Chimney Care Company's Blog
Beyond Cincy – Serving Southwestern Ohio!
Now that winter is closer to being over, it’s time to start thinking about all things spring! That means taking some long hikes, getting outside to do some raking and other yard work, getting you vehicles out to wash and clean them inside and out. It feels so good to let the warm breezes blow in through your open windows. But it is only the middle of March, and that means that there could still be lots of cold weather ahead, snowy days that just beg for a warm fire burning in your fireplace. It is always good to think ahead, however, and as it gets closer to springtime, it’s a good idea to start making a list so you can get some of your springtime jobs out of the way so that you have time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. One of those things that’s easy to get checked off your springtime to-do list is to set up an appointment to get your chimney inspected and cleaned. At Chimney Care Co., we are excited about the upcoming spring season and the chance to start cleaning all the chimneys in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, but we want to let people know that Cincy isn’t the only area we service. We also take great pride and pleasure in making sure that chimneys in the whole southwestern Ohio region are safe and cleaned out, free of creosote build-up and blockages.
What Services Do We Provide
Of course, when it’s spring, the thing that you want from a chimney sweep company is a chimney sweeping. That’s a job that our CSIA certified chimney sweeps are great at. We’ll come in and make sure that there’s no creosote buildup in your chimney. Creosote, the byproduct of smoke, can form and build up on the inside of your chimney, and when it gets as thick as an eighth of an inch thick, it becomes a fire hazard. As well as bringing a nasty odor to your fireplace, creosote is also extremely flammable, and that means that all it takes is one stray spark and you might have a blazing chimney fire or even just a little one that goes undetected but still causes lots of damage to your chimney. We’ll also be looking for blockages, such as from dried out nests or any types of debris that might have blown into your chimney. These types of blockages can not only be a fire hazard, but they can also make your fire burn less efficiently.
We’ll also spend some time inspecting the different parts of the chimney. We’ll make sure there’s no interior damage that might be causing leakages in your fireplace. Also, we’ll check the exterior of your chimney to make sure that the mortar and brick are firmly in place and that the structure of your chimney is sound. We’ll check to make sure that your flashing is secure and in good condition, and that your chimney crown and cap are in great shape so that water isn’t getting into your chimney.
Even though spring does make you think of inspecting and sweeping, at Chimney Care there are lots of other jobs that we can do. If you’re looking for any type of repair work, like tuckpointing to clean out your old, deteriorating mortar and replace it with a fresh, strong mortar, or maybe fixing or replacing your dampers, give us a call. We’re experts in all types of repair work. Not only that, but if you’re looking to replace an old appliance or are just looking to upgrade a newer appliance, we can help you out there as well. We sell Hearthstone, Lopi, and Fireplace Xtrordinair, as well as many other types of appliances, so we can find whatever type of heating appliance will fit your needs and the ambiance of your home.
Certifications and Education
When you hire the associates at Chimney Care, you can know that you’re hiring personnel with the highest training in the industry. We are Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified, which means that our employees have received training from the most highly regarded chimney institute in the industry. We also are members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. We want to be able to supply our customers with the highest quality service available, and we’ll continue to work hard to maintain the highest level of education available. Now that spring is on the way, it’s important to get your appointment on our schedule before it starts to fill up during the busy spring season. And don’t forget, as much as we love serving all the good people of Cincinnati, we also love making sure that all the good citizens of southwestern Ohio are kept safe and sound all year long!
What Exactly Are Fireplace Inserts?
A fireplace is a real selling point for a home. Many people love the idea of warming up in front of a crackling fire and a home with a fireplace is exactly what they want. The problem is that fireplaces, especially older fireplaces, are known to be drafty, cold, and inefficient. This is a problem because heating a room is what a fireplace is all about. If you have an older fireplace and you know that it isn’t running as efficiently as it should be, then maybe you need to look into converting your fireplace with a fireplace insert. If you’d like to have all the benefits of a working fireplace without the expense and time spent installing a new one, then a great option for you would be to look into a fireplace insert. Whether you want to heat with wood, gas, or pellets, we can hook you up with a great insert that will make your fireplace more efficient and still give a great looking fire!
What Is a Fireplace Insert?
One of the major reasons that adding or replacing a fireplace is not ideal is because it is a time-consuming undertaking. It can also cost quite a bit, not only because of the cost of labor and supplies but because you may have to pay to have your flooring reinforced in order to hold the weight of the fireplace structure. That’s why a fireplace insert is ideal. An insert, no matter what type, isn’t as heavy, as expensive, or as time-consuming to install as a fireplace would be.
