Fireplace Information Blog

Not all fires burn the same! Did you know that different wood produces different fires and different smoke as well? So, is there a right choice and a wrong choice? Yes and no. Essentially, what you're looking for is driest, best seasoned wood you can get. 

Dry wood will burn more completely than "green" wood. This will result in a hotter fire with less smoke. That's great because you don't want a bunch of smoke in your house. Beyond your lungs, it's also better for the fireplace and chimney itself. An extra-smoky fire that comes from using unseasoned wood will make more creosote build up in your chimney liner. This nasty build up is what makes it necessary to clean your flue. This creosote is highly combustible, and it also constricts the flow of gases up your chimney liner, resulting in decreased draft and dirtier subsequent fires. The more creosote, the more often you have to clean- it's as simple as that.

We all want our cars to perform well and get us safely where we need to go. Guess what- we also need performance and safety from our chimney system! While you may not think about it very often, this is incredibly important for those living in a home with a fireplace. 

How could a chimney have performance? Isn't it just a tube of bricks with a hole through the middle that carries smoke out of your house? No way! It is far more complicated than this. The brick exterior of your chimney that you can see from the outside of your home is only a small part. It is actually a complete system with several parts and pieces, all working together to keep your family safe and your house warm. 

If you don’t give their chimneys much thought, you're not alone. Let's make today the day that changes! There are things you can do to improve the performance of your chimney system. The even better news is that

Installing a stainless steel chimney liner is an easy and economical way to repair a deteriorated, old, or inefficient chimney flue. Our rigid lining systems are constructed of high grade, 24 gauge, seam welded, stainless steel. They are available in 304 for wood burning and 316 alloy for all fuel applications. The smooth interior of the pipe allows for better draft and less creosote build up. This is what you need.

Once you buy a rigid chimney liner kit online through Fireside Chimney, it will be delivered soon. Then, you'll need to install it. Is this difficult to do? Not at all! In fact, it can be done in ten steps. 

Step #1 Get your tools. You'll need a razor knife, flat head screwdriver, caulk gun, a pair of working

Your chimney damper is located in the flue. Dampers are placed inside of the flue to help control ventilation. It keeps cold air out when a fire is not going. That's not all they do, though. Dampers also send the smoke away. Imagine your home filling up with smoke every time you light a fire! That's not all. Chimney dampers also control the intensity of your fire. As your damper is adjusted more or less oxygen flows through your fire. This allows you to make the flames as intense or subdued as you’d like. Clearly, it's really important to know whether your damper is open or closed. You don't want to start a fire with your damper closed! Here are four ways to know whether your damper is open or closed.

#1 Visually inspect it.

Performing a quick visual inspection is the best

If you have questions regarding your chimney and fireside, you're certainly not alone. We are here to help you answer whatever inquiries you have! We often get questions regarding chimney liners and whether they need to be insulated or not. In order to best answer that, let's first discuss the liner itself. The primary purpose of a liner is to funnel hot gases out of your home into the outside air. This is done through the chimney stack. The liner works under negative pressure created between the difference in temperature to ensure that the harmful gases are drawn vertically up the flue system into the atmosphere. Having a stainless steel chimney liner is an incredibly important part of the fuel-burning process. This creates an even and constant flow of heat to release back into the room, while sending hot gases out of your home.

Did you know that your fireplace and chimney have several unique and important parts to it? It isn't just a big tube going up out of the roof! There are several different pieces that are in place in order to ensure you and your family are safe and healthy. Anything that has to do with fire and smoke is worth knowing about to ensure the system is working properly. This includes understanding the chimney cap and fireplace damper and the difference between the two.

What is a damper?

First, let's talk about the flue. The flue is where the smoke escapes when the fire is burning in your fireplace. The damper is located in this flue. Dampers

Your chimney is a lot more complex than just a chute going through your ceiling and out the roof. There are several parts that all need to be in working order. One of these is your chimney damper. If it's working the way it should be, it actually saves you money. This is something all homeowners like to hear!

What is a Chimney Damper?

Essentially, they let you control how much air is coming in and out. It's important for a few different reasons. Dampers are made to seal the chimney when fires aren't burning in your fireplace. You close the damper so that the cold air stays out and your home stays warm. Otherwise, your nice toasty air would be going out a big hole in your roof and all that frigid winter air would be coming in! Dampers also send smoke away. Before your fire gets going, be sure to open the damper, so that all of the smoke escapes through the chimney. Thirdly, chimney dampers help control the intensity

Many older homes have maintenance needs that newer homes don't. This includes the chimney. If you live in a house that was built before the 1940′s, your chimney was probably built without a clay tile liner. Newer homes are typically built with prefabricated metal chimneys rather than with traditional brick and mortar ones. Even though your chimney is older and different, it is critical that the flue not have any damage that could allow your chimney to leak.

What is the flue?

The flu is the opening running up the inside of the chimney that carries smoke and combustion gases out of the building. It's no wonder this is so important! 

How do I know if there is a problem?

If an inspection by a qualified chimney professional reveals problems, you may need to have a  new chimney liner installed. In old unlined chimneys, missing or cracked bricks

When it's frigid cold outside, your home is nice and toasty. This makes it very comfortable for you and your family, and makes all the little critters in your neighborhood pretty jealous. They'd love a spot to get out of the cold. If your chimney doesn't have the necessary parts to seal up tight, they can!

How do Animals get in?

Racoons, rats, mice, birds, and pests would love nothing more than to make a new home in your chimney. They can climb into your chimney easily if your chimney cap is missing or damaged. 

The chimney cap sits at the top of the flue, covering and protecting the flue from both animals and the elements. The solid metal top of the chimney cap prevents water from getting in, during rain and snow. There are also mesh or wire sides that serve two purposes, letting smoke out and preventing animals from getting in.

Chimney caps are a very important chimney product because they actually serve several purposes. Putting a chimney rain cap on top of your chimney prohibits deterioration on the inside from the elements, including both snow and rain. Using a chimney cap, also known as spark arrestors, prevents hot sparks from escaping from the chimney and landing on an area that could cause a fire. This includes your roof, of course. Beyond these, chimney caps also keep birds, squirrels, rats, mice, bats and other animals from making a nest inside of your chimney or using the chimney as a gateway to enter your home. Wow, all of a sudden- it's pretty clear to see why you need to buy a chimney cap online!

As soon as you begin shopping, you'll realize that not all chimney caps are the same. You have options! A few of the