As long as the building codes in your area allow it, there is no reason you can’t install an outdoor fireplace in your home. To have a great experience you need to consider a number of factors that include:

The role of the outdoor fireplace

There are many reasons why you can consider installing an outdoor fireplace: maybe you want somewhere to relax in the evening, you want somewhere to prepare your meals or any other reason. Different fireplaces require different features. To install the right fireplace you should consult your chimney contractor. The professional will also advise you on the best place install the fireplace.

Best fuel for the outdoor fireplace

Just like the indoor fireplace, you can use different types of fuel. You can use gas, electric or wood. Two of the most common fuel options that you can go with are gas and wood. A gas burning fireplace is great as it doesn’t require you to keep on starting the fire. It also doesn’t accumulate plenty of creosote thus you don’t need to keep on hiring a chimney cleaning professional to clean it. Its main flaw is that it might be restricted in your area since it poses a great fire hazard especially when there is a gas leak. Gas fireplaces also don’t burn as hot as their wood-burning counterparts.

A wood burning fireplace provides your home with a warm look. You can also locate it in almost any area of your home. While the units provide plenty of heat and the food prepared on it is tasty, it produces a lot of smoke thus you have to undertake chimney sweeping more regularly.

How the fireplace complements your home design

In addition to the outdoor fireplace being functional, it also should complement your home design. This calls for you to work with your chimney company and settle on the best design for your home. The cool thing is that there are plenty of designs in the market that you can choose from. As rule of thumb, go with a design that looks good in your home.

Conclusion

There are many factors that you need to consider before installing an outdoor fireplace. When installing it ensure that you work with experienced chimney masonry professionals. Just like with other fireplaces, you need to take good care of your unit for it to last for long. One of the most important things that you need to do is to undertake regular chimney inspection.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Time to fire it up and be safe

For fireplace and stove owners, fall is an exciting time — it means that most fireplaces will soon be used for the first time since last season, and family and friends gather around the hearth for warmth and coziness. It is crucial that fireplace owners take the appropriate precautions to ensure their appliance is ready to be used safely.

In recognition of National Fireplace Month, we are promoting the most important consideration: fireplace safety. The two most popular types of fireplaces are gas fireplaces and wood-burning fireplaces. While some safety measures are similar for both, like ensuring your home is outfitted with smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, there are a few key differences. An informed fireplace owner is a safer homeowner.

Safety for Wood-Burning Fireplaces

About 47 percent of hearths, including fireplaces, burn wood. People love wood-burning fireplaces for many reasons – the pleasure of building fires, the crackling sounds, and the natural scents of wood. Wood-burning fireplaces require your involvement, and there are several ways to ensure it’s a safe experience for everyone.

Building and Enjoying Fires

Be picky about the wood you burn. To avoid smoke and minimize creosote build-up in your chimney, make sure it’s dry and seasoned properly. Be sure your fireplace has a safety barrier screen or curtain to prevent embers from leaving the firebox.

Fully understand how your fireplace works. The flue (or damper) must be open before starting fires, or you will have a house full of smoke. Keep it open until the fire is diminished and all embers are completely burned.

Don’t leave the house or go to bed with a fire still burning. If you leave the room and have small children, have someone watch them or take them with you.

Fireplace Upkeep

Remove ash from the firebox between fires. When ash forms a thick layer, it can restrict airflow and cause smoke.

Have your chimney swept annually to avoid creosote build-up, which can lead to dangerous chimney fires.

Safety for Gas Fireplaces

Of all hearth products, approximately 37 percent are fueled by gas. Gas is convenient, doesn’t require much interaction or maintenance, and the fuel is relatively inexpensive. There are a few necessary safety precautions to keep top of mind.

All gas inserts should have a safety barrier screen on the glass, as it can get very hot. Screens reduce the risk of serious burns by preventing skin from coming into direct contact with the glass.

All parts of a fireplace can get hot, so keep children and pets a safe distance away.

Fireplaces remain hot even after they are turned off, so continue to use caution until it’s completely cooled.

Fireplaces have earned the reputation as one of the most requested home amenities today.

We want you to enjoy the warmth and glow! Let us help keep you safe and warm this fall and winter.

