Fireplace Directory » Chimney http://fireplacedirectory.com Your Fireplace Resource Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:37:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 How do I deal with black spots coming through paintwork on disused chimney breast? http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-deal-with-black-spots-coming-through-paintwork-on-disused-chimney-breast http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-deal-with-black-spots-coming-through-paintwork-on-disused-chimney-breast#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:48:33 +0000 admin http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-deal-with-black-spots-coming-through-paintwork-on-disused-chimney-breast The chimney breast in our utility room was tiled by the previous owners of our bungalow. Upon removal of the tiles there are black spots which bleed through the paintwork. The Chimney has been removed from the roof and the hole tiled over. Any ideas what these black spots are and how we can remedy the problem? Thank you.

sounds to me like your talking Mold, not stains.You may want to tear out sections of the drywall/wood and replace it before it becomes a bigger issue.

Are you talking black specks, or are they differing in sizes with some as large as a dime (or larger?)

If they are black specks are they consistent or do there seem to be more lumped together in an area and then become sparser?

If they are black specks and NOT consistent, OR if some are larger than just specs, your talking mold, and you probably also have a leak where that was tiled over.

]]> http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-deal-with-black-spots-coming-through-paintwork-on-disused-chimney-breast/feed 4 How often do you clean out your wood stove chimney? http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-often-do-you-clean-out-your-wood-stove-chimney http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-often-do-you-clean-out-your-wood-stove-chimney#comments Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:18:47 +0000 admin http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-often-do-you-clean-out-your-wood-stove-chimney I have the steel insulated Chimney and last year I cleaned it out about 4 times during the burning season, late October to end of March. This year, I just did it on Jan 3rd or so and I don’t plan on doing it again until April 1st. I burn nice dry wood so I am not too concerned about creosote buildup. In fact when I did clean it out, it is always crispy black built up on the inner walls of the pipe. How often do you do yours?

We burn nothing but dry wood. We have had our wood burning stove about five years now. We clean it out only once a year, in spring. :D

]]> http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-often-do-you-clean-out-your-wood-stove-chimney/feed 3 How do I get overgrown ivy removed from my chimney? http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-get-overgrown-ivy-removed-from-my-chimney http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-get-overgrown-ivy-removed-from-my-chimney#comments Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:11:47 +0000 admin http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-get-overgrown-ivy-removed-from-my-chimney We just moved into a historic two story home and the previous owners allowed English Ivy to overtake one chimney. The chimney isn’t even visible because the ivy is so thick. It’s growing inside our windows, and I’m sure it’s going down the chimney from the top. I need a QUICK, CHEAP solution. I’ve been pulling the ivy off where I can reach but I can’t reach any further up without a taller ladder or climbing on the roof. Anyhow, any advice would be much appreciated!!!

Gey a copy of the local Thrifty Nickle or Pennysaver (or whatever that advertisement newspaper is called that they give away in the lobby of the grocery store and at the laundrymat) and look for handyman.

Anyone who advertises in there will work cheap.

First, cut the ivy at the ground to kill it. It will eventually dry up and die on the chimney. DIG UP THE ROOTS!

They need to climb up there and strip the ivy all the way off. It’s pretty invasive, and can get into little chinks in the morter, so you may want a brick mason to look at the Chimney after the ivy’s gone.

It will also leave marks on the brick and on the paint where it was on the windows. Clean with a bleach solution.

]]> http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-get-overgrown-ivy-removed-from-my-chimney/feed 4 How do i get rid of bees in my chimney? http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-get-rid-of-bees-in-my-chimney http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-get-rid-of-bees-in-my-chimney#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:54:49 +0000 admin http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-get-rid-of-bees-in-my-chimney A couple of days ago I noticed there was some bees in my house and more and more came so I took a look outside around my house and noticed there was a swarm of bees on the top of they Chimney opening outside. Would firing up the fire place to make smoke drive them away for good? or will it drive them away for a while? or will it not work at all?

Firing it up might take care of it.

I have one caution though. Is the chimney blocked by the bees yet? Could fill you home up with smoke.

Try the fire, but don’t start out with a full load of wood and kindling. Just light newspaper pages one at a time to be sure the flue is going to draft before you commit to a larger fire.

G’luck!

]]> http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-get-rid-of-bees-in-my-chimney/feed 6 how do I fix a chimney that was half gone from the house? http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-fix-a-chimney-that-was-half-gone-from-the-house http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-fix-a-chimney-that-was-half-gone-from-the-house#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:18:26 +0000 admin http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-fix-a-chimney-that-was-half-gone-from-the-house 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.

]]> http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-fix-a-chimney-that-was-half-gone-from-the-house/feed 4 How much to remove a capped brick chimney with no fireplace running from basement, up 2 floors and thru attic? http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-much-to-remove-a-capped-brick-chimney-with-no-fireplace-running-from-basement-up-2-floors-and-thru-attic http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-much-to-remove-a-capped-brick-chimney-with-no-fireplace-running-from-basement-up-2-floors-and-thru-attic#comments Sat, 17 Jul 2010 04:14:48 +0000 admin http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-much-to-remove-a-capped-brick-chimney-with-no-fireplace-running-from-basement-up-2-floors-and-thru-attic 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.

