Does burning aluminum cans or salt clean your chimney? Common questions around chimney and fireplace use and maintenance, Tips on using and maintaining your wood-burning fireplace, stove, or insert, Tips on using and maintaining your gas-fired fireplace, stove, or insert, Signs of damage, wear and tear, and improper installation that could threaten safe use (like cracked flue tiles, pilot light issues, broken dampers, incorrect clearance from combustibles, etc. Detergent These bricks will stand perpendicular to the ones laid for the floor of the firebox and line the interior wall of the hearth. The same thing can happen when a big gust of wind hits the chimney. Creosote is a deposit made of unburned wood particles and its highly flammable. produce a very realistic and attractive fire (these are often mistaken for real wood fires), have a heat output comparable to a similarly sized wood fire, generate soot and carbon, which gets deposited in the chimney and requires cleaning, burn hotter and cleaner than yellow flame logs, but are generally less attractive, may be approved for installation in wood burning fireplaces with the damper closed OR in a separate firebox cabinet approved for installation without a chimney (these are called unvented, vent-free, or ventless logs), may have some effects on the indoor air quality of the home when burned for prolonged periods. Well, many long, narrow stoves that burn from the front to the back will benefit from the removal of the ash just inside the door. Stainless steel is suitable for wood-burning, gas, and oil-fired appliances, while aluminum is an inexpensive alternative for certain medium-efficiency gas applications only. What type of firewood should you use? This form of creosote is highly flammable and needs to be removed right away. You can burn hotter fires by using properly seasoned (dry) softwood when you build your fire. There are three main components to your fireplace; thefireboxitself (Modular, Masonry or Metal), the damper /chimney systemand thefire brickliner. Hardwoods (beech, hickory, mahogany, maple, oak, teak, walnut) are denser, so youll get more heat per volume. | Designed by Spark Marketer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap, The Ultimate Guide to Using Your Fireplace, Find a Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician, What to Look for When Hiring a Chimney Sweep & Where to Find One. When you have an 1/8 buildup of creosote, youll need to schedule an appointment to have a chimney professional clean the chimney and remove that creosote and soot buildup. When building a fire, you never want the wood to fill the whole fireplace. If additional cracks are found, repeat steps 1-3. Soot can be dangerous because its a lung irritant and it can make a mess if it gets into your home, but creosote is the biggest concern. Building a top-down fire will also work to preheat the flue before the fire really gets going, which again: You can also preheat your flue the old-fashioned way roll up a piece of newspaper, light the end, and hold it up inside of your flue for a moment or two. You can burn both softwood and hardwood in your fireplace, insert, or stove but you should know the differences and when one is preferred over the other. #1 Follow your manufacturers instructions for use. Never leave a fire in your fireplace unattended and always supervise children and pets closely around woodstoves and fireplaces. #2 Metal chimney liners, usually of stainless steel or aluminum, are primarily used to upgrade and repair existing chimneys. This pulling effect is called draft, and it works the same as the pressure in a water hose. Lastly, if you want your hearth appliance to continue operating at peak efficiency and safety levels, keep up with routine inspections and cleanings. Is it bad to burn aluminum cans or salt in your chimney? Here are a few tips: For more info on carbon monoxide, why its so dangerous, and how you can protect your family against the threat of CO poisoning, check out Carbon Monoxide & Your Home: What You Need to Know. Sit in front of the wood stove with the door open and out of the way. If the flames are going up into the chimney, youve built a fire that is too big. Advantages: These liners are inexpensive, readily available, and perform quite well for open fireplace chimneys that are properly maintained. Mason-Lite firebrick panels truly make your fireplace an enjoyable part of your home. That said, if youre ever in a situation where you need to remove them before theyve cooled, do so carefully using a sturdy fireplace shovel and a non-combustible container with a sealable lid. Water Build a top-down fire thats appropriately sized for your appliance and prime the flue. A good fire starts with good wood. Gas fireplaces are designed to be used in specific ways and