If it’s not included with the installation of your manufactured fireplace, you may wonder why you need a chase cover. Though categorized as accessories, chimney chase covers are vital components of manufactured fireplace systems. This is comparable to the crucial need for chimney caps, which are installed above masonry fireplaces. The functions of chimney chase covers and chimney caps are the same. The need for ongoing chimney chase cover maintenance is also essential. Below, learn what exactly a chase cover is and the convincing reasons why you need one for your manufactured fireplace.

What is a Chimney Chase?

A chimney chase is basically a chimney but only for manufactured fireplaces. Chimney chases are usually built of framed wood with siding that matches the home. However, they can also be built with stucco, masonry, or stone. The chimney chase is necessary because manufactured fireplaces come with plain metal flues. A decorative chase provides needed aesthetics and more.

Like masonry chimney liners, metal chimney pipes that come with manufactured fireplaces can become extremely hot. Combustible parts of the home need to be protected from the heat. So, a chimney chase provides the appropriate distance between the pipe and the combustible components surrounding it.

What is a Chase Cover?

A chase cover is placed atop the chimney chase, and it typically sits over it like the lid of a shoebox. Typically, chimney chase covers are made of metal. Aluminum and galvanized steel chase covers are the least expensive kinds. Aluminum doesn’t tend to rust, but it is a soft metal that lacks durability. As a result, aluminum chase covers can easily be damaged by falling branches and strong winds. Galvanized steel is stronger but rusts easily.

High-quality, durable chase covers are made with stainless steel or copper. Stainless steel is one of the strongest metals, and chase covers made with this durable material are usually available in an affordable price range. Copper chase covers are high-end options. They are often considered too impractical because of cost, but they deliver on style and beauty.

Why is a Chase Cover Necessary?

Chimney chases create a large opening at the rooftop level, almost like a window to the sky that never closes. Chase covers are necessary because of what can happen when they are not there.

Without a chimney chase cover, precipitation falls directly into the home. Moisture can damage fireplace components. Besides causing rust to form, infiltration of rain and snow can result in the growth of mildew and mold.

Animals can freely make entrance into your home if you have a chimney chase with no chase cover. Bats, snakes, squirrels, birds, and mice are among the unwelcome intruders that countless homeowners have had to deal with because of a lack of coverage over the chimney. Leaves and branches are also types of debris that can get into your chimney chase if you don’t schedule chimney chase cover installation.

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

Have you thought about renovating your hearth?

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As we approach the holidays, colder weather, and more home time, we turn to our fireplaces for warmth, ambience, and a gathering spot for family.

Sitting around the cozy warmth of a crackling fire has been something human beings have done for hundreds of thousands of years. Years ago, man used fire to provide light and heat, keep predators at bay, and cook food. Some research suggests that humans would not have evolved into what they are today without fire.

Still, for many of us, being near the warmth of a fireplace feels familiar and inviting; this may be why so many people have opted to have a fireplace in their homes. Additionally, because of the timelessness of a fireplace, many homeowners are choosing to give their older hearths a face-lift by renovating this important space. If you are on the fence about whether to update your existing fireplace, here are five helpful attributes to consider:

Beauty

It cannot be denied that there is something beautiful and tranquil about a fireplace, especially today, with so many styles and sizes to select from when considering updating your current fireplace. Today, real, or veneer fireplaces range in appearance and texture from the classic elegance of a brick-and-mortar design to the more contemporary and ornate arrangement. In short, there is a design for every taste and every home.

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Budget

Better still, there is a fireplace design for almost every budget. Today many fireplace owners choose to go with veneer or ledger panels when remodeling their fireplaces. With veneer paneling, you get the quality and appearance of masonry at a much less expense. Moreover, a veneer fireplace can be installed more quickly than building a new fireplace. Depending on the size of your project, you can be sitting in front of your beautiful new fireplace within days.

A Preferred Amenity

According to a survey created by the National Association of Home Builders, they ranked a fireplace among one of the top three amenities people look for when purchasing a new home. This could also mean that it might be easier for you to sell your home if you have an updated fireplace. If you are considering selling your home at some point in the future, now is an excellent time to update your existing fireplace with a more modern and organic-looking design. Plus, ledger panels are often made from recycled materials making them eco-friendly!

