It’s finally cold outside as the official start of winter is right around the corner. With the temperature dropping and your heat running, you’re probably thinking about your chimney and fireplace.

Now’s the time to use this quick checklist and get your chimney ready for winter.

Winter is “go-time” for the maintenance and upkeep on your chimney and fireplace, as keeping them clean and protected will lead to a successful heating experience all winter.

Here’s your checklist of things to do with your chimney this winter:

• Call Southern Chimneys and get an inspection
  This one may seem like a no-brainer, but a lot of people forget to have their chimneys and fireplaces inspected and cleaned. A proper inspection (like the 18-point one done by Southern Chimneys) will make sure everything is looking good for the winter months ahead. You’ll get out that pesky creosote that’s built up inside, you’ll find any cracks or leaks letting moisture or critters in or out, and you can even discuss converting your wood fireplace to gas logs.
• Know your safety!
  It’s the time of year when your fire will be roaring. Are you being safe about it? Make sure you have fire extinguishers nearby and know how to use them. Install smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors if they aren’t already. Have a first aid kit handy as well.
• Be prepared
  What will you do if there’s a major power outage? It happens at least once or twice a winter in the Atlanta area. You should have a generator (with fuel), a battery-operated radio, flashlights, enough food and water for three days, pet supplies, important medications, and at least a half a tank of gas in your vehicle.
• Decorate your fireplace!
  It’s time to put the stockings up! Your fireplace and hearth are usually the star of the show in Christmas decorations.

It’s always smart to get a jump on things and schedule your chimney and fireplace work and inspections long before the weather cools down. But if you’ve waited until now, there might still be time to schedule an inspection before the worst of winter hits. Give us a call at Southern Chimneys and we’ll help answer all your chimney and fireplace wintertime questions.

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

Yesterday, I went to a friend’s house for a ‘dry run’ for
Thanksgiving Day. I have never participated in a dry run, so this was new. A ‘dry
run’ is more about process and timing and not necessarily taste testing the
food. Disappointing, but I think we all got that one down just fine.

When I arrived, everything was in order: dishes, pots, pans,
food prep and serving spaces. I found out that my job for today was to dry run
the family and dining rooms where the tables were to be set up. I did my part
and figured out where the tables and chairs were to go. I, of course, set up
the tables in the family room around the fireplace. Not too close, no need to
cook the turkey twice…or the guests.

Now for the dining room. As I was working out the
configuration, I smelled some smoke. I thought she decided to make a couple of
dishes for me…us…to taste test. It wasn’t smelling so good. Too smoky. I went
into the kitchen to explore the dishes of food to find everything empty. Where
is that smell coming from?

I went from room to room ensuring nothing was burning. Until
I walked into the family room. She lit the fireplace. Smoke
was going into the chimney,
but was also remaining in the house. Problem.

There are lots of reasons for the smoke to come into the
house.

1. It could need a good cleaning or chimney sweep
2. Maybe the damper
   isn’t fully open
3. The firewood could be bad

Instead of wasting time guessing, I told her to call
Superior Chimney 877-244-6349 to inspect and clean the chimney.
At first, she was reluctant and I shared two critical reasons to call: 1. There’s
going to be a house full of guests. No need for the Great American Smoke Out.
2. Clothing, furniture and the carpet will absorb the smoky smell. It’s better
to have guests leave with the smell of oven roasted turkey.

Thankfully, she listened. Superior Chimney should be at my friend’s
house shortly. They’ll inspect the condition of the chimney with their 14-point inspection.
Next, a thorough chimney
cleaning and fireplace
cleaning with all the pictures and explanations she’ll need to understand
where the smoke problem resides. Now when tomorrow comes, we’ll be sniffing up
all the right smells.

