Use It or Not… Gas Log Burning Fireplaces Still Need Swept and Inspected Annually – Same as Wood
It’s no doubt that gas log burning fireplaces have increased in popularity as there is less mess, no firewood storing and chopping, it’s just seems easier. Most homeowners think the fireplace and chimney doesn’t need maintenance or cleaning just because it is gas burning. Per the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), gas fireplaces require […]
Eavesdropping on a Conversation Has Become Your Gain
Standing in the self-checkout line, I do what we all do…listen to conversations going on around us. Sometimes it’s worth staying tuned-in, like yesterday. A person standing in back of me waiting in line decided to make a call. It became obvious that she was having a hard time making a decision and was searching […]
An August Chill Fires Up the Chimney
The chill in the air has brought thoughts of a warm fire. With temperatures in the evenings in the 50’s, some have turned to an outdoor fire pit. Although nice, I prefer a little more comfort. Here’s the next best thing. When the sun goes down, open the windows and/or patio doors to get the […]
Twas the Night before Christmas Poem
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads. And […]
5 Ways to prepare Your Fireplace for the Cold Weather
I took a quick poll asking family, friends and even strangers, “Did you turn on your furnace?” It was an impressive 80% that answered, “No.” Then I asked a follow up question, “Did you use your fireplace?” That was more interesting with a 50% “Yes” 50% ”No”. Surprised by the results? I found the reasons […]
The Missing Item from the ‘To Do’ List
• Find long sleeve shirts in back of closet • Make a pot of homemade soup • Buy filters for furnace • Cold tablets / tissues As the weather was cool and rainy this week, these items were at the top of my ‘to do’ list. If your household is anything like mine, your list […]
Pre-Season for Fireplaces & Chimneys
It’s that time of year where pre-season fireplaces & chimneys is all the rage! Never heard of pre-season fireplaces & chimneys? It’s similar to pre-season football. It’s the 4 weeks prior to the start of the regular season where the coaches make their decisions about fine tuning the team…who to keep and who to cut. […]
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 […]
Chimney Sweep for the Non-Chimney User
It seems that every house today has a fireplace. It’s one of those items that homeowner’s demand, but some don’t use. For many, it’s a fixture in the family room or living room that decorates an entire wall. On a trip to a friend’s house for dinner and cocktails, we first gathered in the family […]
The One That Got Away…with encouragement.
A call came in requesting an appointment, needing one sooner than later. The customer on the phone said there was an odor coming into the home and thinks it’s from the chimney. The service technicians set up the ladder and made their way to the chimney noticing a chimney cap was missing. Many times when […]