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- Posted: June 03, 2016Categories: BlogRead more »
We advise everybody to invest in a chimney liner, but does it matter what type? Yes! As with any product, the better and more reliable the material is the better, and there are certainly varying degrees to which you can count on a chimney liner to do its job depending on what material yours is made of. Stainless steel is heralded as a strong, stain-resistant material, and its benefits certainly extend to your chimney liner.
What is a Chimney Liner?
A chimney liner, or flue lining, is a lining for your chimney that aids in the filtering out of particulates, as well as serving to protect the sides of your chimney from heat and corrosion. Not only is having a chimney liner highly recommended, but a lot of fire safety codes actually mandate that you use a chimney liner.
Why Stainless Steel?
Though chimney liners can come in a variety of materials, such as clay, ceramic, or metal, stainless steel is going to be your best bet for a durable, long-lasting, and effective chimney liner. Other chimney lining materials are going to work just fine, but the strong chemical bonds present in stainless steel makes it resistant to change from the heat of your fireplace. In order for a chemical reaction to happen between any number of substances, heat is usually a main element of catalyzing a reaction. Because the molecules of stainless steel are so solid and tightly packed, they are more resistant to heat, and thus more durable, than other substances.
- Posted: May 20, 2016Categories: BlogRead more »
Because it isn’t a delicate or fragile item, we don’t often think about the ways in which we need to take care of our fireplace. We assume that because a fireplace is able to withstand the heat of a fire, it means that it isn’t in need of maintenance, and that just isn’t true. Maintaining your fireplace, like maintaining any part of your home, is necessary to avoid unexpected and unforeseen repair costs. Here are some tips so that you can avoid frequent fireplace repair.
Keep An Eye On Your Damper
We’ve talked before about the purpose of a chimney damper, but we’ll go over it quickly here. A chimney damper serves to control the amount of air that can flow in and out of your fireplace. Making sure that you keep your damper open during a fire is important for your safety and health, as that could cause the room to fill with the smoke that should be escaping through your chimney. Making sure that you keep your damper closed when you aren’t using your fireplace is equally important for preventing outside air, whether that air is hot or cold, from getting into your house and affecting its temperature. Checking your damper frequently also means generally checking for a clear chimney. If there is significant debris build up, or if small animals have decided to use your chimney as a home, you should hire a professional service to clean it out for you as soon as possible.
Burn the Right Stuff
Not all burning materials are created equal, an
- Posted: April 22, 2016Categories: BlogRead more »
A chimney liner can help you achieve a better level of air quality and make for a safe fireplace. Here are some of the reasons you should consider a chimney liner.
Older Home And Chimney
Older homes often have older chimneys that have been largely ignored over the years. Even the best-built chimneys can need some attention over time. Cracks and deterioration can affect the way your chimney draws and functions. If you have an older home or are purchasing one, it is a good idea to take a look at your chimney before you use it.
The Air In Your Home Is Important
When a chimney is not functioning properly, it can have a bit impact on the air quality of your home. Smells of soot and smoke should not be a major player in the atmosphere of your living room or wherever your fireplace may be. Those with allergies or other respiratory issues can suffer if a fireplace is being used and not venting properly.
Chimney Liners Don’t Take Long To Install
While it may seem like a big deal to have a liner put in a big chimney, it does not take very long to make your chimney safer and more efficient. If you regularly use your chimney in the process of heating your home, a flexible chimney liner is a great investment.
Choosing The Right Liner
Fireside Chimney Supply can help you determine what size and length of chimney liner kit you need. We carry all the top brands and sizes needed to get your chimney in great shape. It is very important to choose the right size liner because too large of a liner can lead to excessive creosote build u
- Posted: February 10, 2016Read more »
Recently, a fire occurred inside the wall of a chimney in a trailer where a chimney liner was not installed. Having proper chimney supplies like a chimney liner is critical because it prevents residue from the fire from building up within the chimney and starting a fire, which is dangerous.
There are a number of ways to prevent chimney fires from occurring inside a fireplace. Chimney liner kits can be purchased and installed by specialists, and they help ensure the longevity of a chimney that could be aging.Ways to Prevent Chimney Fires
Install a Chimney Liner
Getting chimney liners installed is important for several reasons. First, a chimney liner could be necessary in helping a chimney pass inspection. Chimney inspections take place to ensure that the fireplaces burning in America are safe. The Chimney Safety Institute of America, or CSIA, is in charge of inspections and regulations for chimneys in homes. They provide the standard for which chimney sweeps base their services. Having a chimney liner installed can be helpful in getting a chimney to pass inspection.
