Chimney Sweep
Hiring a chimney professional
In checking your chimney, a chimney professional can check all of the visible components of the chimney for damage, needed maintenance, and fire safety. A chimney professional is trained to look for dangerous or questionable conditions that a homeowner could easily miss.
How woodstoves distribute heat
Which is better, a radiant woodstove or a circulating woodstove? The answer depends on the type of installation.
EPA-certified woodstoves
Here is a simple guide to the types of new, EPA-certified stoves you will see in your local stove shop, and how they work. An understanding of these basic categories will simplify your stove shopping.
Fireplace odors
As a general rule, in any case of fireplace odors, a chimney cleaning is in order if you haven’t had it done recently (and certainly, if it has been over a year and you use the fireplace). A buildup of soot in the chimney will increase odor problems significantly.
Smoking fireplaces part 6: fireplace smoke enters rooms
Fireplace smoke enters other rooms in your home. How does this happen and some tips on fixing the problem.
Smoky fireplaces part 2: smoky fireplace endings
Some fireplaces work just fine as long as you keep a rip-roaring fire going. But let it burn low, and it starts to smoke. (You might find that this type of fireplace is also smoky at startup, as discussed above.) The solution is to keep it burning high until spring, when you can open the windows… Just kidding. But seriously now, read on if your fireplace is okay during high-fire, but smokes as it burns low.
How to use the fireplace
If you are new to fireplaces or your new home has a fireplace, there are a few basic things you should know before you begin to use the fireplace. This is a very basic explanation of how to use your fireplace and includes information on what to do next.
Cleaning up
After you have enjoyed the fire in your fireplace, it is time to clean up. Here are some things you need to know.