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

While lighting fire is as old as cavemen, many people struggle with it. As much as you would want to skip out on it, you have to learn it for you to enjoy having your chimney. To help you out, here are pro tips given by chimney contractors on how to get the fire going without filling your house with smoke or being frustrated about the logs not lighting up:

Work with a clean chimney

A dirty chimney prevents the fire from getting enough air. As you might have guessed, when the fireplace isn’t receiving enough air, fire doesn’t light up.

Before you light the fire, inspect the chimney, and ensure there are no thick ashes that will prevent the fire from lighting up properly. If you have a lot of ash, get rid of it. You also should look out for creosote as it puts the house at the risk of chimney fires. If present, get rid of it immediately.

You can clean the chimney by yourself or hire an expert to help out. When removing the ashes, don’t remove all of it. Leave about an inch of it. This is because it serves as insulation and allows the fire to burn hotter and more efficiently.

Keep the damper open

The damper controls the amount of air flowing through the flue.  If closed, no air gets into the chimney. Feel inside the fireplace for a lever. One direction will close the damper while the other will open it. Leave the damper open to prevent smoke from pouring back into the room.

Does your fireplace have glass doors? Open the doors 15-20 minutes before lighting the fire. This is to allow the insides of the fireplace to get to room temperature. If the outside is cold, the cold air will flow down the chimney and get trapped by the doors.

By opening the doors and allowing warm air from the room rising up the chimney, you start the draft moving upwards.

Leave enough space

Many homeowners have the impression that they get more heat by stocking more logs into the chimney, but this isn’t the case. When you stock a lot of logs, you don’t leave enough room for oxygen to circulate. As a result, the fire doesn’t burn to its maximum.

In some cases, if you have stocked too many logs, the fire keeps on extinguishing. The fire needs space to burn, so leave enough room for it.

Choose dry, seasoned wood

The wood you burn has a significant impact on how fast you light up the fire, how hot the fire gets, and the amount of creosote deposited on the fireplace.

For you to have an easy time lighting up the fire, always go with dry, seasoned wood. This is wood that has been air-dried for at least six months. In addition to the wood lighting up fast, it also produces a lot of heat hence keeping your house warm.

Seasoned wood also doesn’t produce a lot of soot, so you don’t keep on cleaning the fireplace.

Try an igniter log

An igniter log eliminates the need for kindling or newspaper. When using it, remember you have to prime the flue and even clean the chimney. After this, put up the screen and get the fire going.

You can buy the igniter logs from your local store or order them online.

Buy a light n Go Log

If you have been having problems lighting up the fire up to this point, consider buying a light n Go log. These logs are chemical-free and burn for over an hour and a half. Again, you can buy them from your local store or online.

After the fire starts, add big logs

Once the fire starts going, you will start seeing red, glowing embers. At this point, start adding large logs. According to chimney repair Annapolis professionals, larger logs produce more heat and burn for a long time without having to keep on moving them around.

When placing the logs, ensure they can’t roll out of the fireplace. You can do this by having a heavy mesh spar resistant curtain or any other protective barrier in front of the fireplace. Regardless of how well the fire lights up, never leave it unattended.

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

Now that winter is here; firewood displays are a common sight in retailers and big box stores. It’s easy to buy. Just drive in, load up and drive away. But the wood selection varies depending on the region of the country. So how do you know if you are getting the best firewood for your fireplace or wood stove? Here is our guide for selecting the best fuel for cleaner-burning and longer-lasting fires.

Why Dry Firewood is Best

When a tree is freshly cut, the wood contains a lot of moisture – up to 45 percent, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). And it’s this moisture content that creates more smoke and creosote while also lowering the temperature of the fire. It’s like throwing water on the fire. You not only will need to burn more wood to keep the fire going, but it will also create a dirtier fireplace or wood stove with more creosote, soot, and ash.

On the other hand, seasoned or dry wood has much less moisture, about 25 percent or less. Since you are burning wood rather than water, the fire will burn hotter for a longer time.

 

You will also have a cleaner-burning fire and use less wood fuel. So, look for wood that has been seasoned (dried) for at least six months or more. The drier, the better.

