When Was your Last Chimney Inspection?

The CSIA offers a succinct explanation of the root cause of chimney fires:

"Fireplaces and wood stoves are designed to safely contain wood-fuel fires, while providing heat for a home. The chimneys that serve them have the job of expelling the by-products of combustion – the substances produced when wood burns. These include smoke, water vapor, gases, unburned wood particles, hydrocarbon, tar fog and assorted minerals. As these substances exit the fireplace or wood stove, and flow up into the relatively cooler chimney, condensation occurs. The resulting residue that sticks to the inner walls of the chimney is called creosote."

It's pretty clear that a chimney fire is a very bad thing. Even those that go undetected can cause lasting, serious safety issues after they have gone out. Having your flue cleaned annually will remove creosote buildup and keep your flue open. This will cut down on the chances of a fire starting. Having your chimney periodically inspected will identify any problems caused by chimney fires. Protect your home and family and call chimney repairs in Los Angeles.

Chimney Inspection: What You Should Know

There are many details and warning signs of trouble in fireplaces in Bordentown NJ that you might never know without an inspection. Chimney experts are trained to detect these hazardous signs that a normal homeowner wouldn’t suspect.

These indicators are not always easily present. When a slow burning chimney fire occurs, there typically aren't any signs. This makes for a particularly dangerous situation because even these slow burning fires get extremely hot, much hotter than a typical wood fire. When such a hot fire ignites in a flue, it can in turn ignite adjacent materials, like your house. Obviously, this is to be avoided.

Call an expert to get your chimney inspected today.

Gas Log Fireplaces

Did you know that you don't necessarily need a chimney to enjoy the warmth and ambiance that a crackling fire inside of your home offers? Ventless gas fireplaces operate indoors safely, without using a ventilation system. You might be wondering how! Instead of a chimney, they use oxygen depletion sensors, thermocouples, limited BTU, and specific, carbon-elimination patterns.

While gas log fireplaces are more expensive to maintain than traditional vented gas fireplaces because they cost more to fuel, they are less expensive to install because they do not require building a chimney. The fun part about ventless gas log fireplaces is that you can decorate them to fit your style. Give your room a modern look by choosing rocks, glass, or geometric shapes to replace the wood that traditionally goes into fireplaces.

Once you do some research on the product and decide which type of look you're going for, contact a Leland NC gas log repair and installation professional to get an estimate and begin transforming your space into a cozy environment.

The Most Important Thing A Chimney Inspection Will Tell You

Creosote is, unfortunately, combustible and burns very, very hot. It is black or brown and can look shiny like glass, be sticky like tar or flaky. If enough of it accumulates in a flue and the temperature gets hot enough, it will ignite, resulting in a chimney fire. The intense heat of these fires can result in the following:

* damaged tiles and mortar flue tiles and mortar can crack under the high temperatures of chimney fires and mortar can even melt. This can allow easy access for flames to reach wooden components of your house.
* cracked masonry even exterior masonry materials can crack or otherwise be damaged from chimney fires. This compromises the structural integrity of the chimney.
* warped metal stovepipes and other components can heat to the point of becoming deformed. This can cause problems with smoke and flames escaping into your home.

It is clear that a chimney fire is a bad thing. That's why it's important to get it cleaned and swept. If you need a professional in chimney sweeps in Rumford ME, click the link to learn more.

What You Can Expect From A Chimney Inspection

Your inspection may lead you to find out some minor repairs need to be made, that your chimney needs to be swept, or simply that it's in good shape. That's why using a company that also offers chimney repair and sweeping is in your best interest - the necessary work can be completed almost immediately.
No matter the reason, a chimney inspection is a great way to keep your home safe and keep your chimney in working order. If, on the other hand, you neglect having your chimney inspected, you could end up with serious problem down the road. By taking the time to take care of your chimney, you'll be able to enjoy it fully, preventing any problems from appearing in the future. If you need chimney cleaning in Mechanicsburg PA, click the link to contact a professional.

Fall Mantel Decorating Tips

When the weather starts to get chilly, it means that Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Winter holidays are right around the corner. What better place in your home to show holiday spirit than your fireplace mantel? Whether your crafty or not, there are lots of easy ways to spruce up this blank canvas.

• One idea is to add festive books. They are cheap, easy to find, take up lots of space, and offer additional surface area if you'd like to add extra knickknacks. 
• Another easy and affordable way to decorate your mantel is to collect pine cones from your yard. Either display them as you found them, or spray paint them with metallic or glittery paint. 
• Adding candles is one way to enhance not only visual, but olfactory appeal. Buy one set of candle holders and swap out the candles between holidays!

To make sure your masterpiece is not displayed on a dirty fireplace, hire a Long Island NY chimney sweep before beginning your mantel makeover.