Fireplace Advice

Your chimney isn't something to simply ignore. Just like your hot water heater or your HVAC unit, it does its job without an issue...most of the time. But then, there's a problem. The sooner you recognize the issue, the more likely it is to be a simple DIY fix. For this reason, it's important to not only know what the most common chimney problems are, but also how to fix them. Here's a great list to get you started:

#1 Obstruction or blockage

Animals like birds, raccoons, rats, mice, and squirrels often try to make their homes within chimneys. After all, it's pretty warm and cozy! These animals can enter and block a chimney without a cap. A chimney cap plays an important role in your home’s chimney system. If your home doesn't already have one, now is the time to order one. 

One of the biggest complaints about fireplaces from homeowners is that from time to time, an odor can be smelled coming from the chimney. Not only does this bad smell fill up your fireplace but also the rest of your house. Closing the windows and turning your AC on is often a solution most people opt for. However, without a doubt, that won't work. In fact, it makes the stench even worse!  For you to eliminate this smell, you will have to start at the source. For a fact, all chimneys produce a little odor that is unnoticeable due to the air that eliminates the odor on the top side of the stack, but when something smells out of place, here's what to do.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL

Hiring a professional is the easiest way to deal with the stench that comes from the fireplace. The professional will conduct an annual chimney cleaning and safety inspection. Of course, this isn’t the cheapest option, but it’s the most effective.

The cost of relining a chimney varies. Typically, the cost can be anything between $2,500 and $7,000. Ultimately the cost will be determined by the type of lining you would want to have installed. Knowing what lining is can help you understand the cost involved.

Types of Chimney Liners

Surprisingly, if you live in an old home, the chimney might not have a lining of any kind! For several decades, liners have been a constant requirement for operating fireplaces. This is attributed to the fact that they do a better job of channeling gases up through the chimney top. Houses that lack a liner will not be able to do this effectively. The liners also help in fire prevention by blocking heat from getting to materials that are combustible. The types of liners are:

Clay Tile Liners

The least costly

The warmth and comfort delivered by a wood burning stove is a comfort for many. Napoleon Wood Burning Stoves are the gold standard when it comes to bringing this technology into the 21^st century.

Napoleon Wood Burning Stoves – The Story

Founded in 1976 in Ontario, Canada, Napoleon designed their first wood burning stove and quickly became a leader in the market space, eventually branching out into gas stoves and other fireplace products.

Types of Napoleon Stoves

There are a number of types of napoleon wood burning stoves for heating your home. Beyond the obvious heating features supplied by

One byproduct of wood burning fireplaces and stoves is the creation of a chemical compound called creosote. A fireplace or stove with even a modest accumulation of creosote can result in a highly dangerous chimney fire, which can burn at around 2,000 degrees, seriously endangering your home and any occupants.

Exactly What is Creosote?

Any wood burning fire produces byproducts of combustion, in short, the residue that is left over when the wood burns. Some of these include seemingly innocuous smoke water vapor, particles of wood and assorted minerals or other substances found in the wood.

The chimney is there to help expel these

There is very little that is more disconcerting than noticing that your house is beginning to fill with smoke, and you have no idea why. What began as a roaring fire designed to keep you warm, has taken on a more ominous face. After securing your loved ones, your quest to find out what went wrong begins. Upon careful investigation, you come to the conclusion that your chimney damper isn’t operating efficiently. The good news is that this can be easily corrected.

What is a Chimney Damper?

You need to understand the role of a chimney damper to understand what it is supposed to do and how to help make that happen. Many confuse the chimney damper with the flue, when

Winter is a time for scarves, warm boots, and toasty gloves. So making sure that your chimney is properly insulated makes sense right?

If you are preparing your home for the wonders that are a home winter fire, then taking the time to check your fireplace for proper insulation will not only guarantee a warm winter fire but also provide you with the confidence you deserve when burning an open fire.

Protect your Home and Your Passion for Fire

Your home's first defense in an unwanted disaster is the chimney liner. Liners are not just for decoration; they serve a real purpose. They are used to redirect unwanted fumes, smoke, and potential hazardous

Old man winter is just around the corner. Is your fireplace ready to get to work? If you own a fireplace and want to make sure your home gets the most out of the heat output, you must make sure your fireplace is properly prepped.

Inspect your Fireplace

The first step in any fire is to prep the area and make sure it is safe. Sweep the chimney out, check your chimney chase cover, update your fire alarms, and take the time to thoroughly go through your fireplace before winter. This will give you the best fire and maintain a safe environment.

Use a Chimney Sweep

Never underestimate the power of a broom. Well, in this case, a professional chimney

Picture this: you’re home on a cold winter night and you decide to build a roaring fire to keep you and your family warm.  After preparing your wood and fostering a strong flame, the house begins to fill with smoke.  Panicked, you have the family stay outside while you see to the issue, only to realize that no smoke is coming through your chimney.  This is most likely due to a faulty chimney damper.  You can think of a chimney damper like a lid for your fireplace.  It is located in the flue (the air shaft through which smoke and air can travel in and out of your chimney) above the firebox (where the fire is made) and is in use both when fireplace is active and inactive.  We commonly think of chimneys as avenues for smoke to escape from

A chimney liner is used to extend the life of your chimney while reducing the risk of any combustion within your home.

Chimney liners are used to provide a smooth surface which carries the products of combustion outside the home. The liner can be made of clay, ceramic, or even metal conduit. The liner protects the chimney from heat and soot build up. The type of liner you need varies based on your chimney.

Better Air Quality

A lot of people do not use their fireplaces because of the impact it has on air quality in the home.  A chimney liner significantly increases how well your chimney vents combustibles to the outside. The improved air quality will have you wanting to use your chimney more than ever.

Getting Your Chimney Assessed

If you don't have much experience with chimneys or wood burning fireplaces, then you definitely want to consult with an an expert from the