How to Pick the Best Firewood in the Lot

When picking out the best firewood for your fireplace or wood stove, get up close to the stack and inspect the ends first. You want to look for signs of dryness like cracking or warping. The wood should also appear faded and dull. Also, there should be very little bark remaining, if at all. And any remaining bark should easily peel off. Wood that has been split open should feel dry to the touch. If it doesn’t move on, it still has too much moisture.

You can also invest in a water moisture meter. A water moisture meter is a handy device that measures the water content without damaging the logs. It’s a quick and easy way to detect which logs have the lowest moisture content.

What is a Cord of Wood?

Firewood is commonly sold by the cord, i.e., a full cord, ¼ cord, 1/3 cord, and so on. A cord of wood equates to 128 cubic feet. You measure cubic feet by multiplying the length, height, and depth of the firewood. Thus, a stack of wood that is 4 feet tall x 4 feet deep x 8 feet high is a full cord.

Storing Firewood

When storing firewood, it should be stacked off the ground and in a dry, ventilated space, like a shed or garage. If you must store wood outside, cover it to prevent exposure to rain and pests, which can cause rotting.

Hardwoods Vs. Softwoods

You can regulate the heat of your wood-burning fireplace or stove by selecting the type of wood. Hardwoods are denser and burn hotter. While softwoods burn faster at lower temperatures.

Hardwoods

• Ash
• Hickory
• Oak
• Yellow Birch

Softwoods

• Balsam
• Hemlock
• Pine
• Red Alder

 

 

 

 

The post Best Firewood for Clean-Burning, Long-Lasting Fires appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

The holiday season is in full swing. This is the perfect time to light up your gas fireplace! Sitting beside a glowing hearth is a relaxing way to end a long day spent rushing around in Connecticut’s chilly weather. When friends or family come over, they’ll be happy to gather around the fireplace to chat or play games. Before you ignite your fireplace this season, there are a few steps you should take to ensure it is safe.

Gas fireplaces and gas fireplace inserts require less maintenance than wood-burning fireplaces, but they still need to be maintained annually.

Making the effort to service and inspect your gas appliances is a smart preventative measure. It reduces the risk of aggravated allergies and carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow these 5 simple steps to prepare your gas appliance for another winter:

Dust off the fireplace and blower.

You might think that lighting up the fireplace is the best way to clean it out, but it isn’t. Igniting a dusty fireplace can produce an unpleasant odor. If the blower is dusty, it can create a cloud of dust. Along with being unpleasant, igniting a dusty fireplace can aggravate allergies or trigger an asthma attack.

Use a rag and fireplace safe cleaner to dust off the ceramic log, rocks or glass beads inside the fireplace. Then use a stiff-bristle brush to dust off the blower’s fan. Use a vacuum to clean up the dust. If you choose to vacuum out the fireplace, make sure that your vacuum doesn’t suck up any fire glass beads, or false embers made of ceramic wool. (When the fireplace isn’t in use, the false embers may look like pieces of gray fuzz.)

Clean the glass doors. 

Fireplace doors play an important role in protecting your home by stopping carbon monoxide and sparks from escaping. That’s why they should be able to close tightly. The glass on the doors shouldn’t have any flaws. A flaw in the glass, like a scratch, can weaken it and make it unable to safely endure the high heat of the fire.

Use a soft cloth and fireplace safe glass cleaner to clean off the glass fireplace doors. Make sure that you do not use a glass cleaner with ammonia in it. Ammonia glass cleaners, like Windex, are too harsh for fireplace doors.

While you are cleaning the glass doors, check for any abrasions or cracks. Also, test the doors to ensure they close tightly. If you discover that your fireplace doors are damaged or misaligned, they should be replaced or repaired before you ignite the fireplace.

Test your carbon monoxide detector.

