work yourself, let a chimney-cleaning professional help you.

Installing a chimney cap to keep moisture out is also a smart idea. There should be no odor if water does not reach the creosote in the chimney.

If you still have moisture issues in your fireplace despite having a chimney cap, you may need to fix the cracks in the chimney brick or replace the lid.

Undertake chimney inspection

If you have tried removing the odors, but they keep coming back, you should look at any flaws your unit might have.

If scents remain despite doing all the right things, you may have an airflow problem. If exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, for example, depressurize your home, air may flow in through the chimney, carrying scents with it.

A chimney inspection Upper Marlboro will help discover any problems, allowing you to correct them. For peace of mind that the chimney inspection Upper Marlboro is thorough, ensure that an experienced professional does it.

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