Chimney Care Company's Blog

The Convenience and Beauty of a Gas Fireplace

Gas fireplaces have become a popular choice among homeowners, especially those looking to add ambiance to their homes. It’s no wonder they are so popular, from installation to operation to maintenance, they are the most convenient fireplace. They also add incomparable beauty to your home.

Convenient installation

Gas fireplaces are among the easiest to install. Because they don’t need to contain the intense combustion of wood-fueled hearth appliances, gas fireplaces can be installed with zero clearance to surrounding combustibles. They also require minimal venting. Some require no venting at all, which means they can be installed anywhere in the home that a gas line can be installed.

Convenient operation

Once installed, gas fireplaces are incredibly easy to operate. Flip a switch or press a button, and you have a beautiful, roaring fire. When you’re done, turn the fire off — no clean-up required. Many homeowners even choose to have their gas fireplaces wired to a thermostat. In these instances, the thermostat can be programmed so the fireplace ignites. The flames can be adjusted to the right height, and the fire extinguishes as soon as the preferred temperature is reached in your home.

Convenient maintenance

Over time, gas fireplaces remain extremely convenient. Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces don’t generate messy smoke and soot that builds up in the chimney. They require less attention from a professional chimney sweep. However, they do require the occasional cleaning to keep the logs and glass looking fresh. They should be professionally cleaned and inspected once per year to keep them operating safely and efficiently. Repairs on gas fireplaces tend to be simple and inexpensive, and they tend to operate for decades without significant improvements.

Beauty

Gas fireplaces are incredibly beautiful. For those who prefer a traditional look, gas fireplaces are now manufactured with very realistic looking ceramic logs, and the flames give a beautiful, natural looking yellow. Many models are even equipped with beds of faux ash and coal that have a realistic and authentic look to your fire.

When it comes to the style of the unit itself, gas fireplaces can be found to suit nearly any style. They are sleek and modern, with clean lines and burning rocks or floating flames. There are also rustic and classic models that are nearly indistinguishable from traditional wood-burning fireplaces.

If you’re ready to enjoy the convenience and beauty of a gas fireplace, call the Chimney Care Co. or stop by the Chimney Care Fireplace and Stove showroom to speak with one of our fireplace experts. We can have you relaxing near your beautiful new gas fireplace soon!

The Dangers of Creosote & Reasons to Invest in a Certified Chimney Sweep

Every fall, fire safety, home improvement, and chimney experts caution homeowners about the importance of having their chimneys swept and inspected. If you have a wood-burning appliance, creosote is the primary concern with your chimney. Here’s why.

The dangers of creosote

Every time wood burns in a fireplace, creosote has the potential to form in the chimney. As the smoke from your wood fire travels up the chimney it cools, and forms condensation on the chimney walls. That condensation hardens into creosote. If the creosote isn’t swept away, it continues to accumulate on the walls of the chimney, and that’s when problems can occur. Creosote is highly flammable. When it builds to a thickness of 1/8 inch or more, it can easily catch fire. An errant spark or burning ember that enters the chimney from your fireplace can cause the creosote to ignite. When ignited by a spark, creosote can damage your chimney or even pose a risk to your home.

A fire risk isn’t the only danger creosote buildup can cause. Creosote can build up and block your chimney, restricting the flow of smoke up and out of the chimney and allowing the smoke and carbon monoxide from your fireplace to be forced back into your home. Creosote that flakes off of your chimney walls also can pose health risks, and, at a minimum, creosote can cause a foul odor to fill your home.

The value of a certified chimney sweep

The surest way to save your home from the dangers posed by a buildup of creosote is to hire a certified chimney sweep to clean and inspect your chimney. Chimney sweeps use high-speed rotating brushes to free the creosote buildup from your chimney walls. In addition, your chimney sweep also will perform a thorough inspection of your chimney and fireplace to ensure that there are no weaknesses, damage or other problems that could put your home at risk of a fire or carbon monoxide leak. Many chimney sweeps also will conclude their sweepings and inspections with a video inspection of the inside of your chimney so you can be sure that all of the creosote has been safely swept away, and you can see first hand the state of the interior of your chimney.

Save your chimney — and your home — from the dangers of a chimney fire with a certified chimney sweeping. If your chimney hasn’t been swept in recent memory, it’s time to schedule an appointment now! To remove creosote and reduce the risk of chimney fires, your chimney should be swept and inspected at least once per year, preferably in between fire-burning seasons. Before you light your first fire of the season, call the Chimney Care Co. to schedule your sweeping and inspection.