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Do I Really Need a Chimney Cap?

Posted on by Tom — No Comments ↓

Keep raccoons out of your chimney with a chimney capAre you asking, “Do I need a chimney cap?”

Chimney caps are a great way to protect your home, chimney, and even surrounding areas from a variety of hazards.

Why Do I Need a Chimney Cap?

  • Chimney caps keep birds, bats, squirrels, and raccoons from entering your chimney. In addition to the nuisance of having animals in your chimney, nests can become fire hazards during winter.
  • Chimney caps protect your flue, crown, and brickwork from water damage. As water seeps into cracks and freezes, it expands, slowly widening the crack. Over time, this process can require expensive repairs. Chimney caps shield your chimney from water, preventing damage.
  • Chimney caps keep burning embers and sparks from flying out of your chimney and potentially starting a wildfire. Spark arrestor models with smaller, 5/8-inch mesh are available for homes in fire-prone areas or homes with wooden shingles.

So should you buy a chimney cap? Absolutely! We consider uncapped chimneys incomplete. Chimney caps protect you and your home from animals, prevent expensive repairs, and reduce the risk of wildfires.

chimney caps

Wondering what kind of cap you need? Use our step-by-step guide for selecting the right cap for your chimney.

Posted in Fireplace and Chimney Maintenance, General Tagged with: , ,

Fireplace Candelabras for Outdoor Use

Posted on by Susan — 3 Comments ↓
Outdoor Candelabra

Fireplace Candelabra Outdoor

For picnic tables, decks, porches, and sidewalks, decorators are using an unusual source of candle lighting. Fireplace candelabra—those candle holders intended for fireplaces have moved outside for the summer!

Fireplace candelabra were originally designed to hold candles in your fireplace when you want the glow of flickering flames but not the heat or hassle of wood or gas fires. But fireplace candelabra, more sturdily constructed than most candelabra, can be right at home in an outdoor setting, too.

The sturdy construction of fireplace candelabra makes them less delicate than traditional candelabra. Their solidness is just what is needed to look appropriate and function well in the less formal entertainment settings of outdoors.

Posted in Decorating, General Tagged with: ,

How to Tell If Firewood Is Seasoned

Posted on by Tom — No Comments ↓
How to Tell If Firewood is Seasoned

How to Tell If Firewood is Seasoned

Seasoned firewood burns hotter and with less smoke than freshly cut firewood. Typically, firewood should dry for about six months before being burned. But in case you aren’t sure how to tell if firewood is seasoned, here are a few tips for checking:Stacked and seasoned firewood

  • Well-seasoned firewood is darker and grayer in color than fresh wood.
  • When knocked together, seasoned logs will make a hollow “clunk” sound.
  • Cracks will appear in the ends of the logs.
  • On seasoned logs the bark will be loose and start to fall off.

For the more detail-oriented, the ideal moisture content of firewood should be below 20%.

Firewood Moisture Meters determine the moisture content of firewood

Firewood Moisture Meters to Determine If Your Firewood Is Seasoned

Moisture meters are designed for testing firewood and will give you a digital readout of the percent of moisture in your firewood.

Posted in General, Using Your Fireplace Tagged with: