Fireplace Directory

My brick chimney cracked during an earthquake years ago. I removed the loose bricks to the roof level and covered the hole with plywood since we never use the Fireplace. Now i want to fix it so it looks like a chimney. Other than rebuilding the bricks, whats a good way to fix it up? it sticks out of the middle of the roof, not the side of the house.

You should call a professional. There are several options to repair it and make it safe. 1. Rebuild with brick. 2. Line the Chimney with a stainless flue and build a wood chase above the existing brick to bring it to height. I don’t think either option is a DIY project.

a wood Pellet Stove
i am not asking how to clean it!
At a job my dad was asked to clean a pellet stove, not involving the company, just from him. So he was wondering how much should he charge the guy? So it won’t be too much or to little.

My brother in law had one in his last house. And his kids cleaned them for close to ten years. The oldest is 17, the twins are 13..

Just take out the ashes and usea soft brush to remove any carbon.

If it has a long chimney use a special Chimney sweeping log to clean out the creosote and flue pipes.

The house is over a century old and the Chimney is completely walled in, except in the basement and attic, there is no fireplace. I would estimate 40′ tall. We were told it was in bad shape (crumbling) and had it capped. We would like to make renovations to our kitchen and bathroom and could use this extra space. The house has another chimney with a Fireplace that we are keeping.

Clare, Question? Do you have a furnace? If so the flue for that chimney that is capped off could be the only way your furnace can let the CO2 out of your house. That and your water heater. Please make sure your furnace and water heater has a way for the CO2 to escape. CO2 poisoning is very dangerous !!! Just thought you might want to know first before you cap anything off or remove it. If not any of these possibilities then rent about 40′ of scaffold, and take it down from the top down. Good Luck with your project ! Also a note; Sometimes these old houses have bearing points that are built into the stone work. Make sure when taking it down you have something to carry the roof,floor joists, beams,etc."permanently", that will keep your house from falling on top of you while you take it down. You might want to call your local building dept. for some advise.

Not a screen, but a decorative piece that would fit tightly inside the fireplace opening to block it off. I googled "fireplace insert" but keep getting gas Fireplaces.

Really, Not a screen? Perhaps a damper? A screen is put in front of the fireplace when not in use but does not block it off. You’re looking for a plug of some sort? Google fireplace plug.

Any suggestions? Brands? wood vs. electric? Size recommendations?

coal fire pits are good as they double up as bbq’s as well and look really contemporary i wouldnt buy electric as they cost a fortune the other alternative is a patio heater that uses gas but they are very harsh looking – personally a fire pit is cosy and if it has enough space arount the rim it can double up as a table for drinks as you cosy round it

try any DIY stores no particular make is better than the other just make sure its rust proof if you are buying a metal one

We just bought a house and the fireplace is neither gas or electric. Do I just put wood in the fireplace and open the damper. This is the first house I ever owned with a fireplace. We live in Southern California and it only gets cold in the winter. But I just want to prepare myself. Don’t want to burn the house down or smoke the house if you get my drift. Any suggestions how to start my Fireplace that is neither gas or electric?

First, your fire place should be inspected prior to lighting any fires. The flue should be cleaned of all creosote and to be sure no critters have nested in the flue if there was no chimney cap atop the chimney. Inspection is very important to protect the house from catching fire. After you are certain the chimney is safe, do a draft test. Open the damper. Roll up a newspaper, not too tightly. Light the paper on fire and hold in the firebox like a torch. This should cause an upward draft and show you that the Chimney properly vents up the flue. Now you are ready for a real log fire.

After the inspection and draft test is complete, you are ready to begin. First, make sure there is a metal grate in the firebox. This is a raised metal grate which keeps the logs off of the floor of the firebox. On the metal grate, place a generous layer of crumpled up newspaper. On top of that, cris cross about small 8 to 10 branches (kindling). Then, add a layer of small logs. Light the fire by catching the paper on fire. The kindling will begin to burn. Without disturbing the fire too much, gently place larger logs on the burning kindling by allowing some air space between the logs for the flames to come up and lick the logs to catch them on fire. Then add more logs going in the other direction. Or, you can cheat and get a fire log at the grocery store for about $4.00. All you do is place the fake log, still in the wrapper on the grate inside the fire box and light the corners of the outer wrapper and you have an instant fire for three hours. Do not touch the log because it will fall apart and not burn as long as it should.

