Having a fireplace for those cold winter months can really cut back on heat costs and provide a nice centerpiece to any home. Keeping your fireplace cleaned and maintained is very important, though. If your chimney isn’t properly inspected and cleaned, it can be a danger to you and your family. The NFPA says heating elements are the second leading cause of house fires. Build-up of soot in the chimney makes for an easy way to start a fire and not to mention bad news for your lungs.

Chimney Inspection

Hiring a chimney contractor to come do a thorough sweep of your chimney is required if you want to make regular use of your chimney, without the dangers mentioned previously. You can stay on top of things with regular inspections, which prevent having to pay for costly cleaning fees when the soot is really built up. These inspections should be done annually, at the very least. If your chimney is well-maintained, all that is required is a visual inspection with a regular sweep.

Chimney Maintenance

If your chimney fails the initial flashlight test and the chimney company determines that the soot build-up is high enough to need more than a simple brush from below, it’s going to cost a bit more for a thorough cleaning, requiring access from the roof. Also, during any cleaning, you will need to schedule a time where the family is outside of the house, as the fumes from loose soot are hazardous to your health. Inspection of the chimney and roof are given before and after cleaning, to determine any structural damage that may need repair.

If it is determine that the structural integrity of your chimney is compromised, then your chimney contractor may advise rebuilding the walls of the chimney. This is typically something that only happens if your house has experienced an earthquake or chimney fire. The costs aren’t quite as high, usually, than, for example, a major roof repair job. Unless, of course, your roof was also affected.

Paying for regular maintenance of your chimney may just seem like yet another fee or bill to pay as a homeowner, but the values of having a chimney can far outweigh the costs. The time it takes to inspect and to do a quick cleaning is only a few hours, which saves you even more time from needing an emergency chimney cleaning after years of neglect.

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

Every homeowner needs to understand the basics of a chimney. Understanding the following five chimney basics will help ensure proper maintenance and care that will not only prolong its lifespan but will also help keep your home and family safe.

Chimney Inspection and Cleaning

Chimneys should be inspected and cleaned annually, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). It is the best way to ensure your fireplace and chimney are structurally sound and safe for use. The most common inspection is a level 1 chimney inspection. During the inspection, a qualified chimney sweep will perform a visual inspection of the accessible areas of the fireplace and chimney.  It is a top to bottom examination of the chimney interior and exterior. The review will reveal any abnormalities or damages that need attention before they become more expensive repairs. The chimney sweep will also advise the homeowner if they recommend chimney cleaning.    

Regularly cleaning the chimney will make it easier to maintain the chimney, improve efficiency, and reduce the risk of fire and exposure to carbon monoxide. Otherwise, excessive creosote can develop inside the flue, increasing the risk of fire. Fire safety experts report that most residential fires are due to excessive creosote build-up in the chimney. If you haven’t done so already, contact your chimney sweep to schedule a chimney inspection.

Flue Liner

Many masonry chimneys have a flue liner to protect the interior walls from the heat and corrosion of a fireplace or heating stove. It also helps contain the heat inside the chimney protecting the combustible parts of the home. Some older chimneys were built without a liner making the masonry more prevalent to heat-related damage. Terra cotta clay tiles are the most common liners. Clay tile liners do not absorb and distribute heat very well, making them prone to cracking. Damaged clay tiles should be repaired or replaced. Otherwise, there will be a degradation in heating efficiency and an increased risk of fire. There are also cast-in-place cement and stainless-steel flue liners available. Your chimney sweep will check the flue liner during a chimney inspection and will recommend repair or replacement when necessary. 

Chimney Cap

The chimney cap covers the flue opening to prevent moisture, debris, and small animals or pests from getting inside. Some caps also have a spark guard to keep hot embers from flying out of the flue and onto the roof. If the cap is damaged or missing, it should be immediately repaired or replaced. A damaged or missing cap will expose the flue to the external elements. For example, rain and snow can damage the masonry and internal components. Also, leaves, twigs, and small animals can clog the flue obstructing the venting of dangerous fumes, causing carbon monoxide to back-up into your living space. Aesthetically pleasing chimney caps with a wire mesh screen and spark guard are available that will help protect your flue from intruding moisture, debris, and small animals.