Improving an Additional Heat and Light Source

How often has the power gone out during frigid weather, and you found yourself longing for the warmth of the fireplace you stopped using for some long-forgotten reason? When used properly, a fireplace can provide warmth and light until the power comes back on. You may not miss the power so much after some time in front of a cozy fire. Now might be a great time to get that fireplace back into working order and its former glory with some beautiful updating.

Transform Your Home

Do you love your living room’s natural light and decor but feel like it needs just a little something extra to make it perfect? Do you spend much time in your home office and wish it didn’t feel so much like an office? Then updating your fireplace may be just the thing. You can dramatically change the tone and appearance of any room simply by updating the fireplace.

You may even spend less money with fireplace options now on the market. Many homeowners choose to go with manufactured paneling or a fireplace veneer when designing or updating their fireplace because of the cost savings and the nearly limitless choices available.

If updating your fireplace sounds like the right option for your home, remember there are many directions you can go in nowadays.

Would you like to schedule a complimentary visit with our specialist to discuss your possibilities?

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The post As the weather gets colder, don’t forget about your fireplace! appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

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Among the scariest things, you will know is that you will discover mold growth in your home. People are aware of mold growth inside the walls or under the floor, but are you aware that the chimney is a common spot for mold growth? The summer can bring extra rain and increase chimney humidity, which produces mold. Unless you look inside your chimney, you will have trouble breathing or experience sickness.

Aside from health issues, mold causes structural damage, which can be an expensive repair. Aside from paying for chimney cleaning services, mold can be prevented if you follow the best chimney maintenance practices. You can follow the tips that will be mentioned here to prevent chimney mold.

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Always Close the Fireplace Door

If you can see mold in your chimney or fireplace, you need to close the fireplace door tightly in order to prevent the spread of spores in your home. Remember to keep pets, small children, and people with allergies away from your fireplace. You should not touch or breathe in mold. The tiny spores will go into your lungs and can cause respiratory problems.

Check for Holes or Cracks

If there is water or moisture that enters your chimney, it is going to start deteriorating different areas of the structure. This can lead to a cracked structure that causes pieces to fall down in the fireplace and cause fiberglass cracks. Water damage will also increase mold growth risk, which affects the air quality of your home.

For prevention, check your chimney for any holes or cracks before it becomes a serious issue. The best way you can avoid this issue is to regularly check your chimney for holes or cracks that allow moisture inside. It might be best to do a DIY approach.

Prevent Dampness

In order to prevent dampness, you should seal bricks on the exterior of the chimney. Chimneys take on severe weather, and they need to be sealed to prevent water penetration. Before applying water sealant, you need to make the necessary repairs before sealing it. You will not prevent any water penetration if you seal damaged bricks and mortar joints.

Another chimney water source is a damaged or leaking chimney cap. It is recommended that you have a chimney or cap installed and include expansion joints as well. Expansion joints will prevent damage because of constant thawing and freezing. A cement crown’s angle is slightly downwards, hanging over the bricks by about two inches.

Clean the Chimney Regularly

Soot, creosote, and chimney debris could lead to a build-up of moisture and mold growth. Without regular chimney cleaning, you can have a fire hazard and health concerns like asthma, allergens, and other serious issues. The primary way to prevent mold growth is to sweep inside the chimney once yearly. You can use a vacuum brush attachment or chimney cleaning kit. You should make sure to get all the crevices, corners, and inner walls.

Chimney Inspection

You can have your chimney inspected yearly. Chimney sweepers now use cameras that can stream smart devices, while providing clear images of the issues that might be occurring. A way to prevent any reoccurrence is to install a chimney cap. This is going to prevent moisture from going into the chimney and eliminate mold growth. Chimney waterproofing is an effective tool to prevent spores from spreading. You need to schedule yearly chimney cleaning, and stay a step ahead of the mold, while making sure it will not enter your home.

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

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When winter rolls around, you will likely be eager to relax by your fireplace with your friends or loved ones, especially if you’ve put up some nice winter fireplace decor! Before lighting your fireplace, however, you want to be sure that your chimney is safe to use. There are several measures that you can take to check on your chimney’s safety, which we will share with you.

We offer a wide range of residential and commercial chimney services. 

How to Know If Your Chimney is Safe to Use

Here are some ways that you can confirm that your chimney is safe to use each season before lighting it for the first time.

