Wood Stove and Fireplace Ash Removal
The burning of solid fuels (wood, coal or pellets) in your stove, fireplace or insert, will inevitably leave behind ashes that need to be removed, regardless of how efficiently your particular unit burns. These remaining ashes must be removed periodically to prevent...
Wood Stoves, Inserts, and Fireplaces
Sitting in front of a crackling fire may be your favorite wintertime activity. Unfortunately, a traditional fireplace isn’t only an inefficient heating source but can also create high levels of smoke, both inside and outside your home. Never fear, there is an...
How Is Firewood Seasoned?
If you have a wood stove or fireplace in your home, the chances are you’re planning on using it when the weather turns cold. In order for your wood stove or fireplace to run at an optimal level requires you to take the appropriate measures. One of these measures is...
Record Cold Winter Predicted – Are You Ready?
Winter is right around the corner, and the Farmers’ Almanac is predicting another record-breaking winter season for much of the United States. Where the heaviest snow will fall still remains a matter for debate – one influenced to some degree by an El Nino pattern in...
The Importance of the CSIA Certification
Would you go to an optometrist if you were having relationship problems? "No!" Would you go to a therapist if you were having problems with your eyes? Again…a resounding "NO!" In both situations, the wrong specialist is being used for something that’s not in his or...
Choosing the Correct Chimney Cap
We all love our chimneys. They add a certain aesthetic beauty to our homes and help keep our families safe from the smoke and harmful gases that would otherwise leak into our homes without them. Since we value them so much for this protection that they provide, why...
Why a Chimney Cricket Can Be Necessary
When your chimney is located on a downward slope of your roof, you most likely are experiencing water pooling around the base of your exterior chimney where it meets the roof. Similarly, your chimney may have a width of over 30 inches, which can also cause water to...
Hiring a Qualified Chimney Sweep Company
There are some things that do not require expert levels of attention and care, but matters of family health and safety are not one of those things. Chimney care is potentially a life or death matter. You don’t want just anyone to service your chimney. Following these...
Dryer Vent Safety
Believe it or not, dryer vents are now considered to be more of a fire hazard than chimneys. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued an alert due to the fact that there are 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 310 injuries from dryer exhaust fires annually....
Smelly Fireplace?
The summertime smells we all want to imagine are flowers and barbecue, but sometimes our chimneys have other ideas. You can try to cover up the smell with air fresheners and high hopes, but it may be that you have to remove the odor from the unit completely. Our...