Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Air Duct Cleaning: How It Works



As a homeowner, you know that the quality of the air inside your home is incredibly important. You don’t want your family or visiting friends to breathe in poor quality air, as over time it can cause health problems in the lungs and throat. 

A major factor in how clean your home’s air is depends on how clean the air ducts in your air conditioning and heating system are. Over time, dust, dirt and sometimes even mold build up in your air ducts and can get blown right into your home.

Because of these issues, homeowners are urged to have their air ducts cleaned by a professional on a regular basis, but do you ever wonder what the process exactly entails? We understand that you like to be informed, so this video shows you exactly what we do when you call us out for a cleaning! 


Friday, November 8, 2013

How to Use and Maintain Wood Burning Fireplace



Colder nights are upon us, and that means it’s time to cuddle up with a cup of cocoa and get cozy by the crackling fire. Few things are more comforting in the winter, but before you strike your first match of the season, make sure you know how to clean, maintain, and use your wood-burning fireplace properly. 

If you are new to using a wood-burning fireplace, or don’t know how to properly maintain one, we have some helpful tips that will keep it burning bright and clean all winter long.

Schedule Yearly Inspection

Before you even think about using your fireplace this fall or winter, call a professional chimney sweep service for a yearly inspection. They’ll clean your fireplace and chimney, getting rid of soot and dangerous creosote buildup that your family definitely does not want to breathe in. They can also check for blockages in your chimney like debris (leaves, branches, etc.) or nests that animals have built in your fireplace’s dormant summer months. Even more, they can fix any structural damage like cracks and loose bricks that may have been caused by animals or severe weather. 

While you can clean and inspect your fireplace and chimney on your own, there is no substitute for having a professional come out for a yearly inspection. Their training and experience allows them to spot things that you might miss, things that could potentially cause harm to you and your family as you begin to use your fireplace for the winter. 

Wood Burning Rules 

Once you have your initial cleaning and inspection out of the way, it’s time to light the first fire of the season! Use only dry or seasoned wood for burning. Dry wood is more efficient to burn and will produce a lot less smoke, which can irritate your eyes and lungs. A dry wood will also cause less soot buildup. A soft wood like fir is preferable for many people because it dries more quickly, which makes it more readily available. 

Another tip for burning wood in your fireplace is to ensure that your fire always stays hot. Even with the right kind of wood, a smoldering fire will cause excess smoke and will cause creosote buildup in your chimney, which is dangerous to breathe in. A well-burning fire should give off just a little bit of white smoke from your chimney. If you feel that your fire is beginning to smolder, adjust the damper to let in more air.

After you’ve finished using your fireplace, close the damper. This will ensure that no residual soot or creosote floats up into your chimney, and will also keep heat from escaping through your fireplace. A damper that has been left open when not in use can cost you hundreds of dollars in heating costs per year, so when you’re finished burning wood, don’t forget to close it up!

Keep Everything Clean 

If you’re using your fireplace on a regular basis throughout the winter, a cleaning schedule is necessary to keep the soot and debris from building up too much. When cleaning out the firebox, open the damper. A lot of soot and dust will be flying everywhere, and you’ll want it to float up and out of the chimney instead of down and back into your home, where it’s inventible that you will breathe it in. Use a sturdy brush and a dustpan, never a vacuum. Coals can stay hot for days after your fire has been extinguished, which can ruin your vacuum cleaner. 

Tip: Surprisingly, you want to avoid completely cleaning the firebox after each burn. It’s a good idea to leave about an inch of ash on the bottom throughout the winter season for insulation. In warmer months, remove all ash and debris from the firebox. 

We hope these tips have made you more confident in using and maintaining your wood-burning fireplace. Don’t let it sit dormant all winter; make cozy fires a part of your holiday season!