Apply fire cement to the area that is being repaired, using the trowel. Youll want to remove all the ash in your fireplace or woodstove at the end of the heating season. To see what a top-down fire looks like, check out this video. That means less wasted wood, less smoke, and less creosote buildup. If you feel like youre doing all the right things, but your fireplace or stove just isnt as efficient as youd like, consider an upgrade. In fact, having a dirty, plugged-up chimney cap at the end of your chimney is like having a closed nozzle at the end of a hose. Does burning aluminum cans or salt clean your chimney? 750/1500-Watt Black Electric Fireplace Insert with Thin Trim, Adjustable Flame, 3 Color Top Light, 33 in. Lets first talk about what you should NOT do. You dont have to load fuel. Own a woodstove? You can find one in your local area right here. You dont have to chop any wood or build a fire. Once your ashes and embers are contained, be sure to store them somewhere away from the home never in a garage or near a deck because theres always the possibility that these could rekindle and reignite. And what should you look for in your chimney before you light the first fire of the season? But it does go against what most of us have been taught. Supplies Needed: Scrape out the loose mortar. When youre done, the stack should not go above the fireplace opening.Step 5: Light your fire at the top, NOT at the bottom. Properly store firewood and always season your firewood (or buy it seasoned). On top of that, creosote is a carcinogenic, its smelly (especially when mixed with the humidity that comes with the summer months in some parts of the country), and its corrosive and damaging to the chimney system. Creosote is highly flammable its basically composed of unburned wood particulates and it can easily cause a chimney fire that destroys your flue liner and spreads to other areas of your home. Many new wood stoves come with the firebricks in a separate container to make the wood stove easier to install without the added weight of the bricks. Brick Trowel CO gas is deadly, but its a natural byproduct of combustion. Chimney liners serve three main functions: There are different types of chimney liners out there. Likewise, chimney blockages can still occur, and if the carbon monoxide produced by the appliance cant swiftly vent through the chimney, you and your family could be exposed to this toxic gas. The firebrick liner creates a safer more reliable fireplace. So, while theres no harm in using these sweeping logs, remember that theyre not a replacement for a professional chimney sweeping. A lot of manufacturers will also have great videos on their website that can walk you through the different features of your particular fireplace, stove, and insert and how to use your appliance. Clean any soot, grease or dust from the fire brick that is to be repaired allow brick to dry before beginning the repair. #2 When should you remove all the ash in your fireplace or woodstove? #2 Metal chimney liners, usually of stainless steel or aluminum, are primarily used to upgrade and repair existing chimneys. Need Help? Gas fireplaces, stoves, and inserts are by nature more efficient than open hearth masonry fireplaces. Allow the brick to cool and check for further cracks. For tips on choosing and storing firewood, check out the Ultimate Guide to Firewood. 
If theres one thing we want you to take away from this fireplace guide, its that you should always refer to your appliances manual. Always turn your gas fireplace, stove, or insert off before heading to bed. Keep your chimney clean and free of excessive creosote and soot buildup. Continue stacking your wood, using gradually smaller pieces of wood with each layer, until your wood is stacked to about the height of the fireplace.Step 4: At this point, begin placing your kindling (the smallest pieces of wood and sticks). 750-Watt/1500-Watt Black Electric Fireplace Insert, 36 in. H 750-Watt/1500-Watt Black Electric Fireplace Insert with Overheating Protection, 30 in. Creosote is a deposit made of unburned wood particles and its highly flammable. Additionally, you should never stack wood higher than your fireplace opening. 
