There are some people out there that may say that burning a fire in one’s fireplace is an outdated or even dangerous means by which to heat one’s home. Those are likely people that have never used a fireplace before! Sure, there are newer technologies out there that allow you to heat your home in a more modern way. Many homeowners actually supplement their fireplaces with such systems. For a lot of us, though, nothing can truly compare to the comfort that comes with a roaring fire in the hearth.
That being said, and as is the case with any home heating system, modern or not, there are steps that should be taken before putting your fireplace back into regular service this winter. Remember, the fireplace has been out of the game for a few months at this point. You don’t really want to wait for the frigid temperatures of winter to strike before taking care of your fireplace’s needs, either, since you’ll want to be using it in the fall season, too. So here are some tips for prepping your fireplace in Minneapolis, MN.
There’s a reason why so many homeowners still choose to use a fireplace in their homes. They throw off good heat, they look great, and they provide a level of comfort that goes beyond the physical. They are relaxing, they allow for contemplative moments, and the splitting and stacking of wood is something that a lot of people cannot imagine doing without when winter comes around. There are also valid concerns that come with fireplaces, though.
In the age of not only combustion boilers and furnaces but also modern technology like heat pumps and ductless mini splits, there are undoubtedly those individuals that look upon the old-fashioned fireplace/chimney combo as being a relic from the past. Those of us fortunate enough to have a well-designed and properly maintained fireplace/chimney setup, however, know different. Not only is the heat generated comforting, but the ambiance is incredibly relaxing.
Well, let me guess. One is inside, and one is outside, right? Haha, very funny. Sure, you may have a basic grasp of the difference between any components of any system when one is designated as “exterior” and the other “interior”. However, chances are that you may not even understand what a 
Chimney services are not as cut and dry as they used to be. These days, we are nearly as likely to respond to calls regarding gas fireplace inserts or gas log fireplaces as we are masonry chimneys. That being said, brick and mortar chimneys are still a major part of our service offerings, and they are still a major responsibility!
The fireplace is not the most complex home heating system that homeowners today may choose to use. That does not necessarily mean that it is of a simple design, however, nor does it mean that you will never run into problems with your fireplace. It may lack the fancy mechanics of, say, a cutting-edge ductless mini split heat pump. However, there is still plenty of trouble that may develop with a fireplace. And those problems can result in dangerous conditions.
You better believe it. We understand that, provided it is doing its job (drying clothes), a lot of homeowners probably do not give all that much thought to their clothes dryers. The responsible ones will remove and clean the lint trap before each and every load, of course. However, the actual vents of their dryers, which release heat and moisture and, yes, lint, into the air outside go largely unconsidered. This is not only irresponsible, but potentially dangerous.
Ready to get your hands dirty? We hope so, because chimney cleaning can be a messy job! Of course, since we would never advise you to clean your chimney on your own, it’s only our hands that are going to be getting messy. We apologize for the fakeout, but there is absolutely no circumstance in which you are going to be able to clean your chimney on your own.
What do you immediately think of when it comes to problems with your chimney? Is it damage caused by rainwater? Perhaps issues stemming from freezing, then warmer, then freezing temperatures? Or maybe simply a chimney that is not venting smoke properly? While these are all certainly cause for concern, there is another problem that many homeowners don’t really think about until it is too late.
It is impossible to ignore the way that technology has and continues to affect every aspect of our lives. Fans of hard copy books may be turned off by the popularity of E-readers, vinyl nuts may take issue with the cold sound of digital music files, and so on. While there are always going to be people that prefer the low-tech options, this obviously does not mean that others aren’t going to jump at modern convenience.