B + E

Burning Trash and Paper in Your Fireplace: Is it Safe?

Fireplaces add a comfortable and fashionable touch to any Indianapolis home. Your fireplace is the centerpiece for family gatherings and cozy nights, and will help keep your home toasty warm throughout the winter. Safe fireplace operation is critical for the health of your fireplace, home, and family.

It may be incredibly tempting to simply toss trash or paper into your fireplace for easy disposal, but it is not recommended to do so. In this post, we explain why is not safe to burn trash or paper in your fireplace.

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by B + E

Wood Ashes In Your Fireplace: How to Remove Them

A wood-burning fireplace makes the bitter Indianapolis a little easier to tolerate. There is nothing quite like snuggling up in front of your fireplace and soaking up a bit of the warmth. However, fireplaces do require cleaning and maintenance to ensure their optimal performance. A by-product of burning wood is wood ashes, and these can accumulate in your fireplace. As long as you properly remove wood ashes, they will not cause you or your fireplace any harm. In this post, we explain the best way to remove wood ashes. 

When Should I Remove Wood Ash?

Any time you burn wood, you will get wood ash. The amount of ash generated depends on the type of wood and the temperature you burn it at. You may be tempted to remove the ash after every time you build a fire, but it is actually ideal to maintain a 1-inch layer of ash on the floor of your firebox. This layer of ash nestle the hot coals and add more heat to the fuel, making it easier to build and maintain a fire. Eventually, you will need to remove the ash. If the layer of ash becomes too thick and smells or is in the way of fire building, it is definitely time to remove it. Generally, ash should be removed as often as is necessary to maintain the 1-inch layer, and all ash should be removed at the end of the wood-burning season. 

How to Remove Ash 

When done properly, removing ash is a safe and simple process. Follow the protocol below to ensure proper ash removal. 

1. Wait at least 72 hours after your last fire so that the ash is fully cooled.
2. Use a fire shovel to scoop up the ashes.
3. Place the ashes in a bag and dispose of them in the trash. 
4. Store and use as a lawn and garden fertilizer, in your compost piles to maintain neutral acidity, or on your icy driveway to provide traction.
5. Push the ashes through the metal plate in the floor of the firebox if your fireplace has an ash dump. 

Removing ash is a simple, effective way to keep your fireplace healthy. For help with other fireplace and chimney maintenance and repairs, choose Brick + Ember Outfitters of Indianapolis. We are ready to help you with your chimney, masonry or fireplace. Request your appointment today by visiting our website, calling 317-500-1250, or emailing OFFICE@BRICKANDEMBER.COM. 

by B + E

Common Gas Fireplace Problems

Gas fireplaces are common in many modern homes. Many people opt for a gas fireplace because of their simple operation and clean burning. However, there are a number of common issues associated with gas fireplaces. Knowing the common gas fireplace problems will help you when deciding on a new fireplace, determining any necessary upgrades, or best taking care of the one you have. Here we break down the most common gas fireplace issues. 

Hazardous Gas Lines

While gas fireplaces do not always require a chimney, they do require running a gas line through your home to the fireplace. A broken gas line or connection may result in a dangerous gas leak. To minimize the chances of a faulty gas line, you should have a professional install and check your gas line. 

Smell of Gas

You do not get the smell of smoldering wood with a gas fireplace. Instead, you may actually smell the gas. Natural gas fireplaces may emit a smell akin to rotten eggs, and this odor may actually be a sign that there is a clog or leak in your gas line. Do not try to resolve this problem on your own. If the gas smell is very strong, you should alert the fire department and exit your home. 

Strange Sounds 

Typically, a few noises from your gas fireplace is nothing to be alarmed about. However, you should take note of any new sounds and when they occur. If you experience a rumbling sound when burners are on, the burners may be dirty and need to be cleaned by a chimney professional. Roaring sounds associated with the pilot light suggest that the flame should be adjusted. Grinding and shrieking noises are often from a fan or blower. 

Excess Soot

Soot is a warning sign for a gas fireplace. A problem with airflow can cause excess soot. When too much fuel mixes with too little oxygen, it produced soot. Try adjusting your damper to create more draft, and double check that nothing is obstructing the chimney or vents. If the soot persists, have a professional check your fireplace. 

The best way to keep your gas fireplace running smoothly is to consult a professional to assess and maintain the fireplace. Chimney & Masonry outfitters is the trusted Indianapolis professional to help you take care of your gas fireplace. Our experienced team will help you install, repair or update the fireplace of your Indianapolis home. Learn more about how we can help with all of your fireplace and chimney needs by contacting us on our website, calling 317-500-1250 or emailing office@brickandember.com. 

by B + E

How to Decorate Your Fireplace Mantel This Fall

November poses a difficult problem for homeowners who love to decorate: it’s too late for Halloween and too early for the winter holidays. Fortunately, there are tons of ways you can decorate your fireplace mantel this fall that are easy, beautiful and won’t break the bank! Here are 10 ideas to get you started:

1) Pinecone centerpiece: The great thing about fall decorating is that you don’t always need to drive the store to find your decorations. Some are right in your backyard!

Gather some pinecones of various sizes and put them in a vase or a decorative bin. This makes a wonderful centerpiece for your fireplace mantel that is sure to get you in that autumn mood! If you’re looking for even more pinecone-inspired ideas, Vanessa Beaty gives us 25 creative pinecone crafts for fall and winter.