If you dont have a remote, there may be a concealed knob for each setting either in the front of the fireplace (look for a flap near the bottom of the fireplace facing) or beside the gas logs. You may be able to adjust the heat setting and flame height for your gas fireplace, stove, or insert right from the remote control, if it came with one. Reach your manufacturers instructions. If the fire is too big for your fireplace, stove, or insert, your chimney will have a hard time removing the smoke created by the fire, and youll see a decline in appliance performance. These bricks will stand perpendicular to the ones laid for the floor of the firebox and line the interior wall of the hearth. For more information on Duraflame products and their use, check out their website or email info@duraflame.com. That said, there are some signs you can keep an eye out for that could signal your chimney is damaged or has other issues that need to be addressed. Usually, the dirtiest part of the burn is in the beginning stages of the fire, but when you get the fire blazing as quickly as possible, you reduce the amount of unspent fuel that can cling to the interior of the flue or exit the chimney. Check out this video from our Director of Education for more information on why you need to have your chimney swept on a routine basis, even if you use chimney sweeping logs. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. The second disadvantage is that flue tiles liners cannot adequately contain the liquid combustion byproducts produced by modern gas appliances, and therefore, cant be used to vent newer gas stoves, fireplaces, or inserts. Water #3 Is there a safe way to remove hot embers and ash from your fireplace or woodstove? For more firewood tips (including how to store your firewood), check out our Ultimate Guide to Firewood. The damper is the metal door that closes off your chimney flue above the fireplace. Can a fire be too big for a fireplace? Firebricks come in varying dimensions and fit together like a puzzle inside the hearth. The shavings at the top should be small enough to light with a single match. Furniture should be at least 36 from your fireplace or woodstove. For your safety, your fireplace or stove should never be left unattended. When a fireplace chimney is full of hot air, it pulls air in through the firebox. Dry-Mix Refractory Mortar H 750-Watt/1500-Watt Electric Fireplace Insert with Overheating Protection, Black, 43 in. Theyre easy to use, theyre efficient, theyre clean-burning, and they make great heating appliances for on-the-go folks who cant be bothered with stacking and storing wood and building and stoking fires. #3 How much wood is too much wood? 5. chimney framing pipe triple walton cabin shows where way things Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. Even if you grew up with a fireplace in your home, theres always more to learn about how to properly use, maintain, and enjoy your fireplace. You can check to make sure its fully open by looking up into your fireplace with a flashlight. What Is a Chimney Inspection & Why Do You Need One Every Year? Paintbrush. NOTE:Though each individual mason may have their own technique because of geographic conditions or training, these are some general procedures for repairing cracked fire brick. Additionally, just like how a water hose can be kinked or plugged, the airflow in your chimney can have a restriction that slows down the smoke flowing up the chimney. Then, at the very top, add your tinder (wood shavings). Advantages: These liners are inexpensive, readily available, and perform quite well for open fireplace chimneys that are properly maintained. Use an old paintbrush and vacuum to sweep the joints clean. 
An inspection is great because its affordable, its informative, and it takes the guesswork out of the equation. Place a dropcloth around the wood stove to avoid having an extra mess to clean up. If you want to cheat a little, you can add a crumpled piece of newspaper on top. Use your fireplace, stove, or insert as designed. Step 1: Separate your firewood by size.Step 2: Start by placing the largest pieces of wood in the bottom of your fireplace or woodstove, with the ends facing the front and back. Once the fire is lit and going strong, you should still be able to see the tips of the flames through the fireplace opening. You should not, however, use a Duraflame log in a woodstove. Your chimney is not made to have the direct heat of the flames inside of it, so you dont want to build your fire so big that the flames are going up into the chimney. Every wood-burning fireplace, stove, and insert should be inspected on an annual basis and swept as needed. So, how big should your fire be for optimal efficiency and performance? If you cant, its closed. For a few quick tips on properly operating your woodstove at max efficiency and performance, check out this video from our Director of Education, Russ Dimmitt. Electric Fireplace Insert with Overheating Protection 750-Watt/1500-Watt, Black, 22 in. Still, burning neither aluminum cans nor salt will clean your chimney. #3 Build a fire thats just the right size. The easiest way to remember is to check the batteries when youre changing the clocks for Daylight Savings Time. Do NOT pour water in your fireplace. Building a top-down fire will also work to preheat the flue before the fire really gets going, which again: You can also preheat your flue the old-fashioned way roll up a piece of newspaper, light the end, and hold it up inside of your flue for a moment or two. Why do soot and creosote need to be removed? Some gas fireplaces are designed to rely on a standing or continuous pilot light, which means the pilot light will stay on all year, even in the spring and summer when the fireplace isnt being used. vermiculite fire micalite dupre minerals 25mm effect fireplace boards reeded fluted What Can you Expect During a Chimney Sweep & Inspection? When soot is left to build up in the chimney and fireplace, it can cause staining on your homes ceilings, floors, and walls and on your furniture and belongings. While there are products out there like chimney sweeping logs that can be used to make creosote flake and fall of your chimney walls or make creosote easier to brush off, they dont actually remove the creosote from the system altogether. Chimney dampers are typically easy to open and close, but because of where some of the handles are located, its always best to double check that your damper is opened before you light a fire in the fireplace. So, its still important to have your gas fireplace chimney inspected annually and your gas fireplace cleaned as needed. And while were busting myths, burning potatoes in your chimney wont clean it either! When you get the eyes of a pro on your chimney system, youll know if something isnt right with your chimney because theyll tell you. Can you burn creosote out of the chimney? If you can see all the way up the flue to the top of the chimney, then the damper is open. Mason-Lite firebrick panels truly make your fireplace an enjoyable part of your home. Fireplaces, stoves, and their venting systems are not designed to have any sort of gasoline, kerosene, or petroleum-based oil products in them. All Rights Reserved. Make sure your chimney is free of blockages, liner damage, and creosote and soot buildup before you light a fire in your fireplace. The manufacturers instructions serve as the Bible for your appliance, telling you everything you need to know about safe and proper use and operation. Burn only dry, properly seasoned wood in your fireplace, stove, or insert. By working as a shield to protect your fireplace unit from dangerous temperatures the firebrick panel helps preserve your fireplace from damage and prevents possible fire hazards. open fires chimney liners installation Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home and check batteries in the spring and fall. Pack about halfway full, then press firmly as you pull the pointing trowel (handle first) along the joint until joint is filled.