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that’s released when fuel burns. Since it is tasteless and odorless, the only way to know if carbon monoxide is leaking into your home is with a detector. Since gas fireplaces produce this deadly gas, you should have a carbon monoxide detector located near your fireplace.

Check that it is working and that the batteries don’t need changed, before you start using your gas fireplace again.

Check the pilot light.

If the pilot light for your fireplace is out, it can be a serious safety risk. When you turn your fireplace on, instead of igniting a fire, natural gas will leak out into your home. Unknowingly lighting a cigarette or candle in the room could cause a serious house fire.

Follow the instructions in your user manual to check that the pilot light for your fireplace is lit. If it is out, contact a professional to re-ignite it.

Schedule a gas appliance inspection.

Gas fireplaces, gas inserts, and gas stoves are complex systems. Many things can go wrong from minor gas leaks to damaged or broken parts. One faulty component could make your gas appliance unsafe to use.

Scheduling an inspection with a professional technician is the best way to ensure that your gas fireplace is safe to use. They will be able to fix the problem on the spot unless a special part is needed.

Following these five steps should give you peace of mind when you light up your gas fireplace. If you need a trustworthy fireplace technician in Central Connecticut, contact Northeastern Chimney! We are the only CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps and fireplace technicians in West Hartford Connecticut.

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

When a fireplace runs efficiently every winter, it doesn’t happen by accident. A set of conditions work in harmony to ensure that fires burn hot and combustion byproducts exit through the chimney. All fireplaces and chimney systems need maintenance to keep those ideal conditions in place. The following tips can help to ensure that your fireplace runs efficiently this winter.

Healthy Draft

A smoky fireplace is a common problem homeowners experience, and the problem has to do with disruption of the draft, or airflow. The draft is a force that pulls air from inside your fireplace or home up through the chimney. A temperature differential is what creates a draft. Sometimes draft can’t happen because the chimney is filled with a column of cold air. This happens a lot in very chilly weather in homes where the fireplace is built on an outside wall. The way to restore the draft is to hold a lit newspaper torch up toward the open damper. It may take a time or two for the torch to dispel the cold air and allow for a draft.

 

Another reason smoke may billow into the home instead of going up the chimney is because of an obstruction. The most common blockage in a chimney is caused by excess creosote. With every wood fire, highly flammable creosote is deposited in the chimney lining. The chimney needs to be cleaned at least annually, according to experts, to prevent layers of creosote from preventing proper draft and putting the home at an increased risk of a dangerous chimney fire.

Other issues can affect draft, as well, including a short chimney and a home that’s too airtight to allow air to flow as needed. Consult with chimney sweep professionals if you need help fixing a smoky chimney.

2) Burn the Right Firewood

It’s impossible to have an efficient fireplace if you burn green wood. Fresh-cut firewood is packed with moisture, and burning it creates excessive smoke and leaves behind excess creosote in the flue. Firewood should be seasoned before burning it. To season firewood, let it dry out for 6 to 12 months. Wood piles should allow for airflow between pieces of wood. Sun should be able to get to the wood, though it also needs protection from the rain.

If you want long-lasting fires that create hot coals, burn hardwood. If you want fires that don’t leave coals behind and will stop putting out heat more quickly after the fire is out, burn softwood.

3) Remove Ash Routinely

It’s good to have about an inch of ash on the floor of the fireplace because it acts as an insulator to give off more heat. Once ash gets deeper than an inch, it can interfere with a fire’s efficiency. Using all recommended safety procedures, remove ash as needed.

4) Install a Fireplace Insert

When you say you want an “efficient fireplace,” do you mean you want your fireplace to provide a significant amount of heat in your home, to help lower utility costs in winter? If so, the best thing to do is to have a fireplace insert installed. An insert will transform your traditional fireplace into a truly efficient supplemental heat source. The heating efficiency of your fireplace will go from a paltry 10% to as much as 80%!