tested under specific conditions. The tests revealed that unlined chimneys were so unsafe that researchers characterized building a chimney without a liner as little less than criminal.. While a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep can evaluate your chimney and recommend any corrective action needed for proper draft and flow, there are a couple of things you can do to improve draft and flow as well: In the 1940s and again in the 1980s, masonry chimneys were tested by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) for durability, due to rising concerns about their performance and safety. Buying a House: Why Do You Need a Real Estate Inspection? Place a dropcloth around the wood stove to avoid having an extra mess to clean up. While creosote is always a byproduct of wood combustion, there are some things you can do to reduce the amount of creosote that gets left behind in your chimney system. (Check out the video below to see how quickly this can happen.) If you can see all the way up the flue to the top of the chimney, then the damper is open. Sometimes these switches or buttons are located to one side of the fireplace, just outside the fireplace doors. Whats the best way to build a fire? CO gas is deadly, but its a natural byproduct of combustion. If you are installing bricks to fit inside a wood stove not meant for firebricks, the best you can do is install the floor area, as you will have no means without welding experience and tools for installing the firebricks on the side wall. A typical firebrick lining takes a Mason five to eight hours of labor to install. If repairing a crack, work the cement well into the area, removing any excess. Schedule annual chimney inspections and cleanings as needed. Fireplaces, stoves, and their venting systems are not designed to have any sort of gasoline, kerosene, or petroleum-based oil products in them. CSIA National Training Academy: Who, What, When, Where, Why? Newer woodstoves, inserts, and fireplaces are much more efficient than traditional open hearth masonry fireplaces and woodstoves of old. The damper should be kept open until your fire has completely died out, and there are no longer any embers and glowing logs. fireplace inserts insert panels tiled iron cast slip fire Instead, you should be able to see the tips of the flames in your fireplace. Here at CSIA, we believe that the more homeowners know about fireplaces, the more empowered theyll be to safely use them. But while soot and creosote are not really issues with gas appliances and chimneys, dust, pet hair, insects, and other debris can build up and cause performance problems in these systems. Carbon Monoxide & Your Home: What You Need to Know. The answer is no. The best way to know if your chimney is working and if its safe to use your fireplace is to schedule an annual inspection. Wipe any excess cement from the brick. But while they do typically require less maintenance, there are still some things you need to know. All Rights Reserved. Paintbrush. Draft is different from flow draft is really about suction, while flow is about velocity but both can affect fireplace performance and the ability of your chimney to remove smoke from your home. 4. Its also a cleaner burning fire, which means youll get very little smoke. What are creosote and soot and are they dangerous? Firebricks come in varying dimensions and fit together like a puzzle inside the hearth. Put on the work gloves to protect your hands from the firebrick's abrasive surfaces. Duraflame logs are okay to use in your fireplace and are CSIA Accepted Productswhen used according to the manufacturers instructions. Each wood stove will have a slightly different configuration for the firebricks. When that water hits the logs, it will create a cool shell on top of the logs in the fireplace, but it wont fully saturate and extinguish the fire. Even if you grew up with a fireplace in your home, theres always more to learn about how to properly use, maintain, and enjoy your fireplace. Here at CSIA, we recommend that you always wait to remove embers and ash until everything has had time to completely cool. You may be tempted to remove ash after every fire you burn, but wait Its not a good idea to remove all the ash from the fireplace or woodstove every time you build a fire.
If theres one thing we want you to take away from this fireplace guide, its that you should always refer to your appliances manual. Theyre easy to use, theyre efficient, theyre clean-burning, and they make great heating appliances for on-the-go folks who cant be bothered with stacking and storing wood and building and stoking fires. fireplace outdoor bbq garden fires fireplaces fuel fire place robeys solid enviro flame While you may think, the bigger the fire, the better, a fire can be too big for the fireplace. 
