Bob Davis is a home remodeling contractor and fireplace enthusiast from eastern Ohio. Specializing in restoring older homes, he gets a lot of questions about chimneys. He decided to start this site after noticing the lack of information about chimney liners on the internet in the hopes of helping homeowners improve the safety and efficiency of their chimneys. His hobbies are golf and bird watching.Propane Fire Pit Guide
A backyard fire can be a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors. A propane fire pit makes enjoying a backyard fire effortless. Basically, a gas fire pit is a decorative stand that when lit will produce an instant propane powered fire. These affordable fire pits are so easy to use that you can enjoy a fire as often as you like.The most popular form is the propane fire pit table, which is the perfect place for a group gathering.
There are countless styles of propane fire pits available. Some of the more popular models include decorative table-like stands with a fire pit in the center or low to the ground square pits that resemble a traditional fire pit. One thing that all propane powered pits share is a hidden receptacle that houses a propane tank. The propane tanks used are generally the same tanks that are used to power propane barbecue grills.
Selecting a fire pit is simple. There are many pits available from a variety of different retailers. The biggest selection of styles is available online. Click here to see the full range of fire pits on Amazon.
Once the basic style of propane fire pit has been determined, various models can be examined. Some models produce a larger flame than others. Additionally, many models boast special accessories. You may want to carefully consider the model selected and the accessories available if coordination is important to you. Outdoor propane fire pits have the edge over traditional fire pits because they don’t require you to purchase and chop wood, which means there is no smoke or ash to contend with. A simple switch is all it takes to turn on the fire.
Once a fire pit has been selected and purchased, installation is very simple. Generally models are simply placed in the desired area. As you determine proper placement of your fire pit consider a few practical factors to help with proper and functional placement. Here are some important considerations when it comes to propane fire pit placement.
Gas powered fire pits work best when placed on a level surface. Generally pits are placed on concrete or brick surfaces. Your specific model will be able to offer more customized guidelines for proper placement. Place the fire pit away from flammable items. It is wise to place your fire pit several feet away from any walls, trees or overhangs. Additionally consider placing the fire pit in an area that will be easy to sit around. Propane fire pits are the easiest to enjoy when placed in a convenient area.
A propane fire pit is a great way to add a festive atmosphere to an outdoor party. It’s a great way for everyone to gather around the fire and enjoy some beverages and good conversation. It’s also very practical for keeping warm on chilly nights. There are also many models of portable outdoor fire pits that you can carry with you to the beach, park, or a cabin so you can set the mood with a fire without any hassle. Copper fire pits add elegance to your patio while offering all the benefits of traditional fire pits.
When choosing a fire pit, look for the efficiency rating. A higher efficiency rating means that the fire pit uses up less fuel to heat the area. Prices usually rise in accordance with the efficiency ratings, meaning that cheap fire pits are usually less efficient. Additionally, propane fire pits generally give the user the option to control the amount of heat given off by the unit.
An outdoor propane gas fire pit will be a beautiful and functional backyard element for years to come.
Categorized: Basics, Fireplaces, Outdoor Fireplaces | No comments | Permalink
Tagged with: fire pits, propane
About Chimney Lining
A chimney serves as the exit path for harmful gases, dangerous smoke, and toxic fumes that are produced as wood is burned in a fireplace. A chimney lining helps to ensure that these toxins successfully escape your home. Without proper lining, smoke and gases can absorb into the bricks and stone of your chimney increasing the risk of fire, chimney build up, and possible toxic contamination of your home. That’s why it is important to maintain and replace chimney lining on a regular basis. Chimney liners are subject to very high temperatures and volatile chemicals so they must be replaced from time to time.
Many choose to have their chimneys professionally re-lined when needed. Chimney sweeping companies generally offer a flue lining chimney service as well. This is the best option for people who are not particularly handy or don’t have much experience in home improvement because professionals have the right equipment to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Some consumers may choose to attempt this project on their own. It’s possible to do it yourself to save some money if you do a bit of research and planning first. This is a delicate job so some organization is necessary. Lining a chimney is a relatively simple process, although it does require hard work and is often a very dirty job.
The first step to lining a chimney is to clean the chimney. Cleaning the chimney involves removing any obstacles and obstructions within the chimney. Additionally, soot buildup and residue must be cleaned from the inner walls. Remove any broken liner pieces or existing lining. A new chimney liner should never be installed without first ensuring that the chimney itself is perfectly clean and clear. You can clean it yourself with a chimney brush or hire a chimney sweep.
