Fireplace Safety Tips

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:28:16 GMT

Tips for Safely Enjoying Your Fireplace

Fireplace Safety Do's and Don'ts

Do check the manufacturer’s guidelines for your wood stove or insert.
Do use seasoned hardwood.
Do use commercial fire starters if you like. They eliminate the need for fuel and reduce the amount of kindling required.
Don’t use charcoal, lighter fluid, or other flammable liquids. These are extremely dangerous.
Don’t use coal in a wood stove or fireplace unless there are specific written instructions – it will burn, but not safely.
Don’t burn artificial logs in a wood stove unless they are specifically designed for wood stove use. Fake logs can dirty the chimney much faster than regular wood and can be hazardous in certain situations.
Don’t burn treated lumber, trash, or anything other than wood in your fireplace or stove.

Chimney Odors?

The sour, sickly odor is the smell of creosote. The solution is to call The Chimney Doctor to clean your chimney and install a chimney cap to prevent water from entering and reacting with the creosote. The Chimney Doctor can also recommend a good chimney deodorant to handle any remaining odor which has been absorbed into the masonry.

Creosote Buildup?

Slow-smoldering fires and using unseasoned wood can create “cool” smoke and weak drafts. Under these conditions, the smoke condenses and sticks to the chimney’s interior, forming highly flammable creosote. A fire or an errant spark could ignite this substance into a roaring chimney fire. This terrifying disaster kills hundreds annually and causes millions of dollars in property damage.

Smoke Problems?

Is your damper open? If it is and the smoking continues, open a nearby window a crack for a minute or two until the fire is going well – then you can close it again.

If it just smokes when you light the fire, it may be because the flue is cold. Did you warm the chimney with a burning rolled-up newspaper held in the damper region? (If not, that usually works.)

If the chimney continues to smoke, contact The Chimney Doctor . Your chimney may be clogged by animal nets or an accumulation of soot and creosote or have additional problems.

Dryer Vent Safety

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 13:16:32 GMT

Do You Ever Think About Your Dryer Vent?

You are at higher risk of having a clothes dryer fire if you don’t clean your lint filter and dryer vents. Follow these simple safety tips to prevent a clothes or dryer fire in your home.

Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.
Clean the lint filter before and after each cycle.
Do not forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up.
Check the venting system behind the dryer to make sure that it is not damaged, crushed, or restricted.
Make Ensure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating.

Did you Know?

There are 2,900 dryer vent fires annually, causing five fatalities, 100 injuries, and an average of $9,600 in damages per fire.

Why? Most people don’t know their dryer vents need to be cleaned. They clean out their lint filter and think that’s enough. However, lint can accumulate in the dryer duct and clog or restrict hot exhaust air—this buildup of heat next to highly flammable lint accounts for most dryer vent fires.

In addition to lint buildup, improper installation of your dryer vent system can pose a serious danger. A dryer vent cleaning professional will advise you of potential hazards, such as a flammable vinyl duct or a duct run that is improperly routed. So ensure your family’s safety with a professional inspection.

Lint Buildup Takes More Energy (And Money) To Dry Your Clothes

If your dryer isn’t drying your clothes like it used to, you may not need a new dryer! A dryer vent clogged with lint reduces airflow, so your dryer doesn’t dry as efficiently as it used to. An inefficient dryer also uses more energy, thereby costing you more money.

Call us today to schedule a dryer vent cleaning for your home!

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