The Chimney Pro Blog

Introducing Our New Online Store!

Introducing Our New Online Store!

We’re excited to present our brand-new online store, with an exceptional range of quality products directly at your fingertips!  With a carefully curated selection of items, including Woodburning and Gas Fireplaces and Stoves, Gas Logs, Outdoor Furniture and Grills, available for online purchase. You can easily add products to your cart and enjoy FREE shipping and convenient delivery.

You know us for our expertise in all thing’s fireplace and chimney and now you have the option to buy online from the comfort of your own home! Not all products are available online so be sure to call and visit our local showroom for personalized assistance and to explore our wide range of highly efficient fireplaces, stoves, chimney services and solutions.

Whether you are looking for the perfect centerpiece for your living space or a cozy addition to your outdoor oasis, our selections have you covered.

Happy Shopping!

Direct Vent Gas Fireplace vs Vent-Free: Which should you choose?

Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces vs. Vent-Free Gas Fireplaces: Which One Should You Choose?


Gas fireplaces are a popular choice for homeowners who want to add warmth, comfort, and ambiance to their homes without the hassle of traditional wood-burning fireplaces. When it comes to gas fireplaces, there are two main types: direct vent gas fireplaces and vent-free gas fireplaces. In this blog post, we’ll explore the differences between these two options and help you determine which one is right for your home.

Efficiency

In terms of energy efficiency, vent-free gas fireplaces are more efficient than direct vent gas fireplaces. This is because vent-free gas fireplaces are designed to release all of their heat into the room, while direct vent gas fireplaces require outside air for combustion and vent any byproducts directly outside. However, while vent-free gas fireplaces are highly efficient, they consume oxygen from the room and produce small amounts of combustion byproducts that can impact indoor air quality.

Safety

When it comes to safety, direct vent gas fireplaces are the better option. Direct vent gas fireplaces require venting to the outside of the home, which provides fresh air for combustion and removes any byproducts of combustion. This means that direct vent gas fireplaces are less likely to impact indoor air quality and pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Vent-free gas fireplaces, on the other hand, don’t require any venting and release all of their heat and byproducts into the room. While vent-free gas fireplaces have safety features that shut off the gas supply if oxygen levels in the room become too low, they still require proper ventilation for safety.

Versatility

Both direct vent gas fireplaces and vent-free gas fireplaces offer a range of customization options to fit your unique style and preferences. Direct vent gas fireplaces can be vented through a wall or roof, which allows for more flexibility in terms of installation location. Vent-free gas fireplaces, on the other hand, don’t require any venting, which makes them easier and less expensive to install. Additionally, vent-free gas fireplaces come in a range of sizes and styles, so you can find one that fits your decor and heating needs.

Appearance

In terms of appearance, both direct vent gas fireplaces and vent-free gas fireplaces offer realistic flames and the cozy ambiance of a traditional fireplace. Direct vent gas fireplaces use sealed combustion technology, which means that the flames are contained within a glass panel and can be controlled with a thermostat or remote control. Vent-free gas fireplaces, on the other hand, have an open flame that can be adjusted manually for a more traditional look.

Cost

The cost of a gas fireplace depends on a variety of factors, including the type of fireplace, the installation location, and the specific model. In general, vent-free gas fireplaces are less expensive to install than direct vent gas fireplaces because they don’t require any venting. However, because direct vent gas fireplaces are more efficient and safer, they may save you money in the long run on energy bills and maintenance costs.

Indoor Air Quality

One of the main concerns with vent-free gas fireplaces is indoor air quality. Because vent-free gas fireplaces release all of their heat and byproducts into the room, they can impact indoor air quality and potentially pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Some manufacturers recommend that a window be opened slightly when using a vent-free gas fireplace to provide some fresh air to the room. However, this requirement can vary depending on the size of the room, the number of occupants, and the specific model of the vent-free gas fireplace. It’s essential to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when installing and using a vent-free gas fireplace toensure proper ventilation and indoor air quality.

So, which one should you choose?

Ultimately, the decision between a direct vent gas fireplace and a vent-free gas fireplace comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize energy efficiency, a vent-free gas fireplace may be the right choice for you. However, if safety and indoor air quality are your top concerns, a direct vent gas fireplace is the way to go. Both options offer a range of customization options and a cozy ambiance that will enhance your home’s comfort and style. Whatever you choose, make sure to work with a qualified installer who can help you select the right model and ensure proper installation and ventilation for safe and efficient operation.

