Millions are without power due to Hurricane Sandy’s wrath, and likely will be for some time. Our thoughts are with those suffering through the floods, fires, and winds. For those safe and dry in their homes but without power, consider cooking a meal in your fireplace. You’re bound to tire of ramen noodles and canned
How to Build a Better Fireplace Fire 1. Tinder Tricks Newspaper is the most popular tinder, and works very well. Avoid using color pages with lots of ink though. Another clever choice- toilet paper tubes stuffed with dryer lint. The dryer lint will light very easily, and will burn for a long time when stuffed
Picking a Reputable Seller If you buy your firewood, make sure the seller is reputable and honest. Unscrupulous sellers may try to pass off unseasoned logs as seasoned, lie about species, etc. If you harvest your own, skip below to picking the best species. Ask where the seller gets the wood- is it cut locally?
Autumn is officially here, bringing with it cool weather and thoughts of fires in the hearth, but is your chimney ready for winter? Before fire season gets underway, however, check that your chimney cap is still in good shape. You don’t want to have to climb on your snow-covered roof this winter to replace it!
While professional chimney sweeps provide a valuable service, as a homeowner you can perform many of the same tasks as a chimney sweep and save significant amounts of money by doing so. Read on for three common chimney sweep services that you can do yourself. DIY Chimney Maintenance Projects You Can Do 1. Install a
Warm summer weather may still be here, but before much longer cool autumn breezes will be rolling through. Follow the steps below for preparing your fireplace for winter. Then have a safe and comfortable fire season. 1. Have your chimney inspected by a chimney sweep Having your chimney inspected by a certified chimney sweep every
If you have a fireplace then you probably spend a large portion of the year leaving it as a big dark hole in the center of your living room, using it only in the winter months. The truth is, the fireplace can be used all through the year, but you just need a little bit
A family of raccoons was rescued from a home by local animal control and the Humane Society. The chimney caps will prevent future raccoon troubles, but this is a good reminder to check your flue before installing the cap! Lucky baby raccoons and mom.
While on your roof measuring for a chimney cap, be sure to check your chimney crown for any cracks or crazing. While small cracks may not seem like an issue, those small cracks can quickly become big cracks and eventually result in expensive repairs. When water gets into those cracks and freezes it expands, enlarging