Have Your Chimney Inspected

First and foremost, the most important step of the process.  The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends having your chimney inspected annually. There are three levels of inspections and all check for damages, leaks, cracks, masonry issues, obstructions and more, though each level does so in an increasingly in-depth manner. Having your chimney inspected will help ensure that it is safe to use for the season. Check out our blog about what’s involved in a chimney inspection for more details on each inspection level and then give us a call to discuss our needs. 

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Get a Chimney Sweep

A Chimney sweep removes unwanted substances from your chimney, including creosote build up, soot, ash and even animal nests. Without annual chimney sweepings, any of these have the potential to build up and obstruct the chimney flue, which can lead to chimney fires or carbon monoxide leaks. We highly recommend hiring a CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified chimney sweep to take care of your chimney sweep. These certified professionals have taken extensive training courses and follow a code of ethics, meaning that you can trust them with the safety of your chimney.

Be Observant

Though you are probably not a chimney professional, you may be able to tell if something is off with your chimney. Be aware of smells that do not seem right, animal sounds, leaks in the ceiling near your chimney, and of course any signs of smoke. If you suspect that something is off, play it safe and call a team of professionals to take a look at your chimney, especially before lighting your chimney. 

Take Safety Precautions

Make sure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries. In fact, we recommend making this a habit at Daylight Savings time – time to change the clocks?  Change the batteries! Simple precautions can make a big difference in ensuring that your chimney is not releasing carbon monoxide or smoke into your living space. 

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The post How to Know If Your Chimney is Safe to Use appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

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A certified chimney inspection in Illinois is one of the key ‘to-do’s’ for the holidays. The last thing you need are a bunch of complaints because it’s too cold. There’s a cold draft coming from the fireplace. Or the fire is nice and warm, but the kids playing are starting to cough because there’s a backup of smoke coming into the home. Now you have to open the windows and everyone is cold again. There are enough stresses the host must deal with, do we need to add another one?

What is a Certified Chimney Inspection?

According to the CSIA, a certified chimney inspection is an evaluation of the chimney or venting system to assess its condition and determine if it’s fit for use. Superior Chimney is certified by the CSIA to perform chimney inspections and chimney sweeps as well. What this means for you is that our technicians are trained to adhere to the NFPA 211 standard which states that the chimney and venting systems are to be inspected each year regardless if it’s a woodburning gas or unused fireplace and chimney.

Chimney Inspection Levels

A Level 1 inspection is the minimum required. How do you know this one is for you? A certified chimney inspection is when you have your chimney swept and inspected each year. Nothing has changed, you use it (or don’t use it) any differently than in the past.

A Level 2 inspection is when a change has been made to your system. This can include a change in the type of fuel being used such as changing over from gas to woodburning or from not using the fireplace to using it even if it is only once per year. Another change can also be the change to the shape of the flue or you had a new flue lining installed which is different that what you had prior.

A Level 2 is also necessary if you sold your home or if there’s been a tornado, bad storms or those (once in a few years) earthquakes.

Level 3 inspection is for more serious hazards and issues. The normal technician tools won’t do and they need special tools in order to inspect closed out portions that can’t be viewed easily.

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Reason for a Yearly Inspection…

One of the main reason your chimney and fireplace needs an inspection…regardless if you use the fireplace or not…is the winter freeze thaw cycles. This is when the air temperature drops to 32 degrees or below to freeze the rain and/or snow and then goes right back up in temperature for the rain and/or snow to thaw.

As we have all experienced, winter and early spring are the perfect times of year to experience the freeze thaw cycle.

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

When we talk about chimney blockages, we’re usually talking about obstructions that exist within the flue, as opposed to blocks at either end of the chimney. When a chimney flue is blocked, several things can happen that you most definitely want to avoid.

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Why do chimneys become blocked and obstructed?

There are four primary causes of chimney blockage. They include:

1. Tree debris
2. The nesting materials of small animals such as birds and squirrels
3. Dead small animals
4. Excess creosote and soot

Anything that narrows the flue passage is a blockage and can cause the fireplace to draft poorly. When this happens, dangerous smoke and carbon monoxide can back up into the home. Smoke contains a variety of toxic gases, but carbon monoxide is the most problematic. Invisible and odorless, it has been shown to cause severe respiratory illnesses and even death when inhaled in sufficient amounts.

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How material gets into a chimney

Materials from outside the house – tree debris and the nests of small animals – get in through the top of a chimney that isn’t protected by a chimney cap.

