Gas & Woodburning Fireplace Smells
It’s that time of year again when humidity is high and so are the smells. Wood burning fireplaces as well as gas fireplaces can produce a musty smell, dusty smell or even a smokey smell. If you usually get a chimney sweep or a fireplace cleaning in the Fall, you may want to reconsider. Working […]
That’s Not the Smell of Turkey – Where’s the Smoke?
Yesterday, I went to a friend’s house for a ‘dry run’ for Thanksgiving Day. I have never participated in a dry run, so this was new. A ‘dry run’ is more about process and timing and not necessarily taste testing the food. Disappointing, but I think we all got that one down just fine. When […]
If the Musty Smell Isn’t Socks…What Is It?
Fall is a great time to watch college football. We get together with friends, whom all went to different schools, taking turns hosting. Happily, it was not our turn. We all settled into our favorite watching spots. One person is a pacer, one sits VERY close to the flat screen, a couple on the floor, […]
Top 3 Chimney Problems to Watch for in Summer
Chimney problems can occur all year long. Just because it’s summer, and you’re not using the chimney doesn’t mean all is well. On Saturday, we went to some friend’s house for a barbeque. I must say it was wonderful, as everyone brought some great dishes. It’s a single-story home with a very well attended backyard. […]
What’s the Smell? Is it Coming from the Fireplace and Chimney?
This summer has certainly been different. Even with the cool temperatures, one thing is for certain…we’ve received way too much rain. Now add a few high 80-degree days with humidity and it’s a recipe for a smelly house. As a result, we’ve received plenty of phone calls with questions pertaining to the musty smell coming […]
A Special Q & A on Gas Fireplaces in Hot or Warm Weather
Gas fireplaces are many times found in homes, condos and townhomes. There’s a common misunderstanding with gas fireplaces…maintenance. All gas fireplaces need to be maintained, even if you don’t use your gas fireplace. Q: The gas fireplace has only been used a couple of times in the past few years. Can I just use it? A: […]
Keeping the Chimney and Fireplace Safe for Santa
Being Santa’s chimney helpers holds a great deal of responsibility. We hold meetings each year reviewing safety measures to ensure presents…and Santa stays safe during travels down the chimney. Santa did ask that we post a few of his safety tips: • Holiday wrapping, ribbon and tissue: It’s a ton of fun to tear […]
Summer Rain, High Humidity & the Smell of the Fireplace
This week was glorious! The kids are back in school and life can resemble normalcy again. To get school started, parents get to visit the teachers. As I do every year, I park my car in a friend’s driveway and we walk together across the street to parent’s night. Afterwards, we head back to her […]
Spring Cleaning: Remember to Include the Chimney
The month of April has been an active month for fireplaces and chimneys. With the continuous bouts of rain, sleet and snow, chimneys have extended their usefulness! This past weekend, family came to town to visit. Even with all of the warm bodies and lots of talking, the chill in the air made everyone strongly […]