The easiest way to remember is to check the batteries when youre changing the clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
5. Let the mortar dry completely for several days after completely dry, rough up with a metal chisel if desired so it matches the surrounding mortar. Need Help? For all the basics on operating your appliance, refer to the manual that came with your fireplace, stove, or insert. Hotter air is lighter, so it has more pull. Step 1: Separate your firewood by size.Step 2: Start by placing the largest pieces of wood in the bottom of your fireplace or woodstove, with the ends facing the front and back. If you want to cheat a little, you can add a crumpled piece of newspaper on top. How do you get rid of soot and creosote? #2 When should you remove all the ash in your fireplace or woodstove? Earlier we talked about how to build a top-down fire. chimney inside flue lining brick masonry inspection angeles los jamescolincampbell The shavings at the top should be small enough to light with a single match. 
#4 Are accelerants like lighter fluid bad for the chimney? But keep in mind, if you leave a large amount of ash in your woodstove, it will reduce the volume of fuel that can be added to the firebox, resulting in smaller fires. Gas fireplaces, stoves, and inserts are by nature more efficient than open hearth masonry fireplaces.
If you cant find it, you may be able to find what you need on the manufacturers website so do a quick online search. Apply fire cement to the area that is being repaired, using the trowel. #4 Build a top-down fire and preheat the flue. Always check the manufacturers instructions so you know how many consecutive hours your particular appliance is designed to be used. But how do you boost your efficiency levels even more? Youll know if its safe for continued use or if theres something you need to do first like have the chimney swept or the damper repaired. This method is a light it and youre done method, which means no more worrying about larger pieces of wood falling on the struggling new fire. But how do you get the most from your wood-burning appliance? What this means is that the flue tiles will crack and split apart in a chimney fire, allowing heat to transfer to nearby combustibles. Place the brick that fits next to the one previously laid. With a gas appliance, you dont have to worry about logs rolling out and causing a fire or smoke pouring into your home, but what you do have to worry about is carbon monoxide. Work it out in advance by installing one row of bricks on the floor of the firebox and one brick on each end for the walls. For your safety, your fireplace or stove should never be left unattended. Chimney liners serve three main functions: There are different types of chimney liners out there. Supplies Needed: 
For more information on Duraflame products and their use, check out their website or email info@duraflame.com. Soot typically comes down through the chimney because of backdrafts and downdrafts. 750-Watt/1500-Watt Electric Fireplace Insert with Overheating Protection, Black, 36 in. Disadvantages: Metal liners are considerably more expensive than clay flue liners. How do you know if your gas fireplace is leaking it into you air supply if its odorless, colorless, and tasteless? For more firewood tips (including how to store your firewood), check out our Ultimate Guide to Firewood. 2. A win-win. If the brick has broken into more than one piece, apply a layer of cement along one edge of the break and push the pieces firmly back together. For more info on handling ash, check out the video below. Yellow flame logs require venting (hence why theyre often called vented logs), while blue flame logs may be approved for use without a venting system. How do you safely put it out? Can you burn creosote out of the chimney? If you dont have any baking soda handy, flour can work as well. Heres a quick rundown of each and their advantages and disadvantages: #1 Clay tile liners are the most common type of masonry chimney liners. Products shown as available are normally stocked but inventory levels cannot be guaranteed, For screen reader problems with this website, please call 1-800-430-3376 or text 38698 (standard carrier rates apply to texts), Enjoy your fireplace and keep your home safe using by learning how to clean a fireplace, 36 in. Lighting the fire at the top, where you have the tinder and kindling, will get the fire going faster, spread the fire to the larger logs at the bottom, and prime the flue at the same time. So, read up on your appliance and use it as it was intended to be used. Complete this row working from right to left. Watch this quick video to learn what types of things a CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep will check when they inspect your gas appliance. So, when you build a top-down fire, its easier to start your fire and theres less smoke. You may be able to tell if your chimney needs cleaning by looking up inside the flue with a flashlight. Everyone wants their fireplace to be more efficient because increased efficiency means more heat, less fuel needed to obtain that heat, and fewer flammable creosote deposits.