5) Contact Certified Chimney Sweeps

To keep a fireplace and chimney operating at optimum levels, routine chimney cleaning and chimney inspections are needed. Chimneys are highly vulnerable to moisture damage, and they often need repair. You can lower the cost of chimney maintenance by scheduling annual inspections and cleaning and getting chimney repair, as needed. To learn more, contact our CSIA-certified chimney experts at Northeastern Chimney, LLC. Call us at 860-233-5770 anytime between 8 am and 5 pm on weekdays. We are located in West Hartford, Connecticut, and serve the entire surrounding area, as well.

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

Gas fireplaces are popular for many reasons including beauty, ease of use, EPA-standard efficiency and great heating performance. To operate your gas fireplace safely, there are a few things you need to do on a regular basis. Here are some simple maintenance tips to get your fireplace ready for winter.

Clean the fireplace

Gas fireplaces don’t require the heavy-duty cleaning needed with wood-burning units, but some cleaning is necessary. Start by cleaning the blower by brushing and vacuuming out dust buildup. This will prevent blowing dust all over the place when you use the appliance again after the off-season.

Next, vacuum the entire firebox, making sure to not pick up ceramic embers, if they’re part of your fireplace setup. You can then wash all the firebox components such as the log set, rocks, beads, etc. Create less mess by doing this at the sink with basic dish soap. Finally, wipe down all interior surfaces of the firebox with a mild cleanser and warm water.

Clean the vent pipe

Vented gas fireplaces should have their vent systems cleaned and checked once a year. Many homeowners bring in a certified chimney expert for this work, just to make sure it’s done correctly and thoroughly. Gas fireplaces don’t fill their vent systems with creosote and soot the way wood fireplaces do, but they still need a little preventative maintenance and cleaning. A good cleaning will ensure that the pipe is open and able to draft as it should.

Glass fireplace door cleaning

Before the busy burning season is a good time to get your glass doors clear and shiny. If they’re heavily coated, wash with a mild detergent then use a window cleaner to brighten them up. While cleaning, check the gasket seals to make sure the doors close tightly and completely to prevent the escape of dangerous carbon monoxide when you’re using the fireplace.

Pilot light inspection

The main thing here is to see that the light is working and that connector wires are secure and in good condition. If the light doesn’t work or if anything feels loose or looks damaged, a professional fireplace service technician should be called in.

 Yearly inspection

While you can do some things to get your fireplace ready for another season, some other things can only be done by a professional. Annual safety inspections are important to ensure that every component in your gas fireplace system is working according to spec and that the fireplace itself is operating at peak efficiency. A thorough inspection definitely should be on your pre-winter to-do list.

Safety tips

It’s always good to remind yourself of these gas fireplace safety tips:

• Do not use the unit if you smell gas
• Have working carbon monoxide detectors appropriately placed within your home
• Never burn any foreign materials in your gas fireplace
• Teach young children to stay away from the fireplace – when it’s in use and when it isn’t
• Don’t leave home for an extended period with the fireplace running

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, is standing by to help with all your fireplace, stove and chimney needs. We’re certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute. Call us at (913) 236-7141 to get your gas fireplace in tip-top shape for the winter.

 

The post Things To Do Before lighting Your Fireplace appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

The only thing better than a fireplace in the winter is an efficient fireplace in the winter. By following these six tips for max fireplace efficiency and safety, you’ll make a big difference in how much you enjoy your fireplace during the cold months.

Tip 1: chimney health 

This tip means to schedule chimney sweep service and fireplace/chimney inspection before the season kicks in. Chimney sweeps will remove flammable creosote and draft-hampering obstructions from your flue, while an inspection will uncover any part of your fireplace system that needs service.

Tip 2: Use dry firewood

Logs that haven’t had time to fully dry out (usually takes six months to a year after chopping) burn inefficiently and produce a lot more smoke than dry logs. Logs that are dry make hotter fires that burn longer and look spectacular.

