Is It Safe To Decorate My Fireplace?

The warmth, togetherness, and festivity that fall and winter usher tend to spill over into your home decorations. Decking out your space for different seasons and holidays can become a cherished tradition, and the fireplace, stove, and hearth often takes center stage because it’s a natural focal point – and because it plays a role in holiday lore!

While decorating the fireplace can bring extra joy to the season, it’s crucial that home safety remains an ultimate priority.

So… is it safe to decorate your fireplace or stove? Yes – as long as certain considerations remain at the forefront.

Questions? We’re here for you. Call or reach out online now.

How Far Should Decor Be From My Fireplace?

A good place to start in safely decorating your fireplace is knowing the three foot rule. All combustible decorations should be placed a minimum of three feet away from the fireplace or stove. This rule applies to objects of all kinds – furniture, rugs, curtains, baskets, and other decorative items. 

What Can I Put On My Fireplace Mantel?

The mantel is an attractive option for decorating, but needs to be given special attention due to its proximity to the fireplace.

  • a white fireplace mantel with fall-themed decor on itFire-safe items: Choose non-flammable or flame-resistant decorations for placing on the mantel, and make sure they’re stable or anchored firmly down. A decorative item that’s prone to tipping over can be problematic if it falls while the fire is lit.
  • Stone, ceramic, metal, and glass items: These won’t burst into flame if they get too hot – but be mindful that their surface can get very hot to the touch.
  • Candles (with caution): Candles require special attention. Wax candles can soften on a mantel, causing them to melt at an accelerated rate, and their open flames should be carefully attended to. Battery operated LED candles can mimic the glow of real candles without the fire risk. If you opt for real candles, make sure they’re securely anchored.
  • Stockings (if you’re careful): Stockings qualify as decorations that dangle from the mantle. Does this mean this holiday favorite is a no-go? Not if you’re careful. Either remove stockings from the mantel before lighting fires, or find a similarly festive spot to hang them if moving stockings seems tiresome.

What to avoid?

  • Greenery and garlands: Spooky spider webs, fall leaves, holiday fabrics, and draping evergreen branches? They may be festive, but they shouldn’t be dangling from the mantel. Below the mantel can become too hot for safety, and items that are draping are also at risk for falling.
  • Wreaths and similar items: Wreaths and ornaments are seasonal staples. But consider hanging them on the wall instead of over the fireplace opening – especially if they’re heavy. Keep dry decorations like corn stalks or hay bales far away from the fireplace or stove.
  • Interactive items: if you have any interactive decorations that children may enjoy playing with, consider keeping them opposite the fireplace or in another room.

How Far Should a Christmas Tree Be From the Fireplace or Stove?

a brown and white dog on a white rug by a fireplace and christmas treeChristmas trees are one of the most iconic holiday decorations. To safely enjoy your Christmas tree, be sure to maintain the three foot rule – keep the tree three feet away from the fireplace, stoves, and other heating sources.

In addition, make sure the tree is stable, and if you have a real tree keep it well watered all season. The dry heat in our homes dries live trees out fast, making them prime fuel for a fuel. A hydrated real tree or flame-resistant artificial tree will both be less combustible should an accident happen.

More Fireplace Decor Safety Tips

✓ Invest in a screen.

Fireplace screens can serve both decorative and safety functions. How so? They prevent sparks and embers from making an escape, while adding an aesthetic touch to your fireplace.

✓ Purchase smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Home safety must-haves also include smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, which serve to help you respond quickly in an emergency situation. Be sure that they’re in place with fresh batteries, and test them regularly. Keeping an ABC fire extinguisher near at hand and keeping your whole family well-versed in fire safety will also help ensure a safe holiday season.

✓ Use appropriate fireplace fuel.

Remember to fuel your fires properly. Whatever your fuel source is, other fuel types and non-fuel items should never make their way into your stove or firebox. Bits of packaging or discarded wrapping paper can contain toxins that can be released by burning, or may burn unpredictably.

✓ Book annual chimney inspections.

Be sure that you adhere to the recommended annual chimney inspection. Over time, combustible creosote can build up in your chimney flue, and wear and deterioration can make your chimney components less reliable and unsafe. A chimney that’s swept and in good working order will simply do its job better – venting smoke and gases safely away from your living space so you can enjoy your fireplace or wood stove with ease.