A fireplace insert is basically a new firebox that is surrounded by steel or cast iron that is set inside your fireplace. It also includes an insulated glass front. Not only is this less expensive and easier to install, but it will also increase the efficiency of your fireplace because it’s a closed combustion system in which the cast iron or steel hold the heat. Some of these appliances are also outfitted with blowers that can take that trapped heat and blow it back into the room through vents located in the front of the insert. This can create a great source of supplemental heat to your home. Just turn down the furnace, fire up the insert, close as many doors as you can and you’ve got a room that is heated by the cozy flames of a mesmerizing fire. What a great way to spend the evening!
Types of Inserts
There are several different options to choose from when it comes to fireplace inserts. If you love the traditional look of a wood burning fireplace, you can definitely go that route. It does seem like a throw-back to a simpler time, when you went out and chopped your own wood, stacked it to make sure it was properly cured, then brought it in on a snowy evening, laid a fire and kept it burning all night long. If, however, you just don’t have the time or the energy to go to all that effort, it could be that a gas burning appliance is the right choice for you. All it takes is adding a gas line, getting your unit installed, and flipping a switch and you’ll have a great looking fire burning. Flip the switch again and you’ll be ready to turn in for the evening. It doesn’t get much simpler than that!
If you want ease but really like the look of a wood-burning fire, then maybe a pellet burning appliance is the right way for you to go. With a pellet burner, you buy pellets that are made of pressed wood or sawdust, so you’re using an environmentally friendly heat source that would otherwise go to waste. These pellets are stored in a hopper in the basement, then are augered into your insert at the touch of a switch where they burn with a natural looking wood fire. This is the best of both worlds, wood burning with touch of a button ease.
Let the Experts Help
If you’re looking into replacing your fireplace with a more efficient insert, whether wood, gas, fire, or propane, just give Chimney Care Co. a call and let us help you get it going. We are experts when it comes to the installation and upkeep of any type of appliance. When it comes to proper installation, it’s especially important to follow all the manufacturer’s directions to a tee. This is especially true when it comes to installing a gas appliance because it’s important to make sure that the gas hook up is right or you could run into some real safety problems. That’s why it’s so important to give us a call and let us set it up right. Our professionals are CSIA certified, so we’ve had the best education and training in the industry! Call us soon, and it won’t be long until you’re enjoying your warm, efficient insert!
We Offer More Than Just Chimney Care!
When you think of chimney care, you think about getting your chimney inspected and cleaned. Maybe you need your flashing replaced, or maybe your dampers are rusty and not closing completely. If you’re having smoke issues, give your chimney care professionals a call and they can fix that for you. But when you call the experts at Chimney Care Co., did you know that there are many other jobs we can do for you? There are many things that we can do that are associated with your chimney. We can fix your chimney crown or your flashing, or we can look into getting you a new chimney cap if yours is rusted or twisted. We can check out the condition of your chimney liner as well, and make sure that your chimney isn’t blocked. These are just a few of the things we’ll be looking at when we come in to do your chimney maintenance each year. We can take care of all of your chimney and fireplace needs, and we can take care of your dryer vents as well!
Dryer Vent Care
Just about every fireplace owner knows that it’s important to have their chimney inspected and cleaned on an annual basis. But did you know that it’s just as important to have your dryer vents cleaned out on an annual basis? Many people don’t realize that clogged dryer vents can be a cause of house fires. We think that just cleaning the lint screen from time to time is doing enough to keep the dryer vents clear, but this just isn’t the case.
How the Drying Cycle Works
When you put your clothes in the washing machine, tiny particles of the cloth will be pulled away from the clothes. This is perfectly normal. When your clothes get thrown in the dryer, the drum spins and the paddles inside the drum carry your clothes from the bottom to the top. From there, they fall back down to the bottom and are carried up again. Warm air is forced through the drum and dries the clothes as they fall. The tiny, loosened particles are blown through as well, and then out through the dryer vent and into the outside air. The air is filtered through the lint screen, which catches many of those tiny, loose particles. This makes up that blanket of lint that you pull out after every load or two. Unfortunately, not all these particles are caught, and those that sneak through go with the moist, warm air through the dryer vent. Some will stick to the vent on the way through, and that’s where the trouble starts As more and more particles stick, eventually, you can have a thick layer of lint lining the vents, and that blanket of lint is extremely flammable. Just one little spark and you could have a devastating house fire.
A house fire is the worst-case scenario, but this layer of lint can cause other problems as well. As your vents fill, it gets harder and harder for the warm air to get through. This causes a strain on the motor of your dryer, causing it to wear out faster than it should. It also means that it takes longer for your clothes to dry. If you find yourself running the dryer cycle for two or three times to get your clothes dry, it could very well mean that your dryer vents are full. These are the reasons that it is so important to have your dryer vents cleaned by the professionals at Chimney Care Co. at least annually, and more often if you notice that there is a problem with slow drying times.
Your Full-Service Chimney and Dryer Maintenance Company
If you’re looking for dryer vent cleaning or chimney care, the best place to turn is Chimney Care Co. Our technicians are fully trained to take care of any maintenance and repairs you may have when it comes to chimney care and dryer vent care, and we’ve received top service awards from Angie’s List, Home Advisor, and the Better Business Bureau. We are certified chimney sweeps and dryer exhaust technicians through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), which is the highest certification in the industry. This certification gives us access to all the latest education, training, and technologies offered. We stay on top of our trainings so that our customers get the best possible service available.
If you live in Ohio, you know what winter weather is really like. Don’t take chances when it comes to your family’s safety during those cold winter months. Make sure that both your chimney and your dryer are in the best and safest working conditions so that you don’t have to worry about a chimney or a dryer vent fire. We’re not happy until we know that all of our customers are safe and happy, so give us a call soon to set up an appointment to have those dryer vents cleaned!
Stay Safe Over the Holidays
With the busy-ness of the holidays, we sometimes forget that there can be holiday disasters as well. Because this is such a happy time of year, it’s important to take special care to keep your home and family safe. If you own a fireplace, there are some safety tips that you can follow that will have your family and friends enjoying the fun and togetherness of the holidays with no worries. Of course, one of the most important things that you can do is make sure that your chimney and fireplace have been inspected and cleaned before the holiday season. If you haven’t had that done, give Chimney Care Co. a call and see if we can fit you into our holiday schedule. But there are other things that you can do to make sure that you have a safe, happy holiday as well.
Make Sure You Have Wood That’s Been Properly Cured
One of the things that you can do to make that your wood-burning experience goes well is to make sure that the wood you’re burning has been properly cured. When you cut a tree for firewood, a lot of moisture remains in the wood and it remains there for many months. That’s why it’s so important to use wood that’s been cut for at least six months, and even longer is better. Once you’ve cut your wood, you’ll want to split it and stack it, allowing air to circulate between the wood so it will dry out. If you cut your own wood, it’s easy to know how long your wood has been cured, but if you buy your wood, it’s not as clear. There are some things that you can do to make sure that your wood has been properly cured. First, check out the color of the wood. The lighter and grayer the wood, the longer it has cured. More cured wood will have less of a woody smell, and it will be lighter weight. There may also be cracks in the wood, especially around the edges, and when you clap two pieces together, it will ring rather than sound dull and thunky. As you burn wood, any remaining moisture will be released in the form of smoke. If your wood has been properly cured, it means that you’ll have less creosote buildup in your chimney, which means less chance of a chimney fire. Less smoke also means that your room will be less smoky, and that means a more enjoyable burning experience. A smoke-filled room can lead to irritated eyes and a hacking cough, as well as a scratchy throat.
Scope Out Your Room
Another thing you’ll want to do is scope out the layout of your room. Make sure that any pillows, cushions, or other furniture aren’t too close to the fireplace. The same is true for toys, magazines, books, or curtains. If any of these are too close to the fireplace, they might catch a random spark or ember and start on fire. At Christmas time, you’ll want to be especially careful of where you place your tree and gifts. A real tree can get dry, even if you water it faithfully every day, and a dry tree is a flammable tree. Presents wrapped in cardboard boxes and wrapping paper are flammable as well. Make sure your Christmas tree is far enough away from your fireplace to avoid it catching a spark and starting on fire. It’s also important to have a working fire extinguisher close to the fireplace, just in case a fire starts.
Make Sure Equipment is in Working Order
Speaking of fire extinguishers, just one by the fireplace isn’t enough. You should have working fire extinguishers by the fireplace, in the kitchen, and on each floor of the house as well as in the shop and laundry room. But there’s other equipment that should be in working order as well. You should also have working smoke detectors outside of each bedroom and on each floor of the home, as well as in the kitchen and garage. Another tool is a carbon monoxide detector. You should have one of these on each floor of the house as well, but avoid putting these in humid areas or too close to a fuel-burning appliance. Make sure to test the batteries at least once a month, and change them every six months.
Keeping Your Home Safe While You’re Away
If you’re traveling during the holidays, or just going to lots of parties at night, there are some safety tips to follow as well. If you love to have your lights on, put them on a timer so that they aren’t on all night. Never leave a candle burning when you’re not around to supervise. If you’re away frequently, you might want to invest in a home security system. Another thing many people might not consider if traveling for the holidays is to avoid the temptation to post a lot about your trip on social media until you get back. If no one knows you’re gone, they won’t be tempted to try to break in and take some of your valued possessions.
Have a Happy Holiday!
All of us at Chimney Care Co. are proud and happy to have spent 2019 taking care of all our friends and neighbors in the greater Cincinnati area. We want to make sure that you all stay safe and happy through this holiday season, so be sure to follow these safety tips. Merry Christmas!
All About Our Gas Products
There is no denying that gas-fueled heating products are easy to use, convenient, and mess-free. Along with this, they are known for being extra efficient, ensuring your living space stays as warm and cozy as possible, and they come in lots of size and style options, so finding the right fit for your unique tastes and preferences is never an issue.
All in all, gas appliances offer a modern, streamlined look to any home, and they don’t come with the mess, stress, and hassle that is involved with a wood-burning unit. They’re perfect for those with busy lifestyles, who may not have the time to commit to hauling and storing wood, scooping out ash, and building fires. Sound perfect for you? Give us a call, and we can set you up right in no time!
Now, we offer three types of gas products: fireplaces, stoves, or inserts. Learn more about each below, and please reach out with any questions you are experiencing. Our knowledgeable crew is happy to help!
Looking To Install A Fireplace?
Now, if you’re aiming for a traditional set-up and a more authentic feel, then a fireplace would be an excellent route to take. If you’re starting from scratch and you don’t have a chimney in your home, this is usually what we recommend. You are guaranteed a warm and relaxing ambiance without being forced to get off your couch and tend to a fire every so often, and we have countless design options from a long list of reputable brands, such as Hearthstone, Lopi, and more, so you are sure to find something to love in no time.
If you are new to the fireplace game, there’s no doubt that you have a lot of questions, and you may not know exactly where to begin. Just give us a call or reach out to us through our website. We’ll be with you from start to finish, so you are sure to be happy with your end product!
Interested In A Stove?
A stove also offers a lot of benefits. There is more flexibility in placement options, they are smaller in size, and they are known for being highly efficient. They also offer a great ambiance, and they come in a wide range of style options, whether you’re looking for something more simple and seamless or something more ornate.
Gas stoves are especially great for your home because they are simple to operate, and they will give your family the comfort they deserve on those cold, snowy evenings that are just around the corner. If this sounds like the best fit for your space, then reach out to our team. We’ll find the right model for your needs in a jiffy.
Would An Insert Work For Your Home?
Do you have an existing fireplace, but are interested in increasing efficiency or switching fuel types? Wood-burning fireplaces can easily be converted to gas fireplaces by adding an insert. These allow you to keep everything the same about the look of your fireplace, only you gain a lot more heat and there’s no more messing around with wood, ash, and smoke.
They also send out very few emissions into the environment, so you won’t need to stress about your carbon footprint, and they burn cleanly, too. All in all, this is a choice that most homeowners are very happy they went with. We only install products we believe in, so reach out as soon as you can to get something set up. Our crew is here and happy to help!
Finish Your Look With Gas Logs
If there’s one downside to switching to gas, it’s that you lose out on the more traditional vibes that a wood-burning unit is known to offer. It’s hard to match the sounds and smells associated with a real, crackling fire, but we offer gas logs that come very close. Our products look just like the real thing, and you can choose from a variety of options, too.
The products we sell here at Chimney Care Co. are made to match the look and texture of a real log as much as possible. There are all kinds of details in these models from charred areas to wood grains to knots and more, all of which ensure you get the pure, authentic feel you are aiming for.
Don’t Forgo Annual Care!
Now, many assume that, since gas appliances require far less maintenance on the part of the homeowner that they shouldn’t need annual inspections and regular care from a certified technician. This is far from true! Having a CSIA Certified chimney professional take a look is your best bet for avoiding bigger problems down the line, such as corrosion, gas leaks, cracks, decay, and more, and there are still many threats you could face even though you have a system that is functioning more efficiently than your previous one.
Get the care you deserve from our team of professionals today. We are certified with the CSIA, members of the HPBA, and winner of multiple awards from reputable sites like Angie’s List and HomeAdvisor. We are also accredited with the BBB, and our long list of 5-star reviews speak for themselves.
Ensure you are all set and ready for the holiday season by calling on our experts today. We’re eager to get started!