Cliff Slagle, Author at Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney

Now is the Best Time to Get Ahead on Chimney Repairs!

It’s officially summer, so your fireplace and chimney is the last thing on your mind. However, now is exactly the time you should be thinking about masonry inspections and repairs. In just three or four quick months, it will be time to cozy up by your fireplace again. Will your fireplace be ready to operate when you need it? Old Smokey’s can help you get a jump on your fireplace maintenance needs by scheduling a chimney inspection this summer!

The Offseason is Also Tough on Your Chimney

Your chimney may have been running perfectly at the end of the winter, but your chimney’s health could have been compromised since it’s last use. Springtime brings rainy weather, meaning now is a great time to see if there are any leaks in your masonry. Leaky masonry can lead to larger problems including crumbling bricks and weakened mortar joints. If moisture seeps into your masonry, it can freeze when it becomes cold out and shatter bricks from the inside out. It is best to get ahead of masonry problems before they grow to larger problems.

Get Ahead of the Busy Time

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) both suggest annual chimney and fireplace inspections. Summer is a great time to schedule your annual chimney and masonry inspection because we can schedule you in before our fall and winter rush. During the colder months, chimney sweeps are incredibly busy performing inspections and repairs. Therefore, it may be harder for us to schedule a meeting time that fits your schedule. However, if you schedule an inspection in the summer, we are a little more flexible with our schedule and can easily fit you into a time-slot that works for you. Remember, chimney inspections should only be carried out by a CSIA-certified chimney technician, like the ones at Old Smokey’s. Only a certified chimney technician has the training and knowledge to safely and effectively inspect your chimney masonry.

Extra Time for Repairs

Sometimes during a chimney masonry inspection, we will find an issue that requires some repair. Masonry issues can sometimes take a while to repair. This can be frustrating in fall and winter when you want to use your chimney. However, if issues with your chimney are found in the summer, we can usually schedule to have it fixed before you need to use it.

At Old Smokey’s, we like to get ahead of housing projects before they sneak up on us. If you’re like us, you’ll also want to get ahead of the game and schedule your chimney masonry inspection before our busy season. Call one of our CSIA certified chimney inspectors at 260-424-0009 or schedule an appointment online today!

Let Our Technicians Convert Your Wooden Fireplace to Gas Logs!

An older wood fireplace can give your home a cozy, traditional look that is hard to beat. However, you may have realized that your fireplace doesn’t put out as much heat as you wished it would. Furthermore, you have probably figured out that your fireplace takes a lot of time, energy, and money to maintain. This is a problem is so common that many homeowners don’t really use their wood fireplaces very often, if at all. At Old Smokey’s we can help you bring new life to your wood fireplace, without all the hardships associated with maintaining and operating it. Our gas log sets are economical, low maintenance, and easy to operate.

Gas Log Sets

A gas log set is a decorative appliance that can be inserted into your current firebox, converting it to a gas fireplace instead of a wood burning one. Gas logs consist of ceramic, fire resistant logs which are places on top of a burner fueled by either propane or natural gas. The ceramic logs are designed and placed to look like real wood logs and create an extremely realistic looking wood fire. Although they are fueled with gas, they do require similar ventilation as a wood fireplace.

Gas Log Set Benefits

Gas log sets are much more easy to maintain. Since the ceramic logs don’t actually burn, the only byproducts produced are from burning natural gas or propane. Since these clean-burning fuels produce very little in the way of byproducts chimney and vent cleaning is much less frequent. Although there is less maintenance, it is still very important to have your gas log inspected at least once a year by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney technician. Gas logs sets are also much easier to operate. Instead of chopping, seasoning, and collecting wood, all you need to do is flip a switch or push a button.

How Much Heat do Gas Logs Produce?

Gas logs produce similar heat to a wood fireplace, meaning they aren’t incredibly efficient. If you want to increase your heating efficiency as well, we also sell gas inserts at Old Smokey’s. People often confuse gas logs and gas inserts. The main difference is that gas logs vent straight out of the chimney, and gas inserts push heat into your home.

If you want a more convenient lifestyle, call Old Smokey’s for an estimate on a gas log set. You can call us at 800-876-6539 or schedule an appointment online here. We look forward to hearing from you!

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