Dustin Doty

Chimney Fires and What Not To Burn

 

Christmas Day is the most common day of the year when chimney fires occur! Christmas wrapping paper and paper plates from the Christmas dinner are normally the accelerator! Please remember, your fireplace is not a household incinerator. Read on for a list of 7 items you should never burn in your fireplace and the reasons why: 

Paper or CardboardThe inks used in wrapping paper, newspaper inserts, glossy magazines, pizza boxes and other items contain metals that give off toxic fumes when burned. Paper burns very quickly and can easily float up the chimney. This is dangerous since flames that enter the chimney can ignite the creosote deposits in the flue. Furthermore, the hot fumes and pieces of burning paper can rise through the chimney and ignite flammable materials  

outside the home. 

Processed Wood – Never burn painted, stained, treated wood or manufactured wood such as plywood and particleboard. These items contain various chemicals, which produce toxic and carcinogen fumes when burned. 

Dryer Lint Do not burn dryer lint. Dryer lint may be an effective fire starter, 

 but it can release toxic chemicals into your home and up your chimney. 

Polypropylenes & Polystyrenes Do not burn any kind of plastics and Styrofoam. A toxic cocktail of fumes exists when burning items like Styrofoam cups, plastic utensils, and remnants of household products in empty containers. Remember most, if not all, of these items can be recycled! 

Fire Accelerants- Never use accelerants like gasoline, kerosene, or barbecue lighter fluid to start a fire in your fireplace. These highly flammable substances can produce unexpectedly large flare-ups. 

Coal or Charcoal- Do not burn coal or charcoal in your fireplace. These fuels burn much hotter than wood and may exceed the temperature levels that are safe for your fireplace and chimney. They also produce much more carbon monoxide than properly seasoned wood does. 

Evergreens- Do not burn the Christmas tree! Your tree, wreath, and other evergreen decorations are not safe to burn in your fireplace. Some may enjoy the aroma and the sound, but dry evergreens are loaded with resin that burns very quickly and ‘pops’ producing embers that can rise through the chimney and start chimney fires. 

Merry Christmas and A Safe Happy New Year!

Rhonda B.

May be an image of fire and outdoors

The Birds Are Back! How Your Certified Chimney Sweep Can Help!

Tax Day has come and gone but the Chimney Swifts have come to stay for a while! These cool little birds may seem like they are taking over your backyard but the Chimney swifts are a federally protected migratory bird. Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) are a common sight in our area from March through October. The birds breed here, in chimneys, one pair per stack, and then gather in large roosting flocks known as “swiftnados” during their fall migration. These birds are unable to perch upright but are uniquely adapted to cling and build their nest on vertical surfaces. These birds are dependent on chimneys, abandoned building, and stone walls to roost and nest.

These birds are unable to perch upright but are uniquely adapted to cling and build their nest on vertical surfaces. These birds are dependent on chimneys, abandoned building, and stone walls to roost and nest. Historically, this species would have nested and roosted inside hollow trees or in caves, but as a wave of European settlement removed much of Alabama’s old-growth forest during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, swifts adapted to newly constructed chimneys as a place to raise their young.

But what is the common damaged caused by chimney swifts? Chimney swifts spend most of their time flying landing only to roost at night and to build and sit on their nests. Most complaints about chimney swifts are because they have created a messy nest in a homeowner’s chimney and oh the noise!

What can be done about these special little creatures? Outside of the nesting season, a chimney cap can be placed over the top of the chimney to prevent birds from having future access. A chimney cap cannot be placed if there is an active nest, as excluding the adults will cause the young to die. Most individuals notice a chimney swift’s presence when the young begin calling. This generally occurs when then young are around two weeks old. At point, it will only take a few more weeks for the young to fledge and the noise to cease.

Chimney Swifts do tend to return to the same nesting chimney year after year, either before or after their habitation is the proper time to call your CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to inspect, clean and cap your chimney.  Birds aren’t the only thing to inhabit your chimney; it’s common for raccoons, squirrels and bats to make a home in your chimney. Birds are the most common to enter your chimney  and they carry the risk of histoplasmosis, a fungal disease that effects the lungs. Having a professional remove the bird nest, debris and droppings is imperative before lighting your first fire of the season, for your and your family’s health.  

You should never  try to relocate or interrupt the nesting of the Chimney Swifts, under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act it is illegal to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase, or barter, any migratory bird without a federal permit. These laws should be taken seriously because the penalties for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty are shockingly steep: folks convicted of interfering with or endangering a protected species can be fined up to $15,000 and/or sentenced to six months in prison.

