The Tools of a Chimney Sweep in Indianapolis
After using the fireplace in your Indianapolis home all winter long, it is time for a professional chimney sweep and inspection. Your annual chimney sweep is one of the best maintenance practices for keeping your chimney working properly and safely for years to come. As with every professional, the tools and techniques matter immensely when it comes to quality. Your Indianapolis chimney sweep should have access to certain tools and equipment for performing your chimney sweep. Here are some of the common tools of a chimney sweep in Indianapolis.
How do I arrange my living room with a fireplace and TV?
A fireplace can be one of the most incredible living room features that offers both comfort and style. However, you may be wondering just how to arrange your living room to accommodate both your fireplace and TV. When arranging your living room, you must focus on positioning furniture and decor in a way that creates a focal point. Typically both the fireplace and TV are thought to be the center of the living room. Here’s how to arrange your living room so your fireplace and TV complement each other rather than clash.
How much does a stone fireplace cost?
A stone fireplace is a practical and beautiful addition to any Indianapolis home. With a stone masonry fireplace, you can escape the frigid winters, and enjoy the aesthetic appeal of your fireplace. Stone is a great material for fireplaces in your family room, master bedroom, or outdoor living space. However, choosing the right stone fireplace can be intimidating. As you search for the perfect stone fireplace, you may wonder just how much does a stone fireplace cost? In this post, we break down the guidelines to help you determine what you can expect to pay.
Do You Need A Chimney Sweep With A Gas Fireplace?
Do You Need A Chimney Sweep With A Gas Fireplace?
Gas fireplaces have become an increasingly popular choice for Indianapolis homes. Compared to wood-burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces seem a lot easier to maintain. With a gas fireplace, there’s no need to chop and store firewood and a lot less soot and ash to deal with. It may even seem as if your gas fireplace is maintenance-free compared to a wood-burning one. However, this assumption is incorrect! Even though a gas fireplace does not produce nearly as much soot as its wood-burning counterpart, gas fireplaces still require a yearly chimney sweep and inspection.
What Do You Put Around A Gas Fireplace?
Fireplaces are an excellent centerpiece for your Indianapolis home. Properly decorating around your fireplace will help you show your personal style and make your fireplace stand out visually. Incorporating the right decorative elements around your gas fireplace helps make it a functional focal point of your home.
Decorate Safely
Before decorating around your gas fireplace, always remember to keep safety in mind. Be aware of flammable materials, and make sure to keep those items at least three feet away. Always keep your fire extinguishing materials nearby as well.
Above Your Gas Fireplace
The space above your gas fireplace is important and will draw the eyes toward your fireplace. Consider which room your fireplace is in, and the type of theme you want to achieve. Some great ideas for decorating above your fireplace include:
- Photo gallery. Display a gallery of photos or mementos that fit the color scheme of your home. Consider mixing in additional items like wooden letters or other art.
- Decorative mirror. A large decorative mirror will also help fill the space above your fireplace and provide added dimension. Make sure to hang your mirror at least 8 inches above your mantel.
- TV. if your fireplace is in the main room of your home, it often makes sense to hang a flatscreen TV above it. Again, hang at least 8 inches above the mantel and secure.
In Front of Your Gas Fireplace
The space in front of your gas fireplace should be inviting and encourage people to gather around. Some items to put in front of your gas fireplace include:
- A hearth rug. Hearth rugs are flame-retardant and will anchor your entire fireplace design. For the best visual appeal, use a rug that is as long as the fireplace. Use the rug to tie in the decor of the room.
- A seating area. While you don’t want chairs or couches too close to your fireplace, adding seating arrangements that face your fireplace is a great way to accentuate the fireplace and create a comfortable space for people to enjoy the fireplace.
Next to Your Fireplace
Both symmetrical and asymmetrical decor will help you highlight your gas fireplace with a cohesive theme. Here are some items to consider adding next to your gas fireplace:
- A basket with decorative or practical items. You can choose any material basket that suits your design needs. Make sure to put it in a spot that does not get too hot. Use the basket to store practical items that you need like a decorative throw.
- Plants. Fake or real plants on the sides of your fireplace are another great design idea. Again, just make sure they are not too close to the fireplace.
Decorate Your Gas Fireplace
Using the design ideas above, you can transform a plain gas fireplace into a decorative centerpiece of your home. In order to enjoy your newly decorated fireplace, you must make sure that it is in working order. The Brick + Ember Outfitters of Indianapolis is here to help! Our knowledgeable team will assess and repair your fireplace to ensure you can thoroughly enjoy it. To learn more about fireplace design or to schedule your consultation, contact us at 317-500-1250 or OFFICE@BRICKANDEMBER.COM.
Can You Use A Chimney Without A Liner?
Your chimney is absolutely critical for safely enjoying the fireplace in your Indianapolis home. Whether you are moving to a home with an older chimney or a home with a brand new chimney, you may be wondering about the importance of a chimney liner. Chimney liners may seem like just an added expense, but they are actually very important for the health and safety of your chimney.
How Long do Brick Fireplaces Last?
A fireplace is a highly sought-after home feature in Indianapolis homes. Fireplaces add warmth, comfort, and design to any room of your home, and are thought of as the centerpiece of your home. Additionally, brick masonry has always been considered very durable. However, as you search for homes with fireplaces or consider your own fireplace, you may wonder just how long do brick fireplaces last?
How to Fix Crumbling Brick
Brick masonry is incredibly strong and durable, but eventually, it requires some maintenance. When brick stays wet for too long, it may crumble. Living in locations with freeze-thaw cycles, like Indianapolis, make it more likely for bricks to crumble eventually. When moisture gets into the masonry structure, and freezes, it expands and creates cracks which lead to crumbling and other damage.
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Why the Fireplace is the New Center of the Home
Why the Fireplace is the New Center of the Home
Fireplaces are incredibly desirable features for homes all around the country, but especially for Indianapolis homes. You may have heard a lot of buzzes recently about fireplaces being a highly sought-after home feature and the centerpiece of the home.
How Do You Repair A Chimney?
Eventually, your brick chimney may require repair. If you notice crumbling, cracking bricks, deteriorating mortar, or any issues operating your chimney, it most likely will need some repair. One of the most common signs of repair you may notice and want to fix is crumbling bricks. However, chimney repair is no simple task.