Burn Only Seasoned Firewood

It is recommended that homeowners only burn seasoned firewood in the fireplace or stove. Wood that has been “seasoned” or dried for at least six months has a much lower moisture content than “green” or fresh wood. The higher moisture content will create a smokier fire that will burn faster at cooler temperatures with more creosote. On the other hand, seasoned firewood burns hotter with less smoke and creosote. You will have a longer-lasting, more enjoyable fire, too.

Don’t Leave a Fire Unattended

Don’t forget to extinguish the fire before leaving your home or going to bed. It is not safe to leave a fire unattended. Putting out the fire is a simple, three-step process. First, use the fireplace poker to spread out the wood embers carefully. Next, use the fireplace shovel to scoop up the ash and cover the embers. Continue the process until the flames are extinguished. Finally, once the fire is entirely out, pour a baking soda over the ash. Just a thin layer will suffice.  

 

Contact us today to learn more about how to care for your home’s Chimney!

Northeastern Chimney, Inc.
37 Cody Street, West Hartford, CT 06110
Phone: 860-233-5770

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

Your chimney and fireplace are designed to withstand the test of time if properly maintained and looked after. One of the most notorious variables in determining your chimney and fireplace’s longevity is its level of moisture resistance. A chimney with poor moisture resistance can mean costly repairs to your chimney and your home, time without your fire, and even the need for a complete rebuild!

Water Intrusion & Your Chimney

Whether you have a Pre-Fab or Masonry unit, your chimney is constructed of many materials, all of which are adversely affected by moisture. This means that if water penetrates your chimney’s exterior, it can destroy it from the inside out. A leaky chimney can result in:

• Rusted chimney and fireplace components (damper, chimney flue, utility flue, gas line/valves)
• Deteriorated metal or masonry firebox assemblies
• Rotting internal or nearby wood framing
• Water stained walls and ceiling
• Stained chimney exterior
• Decayed interior and exterior mortar
• Cracked or deteriorated flue lining system
• Collapsed hearth support
• Tilted or collapsed chimney structure
• Compromised chimney stability

A leaky chimney, if not repaired in a timely fashion, can cause immense damage to other areas of your home as well. Beyond the costly repairs that a leaky chimney can create, it can also create breathing/respiratory issues for family members; both with and without a history of respiratory problems. Once the moisture has made its way in, and warmer months set in, your home is now susceptible to mold/mildew/unwanted growth.

What You Should Do

Listen for the sounds of running water near your fireplace and chimney during heavier rains. Conduct your own visual inspection around the exterior of your chimney, from the ground, and take note if you notice any sort of discoloration or growth. If you hear or see evidence of water intrusion, call our office today so we can schedule your chimney and fireplace inspection!

What Southern Chimneys Will Do

Southern Chimneys will come out and conduct a full, 18-point inspection on your entire fireplace and chimney system. We will trace the water intrusion and we will get the issue resolved! We work alongside a team of skilled roofers and siding contractors, so in the chance that your water intrusion isn’t directly linked to the chimney, we will get you in contact with one of our partners!

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

You never think it could happen in your chimney.

“I don’t use my
fireplace, so why get it cleaned and checked.”

“I installed a
chimney cap a few years back. It should be fine.”

“I don’t have any
trees around my house. I never hear or see any animals on my roof.”

Chimneys are a fan favorite with birds, squirrels, raccoons
and even bats. Chimney’s are warm and cozy, but also provides a level of
protection from predators, especially in early Spring. They are curious
creatures and will try to explore every little nook and cranny in and around
the chimney.