]]> http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-much-to-remove-a-capped-brick-chimney-with-no-fireplace-running-from-basement-up-2-floors-and-thru-attic/feed 2 Why a Home Inspector Can be Your Best Friend When it Comes to Your Real Estate Investment http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/why-a-home-inspector-can-be-your-best-friend-when-it-comes-to-your-real-estate-investment http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/why-a-home-inspector-can-be-your-best-friend-when-it-comes-to-your-real-estate-investment#comments Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:52:17 +0000 admin http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/why-a-home-inspector-can-be-your-best-friend-when-it-comes-to-your-real-estate-investment

A home inspection is probably some of the best money you will ever spend when you are purchasing a home or a condominium.

A licensed, experienced and competent home inspector is worth their weight in gold.

The home inspector takes about 2 hours or so to inspect your prospective purchase. They are looking for major structural repairs, such as roofing, plumbing, foundation, electrical, framing, deck problems, code violations, and also checks things such as your air conditioning systems, all your toilets, sinks, tubs, garage door openers, etc. Plus they’ll inspect all of your electrical outlets inside and outside of the home. The home inspector will also look at the Fireplace if you have one, inspect the outside Chimney, check out all of the interior doors and windows to look for any “seal failures”. They will also check your heating and hot water system, water conditioning system if there is one. It’s the home inspector’s job to give your home a thorough “check-up”.

When the home inspector is finished, he will write up a report, note the repairs he feels need immediate attention by the seller, give an estimate of what the repairs should cost, and then we look over the report together, and if necessary, negotiate any repairs with the seller.

Usually at the time of the home inspection, a pest inspection is also performed. A licensed pest inspector arrives at the same time of the home inspector and goes through the home to look for any wood boring or wood infestation insects, such as termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, or carpenter bees. If there is any infestation noted, a report will be issued and signed by the inspector, and that will also be discussed and negotiated by your real estate agent to have the seller pay for any treatment and if there are any damages caused, the seller usually should pay for damages also.

The average cost for a home inspection currently is about $275-$300 depending on the size of the house, and obviously the part of the country you live in. A condominium usually runs a bit less. For more details on this you can visit the Suffield CT Real Estate website.

The average cost for a pest inspection is $75.00.

A Pest Inspection is a requirement by most lenders today and a home inspection is just a must do!

Betty Sanville
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/why-a-home-inspector-can-be-your-best-friend-when-it-comes-to-your-real-estate-investment-85768.html

]]> http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/why-a-home-inspector-can-be-your-best-friend-when-it-comes-to-your-real-estate-investment/feed 0 Backyard Pizzeria http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/backyard-pizzeria http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/backyard-pizzeria#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:58:10 +0000 admin http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/backyard-pizzeria

With the addition of a wood fired oven, there’s no need to order out; you can have your own backyard pizzeria. Along with backyard kitchens, wood fired ovens have grown in popularity, becoming the latest “must have” item with people who love good food and enjoy entertaining.

Although these ovens make an amazing pizza, you can basically prepare anything normally cooked in a conventional oven. Other popular choices include cedar plank salmon, seared tuna, artisan breads, baked pasta or roasted meats.

Not restricted to outdoor use, a wood fired oven can also be installed indoors and added to an existing kitchen. Units are delivered in do-it-yourself kits or can be ordered pre-assembled. Depending on the model the ovens are available in gas or traditional wood heating and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

EarthStone Ovens in Glendale CA sell about 500 residential and 150 commercial units each year. Wood Stone Corp. from Bellingham, Washington is the leading supplier of stone hearth ovens in North America and estimate annual sales of 1,000 ovens worldwide. These toys are costly, but they’re built to last a lifetime. Prices range from $1,900 to $15,000 each plus an additional $2,000 to $5,000 for installation.

Depending on the model, an open hearth oven can take anywhere from one hour to three hours to heat up. Some prefer gas models over the traditional wood, for the convenience. Makers of Wildwood Wood Fired Ovens & BBQ’s claim their ovens can reach 700 degrees F in as little as one hour with a well built hardwood fire. The ovens are pre-cast in concrete pieces with the floor or hearth sections pre-tiled with fire bricks. Models vary from large modular units with arch or rectangular shaped doors to smaller traditional round ovens.

During installation, they are insulated with a fiber insulation blanket, vermiculite and placed on a concrete shelf. An enclosure is built to surround the oven using concrete block or brick. A small six inch diameter, class A chimney pipe is used for venting for outdoor installations, and triple wall Chimney pipe is used for indoor ovens.