Keep Your Home Safer – Count On Us

The health and safety of your home and family is a top priority for us. That’s why our CSIA-certified technicians take great care with every job we take on. If you have questions about fireplace safety or are in need of an inspection or fireplace facelift to get your hearth holiday-ready, let us know! We’re happy to serve.

Bats In Your Chimney? How To Get Them Out

If you thought the only things that make scary noises in the night were ghosts and goblins, think again. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected guests in your chimney that can send shivers down your spine.

Bats, while fascinating creatures, make for terrible roommates. So, why on earth would bats even choose this eerie abode? And, more importantly, what do you do if they decide to make your chimney their new haunt?

How to Evict Bats From Your Chimney or Home

In Texas, as in many other places, bats are a protected species. According to the Texas parks and wildlife code, it is illegal to kill any species of bat without a permit unless it is an imminent threat to human health and safety.

In fact, the City of Houston strongly discourages do-it-yourself techniques to bat removal because of the dangers to both the bats and the humans handling them. Here are some things you can do to kick these squatters to the curb without hurting anything more than their pride.

  • black outlines of three bats flying across an orange skyIdentify the Species: Before taking any action, determine the species of bats residing in your chimney. The laws of what can and can’t be done to a bat can be different depending on the species of bat. Knowing what kind of bat is living in your chimney is a good start to getting them out of your home.
  • Timing is Everything: Bats have their young in the spring and early summer. During this time, they are especially vulnerable. It’s best to avoid any eviction efforts during these months to prevent harm to the bats or their pups.
  • Call a Professional: For the safety of everyone involved, hiring a professional in bat removal will ensure that the bats are removed without harm. This process will involve scheduling a proper time when all of the bats, including the pups, will naturally leave the roost to feed. While they are eating, various tools and components are put in place to discourage and prevent them from coming back to your chimney.

…and After the Bats Have Left?

Once the bats are gone there are some important things that you need to do to make sure they don’t come back and to make sure you can continue to use your chimney safely. Here are some steps:

✔️ Clean Up Responsibly

Just because the bats have left doesn’t mean that they didn’t leave things behind. Especially their guano. Guano is bat feces and it can be laced with disease. It is crucial that your chimney is cleaned thoroughly even if you don’t plan on using your chimney for a while.

✔️ Prevent Reentry

Just because they have left for now doesn’t mean that they won’t come back. Another bat colony will probably find your chimney just as appealing as the first colony did. Fortunately, there are things that can be done to prevent this:

  • Schedule an inspection. At Lords Chimney, our techs are trained in finding weak spots in your chimney defense system and getting them taken care of. Bats can squeeze through the tiniest places and these bat accessible spots are easy to miss. Our pros have experience locating these seemingly invisible nooks and crannies.
  • Seal off entry points. In addition to spotting the problem spots, we are also equipped to get them sealed off, keeping them out forever. Of course, you don’t want to seal off your chimney entirely. You still need the flue to direct smoke and burning by products to safely escape.
  • Install a chimney cap. One of the most important parts of your chimney is the chimney cap. This part of your chimney sits above the flue, letting out the things that need to escape, while preventing things from getting in that shouldn’t. A well-fitted, well-designed, and properly installed chimney cap will not only prevent bats from making a home in your chimney, it will also keep other critters from building nests and homes in your chimney, as well.

Why Bats Love Chimneys

a brown bat roosting in a caveBats love to roost in caves and trees. That is because they are dark, sheltered from the elements, and protected from predators. In fact, you can find bats in lots of human-made structures that provide these environments, such as home attics, under bridges, in tall building crevices, and, of course, we can’t forget the bats in the belfry at your local church. Your chimney meets all the appropriate criteria for a bat haven.

Just remember: Bats provide a huge advantage to the environment as they keep insect populations under control so it is important that when we evict them from our chimney that we do it humanely.

Chimney Problems? We’re Here to Help

You don’t have to live with unwanted guests in your chimney. At Lords Chimney we can help you make sure your chimney is working as it should while keeping out unwanted guests. Call us today to schedule an inspection and keep those critters away.

Creosote Burning Logs: What Are They & Do They Work?

dark creosote in a metal chimney pipeManaging the cleanliness of a chimney is an ongoing maintenance requirement for those who have wood burning fireplaces and stoves. It’s not just about looks, but about safety. Left alone, chimneys will begin to accumulate soot and creosote, as well as potential debris, and these can act as fire hazards and create issues with ventilation.

