Fireplace Directory

Archive for November, 2009

I bought a new Wood Stove last year. I’ve found that when its not lit the stove pumps a foul smell into the house. How do I fix this? Can it be fixed?

Sounds as if you’re getting backdraft down through the flue. This would happen when you run the kitchen or bath exhaust fans, the gas furnace or hot water heater are running, the clothes dryer or any other situation that moves air from inside to outside the house. Newer, tighter-constructed homes often have this problem. The make up air the other applicanes demand is coming throught he path of least resistance–your woodstove flue. Keep the damper closed when you’re not using the stove–that will help somewhat. But your other appliances will still be drawing air, and this could also result in carbon monoxide and other combusiton gases coming back through the other flues. You should porbably consult with a building engineer to see about getting air flow to the applicances that need it without drawing cold air into all of the house.

Weather is the one thing you can’t control. But you can control how you are prepared for emergencies and bad weather situations. And you can do it frugally.

From flooding and hurricanes to mudslides and blizzards, we all need to be prepared for disasters. You don’t have to spend hundreds or thousands to become prepared.

First, you should stay educated. Know what the possibility for disaster in your area is. Some areas have fewer disasters than others. But there are always surprises. In the winter, you may live in an area of the country where you should keep your eye on the weather report for snow conditions. Some people must worry about hurricane or tornado seasons.

Learn the basics of food storage and useful crafts. You will be able to get through a disaster if you know how to make things work. In fact, you will find that a lot of frugal tips are essentials during disasters. You may need to know how to make things from scratch or make do without electricity. Learn the things that will help you survive.

For example, if you know that your electricity could be disrupted in the event of a disaster, you could learn to build a solar oven for cooking without fuel. Or you may have a Wood Stove in your home that you could cook on. You might even consider shopping around for a generator on sale to run your fridge and deep freeze on to keep your food fresh.

If you do have a wood stove or Fireplace, make sure that you have wood and pots and pans that can be used to cook in. Cast iron cookware is best, which you can often find at yard sales or second-hand stores for a reasonable price.

Make sure that you always have at least a month’s worth of your prescriptions on hand. You should also have a well stocked medicine chest, with pain medicine, bandages and other first aid items. Take inventory of it often and replace the expired items as needed.

Many disasters or emergency situations leave you without water. It is a good idea to have a few weeks worth of water stored. You should rotate your water regularly so that it remains fresh. I buy bottled water on sale, but you can also fill containers from your tap.

Food is a primary issue. You should have a stocked pantry at all times. One year, my husband and I were snowed in unexpectantly. We had very little food in the house as we had planned to spend the holidays with our family. We actually opened and ate a few Christmas gift sets we had bought for others.

Since then, we are fully prepared for being stranded at home. Stock up on dry and canned foods when they are on sale. Buy things that you will know how to prepare. Canned meats and spreads that can be eaten cold are an excellent addition to an emergency pantry. Don’t forget to include plenty of vegetables, fruit and grains, not just meat and powdered milk. Soups are often a good addition as well.

You may need to keep some extra cash on hand for emergencies. Many banks or financial instituations may be closed during a disaster, so you will want to have access to a small amount of money.

There are many ways to prepare for emergencies. You don’t have to go out and buy everything at once. Make a list of the necessities and start stocking up on things a little at a time. Before you know it, you won’t even have to make that last trip to the store before the snow hits. You will be ready.

Martin Lukac
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/frugal-ways-to-prepare-for-bad-weather-85635.html

The American country house plan is a fairly modern term used to express a variety of different elemental structural or design themes which give rise to the feel of years gone by. The charm of a country home can be as simple as a summer cottage or as formal and elegant as a multi-story, columned estate.

A smaller American country house plan can feature a stucco exterior with stone and shingles to create the cozy warmth of a cottage. Add a series of hip roofs, a central fireplace and brick facade to lend an English elegance to the home. A glass or screened in sun room would be an impressive addition.

For the larger American country house plan, some inclusions to be considered are a walkout basement foundation, open living spaces with the main entry giving way directly into the great room, or a secluded master suite with a terrace and a spa. Matchstick details and horizontal siding give a more sophisticated country flavor and don’t forget to add a fireplace to the great room.

You can also add a country flavor to a ranch house with just a few well placed details such as dormer windows, a tray ceiling, central Fireplace and enclosed sun room. The feel of a country manor estate can be captured with a drive court leading to private parking in a multi-car garage and separate guest house. Internal elements such as angled walls and sculptured ceilings can also add to the impression of an affluent country barron’s home.

Many home styles can be turned into a country house floor plan as long as you pay attention to the architectural design. From shutters and planter boxes, to ornate woodworking and sweeping verandas, deciding what architectural and design elements give your family the country feeling is the most important factor in planning your American country house plan.

Rebecca Welch
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/american-country-house-plan-americana-decor-from-wall-to-wall-68302.html

Many different types of tea are consumed by people around the world. For centuries Europeans have been drinking tea and for millennia Asians have been drinking green tea. The main producers and exporters of green tea throughout the world include China, Argentina, Japan, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Tanzania. Green tea is available in many flavors, one of which is green chai tea.

