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.About Fire Bellows
Fire bellows are not just attractive accessories for your fireplace. They are also very functional. If you don’t know much about fire bellows, here is some information about what they are, how they work, and the types available so that you can choose the correct type to suit your needs.
The purpose of fire bellows is to blow air onto a dying fire to help get it going again. They are based on the same concept as blowing on a fire but are much easier on your lungs. The bellows have a tiny hole to pull in the air and then a larger one that the air is pushed out through to help deliver oxygen to the fire which in turn creates bigger flames. As such, larger bellows work faster and better than smaller ones. Most bellows are triangular in shape and easily operated by hand. Just a few puffs of air are usually enough to keep the fire burning. These are useful not only for fires in a fireplace but also for campfires and other types of fires.
They also look great sitting next to the fireplace. A fireplace is often the center of a room and draws a lot of attention. Many people place pictures above their fireplace but don’t think much about actual fireplace accessories beyond a basic chimney brush. Indeed it’s not a good idea to place anything where stray sparks could potentially ignite it, but you can put some elegant fire accessories at a safer distance off to the side. Choose fire bellows that match your wood floor or the color of your furniture for a very sophisticated and coordinated look. Antique bellows make a big statement but true vintage items may not necessarily still be functional so be sure to try them out before buying.
Bellows are available in all price ranges. If you are just looking to get the job done, you can get one for very little money. If you are looking for something that doubles as a piece of décor, the sky is the limit. You can shell out for handcarved bellows or even custom made or engraved ones. Wood bellows are the most popular but you can also find metal ones and leather-covered bellows as well. Look for a longer handle or nozzle so that you can stand at a safe distance from the fire while operating it.
If you know someone with a fireplace, fire bellows also make excellent gifts. This is a great choice for a person who seems to have everything. There are many decorative pairs to choose from and it’s a very unique gift that is sure to be remembered.
Bellows aren’t needed for gas fireplaces because it is easy to control the level of the fire with the switches on the fireplace. However, many people opt to purchase them anyway to decorate the area and give it more of an authentic fireplace feel and a rustic look.
No set of fireplace accessories is complete without a good pair of fire bellows. These very useful tools double as beautiful decorations and there are enough styles available that you can get any look you are going for with them.
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Tagged with: chimney fires, fireplace, oxygen
What Is a Chimney Damper?
A chimney damper goes inside or at the top of your chimney and is designed to serve two purposes. When you are using the fireplace, it can be adjusted to increase or decrease the air flow. It is basically like a lid that you place on your chimney so you have the option of opening it or closing it off. It also serves to prevent the heated air in your house from getting out through the chimney when you’re not using the fireplace. This can help you make significant reductions in your heating expenses. Remember that heat rises and could be escaping through your chimney, so using a fireplace damper is vital.
There are different types of chimney dampers available. The older styles were made of cast iron and sat further down the chimney. These are called throat-mount dampers. These days, the type that sit at the top of the chimney (top-mount dampers) are increasing in popularity. This type can usually be controlled by a cable that extends into the fireplace.. Some have rubber around the perimeter to ensure a tight fit and prevent air from escaping. Many of the top-mount chimney dampers also function as chimney caps. These have the added benefit of stopping birds and other critters from entering your house or building a nest or getting stuck in the chimney.
Dampers can be purchased in most of the standard chimney sizes. If your chimney is an unusual size, it may be necessary to have a custom damper made. If standard chimney sweep brushes don’t fit your chimney, chances are that a standard chimney cap damper won’t either. A perfect fit is absolutely essential for reaping all of the benefits of using a damper. If there are any gaps, it will not be able to do its job. Likewise, it is crucial to replace your chimney damper once it begins to show signs of wear or reduced efficiency. They can warp over time, rendering them useless. If you suspect this is the case, have a chimney inspector or other professional take a look to determine what the problem is.
There are a few precautions that need to be taken when using a fireplace damper. Be warned that if your flue is used for something else besides the fireplace, it could be dangerous to install a chimney damper (for example, if another active heating source in your home shares the same flue). If you are unsure, it is best to have a professional look at it before doing anything.
Remember, the damper should always be open when using the fireplace. If it is closed, the house will fill with smoke quickly and create very dangerous conditions. Always be sure the fire is out completely before closing the damper. And never use a chimney with a damaged or leaking chimney liner.
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Tagged with: chimney damper, chimney inspector, custom damper, fireplace, fireplace damper, flue
Chimney Brush Basics
A chimney brush is a useful tool when it comes to keeping your chimney in top shape. Many people don’t know how to select and use one, but there is no need to be intimidated. Using a chimney brush is something that can be done at home in most cases as long as you know what you are doing and exercise some caution.
When selecting a chimney brush, it is imperative to choose one that is the correct size. Chimney brushes that are too big can get stuck, and if that happens toward the middle of the chimney liner, then it is quite difficult to remove it. Conversely, if you get one that is too small, it won’t really accomplish anything because it won’t reach the sides of the flue liner which is where it needs to do its work. It is best to measure the inside of your chimney liner from both the top and the bottom in case there is some variation. If you have a metal chimney, you will have to take the cap off before measuring. Be sure to also find a chimney brush that matches the shape of your chimney liner (round or square). Round chimney sweep brushes should match the inside diameter of your liner exactly, whereas rectangular chimney liner brushes should be about half an inch larger than the inside of the liner.
The importance of chimney maintenance cannot be understated. Most chimneys need to be cleaned once every year or two but the exact frequency depends on how often you use it and what type of wood you burn inside. It is crucial to get your chimney inspected every year, at which point the inspector can recommend if a cleaning or other repairs are necessary.
Why is cleaning with a chimney brush so important? When burning a fire in your fireplace, if everything is in working order the smoke does exit through the chimney as you might expect, but it also leaves behind traces of chemicals on the inside of your chimney liner. With repeated usage, these toxic byproducts build up inside the liner. This in turn creates dangerous fumes and can also erode your chimney liner, which could eventually lead to a house fire or carbon monoxide entering your home. This buildup can form quite rapidly and is essentially “baked on” from the heat. It is nearly impossible to remove without using a chimney brush which is very abrasive.
Using a chimney brush involves attaching rods and sliding the brush up and down to brush the inside of the flue liner. The area surrounding the fireplace should be covered to protect from falling debris. All safety precautions must be followed, such as wearing a mask and goggles. If climbing up on the roof and maneuvering chimney liner brushes through your chimney does not sound like your idea of a good time, you can call a professional chimney sweep. This is especially useful if you don’t know what you are doing because it is a dangerous undertaking and toxic chemicals are involved. There is also the risk of getting the chimney brush stuck in chimney lining. A pro already has all the perfect tools and chimney sweep brushes to get the job done and takes care of everything from sealing the fireplace to ensuring the cleaning is done properly to taking care of cleanup. Even if you do decide to try to do it yourself, it’s a good idea to hire a chimney sweep every few years to confirm you are using chimney brushes the right way and get the spots you may have missed with specialized chimney sweep brushes. It is still a good idea to keep a chimney brush on hand for maintenance in between professional cleanings.
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Tagged with: carbon monoxide, chimney brush, chimney inspection, Chimney liner, chimney sweep, fireplace, flue, flue liner, metal chimney, toxic chemicals