What causes chimney fires?  Chimney fires are usually caused by a build-up of creosote in the chimney.  Creosote is a natural by-product of burning wood.  It accumulates in the flue over time and is highly flammable.  Creosote is especially likely to accumulate when wood is not burned at the proper temperature.  Since creosote is flammable, when it accumulates on the walls of your flue, hot flue gasses can ignite it.  The result is a chimney fire.

How can I prevent chimney fires?  The best bet is to have a qualified chimney professional inspect your chimney annually.  He will be able to detect the accumulation of creosote in your flue and remove it.  Make sure you use a certified technician who has been properly trained by the CSIA.

Do you service gas hearth stoves?  Yes we do.  We clean the pilot orifice, thermocouple or thermopile, the logs and the glass.  An overall general cleaning will make sure your unit is running at peak performance.

What is the CSIA?  The Chimney Safety Institute of America is a non-profit educational foundation that has established the only nationally recognized certification program for chimney sweeps in the United States.  The program was developed in keeping with CSIA's commitment to chimney and venting system safety and to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion, and other chimney-related safety hazards.

What is the NCSG?  NCSG stands for National Chimney Sweep Guild.  It is a national organization that promotes professionalism in the chimney industry, public awareness of chimney safety issues and provides support and a professional network to chimney professionals throughout North America.  NCSG holds a strong voice in the creation of codes and standards affecting chimney and fireplace design, construction, and maintenance; and it works jointly with the building and service trades, insurance and inspection officials, and others in the hearth industry to promote safe home heating.  Membership in this organization indicates that a chimney professional is striving to keep up to date knowledge of the latest chimney related products, tools and techniques.

What is a pre-fab fireplace?  A pre-fab fireplace is a fireplace that is actually a metal firebox.  Some have panels on the inside to make it look like masonry construction, but the firebox itself is actually made of metal.  You can tell if it is a pre-fab fireplace by looking for a metal tag on the inside of the fireplace, usually located in the upper left or right side.  The tag will have the manufacturer name, model number and serial number.  These numbers are needed to get replacement parts.

Do you handle insurance quotes?  Yes we do.  We will set an appointment for a site visit to estimate the cost of the needed repairs.  We can send the estimate to your insurance company if you prefer.