Have the Chimney Cleaned
Having the chimney cleaned on a regular basis is another way to prevent resin and soot from building up within the chimney and eventually becoming a fire hazard. The buildup of creosote, a byproduct of burning wood, is a potential cause of fires in chimneys. The best way to prevent chimney fires is having them cleaned on a regular basis by a professional chimney sweep.
Don’t Leave the Fire Unattended
A general rule of thumb with a fireplace is that the fire should not be left unattended for too long. Fires are to be enjoyed, but also respected. This means treating them with caution by not leaving them going strong all night, or left going at home while the homeowners are away. Those who build outdoor fires are well aware of the rules about not leaving fires to burn for themselves, and the same principle applies to fires b
- Posted: January 27, 2016Read more »
As the owner of a fireplace, you’ve probably spent more time than you would like trying to manage and maintain the perfect fire. Turn your back on a wood-burning fireplace for just a few minutes, and that flame may dwindle away before you know it.
There are plenty of ways to fix that problem, as well as any other issues that may arise with other fireplaces.
Many people have their own fool-proof methods for building a perfect fire, but everybody needs a little help sometimes. With the right supplies, you can make sure you keep the best possible fire going.
Types of Fireplace Supplies
A Chimney Brush
Before lighting a fire, it’s a good idea to first make sure your chimney is clean. Even if you’ve never used it before, a build-up of leaves or animal nests can cause harmful blockages. There are professionals that can clean out your chimney for you, but you can also opt to do it yourself.
Start by measuring the size of the chimney flue to determine the size of brush you’ll need. Using a brush and extender pipes, first clean downward from the roof. Then clean from the bottom of the chimney to get any spots you may have missed.
Once you’re finished, you can start building a fire.
Dry, Seasoned Wood
As the crucial element in any wood-burning fireplace, the wood you use is the most important.
If you purchase wood from a dealer, first make sure it’s not wet or rotted. If you cut or gather the wood yourself, storage is key. Keep the wood stacked on the ground and covered for six months until it’s ready for use.
Stacking the wood in a layered “log cabin” form makes for a more evenly-distributed burn. It also provides a better base for adding more logs to keep the fire going.
A Good Set Of Fireplace Tools
There are three common types of tools used in tending small fires: a fireplace poker, spade, and tongs.
The poker is a steel rod that is used to adjust coal or wood burning i
- Posted: January 13, 2016
There are many accessories that are able to improve the efficiency or overall look of both a fireplace and chimney. The chimney inserts that are used to improve the inside of chimneys and lengthen their life span are a great way to improve the quality of a chimney. Another thing chimneys need from time to time is the chimney chase cover. Moisture and rain can cause them to rust, and sometimes if a hole appears there will even be water that leaks down to the fireplace area.
Fireside Chimney Supply carries chimney chase covers made of 24 gauge 304 stainless steel, and they are capable of solving the problems of rust appearing or a leaking chimney cover.
Chimney Chase Cover Summary
The chase cover is a metal cover that fits over the top of a chimney. In essence, it is what protects the fireplace from water dripping down from rainfall. The cover needs to be installed properly so that rainwater flows properly off and to the side. The chimney cap is placed on top
The Importance of Using Stainless Steel
It is critical that the chimney is capped off with a stainless steel chimney chase covers. There are some chimneys around that use galvanized covers, the problem with that is that the galvanized chimney covers, which are cheaper, are going to rust much quicker and not last as long as the stainless steel kind.
Not for Masonry Chimneys
Chimney Chase Covers are not for masonry chimneys, but are only for chimneys that are factory built. These chimneys have a rectangular top that the cover is made to fit on top of. Factory built chimneys are going to need a chimney chase cover.
All Factory-built Chimneys Need It
A rule of thumb with factory built chimneys is that they need a chimney chase cover. The cover is what protects the fireplace from the element, and even protects the home from unwanted creatures like squirrels and raccoons from entering the chimney and entering the home.
- Posted: December 16, 2015
Many homeowners are wondering this winter how to heat a home during the wintertime using their fireplace. It is really an energy-saving option when it can be done efficiently. In a previous post it was discussed what kinds of wood are good for burning, and many areas of North America are plentiful with forested areas that are full of trees. However, it is important to be sure that it is legal to cut down trees in the area.