The post October is National Fireplace Month! appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Smoke not only stains your fireplace, it also makes your house unlivable. To be comfortable you should take measures to prevent your fireplace from smoking. Just like in medicine, you can’t treat a condition if you don’t know its cause. Here are a few of the common causes of a smoky fireplace and how to fix it:

The fireplace is too big

A large fireplace is beautiful and a great addition to your home. While the units are great to have, chimney sweeping professionals report that large fireplaces are the prime cause of a smoky chimney. When the fireplace opening is too large for the size of the flue, the chimney can’t adequately remove the combustion byproducts. The cool thing is that there are plenty of things that you can do to fix the problem. Some of the things that you can do include: install a smoke guard, glass door, rebuild the firebox, install fireplace inserts and raise the fire by laying a brick row on the floor of the fireplace.

Inadequate ventilation in the house

The fireplace can be properly designed and constructed but it will smoke if the house is inadequately ventilated. To fix the problem you need to increase the amount of air in the house by opening windows in the room.

The fireplace is of the wrong height

Just as size, a chimney that is of the wrong height will result to smoking. According to chimney contractors, a chimney should extend at least two feet higher than anything within a 10-foot radius. If the chimney doesn’t have these specifications it will most likely smoke. To fix the problem you should ask a contractor to take a look at the chimney and fix the problem. The professional should lay a few bricks on the floor of the chimney thus fixing the height problem.

The fireplace is dirty

It’s recommended that you undertake chimney cleaning at least once a year but few homeowners do it. This results in the buildup of creosote that can block the chimney thus preventing the chimney from effectively eliminating smoke. It’s easy to fix this problem as all you need to do is hire a chimney sweep to get rid of the creosote. In addition to getting rid of the smoking problem, cleaning the chimney also prevents the chimney from catching fire.

Conclusion

These are the major causes of a smoking chimney and how to fix it. For ideal results, work with an experienced and professional chimney expert.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Fireplaces are cozy, stylish, and can add value to your home while serving as the perfect hangout spot during the cold weather months. If a fireplace is not safe, however, it will hardly be considered a relaxing part of your home.

At Boston’s Best Chimney, our priority is to keep your chimney safe. In fact, our technicians are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, a certification designed to help homeowners find “reliable, experienced, highly-trained chimney and venting professionals.” Chimney sweeps and inspections are two of the many services that we offer to help homeowners to be sure that their chimneys are in working order. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to schedule an appointment with us.

Today, we’ll go over what you should do if you see sparks coming out of your chimney and we’ll give you some chimney safety tips to help you avoid dangerous chimney situations.

What To Do If There Are Sparks Coming Out of Your Chimney

When it comes to chimney safety, it is always best to err on the side of caution. If you see sparks coming out of your chimney, it is safe to assume that you’re experiencing a chimney fire. Call the fire department and make sure that everybody is out of the home.  Extinguishing the fire in the fireplace before leaving is not a bad idea – just be sure not to close the damper prior to leaving.

It is best to let the fire department take over to assess the situation and put out the internal fire if needed. Even if you are not sure if your chimney is on fire, or if the fire goes out before the fire department arrives, calling the fire department is still the best choice.

After the incident is over, be sure to call a chimney company to have your chimney inspected before using it again as excess heat generated during a chimney fire can produce cracks in the flue lining.

What Causes Chimney Fires

One of the main causes of chimney fires is the build up of creosote, which is flammable and will quickly compromise the safety of your fireplace. Check out our blog on creosote buildup to learn more about the different types of creosote and the effects of creosote on your chimney.

Also, animal nesting inside of your chimney can also lead to fires beginning when embers come in contact with the nests. That is why every homeowner with a chimney needs a chimney cap to prevent animals from making their homes inside of your chimney.

How to Prevent Chimney Fires

We recommend having your chimney inspected and swept annually. This will prevent creosote build up and ensure that your chimney is in a proper state to use each winter. There are also some steps that you can take to stay ahead of fireplace maintenance, such as cleaning your fireplace’s interior, getting rid of soot and stains, and implementing safety measures such as installing a CO detector and checking your smoke alarm ’s batteries.

In addition, it is important to only burn seasoned, untreated wood that has dried out for at least six months in your fireplace.

These steps are the best way to ensure that you don’t experience a chimney fire. If you have questions on chimney safety or if you would like to schedule a chimney inspection or sweep, click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch with our team.

The post What to Do If Sparks Are Coming Out of Your Chimney appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

We all have that image of what a chimney fire looks like – flames shooting out of the chimney, loud noise like an airliner in your living room.   But, they’re not all like that.  Of course there are quick igniting and burning chimney fires like described, but there are also slow burning chimney fires that are far less dramatic.  Chimney fires are often caused by creosote build up, burning the incorrect type of wood, or going long periods without maintenance.  If your chimney is on fire, or even if you only suspect that it is, we recommend that you call 9-1-1.