2) Faux-found leaves: Many people love that natural decor look, but unlike pinecones, leaves can bring in unwanted insects into your home and can become annoying to clean as they dry up. So, why not get inspired by them and create a charming decorative piece with twigs and paper leaves?

Karianne from Thistlewood Farms has a great example of how a few sticks and paper leaves can transform your fireplace mantel in a matter of minutes. Plus, it’s a great activity to do with your kids on a rainy day!

3) Hanging chalkboard: One idea that always stands out is buying a small, framed chalkboard with your favorite quote or fall phrase to hang just above your mantel. Worried about your handwriting? Not a problem. Kellie from Nest of Posies has a few autumn-themed chalkboard printables that will make a great addition to your mantel! 

4) Brighten up your day with candles: When it comes to your fireplace mantel decorations, candles are an absolute must. If you’re concerned about accidental fires, don’t be... these candles are just for show anyway. But with so many different styles to choose from, your biggest problem will be not going overboard!

For example, you have this birch bark candle holder that is as beautiful as it is easy to make. Target also has some wonderful, cost-friendly candleholders that will go perfectly with your fall-themed decorations.

5) Pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins: Some things in life are cliché for a reason and pumpkins in your fall decorations are no exception. But rather than the larger pumpkins you used for your jack-o-lanterns just days prior, mini-pumpkins are definitely a better choice for your mantel this fall.

And if you find them too boring to just sit there their own, you’re not alone. That’s why Sara Diekelmann put together a list of 18 ways to decorate with mini-pumpkins!  Spoiler alert: the “circle of gords” would look great over any fireplace mantel!

Maybe it's your outdated mantel that's keeping your home from looking its best this autumn. At Brick + Ember Outfitters, we know a mantel is the signature piece for any fireplace. So whether you’re redecorating or simply trying to add an updated look, a mantel can transform your fireplace.

Contact B+E today for a mantel installation assessment. Our fireplace Outfitters will arrive on time and discuss your needs. We gather your vision and then ask questions to ensure the mantel is how you have envisioned it. Then, bring on the decorating!

by B + E

5 Fireplace Safety Tips for National Fireplace Month

Summer is over and fall is bringing cooler weather which means that fire season is right around the corner. And while there’s something warm and charming about chestnuts roasting by an open fire, the reality can be far more dangerous if you don’t take the right precautions. Every year, there are nearly 375,000 house fires causing 2,600 deaths and injuring 12,975 people.

One of the biggest culprits for starting house fires is, of course, the fireplace. Since it is officially national fireplace month, we want you to know how to keep you and your family safe this upcoming winter with these 5 fireplace safety tips!

1) Never leave a fire unattended

Master poet Robert Herrick once said, “A spark neglected makes a mighty fire.” This is certainly the case when it comes to using your fireplace. The process of combustion, though usually controlled, releases a lot of energy and can occasionally emit embers from the fireplace. As such, someone should always be in the room if there is a live fire, even if it is contained in the firebox.

Also, sometimes a fire’s energy outlasts our own and we head to bed early. When this is the case, it is important to know how to properly extinguish a fire before calling it a night!

2) Keep an extra watchful eye on your children

Children can be a handful, especially at a young age. Besides just preventing your children from getting burned (which is always the main concern), children will sometimes touch a hot coal and instinctively throw it; unfortunately, they don’t always throw it back into the fireplace.

Anytime you have young children in the same room as an active fire, there needs to be an adult present even if the child is at the other end of the room. It’s also good to research ways to protect children around fireplaces before fire season begins so you and your family can be as safe as possible!

3) Presents should be far from present

No matter what holiday you celebrate in the winter months, they will likely involve presents. Wrapping paper, cardboard, and ribbon are highly flammable and will quickly ignite if sparked. Though it may be less decorative, presents (and a tree for those who celebrate Christmas) should be kept far away from the fireplace to avoid loose embers sparking a fire.

Also, once the presents are unwrapped, be sure to avoid burning the paper as this can cause larger fires than anticipated. Furthermore, wrapping paper tends to send more embers floating through the air than firewood. So rather than trying to dispose of all that wrapping paper, it’s a lot safer (and better for the environment) to simply throw it in the recycling bin.

Which leads us to our next tip...

4) Only burn firewood

For some reason, some people confuse their fireplace with an incinerator. In other words, they think that anything can be safely burned in the firebox. This is simply not true. The only thing that should be burned in your fireplace is seasoned firewood which was made for that purpose.

If you are unfamiliar with types of wood not to burn, here are 8 kinds of wood that should never be put in your fireplace.

5) Get your chimney inspected before the season gets underway

Last, but certainly not least, it’s important to have your chimney inspected before the fire season starts. Your fireplace and chimney are made up of 7 distinct parts, all of which need to be undamaged for the system to function safely. Many homeowners simply aren’t able to diagnose serious problems like cracks or creosote buildup as well as a trained professional can. Be sure to have your fireplace inspected at least once a year before you begin using it.

Final thoughts

Every year, homeowners use their fireplaces for warmth and decor. While most families enjoy their winter season without any problems, the tragic reality is that hundreds of thousands aren’t so lucky. To ensure that your home and family are well protected, follow these 5 fire safety tips.

Finally, if you’re located in Central Indianapolis, contact Brick + Ember Outfitters today to schedule your appointment and set yourself up for a long, warm and, most importantly, safe winter season! 

by B + E