The simple act of having a custom full-width chimney cap installed will keep all this debris out of your chimney flue and prevent these kinds of blockages. Your chimney can also become blocked by a buildup of creosote and soot. Creosote forms when smoke condenses in the flue. It can appear as a puffy, sticky or solid substance. In all forms, it’s highly flammable and is the #1 cause of chimney fires throughout the U.S. each year. Over time, creosote and soot can narrow a flue to the point that the wood in the fireplace doesn’t have enough incoming air to burn efficiently. This blockage can also send smoke and carbon monoxide into your home, as noted above.

The best way to remove chimney obstructions

Most homeowners don’t have the tools or training to remove stubborn creosote, leaves, twigs, animal nests and the occasional dead animal from their chimneys. Professional chimney sweeps are equipped for this job, and this is who you should call for all chimney cleaning projects. Chimney sweeps use special rods, chains, brushes, solvents and other “tools of the trade” to safely remove debris and creosote from your chimney. It’s recommended that you schedule this service once a year, whether or not you have a blockage.

The best way to prevent some obstructions

Your chimney sweep can install a proper chimney cap at the top of your chimney. Chimney caps not only keep debris out, but they also do a good job of containing flying sparks and embers that sometimes jump out of the tops of chimneys.

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

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If you’re planning to schedule a chimney inspection or cleaning, but wondering how long it takes, then you have landed the right blog. 

So every flue is different, that’s why on average, a thorough cleaning process can take about 45 minutes to an hour. Though, this time can extend for a number of different reasons; if there is creosote present in your flue, if the flue is damaged in any way, or if there are blockages such as birds’ nests.

If your chimney cleaning requires more time than you expected, it’s good to ask why and understand the problem. 

However, it’s highly recommended that you take a chimney sweep service once or twice a year to avoid chimney leakage or cracks.

Which Factors Can Cause a Chimney Sweep to Take Longer?

A chimney sweep’s period of time may take longer than expected because of a variety of factors, including:

1: Number of Fireplaces

For instance, if you have two or three fireplaces in your home then the process of cleaning your chimney flue can take longer. 

2. Time Of Last Sweep

As we mentioned, it’s important to get a chimney inspection or cleaning once or twice a year. But if you haven’t had your chimney swept in many years, there will likely be a lot of creosote buildup in your chimney.

That’s why it may take longer to remove a thicker layer of creosote. Otherwise, it will allow flammable creosote to continue to build up inside your chimney.

3. Chimney Blockages 

During the process, if our chimney inspectors locate any sort of blockage in the chimney flue, then it can increase the completion time of the chimney sweep. 

What are the blockages in a chimney flue?

Basically, it could be an animal nest or a dead animal. Or, maybe because of debris falling into the flue.

However, to avoid these types of blockages, it’s highly recommended to use chimney chase covers. 

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The Process of Chimney Sweep 

There’s a defined process of chimney sweeping that has been followed by our certified chimney inspectors. It includes: 

1. Checking the chimney for obstructions: If there are any obstructions within the fireplace or chimney, the homeowner will be notified during the inspection and after that, they will move toward the cleaning step. 
2. Cleaning the chimney with a brush: The team will be going to use a brush to clean the chimney flue. Also, they ensure that the whole cleaning process will be done according to the company’s preventative measures. 
3. Checking the chimney for cracks or leaks: Chimney inspectors will search for the cracks and leakages on the chimney, crown, and cap. The team will further check if the outside dust and moisture are causing any leaks in the chimney. If your chimney will not be performing up to the mark, the inspection team will guide you about its repair or reinstallation service.  
4. Installing a proper chimney cap: At the end of the process, the chimney sweepers will suggest you the steel chimney cap to prevent future blockages and debris from sliding into the chimney and duct.

When it comes to cleaning the chimney, the brush bristles are the right tool. With a sweep of the brush bristles, you clean the inside surface area.

Since fireplaces gather up a lot of ash and dust over time, you must get rid of the accumulation in the fireplace. Otherwise, it may cause problems and a strange smell inside your house.

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The post How Long Does a Chimney Sweep Take? appeared first on Highs Chimney.

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We have a lot of queries about why it is worth installing a gas fireplace and the particular reason to have one in your home.

As winter is arriving soon in Gaithersburg, MD, it is the right time to have a fully-functional gas fireplace. Or, if you already have it, contact your nearby service provider for your gas fireplace cleaning and repair.