Will A Chimney Fire Burn Itself Out?

It is not safe to assume that a chimney fire will burn itself out. Though it is possible that it will eventually burn off and end, it is much better to call 9-1-1 if you have a chimney fire.

A chimney fire can potentially spread to other parts of your home and risk the lives of the people inside. At the very least, it can damage the internal exhaust system of your chimney.

What To Do If You Have A Chimney Fire

As we mentioned, it is best to call 9-1-1 if you’re experiencing a chimney fire. However, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, “​Slow-burning chimney fires don’t get enough air or have fuel to be dramatic or visible and they often go undetected until a later chimney inspection, but, the temperatures they reach are very high and can cause as much damage to the chimney structure – and nearby combustible parts of the house – as their more spectacular cousins.”  Therefore, it is essential to get annual chimney inspections to check for signs of a chimney fire.

How to Avoid Chimney Fires

An annual chimney sweep and inspection will remove creosote from your chimney and will evaluate for other issues with your chimney. Besides preventing chimney fires, regular inspections and sweepings will decrease soot buildup and check for any obstructions. Regular inspections will help ensure that there are no carbon monoxide leaks in your home, caused by blocked areas of your chimney.

In addition, burning only dry, seasoned wood will reduce the risk of fire. Check out our blog on what not to burn in your fireplace for more information on what and what not to burn.

Call Boston’s Best Chimney for Your Chimney Needs

Do you need your chimney swept or inspected? No matter what service you are looking for, Boston’s Best Chimney is here for you. We are a full service chimney company that has been serving the community since 1989. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to contact us.

The post Will A Chimney Fire Burn Itself Out? appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Creosote is the black substance that is left after wood is burned. It’s a mixture of soot and tar. There are plenty of dangers associated with creosote deposition in your home. One of the dangers is that it can easily result to fire when it gets too hot. It also can block the chimney preventing chimney gases from leaving your home. This puts you and your family at the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Degrees of chimney creosote buildup

According to chimney sweeping professionals, there are three degrees of creosote buildup: 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd degree. First-degree creosote results when wood burns effectively at high temperatures. Creosote at this stage is ashy soot and is the easiest to remove. You can easily remove it with a brush or hire a cleaning professional to help you out.

Second-degree creosote resembles shiny black flakes. Unlike the first stage creosote that you can easily remove with a brush, creosote at this level is difficult to remove. You need specialized tools such as specialized brushes to get rid of the buildup. This type of creosote results when the fire burns in restricted air. It’s common in woodstoves with glass doors.

Third degree or third stage of creosote deposition is the most difficult to clean but it can be done with the help of a chimney cleaning professional. According to chimney experts, the only way of keeping your chimney safe at this level is to install a new chimney liner. Third-degree creosote is extremely concentrated fuel that resembles tar that is running down the inside of the flue. This type of creosote results when:

• You burn unseasoned wood
• You turn down the air control wood stoves
• The flue size is too large
• The house is too air tight; therefore, the combustion air can’t be drawn

Third-degree creosote is dangerous as it can easily catch fire thus putting your house in great danger. To protect your property you should hire a chimney professional to inspect the chimney and fix any problems that might be causing the condition. If the chimney flue is too large, the professional should make it smaller.

In addition to hiring a professional, you should also play your role in protecting your home by burning only seasoned wood. This is wood that has been dried for over a year before use. As rule of thumb get it from a reputable chimney company.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Chimney repair. Out of sight, out of mind. That’s what happens with the poor chimney. It stands up there, straight and tall, each day taking a beating from the sun, wind, rain, snow and freeze/thaw cycles of winter. Yet, we rely on the chimney each day to take away the smoke and gasses from the fireplace, furnace and water heater appliances.

What can we do as homeowners to ensure it continues to do its job without fail? Who wants a chimney repair?

Sweep & Check the Chimney and Fireplace

A Certified Technician performs chimney sweep and/or inspection of nearly/over a thousand chimneys annually.  You may be familiar with the 14-point certified chimney inspection accompanied by photo documentation – I’ve shown you this graphic before, but it sure is a good one. It gives you the “what and where” of the overall condition of your chimney(s). If you have any questions, you can point to the picture and the certified technician can elaborate on the relative chimney inspection-point results.

Exterior Chimney Repair

Part of the inspection, as you will see in the picture, is to inspect the exterior of the chimney. The Certified Chimney Technician will inspect the full chimney including the chimney flashing, bricks and mortar joints, chimney crown and cap. Let’s take a look at each chimney repair.