I sometimes save an empty paper milk carton to use as a fire starter because those cartons have a layer of wax on them and they burn really hot and make a great addition to starting a speedy fire.

Always have a fire place poker so you can move the burning logs as you add more logs to the fire.
You always have to think of safety first. Never begin a fire unless you have a fire extinguisher in the house. Move stored logs away from the fire. Do not have a rug up against the hearth. Use common sense. Have a fireplace screen so it catches hot embers from poping logs.

If you can find pine cones that have been dipped in copper sulfate, they make a fire turn really pretty shades of blue and orange.

I am not a pyro, but I have been using Wood Stoves and a fireplaces for more years than I care to admit here.

We just bought a house and the fireplace is neither gas or electric. Do I just put wood in the fireplace and open the damper. This is the first house I ever owned with a fireplace. We live in Southern California and it only gets cold in the winter. But I just want to prepare myself. Don’t want to burn the house down or smoke the house if you get my drift. Any suggestions how to start my fireplace that is neither gas or electric?

If you are in SoCal just let the Fireplace be decorative. Our air is polluted enough without adding smoke to the smog.

If you must, check to be sure the Chimney is properly screened (you don’t want an errant spark burning down the whole neighborhood) and have the chimney inspected to be sure it is not cracked from past earthquakes and the fireplace is safe for a fire before you do anything else.

Do you like what you have but don’t like your room? Here’s the
solution: pull your rooms together so they look finished and
professionally decorated by following these techniques to add
the “wow” to your rooms! (I’ve used them in hundreds of homes!).
1. Paint the walls and ceiling a rich, warm neutral color or one
of the colors in your room’s fabrics. Your furnishings will
immediately look more at home. I call it “marrying your
architecture to your furnishings”.

2. Next, move your seating away from the walls and group it
around a Fireplace, a view window or any logical focal point.

3. Now, add a generous area rug to accent and unify your entire
seating area.

4. Fill any empty looking corners with large plants and soft
up-lights. Add a decorative, folding screen for a fuller look.

5. Place your lamps to evenly and softly light your seating
area. Use additional lighting to accent your artwork,
collections and accessories.

6. Create a focal point on the coffee table by elevating one of
your favorite accessories on a stack of several books (sans
covers). This will give your treasure more “presence”. Then add
a low, full green plant or a blooming orchid and a couple of
large, glowing candles. If you like a fuller look, use a
decorative tray or runner underneath.

7. Lastly, be sure to decorate the top half of your room (from
the furniture up), with tall plants, window treatments, artwork
and that wall color. The room will feel considerably larger,
more interesting and most importantly … finished!

These few changes will make all the difference so you can start
enjoying living in a beautiful home!

Mary L. Brown, Interior Stylist
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/how-to-bring-your-living-room-to-life-2937.html

Most people desire to enjoy the serenity of the night without thinking about miseries. It is nice to drift into the enigmatic beauty of the stars in the sky and the luster of the moon. At present, despite the hectic lifestyle of people, some are still wishing to enjoy a precious evening in the patio by just sitting around the fire and glancing at its crisp orange flames.

Year-round patio enjoyment can be had when there is a functioning fire pit to keep you warm and spirited. Fire pits are becoming popular by day. Said popularity triggered an influx of fresh designs, styles and materials to complement not just the patio but also the house in general.

Fire pits can be permanent or portable. They serve as containers for barbecues, bonfires, as well as outdoor heat. They also come in different sizes, sources and accessories. Some fire pits use wood while others use natural gas. Several fire pits are also designed to roast marshmallows while others can carry out a more complicated function such as container of a bonfire during a camping adventure.