What exactly is creosote? It’s a dark, tarry substance that is produced as a result of burning wood or other organic materials. Creosote consists of various chemicals including tar, soot, and other volatile organic compounds – and it is highly combustible. Untended, it drastically increases the risk of chimney fires and can eventually find its way into your living space. Over time, it becomes more stubborn and difficult to get out of your chimney. Thus, the necessity of having it frequently removed.

Enter the creosote burning log. This is a product designed to help keep your chimney cleaner. But does it work?

What Are Creosote Burning Logs?

Creosote burning logs, also marketed as “chimney cleaning logs” or “creosote sweeping logs,” are specially formulated logs that claim to reduce or eliminate creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes. They are typically made from a combination of sawdust, paraffin wax, and other additives and work as a chemical cleaner.

When burned in a wood burning appliance, the chemicals they release are designed to react with creosote and help break it down. The idea is that this chemical attack will make creosote loose, flaky, and easy to remove.

Are Creosote Sweeping Logs Effective?

So, do creosote logs live up to the hype? The answer is a qualified yes – in other words, it is effective in some ways, but you will want to be sure you’ve managed your expectations. If you’re expecting a totally clean chimney with no other effort expended, you’ll be disappointed. However, creosote logs do have an effect on creosote.

As a chemical cleaner, creosote logs will do some work at making creosote more removable and cause some – maybe much – of the creosote to flake away. Because creosote is tough, this can be a really useful step towards a clean flue!

But it won’t actually remove or stop creosote from forming. You’ll have to give due diligence to carefully removing any flaked creosote from your firebox, flue, smoke chamber, or thimble area, since it can be a hazard in your home environment.

And keep in mind that since burning a creosote log becomes an unguided process, once the smoke starts moving up the flue, you don’t have control over where flaked creosote goes or how much is removed. It can drift into bends or other hard-to-access areas of your chimney system, possibly moving – but not eliminating – the problem.

Can Creosote Burning Logs Replace Professional Sweeping?

Creosote burning logs should never be viewed as a substitute for professional chimney sweeping. While they may help reduce creosote buildup to some extent, they aren’t a comprehensive solution to chimney maintenance. Having an experienced, CSIA certified technician sweep your chimney remains essential because:

  • Cleaning will be thorough. Professional sweeps have both the knowledge and tools to thoroughly clean chimneys, removing all types of creosote and other debris to help ensure optimal airflow and safety. They’ll be attentive to your particular system and employ targeted solutions to getting it clear.
  • Professional sweeps go beyond cleaning. Your chimney should be inspected every year to identify potential issues such as cracks, damaged components, or structural problems. These are things a trained technician will monitor and identify and a creosote log, of course, can’t address. But because attending to issues when they’re small helps keep your chimney running more efficiently, more safely, and longer, ignoring them can be very costly.

Chimney Sweeping Log Safety Considerations

Creosote burning logs are deemed safe for use in your fireplace by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). But while they offer some benefits in terms of reducing creosote buildup – and aren’t hazardous in themselves – it can be hazardous to put too much faith in them and therefore overlook their limitations.

logs burning in a brick fireboxOne such limitation is their overall effectiveness. The efficacy of creosote burning logs can vary depending on a number of factors, such as how often you use your fireplace, the type of wood burned, appliance design, and chimney configuration. If heavy buildup is already present or creosote is of a particularly stubborn composition, these logs may not effectively break it down. And without a careful assessment, it will be nearly impossible to know whether burning the log has been adequately successful or not. And if it hasn’t, the risks remain in play.

Keep in mind as well that while creosote logs are formulated to attack creosote, they aren’t necessarily removing any other type of blockage. So if leaves, twigs, or other types of debris have made their way into your flue, burning a creosote log won’t address these and lead to safe ventilation.

Can I Keep Creosote From Building Up in the First Place?

While the accumulation of creosote is accelerated by burning firewood that’s not properly seasoned (such as damp or green wood), even clean-burning wood fires will eventually contribute to build up because combustion will never be one hundred percent complete each time. So for those who use wood-burning appliances, diligent removal will be the best strategy for managing creosote. 

Schedule a Chimney Sweep With Us Today

Burning creosote logs can offer a supplementary approach to reducing creosote deposits in chimneys and stovepipes, but they can’t replace professional maintenance, including your chimney sweeping. Homeowners should continue to prioritize regular chimney maintenance – think inspections and sweepings – performed by certified professionals to help mitigate risks, maintain efficiency, and protect their investment in their home.

If you need chimney care, book with Lords Chimney today by calling or reaching out online. We’ve got your back.