Just this past January, a squirrel made its way through a
connector pipe. He was quite smart, and kept himself still when our certified
technician was inspecting
a problem for a customer. In the first picture, the squirrel did not move. Not
sure if he/she was aware you can see his midsection. As our technician slowly lifted
the pipe, the squirrel continued to stay completely silent. If he can’t see
you, then you don’t see him…right?

If there’s a potential weak spot, animals have the ability
to find and exploit it. Here are some ways to protect your home and the animals
too.

Do you have a chimney cap?

If you don’t use your fireplace, how often do you think
about a chimney cap?
A chimney cap can be made from stainless steel (doesn’t rust) or galvanized
steel (can rust over time) and covers the flue, or largest opening on your roof
that leads to the inside of your home. The wire mesh keeps the animals out
while the solid top redirects rainwater and debris from entering.

Why does the chimney cap need to be inspected each year?

The
chimney and the chimney
cap are the highest point of your home. It is constantly exposed to
heat/cold, wind, rain and snow. As a result, the screws (and cap) can rust, or
the screws can become loose. In addition, the chimney cap may not be installed
correctly or with the right materials. Lots of reasons can cause the chimney
cap to shift or move allowing that tiny space to become a perfect entry point
for animals.

Can any kind of chimney cap work?

Our CSIA
certified technicians have seen many creative chimney caps. We’ve seen chimney
caps made from chicken mesh to a plastic crate with a brick on top, to hold it
in place when it gets windy. The best kind of chimney cap is one that is
properly fitted and secured to the chimney. Since our certified technicians
perform this work each day, it’s best to schedule one of our technicians to
install the chimney cap for you.

Contact us at 877-244-6349.

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

A wood-burning stove is among the most efficient and affordable way to heat a home. When properly cleaned and maintained, a quality woodstove will provide years of reliable performance. But as it ages, you will eventually need to decide whether it’s better to repair or replace your wood-burning stove. The following guide will help to make that decision easier.

Excessive creosote accumulation

The combustion of wood produces several natural by-products, including soot, ash, and creosote, to name a few. Creosote starts as a powdery substance but will turn into a thick, crusty, and highly flammable material that is extremely difficult to remove if allowed to accumulate. And if the wood stove is not regularly cleaned, the inside of your wood stove may look as if it is covered in burnt charcoal. When the amount of creosote is so excessive that it cannot be removed entirely, replacing the wood stove is the safest choice.

Rusting or corrosion

Quality wood stoves are constructed with solid iron or heavy gauge steel frame. As durable as these materials are, the gases of a wood-burning fire can be corrosive. Moisture created during condensation or water leaks can cause rusting, primarily where the frame is welded together. Also, there are low-quality imports that may look like iron, but in reality, use low-gauge steel, which is more prone to rust and corrosion. Since rust and corrosion weaken the integrity of the wood stove, it is best to replace it.

Warping or cracking

As you can imagine, the heat inside a wood-burning stove can be intense. And although its construction is designed to withstand high temperatures, all materials have its limits. After many years of reliable performance, you may notice warping or cracks inside the firebox or around the frame. Like rust or corrosion, this is a sign of weakening and is another indication that it’s time to replace your wood stove.

Smokey fires

When you start to notice excessive smoke in the firebox, it is a sign of a potentially severe issue. The smoke and fumes are vented through the smoke pipe to an external vent or chimney. But when there is an obstruction, such as excessive creosote in the stovepipe or a blocked chimney or vent, smoke will back up into the wood stove. It can also result in exposure to dangerous carbon monoxide fumes. Burning unseasoned wood or woods with high moisture content will also cause excessive smoke and creosote.

 

 

You should have a qualified chimney sweep inspect your wood stove to determine the cause and make any necessary repairs.

Door seal failure

There is a rubber gasket attached to the stove door, so it will form an airtight seal when shut. When the gasket is warped, cracked, or otherwise damaged, it needs to be immediately replaced to prevent exposure to carbon monoxide and loss of heat. If the stove door gasket is no longer available for your model, the wood stove will need to be replaced.

