by Mark Stoner | May 28, 2013 | Fireplace Maintenance
If your fireplace and chimney system are not working the way that they should, there is a very good chance that there are animals in your chimney. The challenge many homeowners face, however, is that they do not know whether the problem is due to an animal or if it...
by Mark Stoner | Apr 26, 2013 | Fireplace Maintenance
That is a really good question, and the answer depends entirely on your situation and your point of view. There is a good case to be made for each. What may be helpful is to understand the reason each has its supporters before discussing the choice with a CSIA...
by Mark Stoner | Apr 18, 2013 | Fireplace Maintenance
Ashes do a great job of hiding and insulating hot coals and are often far from the cool gray powdery nothing they appear to be. In fact, in one four-year period, improper ash handling was implicated annually in nearly 10,000 house fires. Proper fireplace tools, fire...
by Mark Stoner | Jan 18, 2013 | Fireplace Maintenance
To safely ignite your gas fireplace, follow this series of easy to remember steps. [raw][/raw] Check to be sure the damper is open to your venting. Gas logs give off a great deal of carbon monoxide, so adequate venting is essential. The damper can be partially closed...
by Mark Stoner | Nov 6, 2012 | Fireplace Maintenance
Some homeowners today are choosing to use pre-fabricated, or factory-built, fireplaces. Instead of being built and tested separately, these units are constructed and tested together to ensure safety and workability. In some cases, the existing foundation supplies...
by Mark Stoner | Sep 6, 2012 | Fireplace Maintenance
As we speed toward the cooler weather (thank goodness!) we herald in the many reasons we love the fireplace. The mantel is beautifully decorated with the Pinterest inspired looks you made out of old leaves and modge podge, the wafting scent of burning oak, and the...
