How to Start a Fire

Steps to Start a Fire in your Fireplace

1. Before you doing anything else and start fire, be sure to open the damper! You don’t want to accidentally fill up your house with smoke. Hold up a piece of burning, rolled up newspaper in the open damper for about 10 to 15 seconds by using the poker tool. Then light the tinder.

2. You’ll need three things to start your fire: Tinder, Kindling, and Fuel.

You can use small twigs, pine needles or pine cones as tinder. However, old crumbled up newspaper makes the very best tinder when starting a fire in your fireplace.

Kindling such as large twigs, small branches and splits of wood that range from 1/4″ to 1″ in thickness will do.

When fueling your fireplace only use well-seasoned hardwood such as ash, hickory or oak. If you really need to burn soft wood (cedar, fir or red pine) make sure that they are well-seasoned. Signs of seasoned wood are loose bark and cracks at the end of the wood. If you see bubbling liquids in the burning logs, DO NOT BURN!

3. To start the fire begin by arranging 2 (small to medium sized) pieces of firewood on the grate. Between the logs, place the tinder of your choice and cover it with several pieces of kindling.

Don’t be afraid to be generous with the kindling. Place two more pieces of firewood on top of the kindling and two more pieces of firewood at a right angle. Leave some spaces in between for air circulation.

Now you should have a nice burning fire, warming up your home!

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Introducing Our New Security Window Screens

Bill H. from Stockton decided that for his windows, he wanted maximum security without gaudy iron security bars detracting the beauty of his home. With our new security window screens we were able to help him achieve both of these goals without compromise. Bill H. picked out a combination of quick escape and fixed security window screens in a white frame finish along with our Viewguard and sliding security door for total home protection.

guarda security windows
Our screens are made of high tensile strength stainless steel allowing for a clear view of the outside from your home while saving you money on energy with 60% UV blockage and secure protection. Unlike traditional bars on your windows, our security screens allow for an easy exit from the inside, high resistance to impact and tampering from the outside, and an appealing design with unobstructed air flow throughout your house. These screens are available in 9 different frame finishes with several options to match your current home style.

To get security screens for your home today give us a call at (877) 520-3595

For more information on our security window screens, visit our website: Security Window Screens

guarda security window screens

Don’t DIY Chimney Cleaning

Why You Shouldn’t DIY

Your Chimney Cleaning

In the past few years there has been a lot of hype in regards to DIY (Do It Yourself). There are some websites and blogs such as Pinterest that say a homeowner doesn’t need a chimney sweep to perform a chimney cleaning and post videos that teach you how to perform a chimney cleaning.

Many posts online (such as Pinterest) say homeowners can clean out their own chimneys.

However there are certain things that homeowners’ shouldn’t take it upon themselves to do, such as cleaning their home’s chimney. There are some homeowners that may do a good job in maintaining their chimney but that’s only to a certain degree (no pun intended). Things such as creosote buildup, a damaged flue, live/dead critters, etc. can be overlooked when DIYing a chimney cleaning, which is why a chimney sweep needs to be called in.

3rd Stage Glazed Creosote

Damaged Flue Liner

Chimney Sweeps are certified trained professionals who while cleaning your chimney also look for anything that may be wrong with your chimney. They also use the proper tools and equipment needed to clear out your chimney completely without creating any new problems along the way.

So before trying your hand on chimney cleaning, call one of our professional chimney sweeps today at 1 877 520 3595! or schedule an appointment with us online at lhi.19f.mywebsitetransfer.com/chimney-services/!

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The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?

Carbon Monoxide is a real threat that not a lot of people are aware of. Carbon monoxide also known as the “silent killer” is a colorless, odorless gas that is very toxic to humans and animals in high concentrations. If inhaled it can affect you without warning. When exposed, it can have serious long term effects on your health. It basically displaces the oxygen in your body’s blood and cause sever damage to the brain, heart and other vital organs which require oxygen. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, and/or muscle weakness. Everyone can be at risk for CO poisoning but people with heart and respiratory problems, young children, and the elderly are at a higher risk.

How is it Produced?

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), it is a common industrial hazard resulting from the incomplete burning of natural gases and materials that contain carbon such as wood, oil, propane, coal and gasoline. So where can carbon monoxide come from? Most commonly home appliances like fireplaces, gas water heaters, gas furnaces, and wood burning stoves are able to produce the odorless gas. Also if your home’s venting system is installed improperly and you happen to have a gas leak, it can cause the gas to stay in your home instead of venting it outside.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide

So how do you avoid carbon monoxide poisoning? By being prepared! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following guidelines

Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances checked and serviced by a qualified technician every year.
Check and install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home.
Check and/or replace the batteries when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. If the detector sounds leave your home immediately and call 911.
If you suspect CO poisoning and feel dizzy, nauseated or light-headed seek medical attention immediately.
Don’t use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window.
Even if you leave the garage door open never run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house.
Don’t burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t vented.
Never heat your house with a gas oven.
Don’t use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.

Remember if you smell and/or suspect a gas link to immediately call 9-1-1 or PGE at 1-800-743-5000.

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Warning Signs Your Chimney Might Need Repairs

Mike’s Mobile Chimney Sweep

Usually by the time the average homeowner notices a problem with their chimney, it has probably needed some repairs for quite some time. To avoid any future repairs (big or small) be sure to be on the lookout for these signs.

Damaged Lining

Chimney Liner

Unfortunately, there are usually no obvious signs that a chimney liner is damaged. In some rare cases, you may notice broken masonry in your fireplace and the debris could be bits of a deteriorating flue liner that have fallen into the firebox. Because it is usually not obvious that a liner needs to be repaired, it’s important to have a reputable chimney sweep inspect your chimney’s flue annually. To avoid harmful hazards such as creosote on your liner and home, schedule a chimney sweep to remove the soot and creosote before it turns into Stage 3 and damages your liner.

Water Damage

Water Damage

From something as serious as crumbling masonry to something seemingly harmless like droplets of water, both are usually reasons enough to call over a professional chimney sweep to have a look at your chimney. A certified chimney sweep will also be able to inspect your flashing, the chimney cap as well as the crown which tend to be the common causes for a leaking chimney. Other signs of a leaky chimney include:

– Water stains on masonry, walls and/or ceilings.

– A musty odor coming from within the chimney,
clogged cleaned-out area and/or wet ashes

– To avoid some water damage have your
chimney waterproofed professionally.

Wear and Tear

Damaged firebox

The firebox/fireplace is usually the part of your home’s chimney system that receives the least amount of attention even though it withstands the most heat and abuse. If built with the incorrect materials or if affected by water penetration the masonry can be damaged which can be disastrous. In order to avoid disastrous damages to your firebox, assessing the firebox as part of your monthly home maintenance is the best way to stay on top of it. You can do so by removing ashes and by looking for cracks in your chimney’s masonry.

For more information on other services Mike’s Mobile Screen & Chimney Service offers visit our website!

If you happen to realize that your home’s chimney does need to have some repairs done, schedule an appointment with us today at TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 877 520 3595!

Category Archives: Safety