Low heating efficiency

When the heating efficiency of a wood stove degrades, it will require more wood fuel to heat your home, thus increasing energy costs. You will also need to clean your wood stove more often. If your wood stove is not performing as efficiently as it should, its time to replace it with a more energy-efficient unit.

The post Should I Replace or Repair My Wood Stove appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

There are times when it really pays to think outside the box. This includes when you are deciding where to install a brand-new fireplace. Thanks to innovative design measures in modern pre-fab fireplaces, it’s possible to add these beloved heating appliances just about anywhere. It makes a lot of sense for people who love fireplaces and want to cut heating costs by hundreds of dollars annually to install fireplaces in their most-used rooms; even if that isn’t the main living area where fireplaces are typically enjoyed. Zone-heating is a strategy for cost savings in winter. It works by installing a fireplace in the primary living areas of your home and using this alternative heat source to warm the most-used rooms instead of heating the whole house with a typical, forced-air central heating system.

The following are some of the places you may want to have fireplaces installed:

Master Bathroom

Spa-like design has been trending for a while, making master bathrooms more beautiful than ever. A fireplace in the bathroom can provide an extra “wow factor” that makes your home feel like a veritable resort. Also, if you add a fireplace in your master bathroom, it would make you a design trendsetter! Even though a bathroom fireplace is a desirable feature among the majority of homebuyers surveyed, recent research revealed that only about 10% of all master bathrooms include a fireplace. This is an idea whose time has come.

Outdoor Living Area

A must-have feature among most homebuyers today is an outdoor living area, and an outdoor fireplace, in particular, has tremendous appeal. There are so many benefits to being outdoors, and a fireplace is like a magnet that draws friends and families together. Including a fireplace in your backyard can set the stage for a better home life complete with a lot more outdoor living.

Garage

For a while now, garages have been enjoyed for more than just parking automobiles and storing supplies for outdoor play. Whether your garage is also a man cave, workshop, or hobby room, imagine how much more enjoyable it would be with a fireplace. Rarely does a garage get in on the central heating that makes our homes so comfortable. A sleek, efficient fireplace can keep you toasty and warm while enjoying your garage activities in winter.

Multiple Bedrooms

Zone heating, as referred to above, makes the best sense when everyone’s bedroom is equipped with a fireplace. Bedrooms can be enjoyed more than ever as individualized personal sanctuaries when there’s a fireplace to keep you warm and provide an ambiance that feeds the soul. There’s something about a mesmerizing fire that makes it an old-world luxury anywhere, anytime.

The Kitchen

As open design has become the new norm in homes everywhere, one of the best benefits is that the open spaces make room for a fireplace in the kitchen. The kitchen is already the primary place where family and friends most love to gather. That pleasure only increases with a fireplace installed where all the food is prepared and where many hands make for lighter work.

Contact Northeastern Chimney LLC if you’re ready to have one or more fireplaces installed in your home. We are certified experts who can provide advice on choosing a new gas or wood fireplace plus we can professionally install your fireplace and provide reliable chimney maintenance services. Visit us at 37 Cody Street, West Hartford, CT, or call today at 860-233-5770.

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

Fireplace blowers, also called fireplace fans, can bring heat into your home that would normally be lost up the chimney. Blowers are simple devices that circulate air within the firebox and send it out into the room without any smoke. They can work with masonry fireplaces and select wood and gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts. Is a fireplace blower the right solution for you? Let’s explore the idea.

The problem with traditional masonry fireplaces

The majority of homeowners who look into purchasing a fireplace blower are those using open masonry fireplaces. This style of fireplace is beautiful to look at and brings lots of ambiance to a room, but it’s not known as a producer of high heat. There’s plenty of heat in the firebox, but usually 80% or more of it channels right up the chimney and is lost forever.

This is why it’s common for folks with traditional fireplaces to have to use their home’s heating system in conjunction with the fireplace to keep comfortably warm during the cold months. And that keeps them spending more money than they’d prefer to on utility bills.

