Clean Sweep

Masonry chimneys are beautiful additions to a home and are often thought to be indestructible. Unfortunately, the elements can erode the durability of your masonry chimney over time. Consider adding a chimney cover to protect it.

If you do not have a chimney but want a fireplace, you may want to consider a vent-free fireplace. With this option, the heat produced stays in your home, which makes a vent-free fireplace perfect for heat and cost efficiency.

Do you want to increase the heat efficiency of your masonry fireplace? If so, it can help to consider a slanted back, which allows the heat to radiate into the room better. Glass doors are also heat efficient and hold in heat after the fire is extinguished.

A chimney damper is a relatively inexpensive part of the inside of your chimney, but it is crucial to the operation of the fireplace. The damper is a door, usually metal, near the top of the chimney that controls the flow of air to the fire.

Using the yellow or blue flame gas logs in your fireplace is a popular option for many. If you're using these kinds of logs in lieu of wood, don't forget that they can still cause deposits in your chimney that will require regular cleaning.

Although your fireplace can provide hours of quiet enjoyment and warmth to your house, it can also be a source of danger. Chimney fires and the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning are two dangers for users to consider.

Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis isn't a fictional need made up by chimney sweeps. The Environmental Protection Agency, Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Lung Association all agree annual inspection and cleaning is important for your health and safety.

There are many steps you can take to protect your chimney from leaks and water damage. Improvements such as waterproofing and professional-grade chimney caps can really make a difference.

Have you ever wondered how your fireplace works? Simply put, because heat rises, it carries the smoke and harmful chemicals out of the house through the chimney. This process can cause a dangerous build-up on the inside of your chimney, which is why you need regular cleanings.

As you know, having too much carbon monoxide in your blood can and will kill you. Over time, lower doses of carbon monoxide cause brain damage or injure otherwise healthy organs.

Chimney caps are essential for a variety of reasons. Not only do they keep the rain out of your home, but they keep birds and other animals out of your chimney as well. They can also protect the chimney itself from premature deterioration.

Over time, a layer of soot residue can form on the inside of your chimney. It may completely block your chimney, giving smoke no place to go. Even before it gets to that point, soot build-up can stop your chimney from functioning properly.