Taking a good look at your chimney

Home ownership is not an easy thing.  There are many responsibilities that come with purchasing a residence and property.You are required to pay all the associated bills,including electric, gas, cable, and phone.  In addition, you must pay taxes to the local municipality on the property.An often overlooked task when you buy a home is the amount of maintenance the property will require both inside and outside.   You understand you must keep your living space clean and tidy, but the detailed work that has to occur outside was something you never expected, especially if you did not grow up in a house.   There is a lawn to mow, seed, and fertilize.The flowers need to be planted and cultivated.  Bushes and trees need to be trimmed and managed so that they do not grow wild.It is a constant battle to maintain a semblance of cleanliness in your home and on your property.Hidden concerns also must be addressed, like a leaking roof, faulty wiring in the walls, or cracks in the foundation.One hidden area that is forgotten is the chimney inspection.

A necessary job
When you look at your home from the outside you may see two chimney stacks sticking above the top of the roof.   Once inside your home, all you think about is the chimney connected to the fireplace, as that is the one you will utilize when you light a fire on a cold drafty evening.  However, any burning appliance in your home needs to have a venting system.The hot water heater, boiler, and furnace all must be properly ventilated to prevent a buildup of harmful substances in the air in your home. In order to make sure that the venting system is working properly, you need a chimney inspection.
 
Keep it in working order
A Chimney inspection is a great way to provide peace of mind, not only when you light a fire, but when you operate any apparatus that burns gas or wood.A chimney inspection will examine the structure of the chimney, checking for any cracks, dislodged bricks, or broken mortar along the entire length of your chimney.The inspector will assess the liner of your chimney to insure that it is intact and still in good working order.At the top of your chimney is an opening to allow the soot, ash and smoke from your fireplace and appliances to escape your home and vent into the night air.  All chimneys must have a cap in place to prevent animals, birds, and other debris from falling into your chimney and possibly clogging the flow of wasteful air out into the night.
 
Do not wait until it is an emergency
It is recommend that a chimney inspection occurs on a regular basis, as that is the best way to insure that your venting system is working efficiently and effectively.  If the furnace is not vented properly, you may be breathing in harmful toxins and not even know it.If the chimney over your fireplace is not clean, you will fill your home with smoke and ash every time you use it.A chimney inspection prevents these occurrences, and should be considered as part of your maintenance schedule for your property. 

Article Source :- Click Here

Remembering days of yore

In a log cabin, he only way to get heat was to light a fire.There was no boiler or furnace, no source of gas flowing into the home.  You needed to cut down a tree, harvest some logs, and build a fire.  You used the fire for heat and as a source of cooking.At the end of the night, the family gathered around the fire, mostly to stay warm, but also to spend quality  time together, sharing stories, talking about their adventures during the day, and discussing what the next morning will bring, and the activities that must be accomplished when they all wake  up from their slumber.It was a simpler time.Over time, this all changed.  However, some people still enjoy the great benefits of wood stove in the corner of the room.  If you live out in a rural area, where wood is plentiful but access to oil and gas is made difficulty with expense, you can utilize a wood stove to provide heat and a place to cook your meals.  The more adventurous will strive to do wood stove installation by themselves.

Taking the first step

The first step is the decision to get a wood stove.  You may enjoy an atmosphere of a fire, but wish to have it enclosed in a wood stove instead of an open fireplace.  This eliminates the smoke billowing into your living room giving you a smoke free environment, while marinating a country lifestyle with a roaring fire.  After deciding on a wood stove, you must make sure all building and fire codes are followed.  You must research your local town ordinances to make sure you can do wood stove installation in your area.  You must obtain as much knowledge as possible so you are fully informed about the steps to take legally when you do a wood stove installation.

Installing your stove

There are no quick and easy procedures that are utilized when installing a wood stove.  If you decide to do it on your own, there are some foundational issues that must always be considered.  All of the following must be supplemented by reviewing the recommended settings and approved components for materials, along with the codes and regulations governing and placement in your home.

•  Choice of a chimney
There are three standard options when deciding on the chimney requirements for your wood stove.  Every wood stove must have a chimney, and cannot be run through the windows or the roof.  You could choose an insulated stainless steel Underwriters Laboratory approved metal chimney. You could build a lined masonry chimney, or you could attach your wood stove to an existing chimney.

•  The Stovepipe
This is a piece of metal used to connect the top of the stove to the metal or masonry chimney.  This stovepipe cannot be run through walls, ceiling or flooring.   It must be connected to the chimney directly.   Be sure the piping is sufficiently placed away from any other combustible materials, including the walls and ceiling.

•  The Flooring
Underneath the wood stove must be made of concrete or other non combustible materials.  The base must extend beyond the diameter of the   wood stove, including the opening of the loading door. In addition, there should be a stove board run on the floor under the path of the stove pipe.