What Are Different Types of Chimney Caps?

Your chimney is an important part of creating a home full of cozy heat and free of smoke. What many don’t realize is that there are a number of different components to a chimney that allow it to function at its best. One of the most important parts of your chimney is the chimney cap. Sitting atop your chimney system, the chimney cap is providing multiple important functions for your home.

What Does a Chimney Cap Do?

masonry chimney with a single flue chimney capThe chimney cap sits above the opening of your chimney’s flue where it prevents water, birds and debris from entering your home. It also keeps animals that are looking for a warm and dry place to build a nest from becoming your live-in neighbor. In addition to keeping things out, it also allows smoke and other byproducts that come from burning to escape, so that your home remains properly ventilated and warm.

Because it is such an important part of your chimney system it is important to make sure your chimney cap is properly installed and free of defects. Loose, bent, corroded, or improperly installed chimney caps can cause expensive damage if not corrected. At Lords Chimney, we are experts at spotting defects and making sure your chimney is functioning at its most efficient capacity.

All that being said, sometimes you might need to upgrade or replace your chimney cap. So, which type is right for your needs?

5 Types of Chimney Caps

Fortunately there are many different types of chimney caps available. This means that whether you are updating your chimney cap to match the look of a remodel or replacing a chimney cap due to damage, there is a chimney cap for your needs. Here are five types of chimney caps and why they might be the perfect fit for you.

1. Single-Flue Cap

The single-flue cap is perfect for chimneys with only one flue. It is designed to cover the one opening and provide a protective barrier against rain, snow, and debris. These caps can be made from many different metals such as stainless steel, copper, or galvanized steel. They are durable and cost-effective. They provide basic essential protection to your chimney, while remaining durable and affordable.

2. Multi-Flue Cap

The multi-flue cap is designed specifically to cover chimneys with multiple vents. There are a wide variety of designs and materials available, so that they can be customized to fit over several flues at once. For homeowners with multiple flues, these caps offer a more affordable solution for protection than purchasing and installing multiple single-flue caps.

3. Outside Mount Cap

The outside mount cap is installed directly on top of the chimney crown. Its design extends beyond the edges of the chimney which results in additional protection against damaging moisture. This cap is also wider which allows it to push water further away from the chimney. You can find these caps designed for both single-flue and multi-flue chimneys, and they offer a simple installation process.

4. Specialty Caps

Specialty caps are perfect for chimneys with a unique build. They are specially designed with individual chimneys in mind. These caps often offer specific functionalities to enhance protection for the chimney. For example:

  • heavy rain beating down on a roof with trees in the backgroundWind-resistant caps: These caps are designed to further prevent downdrafts caused by strong winds by redirecting airflow. This is important for your chimney to be able to allow smoke to rise up and out like it should.
  • Spark arrestor caps: These caps are a great choice for homes or cabins that are built in locations that are prone to wildfires. Their design minimizes the chance of sparks from the inside rising up and out with the smoke and then landing on flammable roofing materials.
  • Draft-increasing caps: Sometimes the design of a chimney doesn’t allow it to vent smoke and fumes as well as it should. These caps create a vacuum effect within the chimney which draws the smoke and fumes up and out at a higher volume.
  • Decorative caps: Decorative caps provide homeowners with special designs to match the aesthetics of their home. While still fully functional, they may be formed into various shapes and sizes, as well as use different materials to compliment the look and feel of the surrounding architecture.

5. Full-Coverage Caps/Covers

Full-coverage caps are also known as chase covers and they are built to fully cover the chimney in its entirety, so as to provide the maximum protection possible. They are most often installed over prefabricated or factory built chimneys in order to fully keep out moisture, animals, and downdrafts. These caps/covers almost provide the best value to homeowners, as they provide comprehensive protection, look great, are easily installed, and last a long time.

Count On Our Experts Every Time

Lords Chimney offers you a team of experts who have a lot of experience helping people find the perfect chimney cap to provide protection for the chimney, keep the home dry and warm, and look great – all at the same time.

Call us today or book with us online to learn how we can help you make sure your chimney is capped to perfection.

What To Do if There Are Animals in My Chimney

Your cozy home and its inviting fireplace has the potential to attract unexpected guests – and we’re not talking about neighbors, in-laws, and your great-aunt Mildred. We’re talking about guests of the animal variety.