Make sure a fireplace blower is compatible with your fireplace

Fireplace blowers can be installed in many different types of fireplaces, but there are some models for which blowers are incompatible. If you have a manufactured fireplace, such as a zero-clearance gas or wood unit, and are trying to make it even more efficient, the manufacturer’s paperwork should tell you if a blower can be installed.

Blowers will work with most masonry wood-burning fireplaces, but before buying the product, it’s a good idea to check with a local hearth retailer or a certified fireplace and chimney service company to ensure that your fireplace will accommodate a blower.

Advantages of fireplace blowers

• Get heat into your room fast
• The heat arrives with no smoke mixed in it
•  Electrical usage is minimal
• Cut down on central heat dependency
•  Lower your utility bills
•  Keep using your existing masonry fireplace and enjoy its beauty

Other heating options

Fireplace blowers are a relatively inexpensive solution to an under-performing fireplace. But if you don’t like air blowing in your home and aren’t interested in doing the work to install the blower, there are some other options to significantly increase the amount of heat you bring into your home.

Fireplace insert:  These are heavy-duty appliances that come from a factory ready to install in the firebox of your masonry fireplace. Inserts produce and retain upwards of 80% of the heat they create, meaning a lot more heat for your home.

Zero-clearance fireplaces:  ZC fireplaces are complete fireplaces that are installed in a wall within your home. Like inserts, they come in a variety of attractive designs and finishes, and they produce far more heat than a traditional masonry fireplace.

Fireplace inserts are built to run on gas, wood or pellets whereas ZC fireplaces are available in wood or gas fuels. For safety reasons, installation should be handled by a fireplace installation professional.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, can help you decide on the best option for supplemental home heating. Call (913) 236-7141 with questions about fireplace blowers, fireplace insert installation or zero-clearance wood or gas fireplace installation. We carry certifications from the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute and will make sure your installation is done right.

The post How a Fireplace Blower Can Improve Your Fireplace Efficiency appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

During summer, you have little use for the chimney as its warm most of the time. As winter approaches, it starts getting cold, and you have to warm the house using the fireplace.

Before you begin using the chimney, first inspect it. Unless you are experienced and have the necessary skills, always let an experienced chimney inspection technician do the work. During the inspection pay attention to:

Flue dampers

These are devices that trap heat inside the house when there is no fire burning, and allow smoke to leave the house when the fire is burning. The dampers are at the top of the chimney, so you have to get to the roof of the house.

If working correctly, the damper should open fully. If you open and it’s not opening completely, find out where the problem is and fix it. If the damper is functioning correctly and opening fully, you should be able to look up through the flue and see the daylight.

To confirm, check using a flashlight. If you can’t see the light, the chances are that there are nests of birds or animals there. These not only trap heat, but they also prevent the harmful gases from leaving the house, putting your life and that of your loved ones at risk.

Before you start any fire, first get rid of any blocking materials that might be there.

Check the firebox

The firebox is where you place the logs and start the fire. Since you weren’t lighting a fire there, the chances are that you haven’t paid much attention to it. Inspect the chimney for creosote buildup, broken bricks and mortar.

If the creosote in the chimney is more than a 1/8^th of an inch, first get rid of the creosote before you light any fire there. Unless you have chimney cleaning skills, let an experienced chimney sweep handle the task.

If the bricks are broken, ask the contractor to replace them before you start using the chimney.

If the firebox is clear, place the grate near the back to ensure that most of the resulting smoke goes up the chimney and not back into the house.

Clear the area around the chimney

The holiday season falls right in the middle of the heating season. It’s not uncommon to find people placing decorations, furniture and other things near the fireplace hearth.

There is nothing as homely and inviting as a warm holiday season so ensure that the area around the chimney is as clear as possible. There shouldn’t be any papers, wood, or any other combustible materials near the chimney opening.

If you have a Christmas tree, keep it as far from the fireplace as possible. You don’t want the needles catching on fire, do you?