However, in recent times, ventless natural gas fireplaces have been considered an elegant yet eco-friendly option, even though they are efficient and timeless for lasting joy in the home. There are plenty of other benefits of having a ventless gas fireplace; you’ll get instant heat, specific control, excellent safety, and many more.

There are plenty of reasons to have gas fireplaces in your home — if you want to discover how and why it is worth installing a gas fireplace.

If you are looking for an ideal regency fireplace, let us know, and we will provide you with the best fit for your home. Along with installation, we will provide you with gas fireplace servicing that includes; inspection, cleaning, sweeping, and fixing.

To get trustworthy services, schedule your appointment today, and let us take care of everything from the initial consultation to the final cleaning step.

However, if you are searching for gas fireplace experts near me, then you are in the right place; contact High’s Chimney. We are covering the vast areas of Maryland like; Fulton, Poolesville, Glenwood, Travilah, Rockville, Cloverly, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and many others.

Moving ahead, let’s discover in this blog why it is essential to have natural gas ventless fireplaces for your house or workplace.

Benefits of Gas & Ventless Fireplaces

The question raised here is why individuals prefer the new style of gas or ventless fireplaces compared to traditional wood fireplaces. These models have plenty of benefits; for example, they are great for reducing your carbon footprint since they don’t produce any emissions. They’re also great for energy efficiency, as they use less energy to heat up than traditional fireplaces.

As we mentioned above, gas fireplaces are an environment-friendly and efficient way to heat your home. It has a wood-burning stove that uses natural fuels like wood or coal, and they are perfect for you.

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Gas and Ventless fireplaces are even easy to manage yet pocket-friendly compared to traditional ones. If you want to know more about gas, ventless, or regency fireplace prices, then book your appointment with consultants from High’s Chimney.

Now read out the reasons why it is worth having a Gas Fireplace.

7 Reasons Why You Should Install a Gas Fireplace

Determining why and how inserting a gas fireplace is best for you is essential.

1.  Cozy and Attractive

Unlike a wood-burning fireplace, gas ventless fireplaces provide more coziness, comfort, and attractiveness. It gives peace of mind and relaxation from many things.

1. All the gas flames are in a direct vent, and they are behind a glass barrier.
2. The glass barrier is responsible for the generous radiant heat produced.
3. It is more protective because of the screen barrier, keeping your young children and pets safe from getting hurt.
4. Easy and standard control for starting and stopping the fire at any time of the day.

2.  Easier to maintain

Gas Fireplace is easy to maintain and clean on your own, but we recommend letting the experts take care of it because they might hurt you.

They are easy to maintain because they don’t produce the sparks or ashes like a wood-burning fireplace. Therefore, it takes significantly less time to clean. In comparison to wood-burning fireplaces, electric fireplaces are much easier to maintain.

However, it’s highly recommended to have an annual inspection by a certified company High’s Chimney, whether it’s for all fireplaces and chimneys, wood or gas burning.

Maintenance and cleaning are essential things because of their long-lasting benefits.

3.  Efficient for Heating

Yes, this is an efficient heater for heating and provides a consistent heat supply. The gas fireplaces offer a cosy yet comfortable environment for you, and even you can feel the warmth inside out.

4.  Almost No Creosote

Gas fireplace repair is easier to handle and less expensive than the old-fashioned fireplace. In the new-style gas fireplace with protective glass, you’ll notice the absence of creosote build-up because of less use of wood or coal.

However, there are still minimal carbon residues that can clean very quickly and should be done every 1 or 2 years. But if you find it challenging to manage, drop your query to a gas fireplace sweeping and cleaning service provider near you.

5.  No Chimney

If you live in a modern home, a gas fireplace installation is a great option. You won’t have to worry about a chimney repair every year before winter, which will be a huge advantage.

Additionally, gas fireplaces are great for enjoying the cosiness as they generate a lot of heat.

6.    Saving Energy & Money

Gas fireplaces produce fewer emissions because the energy source is more environmentally friendly and provides long-lasting warmness. Our customers are saving a lot of energy and money.

In comparison, if we studied wood-burning fireplace models, they are inadequate while heating because of poorly protected, and even the cool air will keep entering from the chimney. And sometimes, the smoke and heat can create a wind drift or stack effect.

