What is Creosote?

How does it get in the chimney and why is it dangerous?

When you burn wood in your fireplace or wood burning stove, it creates pollutants- often in the form of gases and small particles. The gases are expelled from the burning wood with the smoke. When the gases cool to a temperature that is below 250˚ F, they will begin to liquefy, combine and condense. When they combine and condense they create what is commonly referred to as creosote- a foul smelling corrosive that is extremely combustible. Read more

Another Happy Chimney Customer

happycustomerInitially performed an inspection on a fireplace.  Later installed a new chimney cap and new interior kit (artificial logs, new gas line).

My inspection was performed by the owner of the company.  He was right on time and performed a very thorough inspection of the fireplace in my new home.  Since I had just purchased the home, I wanted the fireplace inspected by a certified professional before lighting it for the first time.

Read more

Things you should not burn in a fireplace

These are things you should not burn in your fireplace. Watch this video to see why.

Dryer Vent Cleaning – A Must!

Here I am a professional in the trade of cleaning dryer vents.  And to my embarrassment, I recently had a situation come up.  My wife complained of smelling smoke when she dried some clothes.  I poopooed her.  First, that is never a good idea.  But here is where my “knowledge” got in the way of actually looking at her complaint.  I “knew” my dryer vent exited my dryer thru a 18″ flex hose and went directly outside thru a 5″ wall, so it could not be a problem.  In my mind, there was no way the vent could be plugged and capable of causing a fire.  When I finally got around to looking at it, I found that the maid had pushed the dryer vent back, too far against the wall, and crimped the flexible vent nearly closed.  This did not allow full exhaust flow, lint built up, and the heat sensor did not shut off the dryer.  Low and behold, the trapped lint actually started to smoulder.  It was quite by luck, that I did not have a full on fire.  The inside of the dryer actually turned black!! Read more

Fireplace in despair that was repaired

Before picture of zero clearance fireplace in disrepair.

Fireplace broken needing repair

After picture of the fireplace repaired with all new panels.

Fireplace repair after