Check the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

These detectors are your lifesavers where they play a vital role in letting you know when the smoke and carbon monoxide levels are high enough.

To have peace of mind and protect your loved ones, have a detector in the same room as the chimney as this is where smoke and carbon monoxide come from.

One of the most common reasons why the detectors won’t work is if the batteries have worn out. To restore them, you only need to replace the batteries.

If the detectors are more than ten years and they aren’t working, you don’t have any other way out other than to replace them.

Of course, when replacing them, do it with better quality detectors that you are sure will give you a better service and at the same time last for a long time.

Chimney valuable tips

If all the parts of the chimney are in top condition, you should go ahead and start using the fireplace.

When using the fireplace, avoid burning any other thing other than wood. This is because the other materials might contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to you and your family.

The materials might also lead to increased creosote deposition, which will force you to keep on cleaning the fireplace.

You can inspect the chimney by yourself, but for ideal results, let experienced chimney contractors Bowie handle it. They have the necessary inspection tools; hence they will do a better job than you.

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

If you are a regular television watcher, you must have come across chimney cleaning log adverts.

Also known as creosote sweeping logs, chimney cleaning logs claim to give an alternative to hiring a chimney sweep to clean the insides of the chimney by hand, which is messy and laborious. Are you wondering, “do chimney cleaning logs really work?”

Read on to find out.

How do cleaning logs work?

The logs work when you burn them in the fireplace. When you burn it, the log softens tar that might have built-up in the chimney. As it burns, the log releases chemicals that adhere to the walls of the fireplace. This loosens tar and creosote, which reduces the chances of fire starting.

What are the benefits of cleaning logs?

One of the benefits of using the logs is that they are easy to use. All you need to do is to unpack them and place them in a lit fireplace. These logs are also reasonably priced, and you can store them for a long time without getting spoilt.

If you have a bent chimney, it poses a challenge to the cleaning professionals to clean it properly. The cleaning logs are perfect for these chimneys as they release vapors that penetrate the bends and easily reach the creosote deposits.

Do experts recommend chimney cleaning logs?

Creosote sweeping logs have been in the market for over a decade, but chimney cleaning professionals were hesitant to recommend them until seven years ago.

When you go for a long time without cleaning the chimney, it’s normal for the creosote deposits to get extremely hard to get rid of.

The compressed chemical mix in the cleaning logs comes in handy at changing the nature of the deposits, making them dryer and flakier.

This makes it easy for the chimney cleaning professionals to clean the chimney.

Do chimney logs replace chimney sweeps?

The marketing companies have been marking the logs as a replacement for chimney sweeps, but this isn’t the case. While the logs are great in their working, you can’t substitute them for a chimney cleaning technician.

A chimney cleaning professional does much more than merely cleaning the chimney. He/she also cleans the smoke ducts, fireplaces, and flue pipes. The professional also inspects the fireplace to confirm whether there are any other issues present.

Even after using the logs, the creosote flakes fall at the bottom of the chimney. If you have a bent fireplace, the creosote can get trapped in the bends of the flue, which increases the risk of fire.

To keep yourself and your family safe, you still need a chimney cleaning technician to get rid of the fallen flakes.

So we can conclude that you can’t use the creosote cleaning logs as a replacement for chimney contractors. The logs help the chimney contractors have an easy time cleaning and repairing the chimney.

While the logs are highly effective when you use them in wooden fireplaces, they don’t work well in propane or natural gas fireplaces. This is because they need a wood-burning fireplace for them to work.

Do you still have to hire a chimney contractor?

From what we have seen, you can’t rely on chimney logs to clean your chimney. You will still need to hire a contractor not only to remove the fallen creosote flakes, but also clean the gas and propane chimneys that you can’t clean using the logs.

The chimney logs also can’t inspect the chimney. You need a chimney technician to do this.

When hiring the contractor, ensure they are experienced enough. You don’t want someone that will provide substandard services that put you at the risk of fire.

