Santa's Friend Chimney Service Blog

Proper Ash Removal

When you use a wood-burning fireplace or stove, you must perform a few maintenance tasks to keep your fireplace or stove working efficiently and safely. One of these tasks is removing ashes from the firebox at least once a week during burning season. If you allow ashes to build up, it not only creates a messy situation, but it could also start an accidental fire that could spread into your home. One of our top priorities at Santa’s Friend Chimney Service is fire safety, and we would like to share with you some information from Urban Overalls about safely removing ashes.

Why do I need to remove ashes once a week?

Besides the fact that hot embers could possibly start an accidental fire, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends removing ashes because the grate may burn out quicker than normal if a layer of ashes is deep enough to come into contact with the grate. Additionally, you will not be able to put as much firewood into your fireplace or stove if you have a very deep layer of ashes in the firebox.

How do I safely remove ashes?

First, you will need the right tools: a metal container with a lid, a metal ash shovel, protective gloves, and a face mask to reduce the risk of breathing in ash residue. Open your fireplace or stove doors and begin scooping out the ashes with the shovel. Place the ashes in your metal container. If you come across any smoldering ashes, leave them in the firebox. Leave a layer of ashes that is around one half to one inch to provide insulation to the firebox. This will make it easier to start your next fire. Once you have scooped out the ashes into the container, place the container outside on a non-combustible surface such as concrete or brick to prevent an accidental fire.

What are some helpful tips for safely removing ashes?

• Wait at least 24 hours after the fire has been extinguished before you begin removing ashes.

   

• Treat all ashes as if they were hot.

   

• Always close the container with its lid to keep the ashes contained if it should get knocked over by heavy winds. You also want to keep oxygen from coming into contact with these ashes as it could ignite live embers lurking inside.

   

• Pour a little water on top of the ashes in the container after removing them.

   

• Wait at least three days before disposing of the ashes. You can dump fully cooled ashes into a garbage bag.
• You can sprinkle ashes onto your garden beds or work the ashes into your compost pile, if you wish.

Want more fire safety tips? Contact us at Santa’s Friend Chimney Service to find out more information on using your fireplace or stove safely.

Tips for Maintaining Your Wood Stove

Knowing the best ways to clean and maintain your wood stove will help you enjoy using your stove without problems this fall and winter. To help you take care of your wood stove, Santa’s Friend Chimney Service would like to share with you some cleaning and maintenance tips from a video produced by Regency Fireplaces. This tutorial provides essential steps to follow, and we have highlighted exactly what you need to do to keep your wood stove working efficiently and effectively this burning season.

Ash Removal

When you use your wood stove daily, you will need to remove the ashes frequently. Every few days, you should check the ash buildup. To avoid maintenance problems, you should never let the ashes accumulate to the loading doors. However, leaving a layer of one-half to one-inch of ashes can insulate the firebox for easier ignition and a uniform burn. You want to safely remove the ashes by allowing them to sufficiently cool down before attempting to remove them. Always treat the ashes as if burning embers could be present. Use a metal container with a lid to store your ashes, and place this container outside on a non-combustible surface to prevent an accidental fire.

Glass Door Cleaning

To keep the glass doors of your wood stove clean, use a soft, clean cloth and a glass cleaner made for fireplaces after the stove has cooled down to room temperature. You can find this type of glass cleaner at Santa’s Friend Chimney Service. Spray the cleaner to the cloth and wipe away any soot from the glass doors. Use another soft, clean cloth to wipe off any remaining cleaner residue.

Creosote Accumulation Prevention

Preventing creosote, a highly flammable compound, from accumulating in your stove and chimney is essential to reducing the risk of a residential fire. Following these tips can help you keep your stove free from creosote buildup:

• Burn your stove with the draft control wide open for 10 to 15 minutes every morning during burning season.
• Whenever you add wood to your stove, be sure to completely open the damper for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Never burn wet or green wood. You want to burn seasoned firewood that has been dried for at least six months.
• Do not burn large, smoldering fires. Instead burn small, hot fires.
• Examine your chimney and the chimney connector every two months during burning season to look for any accumulation of creosote.
• Have your chimney professionally cleaned two times a year to keep it free from creosote buildup.

For more cleaning and maintenance tips for your wood stove, contact us at Santa’s Friend Chimney Service. We are happy to help you keep your wood stove working properly.

Keep it Safe, Keep it Warm

Helpful Tips in Maintaining a Safe and Efficient Fireplace and Chimney

Experts in chimney maintenance always say that prevention is better than cure. This is very true. You can’t just wait for the actual accident to happen before you start ‘preventing’ it in the first place. As the homeowner, you need to do your part to keep your fireplace and chimney intact, safe and useful all year round and especially during the winter season. There are many aspects to consider. That’s why professionals are still needed in its overall maintenance. If chimneys are taken for granted, they will crash and burn and cause bigger problems that even experts can no longer repair.

At least once a year you need a certified sweep to come and clean your chimney. You will also need an annual inspection.

Chimney damage may threaten your property, health and lifestyle. These are five simple tips in using your fireplace and chimney that can be done to avert any future problems.

1. Make sure that your chimney is checked and inspected on an annual basis by professionals that are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. There is a rich database in the Internet to look for top of the game companies in this field.
2. Before even thinking of starting a fire, check and double check that the flue in your chimney is open. Also check if there is enough flow of air up in your chimney.
3. When starting the fire, manufactured fire logs are the better choice instead of plain wood. They burn up to 80% cleaner than typical wood fire. Garbage and plastics are prohibited.
4. If there are no fire logs around, wood can be used provided that they are dry and seasoned to up to six months to leave only 20% moisture or less.
5. When the fire dies down after burning, let it cool and remove the ashes to maintain proper airflow for future use. The ashes should be sealed in a metal container and put outside the house. Some tiny pieces of coal may still be able to cause fire if allowed to be in contact with flammable materials.

These are all easy steps you can take in doing your part as a homeowner. However at one point or another in your chimney’s life, there comes a time when you need to call for professional help so you can enjoy your chimney for many more holidays to come.  This is where an outstanding company like Santa’s Friend Chimney Service comes into the picture because they live by the highest standards of Ethics and Business Practices.  For 24 years now at the heart of Mississippi, they have provided the best service for cleaning chimneys. No wonder they are certified by numerous organizations. Yes, they are the ones to call for guaranteed high quality services at low prices.