2a: When storing your firewood outside, set the stack on a rack or pallet to keep it off the damp ground. Store wood in an area that is shielded from rain. If you prefer to use a tarp covering, make sure the ends are open so air can circulate.

2b: Remember that different types of wood have different burn qualities. For hotter, longer-lasting fires, go with hardwoods like maple, elm, oak and beech. When you want a shorter burn time, use softwoods like cedar, fir and red pine.

Tip 3: maximum performance

When stacking logs, make sure to leave some breathing room in between them. Some people say to start your fire from the top down; other say burn from the bottom up. Whichever way you go, a trick to getting really blazing fires is to start with a relatively small log stack and get it blazing well before adding more wood. Try this and see – and feel – the difference.

Tip 4: Keep the firebox clean

The more clutter of ashes and charred wood in your firebox, the less air that can get in to intensify your fires.

Shovel out debris regularly – and wash/scrape off any soot or creosote on the firebox walls to reduce the chance of fire.

Tip 5: Remember to close the damper after a fire

After your logs are finished burning, preserve the heat that’s in your home by shutting the fireplace damper. A house will retain a certain amount of fireplace-produced heat after the fire is over, but all that heat will go right up the chimney if the damper is left open.

Tip 6: Safety precautions

• Burn only wood in your fireplace – no household trash, plastics, cardboard, furnishings or any other material.
• Never use gasoline, lighter fluid or other accelerants to start a fire.
• Know the signs of a chimney fire: large amounts of dark smoke from either end of the chimney; a clicking/tapping noise; a rumbling sound like a distant train. Call 911 if you notice any of these signs, and put out the fire in the firebox, if safe to do so.
• Keep young children and pets away from the fireplace while it’s in use; purchase a fireplace screen, if necessary.
• Make sure you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors properly installed inside your home.

High’s Chimney Service of Gaithersburg, MD, is here to help with CSIA-certified chimney sweep, chimney inspection and chimney and fireplace repairs. We’ll do the job right the first time to ensure safety for you and your family. Call us today at (301) 519-3500.

 

The post Maximum Efficiency from Your Fireplace This Winter appeared first on Highs Chimney.

Many homeowners depend on wood-burning stoves for heat. And if your heating stove is more than 15 years old, you are probably wondering when it will need to be replaced. Keep an eye out for one or more of the following warn signs that indicate it’s time to replace your wood stove.

It was manufactured before 1995

If you have a wood stove that was manufactured before 1995, its time to consider a replacement, older wood stoves are not as efficient and produce a lot more pollution than newer models.

In 2015, the EPA made the most significant changes since 1988 with the introduction of Step 1 of the revised performance standards. The new rule requires manufacturers of wood-burning stoves and heaters to emit no more than 4.5g of smoke per hour.

It was a significant reduction in pollution compared to old stoves that release up to 30 grams of smoke per hour.

And to meet these strict new government standards, wood stove manufacturers made significant changes to its internal design. As a result, more modern EPA-certified wood stoves are more efficient, burn cleaner, and are easier and safer to use.

Signs of warping or cracking

Many wood stoves are built to perform for decades. But the lifespan of your wood stove will largely depend on the quality of materials. While most woods stoves are made from steel or iron, the grade of these materials and quality of workmanship will largely determine the life expectancy of your model. In the last 20 years, imports have flooded the market. Many of these imports use lower grade materials. Although wood stoves that are made from iron or steel are designed to withstand a regular wood-burning operation, the repeated heating and cooling can eventually cause warping. Also, excessive creosote inside the stove can cause a fire. The extremely high temperatures can also cause the stove to warp, and you may notice some cracks near the bolts or welding.

If your wood stove is showing signs of warping or cracking, it is no longer safe to use and should be replaced.