#4 Build a top-down fire and preheat the flue. No wondering if your fireplace, insert, or stove is safe to fire up on the first cold night. Let the mortar dry completely for several days after completely dry, rough up with a metal chisel if desired so it matches the surrounding mortar. You may be able to tell if your chimney needs cleaning by looking up inside the flue with a flashlight. If the ash in your fireplace is so deep that its touching the bottom of your grate, it can cause the grate to burn out prematurely. Instead, you should be able to see the tips of the flames in your fireplace. Place the brick that fits next to the one previously laid. Most newer wood stoves are made of steel and lined with firebrick inside. Depending on the fire youve built and the appliance youre using, your fire may burn anywhere from 2 hours to 7+ hours. This is another question thats best answered with a chimney inspection. When you burn wood in your fireplace or stove, theres one thing you can be sure of: youll be left with ash. And of course, nothing beats the crackle and flame of a real wood fire. The fire sits atop the firebrick and the firebrick absorbs the heat of the fire through the day and evening, releasing it slowly through the night. Scourer Soot can be dangerous because its a lung irritant and it can make a mess if it gets into your home, but creosote is the biggest concern. Stainless steel is suitable for wood-burning, gas, and oil-fired appliances, while aluminum is an inexpensive alternative for certain medium-efficiency gas applications only. 1. Mason-lite firebrick panels not only protect your fireplace from damage or fire hazards but also reflect heat from the fireplace into the living space and add a classic look to your fireplace. All Rights Reserved. Pack the mortar. #4 Are accelerants like lighter fluid bad for the chimney? If anything, they could actually be harmful to the chimney. 
), Dust, soot, and creosote buildup that could cause performance issues or cause a chimney fire, Missing components (like chimney caps and chase covers) and signs of a chimney leak, Rust in your firebox or down the sides of your chimney, Discoloration or vegetation growth on your chimney, Pieces of flue tile or spalling brick in your firebox, Brick deterioration or spalling on your chimneys exterior, Failing mortar on your chimneys exterior or in your firebox, Water stains near your chimney and fireplace, Cracks in your chimney crown or rust on your chase cover, Smoke pouring into your home when you light a fire in your fireplace, Changes in performance issues with your fireplace, insert, or stove, Popping, cracking, or other loud sounds coming from your chimney when in use, Difficulty getting and keeping a good fire burning in your hearth appliance, Soot or creosote falling down into your fireplace. If you notice these things or anything else that just doesnt seem right, give a CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep a call. Not only are these types of fires easier to get going, but theyre also better for appliance performance and efficiency. You will need to install the farthest brick first to slide it under the metal ridge and then move forward on the left interior wall. What makes people think either will work to clean the chimney? If additional cracks are found, repeat steps 1-3. Earlier we talked about how to build a top-down fire. Here are a few tips: For more info on carbon monoxide, why its so dangerous, and how you can protect your family against the threat of CO poisoning, check out Carbon Monoxide & Your Home: What You Need to Know. What type of firewood should you use? How do you safely put it out? 4. 2. Newer woodstoves, inserts, and fireplaces are much more efficient than traditional open hearth masonry fireplaces and woodstoves of old. Shoot us an email at office@csia.org. chimney inside flue lining brick masonry inspection angeles los jamescolincampbell The best fire to burn in your fireplace or woodstove is what we call a top-down burn. So, read up on your appliance and use it as it was intended to be used. If you have third-degree or glazed creosote in your chimney the hard, shiny form of creosote dont wait for 1/8 buildup to schedule a sweeping. You can burn hotter fires by using properly seasoned (dry) softwood when you build your fire. Advantages: Cast-in-place liners can improve the structural integrity of aging chimneys and are permanent liners suitable for all fuels. #3 How do you safely put out a fire in your fireplace? The use of real firebrick in our panels gives you a genuine masonry firebrick lining for your Mason-lite Fireplace. You may be tempted to remove ash after every fire you burn, but wait Its not a good idea to remove all the ash from the fireplace or woodstove every time you build a fire. She has written for newspapers, magazines, online publications and sites. How do I Repair my Fireplaces Fire Brick. Plus, if it gets into your air supply, soot can be a lung irritant. Here at CSIA, we recommend that chimneys be cleaned when an 1/8 of soot buildup is present or when any amount of glazed creosote is present. 