It’s not uncommon for animals to find their way into chimneys, seeking refuge from the elements or predators, or mistakenly stumbling upon what they perceive to be an ideal shelter. But once in your chimney, birds and mammals aren’t innocuous in their effects. How should you respond to an animal in your chimney system? And what preventative measures can you take to keep them out?

Here are some basics about what happens – and what action you should take – when animals find their way into your chimney. And if you have additional questions, be sure to reach out to see how we can help.

Why Are Animals in My Chimney?

Some common chimney intruders include:

  • baby squirrels gathered in the gutters of a houseBirds. Chimneys often resemble natural nesting spots for birds, providing elevation and shelter for their nests.
  • Squirrels and raccoons. These agile climbers can scale your home or use any overhanging branches as convenient pathways to your chimney. They may mistakenly venture down in search of a secure place for a den or a rest.
  • Bats. Because they’re dark and secluded, chimneys can be appealing as a roosting spot for bats.
  • Rodents. Mice and rats are notorious for exploring any accessible spaces in search of food or shelter.

It may seem harmless to have an animal nesting in your chimney, especially if it isn’t during the burning season, but there are a number of issues that playing host to wildlife can present.

Animals can obstruct the chimney flue, either with their bodies or with debris they create or carry in, preventing proper ventilation. These blockages can increase the risk of harmful gases like carbon monoxide entering your living space. Blockages also become fire hazards, increasing the risk of a chimney or other uncontained fire.

Animals don’t also create blockages in your flue, they can also create damage in your chimney system. Gnawing, scratching, and nesting can cause structural damage to your chimney’s interior. And there are health risks associated with animal droppings, parasites, and diseases that some animals carry, as well as the unpleasantness of noises and odors animals can generate.

How Should I Respond To an Animal in My Chimney?

If you suspect – or have confirmed – that there’s an animal in your chimney, there are two calls you may need to make. If a live animal is trapped and in distress, you can call animal control or a licensed wildlife removal service. They’ll use their training to try to execute a humane removal with attention to safety. Keep in mind that animals that are afraid can act unpredictably, so keep children and pets out of the way.

Calling your chimney technician may also contribute to animal removal, as we have tools that help us access different areas of your chimney system. In prefabricated fireplaces, animals may find their way into areas outside the flue, which will require specialized removal techniques.

Abstain from using your heating appliance if you have an animal issue. While some homeowners think smoke will drive animals out, if the animal is trapped or can’t make its way out and dies, your problem is increased rather than solved!

It’s important to know that one creature that’s particularly partial to chimneys is the aptly named chimney swift, a gray, acrobatic, migratory bird that can’t perch. Instead, chimney swifts cling to vertical surfaces, using their saliva to create nests to adhere to places like the inside of your chimney flue. These birds are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and removing an active nest is punishable by jail time and/or substantial fines. If you have a family of chimney swifts, you’ll need to wait for removal until all young have left the nest.

The Animal Is Removed – Now What?

In addition to helping remove the animal, your chimney sweep technician should be called upon to sweep and inspect a chimney that’s recently been infested. With the animal removed, sweeping the chimney will clear any leaves, twigs, droppings, feathers, or other debris from the nooks and crannies of your chimney system. This will help ensure that your system is unobstructed and ready for safe use again. If you notice odors coming from your chimney, the animal may have expired and animal removal, sweeping, and inspection is also needed.

two birds sitting atop a masonry chimneyAnother step to take once the animal is removed is asking your chimney professional about how to keep animals out in the future. This is one of those “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” cases.

If you don’t have a chimney cap, or if it’s in disrepair, installing one will be an important first line of defense. A chimney cap sits on top of your flue, where it guards against anything entering your chimney. This won’t only help with animals, but other debris and precipitation that can be harmful for your system. The chimney cap covers the opening of your chimney exhaust while still allowing smoke and gases to vent.

Another helpful addition that may be recommended for your masonry fireplace chimney is a top-sealing damper, which helps control ventilation but would also aid in preventing animal intrusion by acting as a physical barrier. Finally, having your chimney inspected yearly will help identify and address potential entry points for wildlife and address them – as well as serving a number of other vital purposes.

Don’t Stress – We’re Here to Help

While it’s disconcerting to realize an animal has made its way into your living space, don’t panic. We’re here to help, and to offer solutions to guard against recurrence. We’re in the business of helping you keep your chimney system running safely and optimally – and that includes wildlife staying in the wild and not in your chimney!

With some action steps and a little help from your friendly neighborhood pros here at Lords Chimney, you’ll be back to enjoying your fireplace soon. Call or reach out online now.