Next, the new lining system must be put together. Often, this involves attaching several pieces of tubing using rivets and cement. The end of the lining must be molded to the shape of your current chimney damper to allow a tight seal. This is a delicate job so some organization and planning is necessary. It is easier and safer to assemble the liner while on the ground and then to transport the fully assembled lining to the chimney for permanent placement. The liner will be very long and awkward to carry. It is best to enlist several people in the transportation process for optimal safety.
The lining must then be inserted into the chimney. Often this is a time consuming process that involves slowly feeding the section of tubing into the chimney. Be careful while inserting the liner to move slowly and carefully. Chimney lining is very rigid and can easily break or crack especially at the seals. Plan on setting aside several hours for this entire process so that you won’t feel rushed and damage the liner. Any open spaces can create big problems down the road. Keep inserting the lining into the chimney very carefully until it is securely into position.
Once the lining is in place, secure the lining to the chimney by attaching it to the damper and completing the installation by attaching the chimney cover. The cover will protect your home from moisture from various outside elements.
It is important to install the liner correctly to prevent chimney fires and excessive smoke. You should carefully research chimney flue lining installation before attempting to install a system yourself. Professional installation is the easiest and safest method for replacing or installing lining. If you do choose to install it yourself, you may want to have an inspector come to ensure that you have done it correctly and there are no potential dangers. Although you will have to pay for the inspection, it is much cheaper than hiring someone to install it and it will give you peace of mind that there is no possibility of harm to your home or family arising from the liner.
Categorized: Basics, Liners | No comments | Permalink
Tagged with: chimney fires, chimney inspection, Chimney liner, chimney sweep, toxic chemicals
Electric Fireplace Logs
Electric fireplace logs are a great way to get the look and feel of an authentic fire in an electric fireplace. Many people love the way real fireplaces look and the cozy atmosphere they create, but they don’t want to deal with ash, smoke, and fireplace maintenance. Electric fireplaces in general don’t look nearly as charming, but with an electric fireplace log insert you can have the best of both worlds.
There are a few types of electric logs available depending on what you are hoping to accomplish by using them. For a very authentic look, you can even purchase electric logs that are made of real wood and look very much like regular logs. In fact, it can be difficult to distinguish electric logs from real ones when they are burning as many of the newer logs are very authentic-looking.
Electric log sets are a much cleaner option than burning real wood in a fireplace. They also don’t create smoke so they are perfect for people who avoid using their fireplace because of the smoke and gas. You can even use electric logs in a traditional fireplace if you have an outlet nearby. This also eliminates the need to cut or purchase wood and find a place to store all of it, not to mention the yearly cleaning associated with using a chimney liner.
One thing that many people love about using a traditional fireplace is the sound of a crackling fire. Electric fireplace log manufacturers have managed to capture this sound and offer logs that feature the same sound to help set the mood. These logs are equipped with hidden speakers and an on and off switch which enables the user to control the sound. That way you can enjoy the crackling sound when you are having a quiet evening at home but also have the option to turn it off when you’d prefer a quieter fire.
Manufacturers have put a lot of effort into making electric fireplace log sets more realistic. One result of this effort is the flame technology that high-end electric logs feature. These logs actually project images of flames onto a screen that is located behind the logs at random intervals just like a real log would. Some of the better ones actually have flames that appear to “dance” much like a blazing hot fire does on real logs for an exciting visual effect. Cheap electric fireplace logs can still give you the illusion of flames but use a flashing light that certainly gets the job done but is not quite as convincing as the better models.
If flames are not important to you, you might want to look into the models that simulate glowing embers. These tend to be less expensive than the flame electric logs. They give a beautiful, soft glow much like a slow-burning wood fire does and give the room a cozy and romantic feel.
You also have the option to buy electric fireplace logs with or without heat. Many logs have a heating element inside them so you can enjoy the warming benefits of a fire along with the sights and sounds. It is a lot easier to regulate the room temperature with heated electric logs than it is with a real fire because you can simply turn the unit off when it becomes too hot. However, some people just like the look of a fire and may even want to capture this feeling on a warm night. That’s why you can buy electric logs that don’t heat the room but instead just give the visual effect of a fire. Electric log sets without the heater are also less expensive than their warmer counterparts.
Thanks to the modern technology in the electric fireplace log, it is now possible to have all the benefits of a fireplace without any of the drawbacks.
Categorized: Electric Fireplaces, Fireplaces | No comments | Permalink
Tagged with: electric fireplace, fireplace, inserts, logs