Fall is here, and that means it’s time to your schedule your annual chimney inspection. Thousands of house fires are caused by a lack of cleaning and maintenance every year. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend that your chimney should be cleaned at least once a [...]
Chimney creosote buildup can become a safety hazard over time. When a fireplace is used, creosote is one of the components (aside from the ash) that is deposited in the chimney lining and flue. It is also highly flammable and can potentially become hazardous when using a fireplace. Although it’s nearly impossible to completely eliminate [...]
If you’ve ever wondered what’s inside of your fireplace, now is the time to learn about your home’s chimney anatomy! Your fireplace and chimney consist of several components (up to 22 parts) that keep the smoke flowing efficiently out of your fireplace and into the home. With so many moving parts, knowing about their functions [...]
As we move on from spring to summer, a thorough cleaning is a great way to celebrate the changing seasons. Many homeowners get into spring cleaning mode to tackle their top-to-bottom housecleaning project. But while they’re busy cleaning the inside and outside of their home, they often neglect their fireplace. In general, your fireplace becomes [...]
A properly functioning chimney damper allows you to burn a fire safely and efficiently. If you're unsure about how to effectively utilize your damper, you're not alone. Knowing how to correctly use a damper can impact the safety of your home. We're here to tell you all about a chimney damper and how to operate [...]
Burning wood may be humanity’s oldest way of producing heat and forming a pleasant ambiance in your home. However, it has a downside. There are several materials that can potentially cause a fire or pose a health hazard to your family when burned. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, when household waste, like [...]
Many homeowners know that a wood-burning heat source is a great choice for heating their home. Not much can beat its look and feel, but homeowners often find it difficult to decide between a wood fireplace and a wood stove. To help you make the best choice for you and your home, let’s take a [...]
Chimney leaks are a common occurrence due to melting snow and heavy rains. Excess moisture in your home isn’t good, therefore, it’s important to quickly identify the cause when you have a leaky chimney. It’s never a good idea to put off repairing a leak, especially if it could potentially cause further problems. Let’s take [...]
During the winter season in Wisconsin, there’s nothing better than relaxing by a warm fire in your home. After turning on your fireplace or wood stove for a few hours, you go back to turn it off before leaving. The last thing you’re thinking about is removing the wood ashes from your fireplace. However, it is [...]
Regular cleaning and maintenance of your chimney help keep your home and family safe because they help prevent dangerous creosote buildup. If you have a wood burning fireplace, insert, or stove, you will likely encounter creosote in your chimney. The key is to keep it from building up. Here is everything that you need to [...]