Just gathering the cool chimney facts for you a little at a time,

Rhonda Bean

Spring Cleaning? Don’t forget your fireplace!

The daffodils are blooming and if you look around there are signs of the upcoming warmer weather we have all been anticipating. Most of us are getting ready to give the house a good scrub. Open the windows and let the air blow through ridding the house of the stale odors from those shut up winter months. Your fireplace deserves a good cleaning too! We want a fresh start for spring, cleaning every nook and cranny to make our homes shine like the sun on these bright spring mornings. The fireplace is still the focal point of the home, think spring flowers on the mantel and cool freshly scented candles on the hearth!

In accordance with the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency), chimneys should be inspected annually and cleaning, maintenance and repairs made if necessary. After all those toasty fires, spring and summer are the best times to call your CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. Yes, it’s time to get the soot and ashes out so the whole house will smell good!

We aren’t just talking about the inside of the chimney either! The exterior chimney, whether brick, wood, or stone, may have suffered from the harsh winter months. There could be leaks, white spots or streaking and water stains that need addressing.

Safety First! Regular maintenance and cleaning of your chimney is the easiest, most cost efficient way to prevent chimney fires. Something so simple may even save your life and your loved ones.  Yet many homeowners don’t think about their chimney cleaning until the fall when they are ready to use it again, but NOW is the best time!

By calling in the spring you have appointment options that are convenient for you, without waiting many weeks like in the fall when the company is heavily scheduled and fighting the dreary weather.

Call us today 256-845-9814

Happy Spring!

Rhonda B.

How to Know if You’re Due For A Chimney Cleaning

If your home has a chimney, properly cleaning it is essential to the safety and well-being of your family and structure. A chimney sweep removes blockages, soot, and other accumulations from all the components, which helps prevent any dangerous situations. But how can you tell if you’re due for a chimney cleaning? The experts at Chimney Pro, based in Fort Payne, AL, say you should schedule an appointment when one of the following applies to you.

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The 3 Dangers of Skipping Chimney Cleaning

A crackling fire is a wonderful way to keep your home warm and cozy when it’s chilly outside — but only as long as the chimney and fireplace are clean and well-maintained. While a chimney may not seem like it needs much maintenance, dirt and particulate buildup can present some serious problems. Below are just a few of the dangers of skipping annual chimney cleanings.

3 Dangers of a Dirty Chimney


  • Chimney Fires: As ash, vapor, unburned wood particles, and other by-products of the fire go up the chimney, they rapidly cool and stick to the sides of the chimney. When the resulting residue hardens, creosote is formed, which is a dangerous substance that can be highly flammable. If the deposits are thick enough, they can combust if the chimney temperatures climb, causing catastrophic fires that essentially burn your home from the inside out.
  • Carbon Monoxide: If the chimney is dirty enough, gas and debris may not be able to escape, causing carbon monoxide to seep into the home. This tasteless, odorless gas is extremely dangerous and potentially lethal. Those exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning may suffer from confusion, dizziness, nausea, and, eventually, loss of consciousness.
  • Toxic Material Exposure: Creosote and soot can come back down the chimney in small particles, causing serious health problems for those who come into contact with it. Some common symptoms include respiratory problems, rashes, and eye irritation, but it can also cause seizures and even cancer in some individuals.

The chimney cleaning professionals at Chimney Pro have the training and expertise needed to keep you and your family safe throughout the winter. With locations in Chattanooga, TN, Fort Payne, AL, and Rome and Dalton, GA, they provide high-quality services to homeowners throughout the region. To schedule your chimney cleaning, use our contact form or call us at (256) 845-9814 today.

What to Do About Stuck Birds in Your Chimney

Having a songbird stuck in your chimney can present more than a few challenges. While you might be more than happy to allow the animal to stay and nest, leaving it in place could create hazards for both the bird and your family members. The professionals at Chimney Pro in Fort Payne, AL, and Chattanooga, TN, are familiar with this type of issue. Below, we will share a few tips to safely and effectively rectify the situation.

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Three Reasons to Avoid Your Fireplace Before Cleaning

For many people, approaching cooler months conjures up images of cozy gatherings around a warm fireplace. However, if you haven’t done any chimney cleaning since last year, or you’re trying your fireplace out for the first time, it may not be safe to use.

The experts at Chimney Pro understand the dangers of operating a dirty chimney. Below, we will highlight the potential hazards that can cause damage to your home and explain why it’s important to have your chimney cleaned by a professional:

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