What do you cook with in a wood fired oven? Wildwood also has a full line of soapstone and cast iron cookware and that work well, but many items such as breads and pizzas can be cooked directly on the hearth. Cleaning is a breeze. Simply wait a day or two until the oven cools down and sweep out or vacuum the ashes.

Some things to consider before purchasing you wood fired oven include:

The reputation of the manufacturer. How long have they been in business? What sort of warranty do they offer?

Shape or model of oven. Consider the location and the amount of space you have and the amount of cooking space you’ll require. A dome interior may be better suited than a rectangular oven. Consider the weight of the oven and whether your floor will hold it.

Will your oven require additional insulation over and above what is provided by the manufacturer?

Research contractors and hire one who has a proven track record with these types of installations.

When deciding on price, a kit that requires assembly is more work, but cheaper than a preassembled model.

Choose between a wood only, wood and gas or gas-only oven.

Is the oven sold precured or green? If not precured, you will need to cure it based on the manufacturers suggested instructions in order to dry it out.

What is the maximum heating temperature of the oven and how long does it take to heat up?

Jerry Clifford
http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/backyard-pizzeria-714487.html

]]> http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/backyard-pizzeria/feed 0 How do I start and keep my chimney fire? http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-start-and-keep-my-chimney-fire http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-start-and-keep-my-chimney-fire#comments Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:28:46 +0000 admin http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-start-and-keep-my-chimney-fire So I just moved into a new house and well this one has a Chimney. I went to home depot and got the firestarter and some firewood. So I follow the instructions on the firestarter and well the fire starts and everything but after the 30 minutes that the firestarter is suppose to burn for everything else stops so i was wondering how do you start the chimeny fire and make it last

Rule one after moving into a house with a fireplace of unknown properties:

GET IT CLEANED. Have a professional chimney sweep come in and clean the flue, check the lining and install-check the ash-cap and damper. In the Philadelphia region, such a service usually costs around US$125, with any additional flues at a substantial discount. Any work that may be needed will be in addition to this. You do want a proper ash-cap, and you do want a damper.

That same professional will also instruct you on how to make a fire, what to burn and why and give you tips on getting the most pleasure and/or heat and/or both out of a fire based on your individual fireplace. Keep in mind that the typical Fireplace is at best energy-neutral, often energy negative based on how it functions. It can be improved by adding doors, or using special grates or even an insert – but that is at a cost.

Good luck with it. We have three fireplaces in our house and we use them. We also get them cleaned every few years, we use chemical flue cleaners (they are lined) and we check them several times a season.

]]> http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/how-do-i-start-and-keep-my-chimney-fire/feed 2 Christmas Shopping: Do it Online, Do it Easy http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/christmas-shopping-do-it-online-do-it-easy http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/christmas-shopping-do-it-online-do-it-easy#comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:38:11 +0000 admin http://fireplacedirectory.com/chimney/christmas-shopping-do-it-online-do-it-easy

It’s holiday season, a time of warmth in the middle of the winter chill, a time to share the joys of life with one’s loves ones, a time to rejoice in the festive spirit that lights up even the most disenchanted soul. And thanks to all-new Christmas gift ideas, showering your near and dear with love and warmth has never been so easy.

Forgot to buy a Lego set for your niece? Could not find time to get a box of Swiss chocolates for your fiancée? Or don’t know what to get your mom and dad? Well, no need to panic. With last minute  online shopping, you can afford to put off buying gifts for your friends and relatives. Be it custom-made chocolates and flower bouquets, or exclusive Swarovski jewellery, or accessories like watches, you can get all this and more on websites that sell Christmas gifts.

For those of you who are looking for unconventional options, these websites offer out-of-the-box ideas. You can buy rock posters for teenagers, purses and bags for office colleagues, tennis racquets and basketballs for sports enthusiasts, DVDs and Blu-Rays for movie freaks, or even treadmills for weight watchers. And how about a digital camera for your dad, or an electric Chimney for your mom?

Innovative Christmas gift ideas are sure to surprise your friends and family. And personalised gifts like coffee mugs with messages, or painted t-shirts and plates, are ideal for immediate family and close buddies. There are also formal cards that you can send your cousins and friends in faraway lands. Spreading Christmas cheer is now simple as one-two-three. Just log on to your favourite online shopping website, make sure it’s safe to shop with, and choose your gifts. You may also avail of special discounts and combo offers.

Some websites will also offer a basket of gifts for the whole family, with everything from cakes and candles to fragrance and other standard gifts that everyone is bound to love. So now Christmas time need not be a time of frantic trips to the mall to pick up whatever is available after the whole town has already taken their picks. Relax, sit back in your chair and order all you need online.

And when you cannot physically deliver a present to a loved one, you can trust your site to deliver chocolates and flowers to them right on time. Christmas online shopping is a boon for all last-minute shoppers who can now get the best gifts sitting at home.

Tina Hope
http://www.articlesbase.com/gifts-articles/christmas-shopping-do-it-online-do-it-easy-696999.html

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