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What to Do When You Haven’t Used Your Fireplace in a While

brick chimney

If you just moved into a new house or decide to try the fireplace that hasn’t been touched in years, it’s a good idea to have it inspected and cleaned. You may wonder, why? It’s because fireplaces and chimneys serve as a ventilation system for your home. Even furnaces rely on chimneys to circulate fresh air. It takes carbon monoxide and brings it through the chimney to outside. If you don’t get your chimney inspected every year to check for issues, your home’s ventilation may not be up to code.

Checking For Animals

Smaller outdoor animals like squirrels, birds, and raccoons love using chimneys as a form of shelter. They end up building nests in chimneys made out of leaves, dirt, twigs, and branches – which are all flammable materials. They also may leave behind droppings which can cause bad odor in your chimney and fireplace. Before starting up a fire, make sure your chimney is clear of animals and their homes.

Musty Smells

Musty smells coming from your fireplace can mean there is a moisture issue within your chimney. If you think something may have passed away in your chimney, you’re probably right. That happens often, especially when animals have made homes up there. Make sure to not start a fire in your fireplace until the animal has been removed. Burning it will not make the smell go away.

Fireplace That Has Never Been Used

Even if you have a fireplace that you know has never been used, the right way to go about starting your first fireplace fire is to have it inspected prior. Homeowners there before you, environmental wear and tear, and outdoor creatures are still factors that could have changed the way your fireplace will function. The freezing winter temperatures can also take a toll on your chimney and how it holds up.

What Happens During A Fireplace Inspection

A simple and common chimney inspection includes a chimney sweep looking for damage, obstructions, soot, and creosote buildup, using a flashlight. If it is in need of being swept, they’ll use brushes, a vacuum, and extension poles to do so. If you just bought the house, or experienced harsh weather conditions, the inspection will continue on the roof, in the attic, and crawl spaces. They can use video scanning and other tools to determine the damage of the chimney.

Contact Us

New England Hearth & Home wants to make sure you use your fireplace safely. Give us a call at 781-562-0071 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to taking care of your fireplace needs!

Frequently Asked Questions About Fireplaces:

How can I get rid of unpleasant odors coming from my fireplace?

Although a fireplace can add tranquility to your home, this can be interrupted by obnoxious fumes. Common practices to eliminate these odors include; spraying a fireplace deodorant, using charcoal to absorb the smell, placing an air purifier near the fireplace, and calling a professional for further inspection and potential repair.

What is the best way to start a fireplace?

When lighting a fireplace, there are two methods more widely used than others. The Log Cabin Method is performed by placing two rows of parallel logs on top of each other to form a simple log cabin-like structure. Layers can continue to be added, allowing for a bigger fire with more to feed on. The other option is the Top-Down Method. Instead of using rows of two parallel logs, this method involves organizing the wood by size, placing the larger pieces at the bottom of the pile. This approach is more commonly recommended and can be much more efficient than the Log Cabin method.

How does my gas fireplace get ventilation?

Fireplaces are able to release smoke and other toxins in exchange for fresh air by using a direct-vent system. This involves connecting your chimney to the air from outside, rather than the circulated air from indoors. As cool air rushes through a pipe that opens up to the outdoors, an inner chamber forces out toxins and exhaust.

Is it expensive to get my fireplace inspected?

As long as there aren’t unforeseen challenges or damage to your chimney, the average cost of an inspection is between $300-$600. Usually, the cost for cleaning services is included in this price as well. If there is anything that needs to be replaced or repaired, costs tend to add up quickly. By taking proper care of your fireplace, you can decrease the cost to maintain it and increase its longevity.

What is a safety pilot?

Most gas fireplaces contain a small flame, called the pilot light, that is constantly burning to allow for easy ignition. When this light flame starts to burn too hot or is blown out, the pilot valve will automatically close all the other valves in the system, stopping gas from entering.

Is it safe to shut off my fireplace pilot light during the summer?

Yes, it is safe to turn your fireplace’s pilot light off in the warmer months. By doing so, you can conserve energy usage and costs.

How do I know if my fireplace is ready to be used?

A fireplace is safe to use when it is able to ignite instantly, the presenting flame is blue in color, and all exhaust and fumes are able to be vented out properly.  It is almost a smart idea to thoroughly examine your fireplace for any damages, cracks, or hazards. You should never light your fireplace if you do not have a working and accessible fire extinguisher nearby.

Is it safe to hang a TV above my fireplace?

Although it can be aesthetically pleasing, mounting a TV on the wall above your fireplace can be very dangerous and is advised against. It is recommended that TVs are placed in an area that is 100 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler, or the risk for damage sharply increases.

Who can I call for to inspect my fireplace?

The only way to guarantee that your fireplace is safe to be lit is to call a professional for a full inspection. New England Hearth and Home is a team of experts who can help you with any questions or assistance you may need for your fireplace. Call us today at (781) 562-0771, or come to our store in Canton, MA.

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How Fireplace Innovations Are Changing Home Design

electric fireplaces

People enjoy spaces with fireplaces more than those without them. New advances with fireplaces has made it easier and more affordable to add them to more rooms than just a living room in your home. Having a fireplace in a bedroom or basement can add a calming ambiance, as well as style. In the past, adding a fireplace in a home in general was more of a challenge than it is today.

Dynamic Heat Control

For some rooms in your home, you want the heat from a fireplace to create warmth. In others, it’s just for the look. Adding in dynamic heat control, you can have a fireplace just for the style and aesthetic rather than for the use of heating. Adding a fireplace to a kitchen can make it a great gathering spot, but do you really want it heating an already warmer room? Dynamic heating can make it so it’s not expelling a ton of heat and keeps the unit cooler than normal.