Chimney Flashing

Chimney flashing plays a vital role to the protection of your home. It’s the piece of material that protects where chimney protrude out of the roof. To prevent water leaks and damage, the technician will inspect for any loose, missing, cracked or damaged flashing.

Brick & Mortar Joints

This is key. To prevent any type of major repairs, take care of minor repairs now. The technician will check for loose, cracked or spalling (chipped) bricks. If there are loose bricks and numerous cracks and chips, we’ll inspect further for any type of water leaks or water damage problems.

Chimney Crown

The concrete slab on top of the chimney is the chimney crown. It serves a very important purpose. The concrete slab acts like your chimney’s own personal roof. The technician will check if there are cracks, loose or missing pieces from the crown.

Chimney Cap

Chimney caps are also a critical component of the chimney – Every chimney needs a chimney cap for the same reasons every home needs a roof! It covers the opening of the flue. It prevents animals, debris and water from entering the chimney. The material of a chimney cap is usually made of stainless steel, as it will not rust.

Overall If you’ve put-off getting the chimney repaired and inspected for some time, it’s best to get it checked. We’ve had some challenging weather this summer, and winter is not too far off. Take the time to give us a call and we’ll come out to give you a complete 14-point inspection with supporting photo documentation. If you don’t have a problem, fantastic, you’re ready for winter! If not, get the chimney repairs done now so you don’t experience further damage to the interior or exterior of your home during the high-use months of winter. Give us a call today at 877-CHIM-FIX  (877-244-6349)

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

Neglected masonry chimneys present a lot of problems for homeowners. They can become unsafe to use, pose a fire risk, cause damage to adjacent home building materials and send dangerous gases into your home while the fireplace is in use.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent all these problems. Here are three tasks that will help keep your masonry chimney safe and efficient all year long.

Task #1: Have your chimney inspected once a year

Chimney systems may not look complicated, but a lot can go wrong with them that the average homeowner might not notice. A licensed chimney inspector knows your system inside and out and knows how to spot early signs of damage and malfunction.

Basic annual chimney inspections cover all visible areas of the chimney and its components such as the chimney crown, cap and flashing. More involved inspections use video imaging to see deep into the flue and sometimes require removal of parts of the chimney structure to zero in on damage.

 

Your chimney inspector will give you a report telling you exactly what has been found and the recommended course of action to solve the problem.

Task #2: Schedule annual chimney sweep services

If you use a wood-burning fireplace, it’s very important that your chimney flue be professionally swept (cleaned) once a year. Chimney cleaning focuses on the removal of creosote and obstructions.

Creosote

This substance is created when logs burn. It adheres to the walls of your chimney liner and is highly flammable. Licensed chimney sweep companies use a variety of tools and equipment to safely remove creosote buildups and greatly reduced the chances of a chimney fire.

Obstructions

If your chimney has no chimney cap or has one that’s damaged, debris can enter your flue and cause a drafting obstruction. Leaves, twigs, small-animal nests and dead small animals can block the flow of smoke and send deadly carbon monoxide and other combustion gases into your home. Chimney cleaning technicians will clean out this debris – and they’ll install a chimney cap if you don’t have one.

Task #3: Have repair work done when it’s needed

Damage to chimneys and their components doesn’t get better on its own. Rather, it progresses to the point that the chimney is no longer safe to use or live around.

Repair projects chimney technicians regularly undertake include:

• Leaky chimney repair
• Chimney liner repair/installation
• Brick replacement and mortar tuckpointing
• Resolution of drafting/venting issues
• Chimney crown repair/rebuilding
• Chimney cap repair/installation
• Chimney flashing repair/replacement
• Fireplace damper repair/installation
• Firebox repair
• Smoke chamber parging (surface-smoothing)

As you can see, a chimney system has quite a few areas where trouble can start. By having repairs made to these areas as soon as damage is uncovered, you’ll keep the problems from becoming serious or dangerous, and requiring expensive chimney repairs.

Fluesbrothers Chimney & Fireplace of Kansas City, KS, encourages homeowners with fireplace chimney systems to follow the guidelines presented here for safe and efficient operation.

We’re on call year-round to help with chimney inspections, CSIA-certified chimney sweeping and all types of chimney and fireplace repairs. We take pride in our work, and your safety and comfort are our most important objectives.

Get your questions answered or schedule an appointment by calling (913) 236-7141.