Whether bought at the local grocery store or chopped down in the local woods, firewood is able to heat a home when the proper methods are used. Even gas fireplaces are able to heat a home when a couple measures are taken to ensure that more heat is staying in the home than is escaping through the chimney.
Ensure the Fire Heats the Home
Install a Chimney Liner
The chimney liners of Fireside Chimney Supplies are able to prevent the creosote that builds up from causing a chimney fire. The best way to ensure that the fireplace is able to continue heating the home is to keep the chimney in good shape. The chimney liner is a great way to improve an aging chimney or one that is in need of repair from corrosive gasses eating away at it. Chimney liners can also prevent so much heat from leaving the house right up the chimney. As it has been discussed before, a chimney liner can increase the heating efficiency of a fireplace anywhere from 10% to 40%!
Use Seasoned Wood
For wood-burning fireplaces, using properly aged and seasoned wood is a great way to ensure the fire gives off a proper amount of heat. Green wood, or wood has not had enough time since it was cut to dry out properly, is going to produce more smoke than heat, and the fire produced will not heat a home as efficiently as drier wood.
Open the Damper
The fireplace of the chimney is located inside the throat of the chimney, just above the fireplace. It is designed to seal the fireplace shut when it is not in use. When the fire is going,
- Posted: November 18, 2015Read more »
Via The Ledger Independent
Chimney pots date back to the 13th century, and are typically associated with England. However, there is research that shows they were used in the Roman Empire, India and Australia.
Chimney Pots
The purpose of a chimney pot was quite simple and ingenious: they were used to extend the chimney in order to improve the draft and keep odors and smoke from coming into the building.
Life Before A Chimney Pot
Think back to how homes and businesses were constructed years ago: the only source of heat was the fireplace. The bigger the structure, the more fireplaces you had. For example, with a structure like the Lee House in Maysville, which was an Inn during its heyday, a three story building would have fireplaces on each floor, with numerous flues in one chimney.
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Fireside Chimney Supply is an American Company. We offer premium chimney liner stainless steel systems as well as a wide range of other hearth products. Our products are all produced and manufactured in the United States and our flue liners have been revolutionizing the industry since 1992.
- Posted: October 30, 2015Read more »
Who doesn’t love sitting by a warm fireplace all bundled up when it’s below freezing outside? If you’re going to be using your fireplace, chimney, and chimney cover for the first time in your home, you should take a look at these safety precautions before getting toasty by lighting the fire.
Safety Precautions for Your Fireplace and Chimney
Inspection
It’s vital to have a professional take a look at your fireplace on the inside before you begin making fires. A proper inspector will be on the lookout for birds’ nests, sticks, and other loose remains. The outside chimney cover and chimney liner should also be checked for safety. If there is any blockage, smoke will back up and clog the airways.
- Posted: September 02, 2015Categories: BlogRead more »
The outside of the home gets so much love in the summer. Homeowners eager to enjoy the outdoors plant gardens, spruce up their home’s curb appeal and even update exterior trim or siding. As temperatures soar, this winter seems so far away. Let’s face it. When people think about chimneys and fireplaces, they think about winter. With last year’s record breaking freezing temperatures and snowfall still fresh in some people’s mind, most of us want to enjoy our hot and humid days as long as possible. But like the rest of the exterior of your home, your chimney can serve a decorative purpose outside of the frigid winter months. There are some creative ways to spruce up your chimney this summer. We have several options to help you adorn your fireplace and chimney.
Chimney pots are a neat way to transform the look of your chimney. If you are unfamiliar them, then you might be asking yourself “What are chimney pots?” Chimney pots are decorative pots that sit atop a chimney, enhancing the look of one of your home’s most prominent features. While most chimney pots are round, they do come in a variety of shapes and sizes that fit nicely with the style of any home. Whether your home is the classic Spanish style home or a mid-century modern style, there is a perfect chimney pot design for your home.
It is true that most people choose chimney pots primarily to update the look of their chimney. However, these pots have a functional value as well. Chimney pots help improve fireplace drafts due to their tapered designs. Fireplace drafts happen, naturally, when you turn on your fireplace. But, that is another wintertime issue to consider when the time comes. By securing a chimney pot now, you will be prepared to better care for your chimney come those cold winter months
If you are looking for something rare for your home’s chimney, then consider the salt glazed chimney pots. The difference between regular and salt glazed pots is the color and richness given through th