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Page 2 of our most frequently asked questions

9. I am tired of paying for oil and I want to install a woodstove/pellet stove, what do I do first?

The first thing is to plan your project early in the spring or summer. Then you must understand that you cannot just stick a woodstove into your fireplace opening and shove a pipe up the flue. Law requires that a UL Listed chimney liner be installed to your woodstove. The liner must extend the full length of your chimney, not only 4 or five feet up from the stove! For more information please see Installing Wood Stoves and Inserts.

9a. How do I decide wether to get a woodstove or a pellet stove?

It really depends on how much effort and what type of efforts you wish to put into these methods of heating.

Woodstoves generally require cordwood. Pellet stoves consume pellets, corn, etc. Cordwood can be cut by you, if you have the means and access to acreage. Cordwood needs to be properly cut, split, dried and stacked. You may purchase cordwood from a dealer. You should specify length, species, degree of seasoning and amount. You will need room to store at least a cord of wood. A cord is a measurement of wood. It is a stack of wood four feet high, four feet wide and eight feet long. Remember, the proper seaoning of wood is determined by its moisture content, not the length of time since it was cut. Moisture meters are readily available at home supply stores and fine woodworking companies.

Pellet stoves require daily and weekly maintenance. They also require electricity. This might be an issue to consider if you do not have a standby generator. Pellet or corn can be purchased by the bag as well as by the ton. Again, plan on having adequate storage space.

10. I bought a liner at the same time I bought my stove, will you install it?

No. We cannot guarantee the performance of that liner and we will not warranty our work in that case. We only install the highest quality chimney liners which carry the manufacturer's guarantee to the homeowner. Our liners do not come to us in "kits". We personally choose each part of your liner system specifically for your chimney. See About Chimney Liners.

11. My chimney smells bad, especially after a rain. When you come to sweep it, will the smell go away?

Not necessarily. It all depends on what is causing the smell. If you have a leaky chimney, you may have saturated or rotting materials behind your flue. If you have wet creosote buildup it may take some time to dissipate after a sweep. This symptom could also allude to house pressure issues. Exhaust should travel upward, not down and back into your house!

12. I have birds or something alive in my chimney, are we all going to get sick?

Not if you do not handle the excrement. Just close the damper and make an appointment with your Sweep. If you have Chimney Swifts, they cannot be asked to leave. Chimney Swifts are a protected species. To illegally remove them carries a $50,000 fine. Chimney Swifts normally build their nests in early spring and will normally vacate your chimney before the heating season starts. To help prevent birds, ducks, squirrels and others from establishing residency in your home, simply have a chimney cap installed. We will be happy to make a recommendation as to size and style for your particular chimney.

13. Do you just work on chimneys?

Not at all! Our Masons have decades of experience and have also graduated from Masonry School as well as being Nationally Certified Chimney Sweeps!! They are fully qualified to build just about anything from masonry materials. We have done beautiful walkways, fireplaces, stone walls, patios and the like. See our Photo Gallery! We also offer expert witness services in litigation cases and John LaBrosse is a certified FIRE Investigator. We hope you don't ever need these services, but we are available should you require them.

14. We are thinking of buying a house. What do we have to know?

You should be aware that the National Fire Protection Association recommends that all houses to be sold have a Level 2 Chimney Inspection. This includes video scanning as well as inspection of the basement/crawlspace and attic. Ask for a Level 2 inspection, read the results and if repairs are recommended, you and your real estate agent can work out the details. After you purchase the house is NOT the time to discover the defects in your chimney. You should also be aware that some contractor built homes feature pre-manufactured fireplaces. Some homes feature factory built chimneys made of galvanized steel instead of stainless steel. Galvanized steel has a tendency to rust and fail after a few years. Unfortunately, some of these chimneys are enclosed in a wooden structure called a "chase" and you cannot see what type of chimney is inside of that chase. For more information on factory built fireplaces, see Care and Maintenance of Your Factory Built Fireplace.

15. I have to put in a new furnace/boiler, or I need to replace a gas-fired appliance; what should I know?

By law, you must have an inspection if you are changing fuel types or are replacing your furnace/boiler. Your chimney should be inspected to be sure it can accomodate the new furnace, if the flues are too large, you may need a liner. For more information see Relining Your Oil-Fired Appliance Chimney or Gas Appliances and Your Masonry Chimney.

16. I just bought a woodstove somewhere else and it seems to smoke badly, will you fix it?

The first thing you should do is to read your owners manual. If you are still having an issue, then you should call the retailer from whom you bought the stove. Chances are the woodstove is operating properly. However, we shall be happy to come to your location and instruct you on the proper operation of your stove, normal service fees apply.

17. I do not live in your area, whom shall I call for service?

We suggest you go to the CSIA website and search your state for your local Nationally Certified Chimney Sweep. Please see The CSIA Chimney Sweep Program to understand why you should be sure to hire a CSIA Certified Sweep.

Thank you for visiting our website.

BE PREPARED for the heating seasons, be sure to book your sweeps and inspections EARLY!!