If this is the first time hiring a chimney cleaning services Columbia MD provider, one of the best ways of finding a good one is asking from friends and relatives. Which contractor have they been using? Would they recommend them?

When you hire this way, you have peace of mind, they will provide an excellent service as they are already proven.

Parting shot

It’s without a doubt that chimney cleaning logs have their place at reducing the amount of flammable creosote, but this doesn’t mean you should use them as a replacement for chimney technicians. Even when using them, always involve a chimney contractor.

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

Welcome to the end of your frustration over not being able to light good fires in your fireplace! We have the answers–and you are certainly not alone if this situation applies to you. Here we are in a high-tech, instant-everything society and yet lighting a fire is quite literally a prehistoric activity. The actual same three principles cavemen had to use are still in effect today. In caveman terms, “Fire good! All fire need: Air, fuel, heat!” Well, there’s a bit more to it than that. Let’s get started. As caveman Fred Flintstone might say, the following is all you need to yaba-daba-DO to start a fire in your fireplace.

AIR / OXYGEN

Air is needed in the firebox. If there is a stingy supply of air, it is usually caused by negative air pressure. One of the most common causes of negative air pressure is that a home is tightly sealed and may also have an exhaust fan running in the house. Opening a window nearby can solve the problem of lack of oxygen.

The draft is another factor. The flow of warm air coming from a fire needs to go up the chimney, not into your home. If your attempts at fires have failed because the fire wouldn’t catch on or the combustion fumes went into your home, the following steps can help to ensure a draft:

• Open the damper.
• Light a match, blow it out, and hold it up to the damper. If the curl of smoke doesn’t go up the chimney, a good draft needs to be established. 
• If you open the glass doors to your modern fireplace as well as the damper at least 30 minutes before you light a fire, it will help to change the temperature inside the appliance. The draft has to do with temperature differentials. 
• Warm air will rise but if there is too much cold air in the firebox and/or chimney, the smoke from the beginnings of a fire can’t go up the chimney. What people usually do about this is create a newspaper torch and carefully light it and hold it up toward the damper. The fire from the torch will displace the cold air after one or more attempts.
• If there still isn’t a draft, after you’ve tried these things, there may be an obstruction in your chimney. It is likely necessary to stop using your fireplace until a chimney professional can come out and conduct a chimney inspection. Any blockage will be identified and can be removed. Once it’s fixed, you should be set for building fires. However, it’s not always that simple. A wide range of issues could be preventing a fireplace from having a good draft, all of which chimney experts are familiar with and can help with.

FUEL

Use only seasoned wood for your fires. Seasoned wood is low in moisture. After logs are cut, they need to dry out for 6 to 12 months or longer before they’re dried out enough for a good fire. Logs filled with moisture create excessive smoke as the fire’s heat first goes to burn out moisture. Inexpensive moisture meters for firewood are widely available. If you are unsure about your firewood, test it and make sure there is less than 20% moisture before using it in your fireplace. 

Getting a fire started usually requires tinder and kindling. Tinder is something like dried moss or wadded-up newspaper that will quickly burn to get things going. Kindling is basically small sticks of dry wood.

There are different approaches to building fires. Some people build a loose stack of medium logs over kindling and slowly add larger logs. Others put the kindling on top of the logs to get them started burning. 

Make sure air can get between the logs, especially when you’re trying to get the fire going. 

HEAT

Ignition is all that’s needed once you have air and fuel. You can use a match or long lighter. The cavemen no doubt rubbed wood together, as Tom Hanks did in Cast Away. Please note: Never use flammable liquids in your fireplace. Doing so is highly dangerous.

When you’re ready for chimney sweep professionals to provide chimney services, contact the great team of chimney specialists at High’s Chimney Service. We’re based out of Gaithersburg, MD, and customer service is our chief priority. Call us today at (301) 519-3500, whether you need help getting a fire started in your fireplace like an experienced caveman or for any of our comprehensive chimney services.

The post What to Yaba-Daba-DO to Light a Fire in a Fireplace appeared first on Highs Chimney.