Electric Innovations

The idea of having an electric fireplace could have been unappealing in the past. This day in age, electric fireplaces can add a modern type of elegance to any room in your home. Technology has advanced, and has made the look of the fake flames more realistic and believable. Electric fireplaces are a great option for homes with restrictive rules and regulation. This can include condos. These are the most cost-efficient fireplaces and can come in a range of designs and styles to fit any room in your house. Also, with electric you can choose whether or not to have the heat on. You can still enjoy the comfort and look of the flames without getting the room too warm.

Flexible Venting

Flexible venting allows you to put a fireplace in spaces that originally wouldn’t be able to sustain one due to plumbing, beams, and studs. Flex vents allow flexibility to be woven around obstacles in your home. They require a lot less joints than a typical fireplace vent while still being up to code for being a safe form of ventilation. Flex venting can also be cheaper way of having a fireplace installed, due to their being fewer pieces of equipment to install.

Contact Us

New England Hearth & Home can provide you with fireplaces to fit your home’s style and heating needs. Feel free to contact us by phone at 781-562-0771 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

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How to Start a Fire in a Stove or Wood Insert

wood stove

Properly starting a fire in a wood stove or insert is a science, and the average person doesn’t know that. Good fires start slow, and then becomes bigger as it sits. Don’t don’t just throw in a match with the logs, learn the correct way to do it!

Seasoning

The best type of wood to use in a wood burning fireplace is dry and seasoned wood. You want the fire to have a clean burn, with mostly heat and a little amount of smoke. Wood that is seasoned is usually used indoors, but some people use it outside for bonfires and fire pits. Seasoned wood is very light because it is stripped of moisture, and that’s the type you want to use. A dense log will be harder to light and will cause a bunch of smoke.

Before Lighting

Newspaper is the best material for kindling the fire because of how dry and thin it is, and flammable. You don’t want to use magazines or catalogs because they are made from thicker paper, and the chemicals used in the ink are not good to breathe in. Make sure the scrunch the newspaper up and make a layer of it at the bottom of the stove before laying down the wood. Use split logs, instead of round, when laying the fire. Split wood is easier to light, and you can add in round logs after the fire is lit.

Stacking the Wood

Try to lay the wood down in a jenga pattern and put the first layer of logs in a vertical pattern with some space in between each log. Alternate between vertical and horizontal until all of your desired wood is placed. This makes the flames rise at a steady pace, rather than all at once. A teepee-style wood structure goes up in flames right away, which is not what you want. Stacking them in a jenga-style way will ensure a longer lasting fire. Also, add wood chips to the top of your stack of wood and around the bottom.

Lighting Your Fire

Before lighting the fire, check to see that your stove is set to allow the maximum amount of air into its box. You want oxygen to enter because flames are attracted to it. Light the newspaper that you had put in the stove and leave the door to the stove open for about 5 minutes or less while everything settles. Closing the door too quickly after lighting might make the fire blow out. Do the same with a wood burning insert, and make sure the flue is open while allowing the fire to rise. Leave the screen or doors on your insert open for a little while before completely shutting it.

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New England Hearth & Home can help you out with all your fireplace and stove needs. Give us a call at 781-562-0771 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Safety Tips for Your Fireplace or Wood Stove

logs burning in a fireplace

For the safety of you and your home, you should have your fireplace and chimney inspected once a year for any issues. You should also have your chimney swept as necessary. Between those inspections and cleanings, there are other things you can do to keep it looking and working its best.

All Fireplaces and Chimneys

There are safety precautions to take when it comes to having a fireplace and chimney in your home. Never leave a fire unattended. If by any chance it does start to spread outside of the fireplace, you could end up with your home burning as well. Always keep a fire extinguisher handy in your house just in case!

Keep the Area Clear

Keep the area around the fireplace clear of papers or other debris. This can attract sparks out of the fireplace and to places they don’t need to be. This also goes for decorations above and around the fireplace. Around the holidays, it’s tempting to hang garland and other flammable items around the area of the fireplace, and place plants and such in front of it as well. Just be cautious of what is around it and make sure it is far enough away that it won’t cause the fire to spread.

If your fireplace doesn’t have a glass door, use a mesh wire screen to help keep the sparks contained. Try not to ever have your fireplace or stove completely open with no barrier. You’ll still feel just as much heat from the fire if you have a screen, than if you left it open with nothing protecting it.

Building a Fire

Before building your fire, make sure the damper is open. That lets smoke release out of the chimney. When placing logs in the fireplace, put enough to make a fire that is the correct size for your fireplace. Burning too much wood can make too hot of a fire and damage your fireplace, or start to spill out of the fireplace.

What Not to Burn

Try to use seasoned wood that has been aged for about 6 months, to a year. Also, never burn wet, rotted, moldy, or diseased wood. This can give off gases that are harmful to you. Other items can release chemicals as well – such as wrapping paper, magazines, trash, boxes, and green wood (such as Christmas trees).

Masonry or Prefabricated Wood Burning Fireplaces

Masonry and prefabricated wood fireplaces can he different safety precautions. For masonry ones, remove ashes with a metal shovel and make sure to keep the ash in a metal container until it has cooled off. You can then use it as a fertilizer if you want! For prefabricated fireplaces, always read the manufacturer’s directions before starting your fire.

Having a fireplace can bring warmth and style to your home. Make sure you keep your house safe, as well as you and your family, while still enjoying everything a fireplace has to offer!

Contact Us

New England Hearth & Home can assist you with all of your fireplace needs! Contact us today at 781-562-0771 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!