It produces a lot of smoke

A small amount of smoke is reasonable, especially when starting a fire. But if your wood stove is producing more smoke than normal, your stove may have problems that need a total replacement. The baffle plate or catalytic combustion may be damaged, and there could be water leaks or other damages. A smoky stove is also very inefficient to operate and produces much less heat. Since smoke also causes excessive pollution, including creosote, it’s a sign that it’s time to replace your heating appliance.

 excessive creosote

Older wood stoves are not clean burning devices and require frequent cleaning to prevent the accumulation of creosote and other residues. And if it’s been quite some time since your last stove cleaning, there may be an excessive accumulation of creosote, soot, and other debris in the stove, stovepipe, and vent. Creosote is the primary cause of residential fires. A fire that starts in your stove can quickly spread to your stove pipe and other combustibles throughout your home. So, if you have a lot of creosote in your stove, it’s time to switch to a cleaner-burning EPA-certified wood stove.

You need to use more wood fuel than in the past to get the same level of heat

If your stove is consuming more wood fuel than before to maintain the desired heat, then there may be issues with its heating efficiency. The performance of your wood stove can degrade over time due to warping, air and water leaks, and other problems. Replacing an inefficient wood stove with a newer model will reduce your energy costs. Newer EPA-certified models produce up to 50 percent more heat while consuming 1/3 less fuel.

The post Warning Signs Your Wood Stove Needs Replacing appeared first on Highs Chimney.

If you use a wood-burning fireplace, beautiful fires should be expected every time you fire up. So should the production of creosote. You can’t burn wood without creating at least some of this flammable smoke byproduct, but you can keep creosote buildup inside your chimney at minimum levels.

Excess creosote is a safety issue

Creosote is produced when smoke condenses in your flue. The result is a substance that can be flakey, sticky or hard. Regardless the form, creosote is highly flammable and is responsible for most chimney fires in the U.S. each year.

 

 

The nonprofit National Fire Protection Association, founded in 1896, recommends annual professional inspection and chimney sweep services to deal with the problem of creosote. So does virtually every other fire-safety organization in America.

Chimney fires are tricky

Not all chimney fires are big, obvious, blazing spectacles. Many are relatively small and start and go out on their own. But any chimney fire can cause damage to the chimney liner and the chimney masonry. When damage begins, it’s not long before the intense heat of fires can reach combustible materials of your home’s interior.

Signs of a chimney fire

Chimney fires aren’t always visible, but they are detectible:

Excess thick black smoke from either end of the chimney

A rumbling sound similar to a far-away train

An odd ticking or clicking sound

If you notice any of these while burning a fire, call local emergency services and extinguish the fire in the firebox, if safe to do so.

How excess creosote is formed

The more smoke, the more creosote. The damper the wood, the more smoke. You can reduce the amount of creosote your chimney collects by burning only dry (seasoned) wood, which burns more efficiently and produces much less smoke.

When buying firewood, look for these characteristics:

Flakey bark as opposed to bark that clings to the logs

An empty, hollow sound when two logs are struck together

Light-feeling logs (means they contain minimal moisture)

A dark color to the wood

Ends of logs that are split and cracked

What a chimney sweep does

“Chimney sweep” is the common name for people who clean chimneys. The best chimney sweeps hold professional industry certifications such as Master Chimney Sweep and Certified Chimney Sweep, designations given by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Always look for industry credentials when hiring someone to clean your chimney.

Skilled chimney sweeps have specialized tools including hand and power brushes, scrapers, solvents and vacuums that allow them to thoroughly clean creosote and obstructions out of your chimney flue.

 

By scheduling annual chimney cleaning and inspection services, you’ll be able to significantly reduce the level of creosote and various obstruction-causing debris inside your chimney. Burning dry, less-smoky wood and having your chimney serviced regularly will keep your chimney safer and more reliable all year long.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, is ready to help with all your fireplace, chimney and heating stove needs. We offer certified chimney sweep services as well as chimney inspection, chimney repair and chimney rebuilding. Call us at (913) 236-7141 when you want the job done properly by professionals you can trust.

The post Minimize Creosote Buildup appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.