The post 3 Tasks for Keeping Your Masonry Chimney Safe & Functional appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

There is plenty of information telling you how to install and take care of your fireplace but there is little information on how to baby proof your fireplace. If you have babies, you can’t supervise them the day long. To ensure their safety you need to baby proof your fireplace. To help you out, here are ideas recommended by chimney repair professionals on how to go about it:

Install a fireplace switch lock

If you have a gas or electric fireplace, you definitely have a switch that you use to put on the fire. Due to their curiosity, children can accidentally switch on these switches. There are some switches that have features that allow you to switch them off when not in use. If yours has this feature you should use it. If it doesn’t you should install a switch lock that prevents the kids from switching on the fire.

Install heat-resistant glass doors

One of the easiest ways of keeping children away from the fire and preventing hot sparks from flying into the room is by installing glass doors. Most of the doors in the market aren’t heat-resistant; therefore, they get hot over some time. This can be dangerous to the child when he/she touches it. To protect your loved ones install heat-resistant glass doors. These are units that don’t get hot even when exposed to the high temperatures. In addition to the doors also consider installing a lock or latch that prevents your child from opening and closing the doors thus putting the delicate fingers at the risk of getting pinched.

Install a fireplace screen

A fireplace screen is a unit that you place on the floor of the firebox in order to prevent the children from reaching into the fire. When installing the unit ensure that it’s firmly installed to stand on its own in such a way that it can’t tip over when pulled or leaned on by the child. Another unit that you should consider installing is a hearth gate. This is a unit that resembles a fence and surrounds the perimeter of the fireplace and hearth. While the gate keeps the child out, it allows you to easily get in and start the fire or add more wood. For stability and security, mount the gate to your walls. Also, ensure that it’s installed by an experienced chimney company.

Conclusion

These are ideas on how to childproof your fireplace. You should consult your chimney masonry repair professional and find out the best unit to install in your home.

The post Blog first appeared on First Class Chimney Services.

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

Out of sight, out of mind. That’s what happens with the poor chimney. It stands up there, straight and tall, each day taking a beating from the sun, wind, rain, snow and freeze/thaw cycles of winter. Yet, we rely on the chimney each day to take away the smoke and gasses from the fireplace, furnace and water heater appliances.

What can we do as homeowners to ensure it continues to do its job without fail?

Sweep & Check the Chimney and Fireplace

A Certified Technician performs sweep and/or inspection of nearly/over a thousand chimneys annually.  You may be familiar with the 14-point certified chimney inspection accompanied by photo documentation – I’ve shown you this graphic before, but it sure is a good one. It gives you the “what and where” of the overall condition of your chimney(s). If you have any questions, you can point to the picture and the certified technician can elaborate on the relative chimney inspection-point results.

Exterior Chimney

Part of the inspection, as you will see in the picture, is to inspect the exterior of the chimney. The Certified Chimney Technician will inspect the full chimney including the chimney flashing, bricks and mortar joints, chimney crown and cap. Let’s take a look at each one.

Chimney Flashing

Chimney flashing plays a vital role to the protection of your home. It’s the piece of material that protects where chimney protrude out of the roof. To prevent water leaks and damage, the technician will inspect for any loose, missing, cracked or damaged flashing.

Brick & Mortar Joints

This is key. To prevent any type of major repairs, take care of minor repairs now. The technician will check for loose, cracked or spalling (chipped) bricks. If there are loose bricks and numerous cracks and chips, we’ll inspect further for any type of water leaks or water damage problems.

Chimney Crown

The concrete slab on top of the chimney is the chimney crown. It serves a very important purpose. The concrete slab acts like your chimney’s own personal roof. The technician will check if there are cracks, loose or missing pieces from the crown.

Chimney Cap

Chimney caps are also a critical component of the chimney – Every chimney needs a chimney cap for the same reasons every home needs a roof! It covers the opening of the flue. It prevents animals, debris and water from entering the chimney. The material of a chimney cap is usually made of stainless steel, as it will not rust.

Overall

If you’ve put-off getting the chimney inspected for some time, it’s best to get it checked. We’ve had some challenging weather this summer, and winter is not too far off. Take the time to give us a call and we’ll come out to give you a complete 14-point inspection with supporting photo documentation. If you don’t have a problem, fantastic, you’re ready for winter! If not, get the repairs done now so you don’t experience further damage to the interior or exterior of your home during the high-use months of winter. Give us a call today at 877-CHIM-FIX  (877-244-6349)

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