Creosote, an oily, black substance, is one byproduct of wood-burning (408) 265-1010 State Contractor's License #678096 What is a safety inspection? . Learn how to stop smoke from spilling out of your stove door. Well, it was my first winter with the wood insert and now I'm looking to get the liner cleaned before the chimney sweeps get busy this fall. For effective usage, it is important to maintain your fireplace and keep it in the best condition. Wood burning stoves can bring so much warmth and joy into your home. You should have your chimney cleaned after burning 1.5 cords of soft wood or 3 cords of hard wood. Paper logs build up faster than wood … To schedule an annual chimney sweeping and inspection, contact ft. to 2700 sq. While a wood burning insert will not eliminate the necessity for an annual chimney cleaning, it will reduce the cost of repairing and maintaining your fireplace through the years. “The downside is that there may be a lot of soot or creosote on the rain cap itself that must also be cleaned. explains how a chimney is cleaned Family Owned and Operated Since 1990 Clean Chimneys . Though it's possible to check the vents yourself, it may be a good idea to contact a certified chimney sweep to have them check your fireplace system for safety before you use it to burn wood. You can reduce creosote buildup in your fireplace flue by providing adequate combustion air, which will encourage a hot, clean-burning fire. It's far simpler to vent out a gas fireplace than a wood-burning one. But the last thing you want is smoke in your face and your home when you're trying to reload your Catalyst wood burning stove. Some stove owners swear by burning a hot fire first thing in the morning, which helps move unpacked debris out of chimney and burns the soot off the glass. When wood burns, it releases a host of contaminants that coat the inside of the chimney. . A fireplace It is extremely dangerous for someone to simply shut off the gas supply and begin using a gas fireplace as a wood-burning … When the correct insulated chimney liner is installed, there is far less resistance to flow and very little temperature variation within the venting system, therefor, although creosote is not eliminated, it is drastically reduced. Fortunately, with a little bit of help you can maintain and clean your wood stove and keep it looking and working like new. How often you clean the chimney depends on the amount you use your stove, the type of wood you burn, the type of wood-burning unit you have and the way you operate the unit. Modern stoves burning dry wood in an interior chimney can burn quite cleanly. You should clean your wood burning stove chimney at least once a year, and inspect it at least once each month. Gas, on the other hand, is clean and nearly instant. Step 2 - Check your Stove’s Temperature Examine your chimney to see if there is any visible smoke. Fuel is loaded into the firebox through a pair of doors that face toward the interior of the room. To prevent cap blockage and creosote build-up, always burn dry wood. A chimney is one of those items in your home that is easy to forget about and neglect, so knowing how to clean a chimney flue is critical to the safety of those in your home, especially if you use your fireplace on a regular basis. Chimney liners are a necessity if you own a home with a wood- or gas- or pellet- or corn- burning fireplace. The EPA says nearly 7 percent of all home fires in America are caused by creosote buildup in the chimney. Step 1 Wait at least 12 hours after your last fire before attempting to clean a fireplace in order to give it a chance to cool down fully. If, however, a chimney fire occurs, follow these steps to reduce your losses: I had a sweep come over and he said he could only clean the liner if the insert was removed. Read you can read our complete guide on how to wash dry-clean-only comforter. A wood-burning fireplace insert consists of a metal firebox installed inside your existing fireplace. A clean wood stove will burn more efficiently and will generally be a safer stove to use in your home. A clean stove and chimney Barring a warm spell, it’s a little late in the season to do some of this work, but good chimney sweeping and cleaning of the interior of the firebox can improve the efficiency of any wood stove. It brings warmth, ambiance, and style to any space. Warm flue with a heat source before starting a fire. A literal flip of the switch will heat your home and simulate the sensation of a wood-burning fireplace. With square footage heating capacity ranging from 500 sq. A thick, tarry smoke rises from every fire you burn, and without a liner, it will stick A burning fire inside will keep you warm and snug feeling. If you burn mostly green (wet) logs, have your chimney cleaned or inspected every 50 burns. How to Remove a Fireplace Insert. A wood-burning fireplace insert must be removed when your fireplace and chimney enclosure need cleaning. If you’re sitting in front of the fire on a dry winter evening with a book on your lap, you don’t need anything else. Only real wood should be burned in todays newer EPA wood stoves and wood fireplaces (so any type of wax or filler is not recommended – for reasons explained earlier) 2. With the chimney clean, it is now time to clean up. You will probably need to replace your fireplace completely since the chimney might be suitable only for gas fireplaces which makes unsafe to use with a wood-burning fireplace. If you see moisture bubbling out the ends of the logs when they’re burning, the wood is wet. Safe Families CALL NOW! You can then begin to disassemble the rods; it’s best to do it as you are pulling them out of the chimney. How to Install a Chimney Liner. A cord is 4’ high x 4’ wide x 8’ long. Whether you have a wood stove, wood burning insert, or other fireplace or heating appliance, regular maintenance is an important aspect of responsible ownership. Here are some signs letting you know your chimney was on fire. Your mileage might vary from mine, but we are only getting about a cup of soot and sote per ~5 cords burned. Homeowners get surprised when there chimney had a fire and didn't realize it. Have your flue or chimney cleaned at least once per year, or every season if you’re regularly burning wood. Gas fireplaces have come a long way, and if you’re ready to convert your old While this myth has been around for ages, studies conducted by the University of Georgia found that the amount of damage wood left on the chimney was a result … Whether you want to update the look of your fireplace or you need to get it up to code before you sell your house, chances are you'll need to remove your fireplace insert. ft. we are sure to have the perfect size for any home. A wood-burning fireplace is a wonderful addition to every home. Your mileage might vary from mine, but we are only getting about a … Leave the door to the stove open for a while before lighting a fire. This is why it is important to have a wood burning fireplace insert installed with its own round, properly sized and insulated chimney liner (pipe). A wood burning insert is NOT cheaper to install than a gas insert. Regular inspection of your chimney will prevent pipe blockage, poor draft and chimney fires. 5 Benefits of a Clean Chimney 5 Steps to Preventing Chimney Leaks during Spring Rainy Season 6 Ways to Keep a Safe and Clean Fireplace Between Professional Cleanings 7 Essential Tips for Safe and Efficient Wood-Burning To clean, insert the brush into the fireplace and flue and sweep up to the top. Most wood-burning fireplace inserts are heavy and are … A well-maintained fireplace will not only save your time and money but also add tremendous value to your home […] This green wood doesn’t burn cleanly and Therefore, to keep your woodstove or fireplace insert in good condition, follow the guidelines in Why You Must Clean Your Chimney Wood fires do not burn cleanly. $300 Tax Credit on Biomass Fireplaces and Stoves through end of 2016 10 Things to In addition, if you burn dry wood of good quality and ensure regular sweeping of your chimney, you minimise the risk of soot fires that can A clean fireplace provides for a great view of the fire and the wood burns better and cleaner. Myth #3: Burning certain soft woods (such as pine) will cause creosote damage to your chimney. How to Check for Creosote To check for creosote yourself, first, make sure there’s no downdraft from the chimney. 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