One of the most striking fire pits available these days is called chimenea. Chimenea is a circular tub made out of ceramic, iron or other metal. It is an outdoor stove that is intended to provide heat and cook food by using fire pit wood. There are also other designs that are intended for the traditional wood fire pits like the copper bowls. Other fire pits have the rotisserie bar option. The portable version of which can accompany you to the beach, woods, or even just in the backyard. You can also use these fire pits roasting chicken or grilling burgers. This is done to make your fire pit investments go a long way. These types of fire pits accept coals and logs as sources.

Complex fire pit designs use natural gas instead of wood. They are usually fixed. Sometimes they use fire pit special products to boost their performance.

In selecting a fire pit, it is best to weigh the pros and cons. If you wanted a portable fire pit, choose a lightweight fire pit that can be assembled easily. If you want a fire pit for your patio, better use a dish or bowl design. Be sure that fire pit special products like screen dome or cover are part of the package. Also consider the size of the equipment especially when you intend to use logs and coals. When you are purchasing a fire pit with grill, make sure that there is an attached tool to raise the grill.

To maintain the fire pit, remove the ashes a day after you use it. Other fire pits require regular painting. Hence, seek advice from the paint store representative near you.

Daniel Roshard
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/round-the-year-fire-pit-delight-83042.html

Equestrian home decor gives horse lovers a chance to show their love and appreciation for their four-legged friends. There are all kinds of home furnishings, accessories, and accents that feature a horse of some sort. It might be a table lamp with a horse sculpture on the base, a comforter that depicts horses running across a meadow, or a piece of wall art with a horse theme.

There are many reasons for the wide appeal of equestrian home decor. First, many people simply admire the form and beauty of the animal. Also, a horse might be reminiscent of time spent on a grandparent’s farm or a summer camp where you learned to ride.

You might have seen examples of equestrian home decor in all sorts of homes, but the horse-themed decor that we’re most fond of is found in homes with one of the casual styles of home decorating, such as western, rustic, southwestern, or country. Some people might be surprised to know that an increasingly large percentage of horse-themed decor is in homes of people that do not own horses.

Take a moment to think about your favorite horses from books, movies, or television. A few that come to mind for us are Trigger (the horse of Roy Rogers), Silver and Scout (the horses of the Lone Ranger and his sidekick Tonto), Black Beauty, My Friend Flicka, and the mischievous Mr. Ed. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, many children in grade school had a lunch box that featured one of these horses.

Okay, let’s take a little trip down memory lane. How many of us had a rocking horse when we were kids? How about a blanket with cowboys and/or cowgirls and horses? Anything else with a horse on it? Yes, there’s a chance that you had some sort of equestrian home decor back then and did not even realize it.

There are horse-themed figurines, statuettes, and pottery dating back centuries from different cultures that created the pieces to honor the horse. The pieces that still exist are often a real treasure for a collector.

Whether you want to decorate an entire room with equestrian home decor or just add a few pieces here and there, you can find a wide variety of items to accent your home, such as a horse-themed Fireplace screen, wall art, bedding, rugs, throw pillows, and so much more.

Adding equestrian home decor in your bedroom can be accomplished with a few simple horse-themed items such as a well-placed picture or two, a comfy floor rug, and a lamp and/or lampshade. Let’s not forget the bedding and comforter. With their large surface area, they can show one or more horses in a pastoral setting or running free across a hillside.

Equestrian home decor is great for kids’ rooms as well. Here, you can brighten a child’s room with images of colts and fillies playing in a field. The kids will love a wooden rocking horse. Children’s bedding has many designs with horses to choose from. You can also take the room decor one step further with an age-appropriate lamp that has horses depicted on the base or the shade. The finishing touch would be a decorative, yet playful horse design on a wall border.

Whatever your reason for being attracted to equestrian home decor, you can be assured that you will have plenty of decorative items to choose from.

Joules,

Joules Gilets

Manesntails
http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/the-wide-appeal-of-equestrian-home-decor-276107.html