Many wonder what the fad about green chai tea is. Basically the original green tea from eastern countries has nothing to do with green chai tea. Western marketing firms created it in the 21st century. The word chai originated in the first place when the tea was different from the original green tea from India.

Westernized Chai

In several languages “chai” means tea and started in the Indian language. Chimney, chai, masala chai, milk chai and several others are the most famous chais in India. India is actually the origin of the original green chai tea, where it was typically served at houses and chai stops all over the country without milk. The addition of honey and sugar can enhance this particular green chai tea. For inspiration many western companies probably looked to this tea and decided to commercialize green teas because of their popularity. Soon they were added to the roster of products sold in western countries like the United States.

Green chai tea is now famous everywhere in the western world and is an alternative to coffee for many people who want a healthy drink that will help keep them fit without have to go to the east. Single-serve and ready to drink tea lattes are the most common forms. Day by day the green chai tea industry is growing strong as time goes by. This is because people are becoming more concerned with their food intake and health. They find that green tea derivatives fit the bill since they burn their fat or cholesterol and help boost their energy levels.

Kashmir green chai tea, spicy tea latte, organic green chai tea are just a few of the various flavors that green chai tea comes in. They are very high in antioxidants just like the original teas and are extremely useful to the bodies immune systems. They can last for a long time since they are well packed so they are both economical to purchase and healthy.

Colin Holcomb
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/types-of-green-chai-tea-68575.html

Gelco Stainless Multi-Flue Chimney Top Model D With SwingTabs – Of course you use the multi-flue chimney top when you have a multiple, odd-sized, or unlined flue. But single-flue owners deserve the same protection this top offer by covering the entire Chimney crown. This gives you a great value for your money. With the multi-flue chimney top you get the weld nut technology, you can say goodbye to stripped threads forever. The weld nuts on the top mounting strip give you a choice of two ways to attach th

Read the rest of this entry »

Arctic Outdoor Fireplace Lil’ Bon Fire – Black. BF-2033B. Add warmth to the patio, backyard or campsite for years to come with the Lil’ Bon Fire. This outdoor Fireplace is attractive, portable, easy to clean and simple to use and extinguish.

Read the rest of this entry »

6 Inch Straight Length PipePelletVent Pro is a venting system designed for stoves and inserts that use wood pellets and oil fuel. It is also built to vent biofuel products such as corn, switch grass, cherry pits, soybeans, coffee husks, to name a few. Rate for continuous feed use flue temperatures up to 570 degrees Fahrenheit.All PelletVent Pro components that come into contact with flue gases are built with an inner wall or corrosion resistant super-ferritic metal. PelletVent Pro is engineered with features for a durable, safe and aesthetical pleasing venting system. PelletVent Pro is a paten-pending system for stoves and inserts that use wood pellets, corn and other biofuels, or oil as fuel. As a result of Simpson DuraVent s cutting edge manufacturing process and commitment to innovation. PelletVent Pro is uncompromised in attention to detail and performance. This perfect fit and finish is made possible with a laser-welded inner and outer wall.Features fully unitized twist-lock construction in 3″ and 4″ diameters.Listed at 1″ clearance to combustibles in the USA and Canada.It can be used in both vertical and horizontal installations.Stainless steel welded seam inner wall, combined with galvalume welded seam outer wall.69304

Read the rest of this entry »

This traditional Early American style stove does an excellent job of heating 600-1,500 sq. ft. Burn control is provided by a single lever that adjusts both primary and secondary air mixture. This unit meets EPA standars for low emissions. The multi-paned, arched door with hidden hinges and detailed side panels give the stove its vintage flavor. Added charm is assured with the large viewing area. The high-temp ceramic glass is kept clean by the internal air wash system. The ash pan and rear heat shield are standard. The 6″” diameter flue is economical to install and keeps operations efficient, as well.

Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »

Scritch scratch, scritch scratch. It has become a familiar, yet increasingly annoying sound in my living room. Squirrels have invaded my chimney. Well, not my chimney, but the space between my chimney and the outdoor paneling that surrounds the chimney. They’ve dug underneath the paneling and crawled up. I’ve filled in the the holes, placed bricks all around, and yet they dig deeper and return. I hear them even as I type this. I really used to like squirrels, but I don’t want them in my living room. I’m waiting for one to fall down my chimney and start going bazerk behind the glass. I’ve also seen them on the roof, crawling into that big round thing on my roof. My neighbors tell me they have squirrels in the attic, but I’ve yet to hear them in mine. How do I get rid of these critters? I don’t really want to hurt them, but sometimes I’m tempted to take a gun and sit in the backyard waiting for them. Is there an inexpensive way to end the scratching….before I go nuts?
The squirrels are not actually IN my Chimney there is about a 6 inch gap between the chimney and the siding for the house. The space is either insulated, or squirrels have dragged some of the pink stuff out of my attic and into that space.

Get the animal control of your area(this should be free service) or an professional exterminator. Do it yourself project in this area could end up in disaster.(Once I fell off the roof of my house)Then have some kind of cover that is safe for active chimney’s put on.

Cut off any tree branches that hang low over your house.