Having a qualified professional look at and maintain your chimney reduces the risk of chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisonings due to creosote buildup or chimney obstructions.
Can a fire be too big for a fireplace? Just total peace of mind. #2 Can you go to bed with embers in the fireplace or with a fire in the fireplace? That means less wasted wood, less smoke, and less creosote buildup. If you light it at the bottom, the fire gets a slower start, which leads to a colder flue and a smokier home. If you dont have a remote, there may be a concealed knob for each setting either in the front of the fireplace (look for a flap near the bottom of the fireplace facing) or beside the gas logs. Why do soot and creosote need to be removed? To put out a fire in your fireplace, spread out whats left of the embers and logs using a poker, and pour some baking soda over the embers and wood until the fire is sufficiently smothered and extinguished. Fire bricks absorb heat, providing a buffer between the fire and the firebox, maintaining a high temperature and preventing damage to the wall behind a fireplace. So, how do you increase draft and flow in your chimney? While there are products out there like chimney sweeping logs that can be used to make creosote flake and fall of your chimney walls or make creosote easier to brush off, they dont actually remove the creosote from the system altogether. Your particular appliance may be designed for a standing or continuous pilot light, which means you will leave the gas and pilot light on all year. Electric Fireplace Insert with Overheating Protection 750-Watt/1500-Watt, Black, 22 in. There should be space between the wood and each of the fireplace walls, and your firewood should never be stacked to the top of the fireplace opening. 750-Watt/1500-Watt Black Electric Fireplace Insert, 36 in. Lets first talk about what you should NOT do. To see what a top-down fire looks like, check out this video. Before we wrap and move onto gas fireplaces and hearth appliances, lets cover a few more safety tips for wood burners. vermiculite fire micalite dupre minerals 25mm effect fireplace boards reeded fluted Budgeting for Chimney Care: Your Cost Guide, The Ultimate Guide to Firewood & What You Can & Cant Burn in Your Fireplace, Chimney Anatomy 101: How to Tell Which Type of Chimney/Fireplace You Have, Chimney Sweeping Logs: Your Questions Answered, Chimney Leaks: What to Do If You Have One & How to Prevent Them, Gas & Oil Furnace Chimneys: What You Need to Know, 5 Things You Can Do to Help Your Chimney & Fireplace, Carbon Monoxide & Your Home: What You Need to Know, The Facts About Chimney Fires: Your Questions Answered, Why & How to Become a Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician. Poor flow in a chimney can result from excessive creosote deposits, closed or plugged dampers, improper chimney and fireplace construction, structural damage, or even a dirty chimney cap. Disadvantages: These liners can be challenging to install and cost can be a deterrent. #1 How often should you clean the ashes from your fireplace? Black Electric Fireplace Insert with Overheating Protection 750-Watt/1500-Watt. Creosote is dangerous because of its flammable, corrosive properties, and if its left to accumulate in your chimney, it can cause a chimney fire and cause damage to your flue liner. Water
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Firewood to answer all your questions about what you can and cannot burn in your fireplace.
Some chimneys will accumulate soot and creosote buildup faster than others, depending on how often the appliance is used, the type of wood burned, the efficiency level of the appliance, and other factors. No wondering if your fireplace, insert, or stove is safe to fire up on the first cold night. These appliances can provide a great deal of heat and comfort on cold days and nights even when you lose power and cant rely on your furnace to heat the space. Disadvantages: These liners cannot rapidly absorb and evenly distribute heat during the rapid temperature rise that occurs during a chimney fire.
Advantages: Cast-in-place liners can improve the structural integrity of aging chimneys and are permanent liners suitable for all fuels. So, while theres no harm in using these sweeping logs, remember that theyre not a replacement for a professional chimney sweeping. Fire brick mortar and/or fire bricks can become damaged after years of use which can cause a fire brick to fall out or crack. How do you reduce creosote and soot production and buildup? If the fire is too big for your fireplace, stove, or insert, your chimney will have a hard time removing the smoke created by the fire, and youll see a decline in appliance performance. 