Getting your Fireplace and Chimney ready for the Holidays

The Holidays are quickly approaching.  Anyone who lives in the St Louis area will realize it seems to get cooler every day.  Here are just a few tips to get your fireplace and chimney for the holiday season.

1)       Make Sure your chimney is inspected.  Your chimney inspector may find issues with your chimney that you cannot see.  These issues can be potentially dangerous for you and your family, if not troublesome maintenance issues for you down the road.

2)      Get your chimney cleaned by a professional.  Any buildup from a previous fire(s) in your fireplaces should be removed from this cleaning, giving you a safer fire for the holidays.  Some debris left over from previous fires can potentially be dangerous.

3)      If possible, visually inspect your fireplace andchimney for any damage such as cracks.  This may be better left to a professional.  This will most likely be noticed during your chimney inspection.  (see Tip #1) 

4)      Make sure your chimney cap and fireplace damper are in good working order.  Chimney caps can help keep out the unwanted critters from entering your chimney.  Also, ornamental chimney caps give your home a boost of curb appeal.

5)      Check outside your chimney for any tree limbs.  Tree limbs can be a fire hazard if they are too close to your chimney.  They can also damage your chimney cap and limit the draft.

Having a great fireplace can be a benefit to you and your family.  The importance of using a safe fireplace and chimney can bring peace of mind and will help you enjoy your holiday.

6 Tips to get your Home ready for Winter Weather

Anyone who lives in the St Louis Area, knows that the weather here is unpredictable.  It’s always a good idea to be prepared for the colder winter weather headed our way.

Here are a few tips to prepare your home for the cold:

1)     Make sure to have clean gutters – Falling leaves during the autumn can lead to clogged gutters, mold problems, standing water, and other potentially harmful water damage to your home and your homes foundation.  You may also want to hire a professional to inspect your gutters to make sure your gutters are in good working order so you don’t have any problems with your home later.

2)     Disconnect and drain all outdoor water hoses, drain any residual water and turn off any shut-off valves for your faucets.  The shut-off valve can be damaged if frozen.  Your water hoses can also be frozen if water is left in them causing them harm or ruining them entirely.

3)     Insulate attic and walls.  Air leakage can cause a larger heating bill in the winter and a large bill for summertime.  Insulation comes in many forms each of which has pros and cons.  Each type of insulation and where it is being installed have different general guidelines which are best left to professionals.

4)     Remove any tree branches that could be weighed down with ice and snow.  Tree branches that have accumulated snow or ice can fall either hurting your home or someone.  It’s best to have these taken care of before problems arise. 

5)     Repair any roof leaks.  Moisture from frozen water during the winter can cause many water damage issues to your home.  Mold, interior damage, structure damage are just a few issues that can affect your house.  The same is true for damaged chimneys which can lead to the same water issues with your home.

6)     Make sure your fireplace is ready.  Getting a yearly (or more) inspection and cleaning for your chimney will remove residual buildup which will give you more safety to use your fireplace.  Make sure your chimney is not damaged as well—a professional mason is best to check for cracks for this.  The mason can also check that the cap and damper are in good condition.  It is also a good idea to clear out any ashes from previous uses.

These are just a few steps to ensure you have a warm winter.  If you need a local mason in the St. Louis area, feel free to contact us.

7 Things to Consider Before Choosing Your Fire Pit

Fire Pits can be a great addition to any backyard.  Not only do they provide you and your guests with warmth, they can be a great selling point should you choose to sell your home.

There are a few things to consider before choosing which fire pit is best for you and your family.

1)      Temporary or Permanent?  If you are a renter, a temporary fire pit may be for you.  The ability to move temporary fire pits around may also be an advantage to you.  Typically, not as aesthetically pleasing than built in fire pits, these fire pits are also affordable, and come in many styles and sizes to keep you warm on a cool night.  Permanent Fire Pits, usually made of brick, are a great addition to any outdoor living space.  Not only will they spruce up your patio space, but they will also keep you and your guests warm; not to mention ward off any bugs that may be flying around. 

2)      Fire Pit or Oven, or both?  If you are into cooking, a brick oven may be for you.  Fire Pits add ambience to your backyard.  An Outdoor oven is practical if you like to cook and can also add practical outdoor living for those who spend a lot of time outside entertaining.

3)      What are your local rules regarding your new space?  Most homeowners already know they have restrictions based on where they live; usually the strictest policies come from the home owner’s association (HOA) which may have rules on what can be added.   If you live in a condo or close proximity to your neighbors, you may want to check with them before adding a feature to your outdoor living space.  A new fire pit may bring late night entertainment that could annoy some close neighbors.

4)      Safety.  Having a fire outside is a great feature; If something goes wrong with your fire, make sure you have a safe way of taking care of the situation.

5)      Size – Will this look good and fit on your patio?  Maybe you need a larger patio to accommodate your new feature.  A nice looking fire pit can be a great focal point for your patio and will likely be the gathering space in cooler weather.

6)      Will you use gas or wood?  Costs are a factor in choosing which fuel you use for your outdoor fireplace or oven.   

7)      Does your feature blend in with home and neighborhood?  You may want a very modern fire pit or oven, but the homes in your neighborhood are very traditional. 

Any outdoor feature you choose will be an asset to you and your family.  Years of enjoyment with your new outdoor feature and the possibility of your home becoming more valuable to you and others are just a bonus.