4. reduces the amount of smoke coming into your living space, reduces the amount of creosote settling on your flue walls, and makes it easier for the appliance to operate at peak levels. Along with any part of your home, your fireplace requires maintenance to ensure your familys safety during its use. Duraflame logs are okay to use in your fireplace and are CSIA Accepted Productswhen used according to the manufacturers instructions. A typical firebrick lining takes a Mason five to eight hours of labor to install. And one of the easiest ways to ensure your fireplace, woodstove, or insert is operating at peak efficiency and safety is to follow the manufacturers instructions regarding use and maintenance. Well, were here to help. Tuck-Pointing Trowel (narrow enough to fit in the brick joints) Placing the wood with the ends at the front and back allows the air to mix well with the fuel, instead of only hitting the broad side of the wood as it would if it were placed parallel to the fireplace or stove opening.Step 3: Stack 4-5 slightly smaller levels of wood on top of the first layer. Copyright Masonry Fireplace Industries, Inc. Two new burner options: Opalescence and Virginiana, International Builders Show in Orlando, Florida, Wishing you a Happy Holidays from Masonry Fireplace Industries, Masonry Fireplaces Compared to Metal Fireplaces, What Are Included in Modular Fireplace Kits, Top 3 Questions about Masonry Pizza Ovenswith Answers by Celebrity Chef, Difference between air-cooled pipe and insulated pipe. Make sure your chimney liner is properly sized for your appliance and free of damaged areas that could cause friction. If you cant find it, you may be able to find what you need on the manufacturers website so do a quick online search. How do you know if your gas fireplace is leaking it into you air supply if its odorless, colorless, and tasteless? Set the next piece, a smaller one adjacent to the one you just laid. Youll know if its safe for continued use or if theres something you need to do first like have the chimney swept or the damper repaired. And in still other cases, the pilot light may need to be turned off/on seasonally. Watch the video below for a quick explanation of why the moisture content of your firewood is so important. Black Electric Fireplace Insert with Overheating Protection 750-Watt/1500-Watt. We often get asked if creosote can be burned out of the chimney. So, what is a chimney liner and why is it so important that you have one? There are three main components to your fireplace; thefireboxitself (Modular, Masonry or Metal), the damper /chimney systemand thefire brickliner. Here at CSIA, we believe that the more homeowners know about fireplaces, the more empowered theyll be to safely use them. In these cases, opening a window slightly may alleviate the issue of smoke spilling into the home through the fireplace opening. The great thing about gas fireplaces, stoves, and inserts, is that theyre pretty easy to use. Work it out in advance by installing one row of bricks on the floor of the firebox and one brick on each end for the walls. Keep your hearth area clear of combustible materials. #1 How often should you clean the ashes from your fireplace? For factory built fireplaces with installed fire brick panels, contact the Fireplace Manufacturer for instructions on replacement/repair. To put out a fire in your fireplace, spread out whats left of the embers and logs using a poker, and pour some baking soda over the embers and wood until the fire is sufficiently smothered and extinguished. We get the question Is it safe to leave a gas fireplace on all night? a lot. Can I burn softwood in my fireplace? Before we wrap and move onto gas fireplaces and hearth appliances, lets cover a few more safety tips for wood burners.
But how do you boost your efficiency levels even more? Check out the video below for more on how draft and flow work in the chimney system. Budgeting for Chimney Care: Your Cost Guide, The Ultimate Guide to Firewood & What You Can & Cant Burn in Your Fireplace, Chimney Anatomy 101: How to Tell Which Type of Chimney/Fireplace You Have, Chimney Sweeping Logs: Your Questions Answered, Chimney Leaks: What to Do If You Have One & How to Prevent Them, Gas & Oil Furnace Chimneys: What You Need to Know, 5 Things You Can Do to Help Your Chimney & Fireplace, Carbon Monoxide & Your Home: What You Need to Know, The Facts About Chimney Fires: Your Questions Answered, Why & How to Become a Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician.