Is your chimney looking old and tired? Would you like to transform your wood-burning fireplace into a gas-burning one or vice-versa? Did you move into a house with no chimney and fireplace but are now wishing that you had them? […]
Is your hearth looking a little bare? Do you feel like your fireplace is missing something? While fireplaces aren’t terribly difficult to use, there are a few tools and accessories out there that can enhance your experience. Some are purely decorative while others are mostly practical; your needs will probably vary depending upon whether you have a gas fireplace or a wood-burning fireplace. Regardless of which category you fall under, here are some recommendations to consider: […]
At Chimney and Wildlife Specialists, we’re not really experts on home decor. We’re always happy to help our clients pick out gas logs that will look beautiful in their fireplace or repair structural damage done by pest animals, of course. But quandaries about furniture arrangements or wall ornamentation usually fall outside of our range of expertise. […]
When it comes to discussions about chimney and fireplace maintenance, fireplaces often get the short end of the stick. Sure, blog posts and informative web pages about chimneys frequently mention fireplaces, but it’s typically in the context of, “If your fireplace is doing this, then it’s probably because your chimney is doing that.” Chimney problems may be a little more dramatic than fireplace maladies, but is that any reason to delegate the fireplace to “second fiddle” status? […]
What kind of cover do you have on your fireplace?
If you didn’t immediately know the answer to that question, it’s okay. While we often pay attention to the hearth, the chimney, and the fuel source for our fireplaces, we don’t really give much thought to the protective coverings that keep up safe from the open flames. But these little structures really are important, so let’s take a moment to look over the kinds of covers you’ll find on both wood-burning and gas-powered fireplaces: […]
How superstitious are you? Do you go out of your way to avoid walking under ladders? Do you take care to never open an umbrella indoors? Do you avoid potentially dangerous activities on Friday the 13th? […]
Have you ever looked at a fire burning away in a fireplace, assumed it was wood-fueled, and then suddenly realized that the “wood” wasn’t actually burning? If you have, then congratulations: you’ve encountered a gas log. These little pieces of hearth hardware often go unrecognized when the topic of fireplace maintenance comes up, so today’s post is all about them. Read on for a gas log crash course. […]
It stands to reason that, if a structure is going to encounter fire, smoke, and extreme heat on a regular basis, then it needs to be built from materials that can stand up to these threats and come out relatively unscathed. This is definitely true for chimneys; if you tried to make one entirely out of wood or plastic, it probably wouldn’t last very long. […]
Back in the days before central heating, a wood-burning fireplace or stove was often a house’s only source of heat. Thus, during the winter months, families would usually keep a fire blazing whenever possible, and everyone would stay comfortable by spending as much time as possible near the fire. In small, simply-designed dwellings, this setup was all you needed to warm the entire house. […]
If you’ve ever been camping, then chances are, you’ve cooked food on a campfire at least once. There’s just something about a hot dog or a marshmallow roasted over an open flame that seems rustic and fun! With cold weather fast approaching, most of us will be saying goodbye to camping and similar activities…but must we also say goodbye to campfire cooking, as well? […]