When is masonry repair required?
Structures designed with masonry are made for performance and durability, not to mention the aesthetic component. However, even the most soundly designed and constructed masonry buildings eventually require periodic maintenance. Over time, environmental factors, weather, chlorides, and pollution all contribute to the need for repairs. In this article, we will help explain how to recognize the…
6 Home Maintenance Tasks You Should Tackle in August
In August, you’re savoring the dying embers of summer, enjoying the last few pool days and cookouts before fall sets in. Understandably, catching up on home maintenance may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, it’s a good idea to take a break from the summer’s last hoorah to do some house and yard upkeep. Your preparation now will give you peace of mind during the autumn months. The…
Crown Repair and Replacement
With the long list of chores homeowners face every week, it’s easy to understand why some things slip through the cracks. Obvious repairs like squeaky door hinges, overgrown grass, or cracked window quickly catch our attention because we pass them in our day-to-day lives. However, some hidden repairs need to be addressed sooner rather than later because, unlike those door hinges, they can lead…
Top Mount Damper
When you think about chimneys in the simplest terms, it’s really just a hole in the roof above your living room. Now, obviously, chimney construction is more complicated than that as it guides harmful smoke and gases out of your home, but people often forget that things like water, wind, debris, or animals can use that same opening as an entrance.
That’s why every chimney should have a top…
How to Make Your Fireplace More Efficient
It’s cold, snowy, icy or rainy and raw outside. You’ve had a long day. You’re tired. You’re chilled. It’s right there, in front of the fireplace. Nothing beats a crackling fire and the comfort and warmth that envelopes you. That is, if you’re standing right by it! Leave the room, and you can feel the temperature drop! Most people use fireplaces as a backup or for aesthetics, meaning your primary…
The Right Way to Light a Fire: Surefire Ways to Stay Warm, Cozy, and Safe
It never fails: it’s a cold, dark day, and all you want is the warmth and comfort of a blazing fire. And all you get is frustration and a spark of flame that is quickly snuffed out! Sure, just turning a dial or pushing a button is easier, but nothing beats the heat of a fireplace or wood stove… That is, if you can get it going. Fear not, with a few tricks of the trade, you can skip the…
What Fireplace is Best for Your Home
What fireplace is best for your home. With so many options out there for fireplaces, choosing the best one for your home can be difficult. The three main options that are out there are wood-burning, electric, and gas fireplaces. There are a lot of differences between them and the best option will depend on your specific need.
With this in mind, below are the pros and cons of each option.…
Can You Put a Fireplace Insert in An Existing Fireplace?
Can you put a fireplace insert in an existing fireplace? Open-air, wood-burning fireplaces have been the traditional choice but they are far from perfect. While some enjoy having an actual log burning in the fireplace, gas and electric fireplace inserts can be more efficient on both energy and space.
In addition to being more efficient, they are also safer as the flame is either contained…
How Do I Know If My Top Mount Damper is Open?
How do I know If my top mount damper is open? Whether it's warming up on cold days or staying up for long nights, the fireplace is the pride of the house. As the colder season comes more and more upon us, homeowners are once again clearing off their hearths and getting the fireplace back up and running.
Understanding the way the top mount damper works is crucial to ensuring a safe…
The Importance of Smoke Chamber Parging
The importance of smoke chamber parging. One important area of your fireplace that you may not think about very often is the smoke chamber.
The smoke chamber sits just above the fireplace damper and is an open area where the fireplace first starts to channel smoke and other gases upward and out of the chimney.
Just like any other part of the fireplace, it can become damaged and need…