7.      Less Expensive

That’s correct – a gas fireplace installation is cheaper than a traditional wood-burning fireplace. And as we discussed, gas fireplaces are suitable for saving energy and money. Having a modern gas fireplace in your home is worth it for investment purposes.

Looking for How to Install a Gas Fireplace?

Suppose you plan to add a ventless fireplace to an existing home or a new one.

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The post Why It Is Worth Installing a Gas Fireplace in Maryland appeared first on Highs Chimney.

Fireplace heat shields in Illinois can help the home stay warmer than without a fireplace heat shield. But why install a fireplace heat shield in the first place? Many fireplaces over time develop gaps, cracks and deteriorate over time. If you use the fireplace often and have decided that getting the chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected is unnecessary, we can tell you that smoke buildup, leaks, weakening of the chimney and fireplace…and even fires can form. How can a fireplace heat shield help? Let’s take a look.

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What is a Fireplace Heat Shield?

A fireplace heat shield is a layer of thick stainless steel against the rear firewall. The fireplace heat shield allows the smoke to go up the chimney and out of the home and heat reflected back into your home.

Is It Worth the Investment?

A fireplace heat shield prolongs the use and protects the current fireplace and chimney. If left unattended, then deterioration continues. Ultimately, the chimney will need to be rebuilt. Rebuilding the firebox will be far more expensive than using a heatshield. If you end up having smoke damage because the smoke from the fireplace was unable to go up and out of the home, repairs will ultimately need to be made as well. With a sweep and inspection of the chimney and fireplace by a certified technician, these issues can be identified and repaired so you don’t end up with a much larger bill to pay.

Benefits of a Fireplace Heat Shield

Let’s take a look at a few advantages of a fireplace heat shield. If the certified technician recommends a fireplace heat shield, this is what you can expect:

• 20% to 40% increase in heat entering your home. A wonderful benefit on energy savings.
• Prevent chimney rebuilds by preserving and maintaining the mortar and firebricks.
• It makes it looks better! No more stains, it will look clean and fresh.

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

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With temperatures rapidly dropping outside, it’s the best time of year to stay inside and cozy up by the fireplace. However, if you have a wood-burning fireplace at home, starting a fire can be a little more difficult than simply flipping a switch. However, with a little practice and some safety precautions, you can easily build a roaring fire to relax with this winter. Here’s how to start a fire in your fireplace.

1. Clean the fireplace.

The first step is to make sure that your fireplace is clean and safe to use. Sweep away any loose ashes from previous fires, and make sure there isn’t any loose debris nearby that could be a fire hazard. Make sure your fireplace has a grate and spark screen in place, which will keep the fire safely in the fireplace and prevent it from spreading. Also ensure you have had your annual chimney sweeping!

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2. Gather your materials.

The next step is to make sure you have all the right materials to start a fire. First, you’ll need dry, seasoned wood. Dry wood will catch fire faster and create less creosote buildup than fresh, green wood. Split your logs if they aren’t already – this will help them catch fire more easily. You’ll also need tinder and kindling to build the base of the fire.

An easy option is to use newspaper and fire-starter kits, which are easy to purchase online.

Look for paraffin or fatwood-based kits, which are safer than liquid fire starters. Additionally, you should make sure you have a fire extinguisher on hand. Although it’s unlikely that your fire will get out of hand, it’s always best to be prepared for an emergency just in case.

3. Open the damper and prime the flue.

The damper is the flap that sits above your fireplace, connecting it to the chimney. Your damper should be fully open so that smoke can properly flow out through the chimney.

You’ll also want to make sure to prime the flue. During the winter, cold air can press down on the chimney, trapping fire in your home. To prevent this from happening, light the end of a roll of newspaper and hold it up to the flue until you feel the air reverse direction.

4. Arrange your newspaper, kindling, and logs.

The next step is to arrange your materials. There are many different ways to approach this – some people start with a layer of newspaper and then add kindling in the middle with the logs on top. Others create a base of logs in a criss-cross pattern, putting kindling in the middle and tinder on top. All of these approaches will work as long as the fire can easily catch from the kindling to the logs.

5. Light the fire and enjoy.

The final step is to light the kindling and let the fire start, which may take a few tries. Once the fire has caught, you can close the screen and enjoy it. Be sure to monitor the fire throughout the evening to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand and put out the fire completely before going to bed.

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