FAQ
Click on a question below to view the answer.
1. Why do I need to sweep my chimney?
2. How often do I need to sweep my chimney?
3. Do I need to sweep/maintain gas logs/fireplace?
4. Can anyone sweep a chimney?
5. Does a chimney sweep remove stains and odors?
6. When should I have my chimney swept?
7. Will it make a mess when you sweep my chimney?
8. Why do I sometimes get smoke in my house? Can this be fixed?
9. I sometimes hear birds in my chimney. Can they get into my house?
10. Does my chimney need a cap?
11. Why is the top of my chimney stained?
12. My damper is stuck or missing. Can this be fixed?
13. The bricks and mortar of my fireplace are cracked. Is this a problem?
14. What is a chimney fire? Why is it dangerous? How do I know if I've had one?
15. Why would I hear dripping in my fireplace?
16. I have gas logs on my fireplace. Can I burn wood?
17. Can I install gas logs in my wood-burning fireplace? What if there isn't a gas line?
18. Why are there dark stains around my fireplace?
19. I feel cold air around my fireplace. Can this be fixed?
20. How do I get more heat out of my fireplace?
21. My gas logs are unattractive or don't have much flame. Can this be fixed?
22. How do I build a great fire?
23. Why does the glass enclosure of my fireplace get stained? Can it be restored?
24. Why did my gas fireplace stop working?
25. Where do I find glass doors for my fireplace?
26. How do I turn my pilot light on/off?
27. Can I add a remote to my gas logs? Can my broken remote be replaced?
28. Why are some of the exterior bricks on my chimney cracking, deteriorating, crumbling, or missing?
1. Why do I need to sweep my chimney?
Sweeping your chimney is critical for the safety of your home. Creosote, soot, and other byproducts of smoke develop deposits in your chimney that are highly flammable and, if allowed to build up, pose a significant fire risk. In addition, creosote is classified as a carcinogen. Much like asbestos, creosote, when breathed, carries significant long-term health risks.
In addition, if your chimney isn't properly capped, birds and animals can make their way into the chimney. Any nests or debris they leave behind pose an additional fire risk. Regular sweeps also eliminate odors and unsightly stains.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual sweeps and inspections to keep your home safe. A proper sweep includes a full inspection of the safety and integrity of your fireplace and chimney to ensure your family's safety. Chimney fires can spread with terrifying speed; regular inspections are critical to the safe use of your fireplace. Atlanta Fireplace Specialists utilizes our years of experience, high-tech camera system, and an easy to understand 21-point inspection report to give you a complete overview of your chimney's health. Back to top...
2. How often do I need to sweep my chimney?
The National Chimney Sweep Guild and the National Fire Protection Association recommend that your chimney be swept and inspected at least once a year. This ensures that your fireplace is always burning cleanly and efficiently and that you have a reliable source of warmth and comfort all winter long.
Atlanta Fireplace Specialists conducts a thorough inspection of your fireplace and chimney with each sweep, checking for damage, leaks, or potential problems. We'll provide a customized report of the condition of your fireplace and chimney, so that you can catch small problems before they turn into big, expensive repairs. In addition, your fireplace will be clean and free of unpleasant odors, a natural focal point for your family and guests through the cold winter months. Back to top...
3. Do I need to sweep/maintain gas logs/fireplace?
Absolutely! While clean-burning natural gas produces fewer byproducts than a wood-burning fireplace, de major industry organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association still recommend a yearly sweep and inspection of gas fireplaces to ensure the safety of your home. This ensures that the gas system is working smoothly and that there is no debris in your chimney. In addition, Atlanta Fireplace Specialists can clean and redress your gas logs, grate, and embers, maintaining a beautiful appearance that will look like a real wood fire all winter. Back to top...
4. Can anyone sweep a chimney?
A professional, certified chimney sweep has the tools to completely clean out a chimney quickly and with no mess. We use many specialized tools, including special brushes designed to remove deposits and debris without damaging the surfaces inside the chimney as well as triple-HEPA-filtered vacuums designed to suck away dust and particles before they can make a mess in your home. We cannot stress enough; attempting to sweep a chimney without the tools and know-how is a good way to make a big mess and potentially cause damage to your fireplace and chimney.
In addition, a professional chimney sweep will inspect your fireplace and chimney for potential damage and can make recommendations for needed maintenance. Utilizing the latest in technology, such as specialized camera systems that can inspect even the parts of the chimney we can't normally see, we can inspect every inch of your fireplace and chimney for potential problems that could turn into expensive or dangerous headaches down the road. Back to top...
5. Does a chimney sweep remove stains and odors?
Absolutely! Modern fireplaces are beautiful and functional, but become stained over time. In addition, wood burning fireplaces can develop a noticeable odor by the end of the winter. Atlanta Fireplace Specialists not only restores your chimney to an efficient and safe state, but can remove almost all unsightly blemishes and remove unpleasant odors. Back to top...
6. When should I have my chimney swept?
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that your chimney be swept and inspected annually. Many customers choose to do it in the autumn so that their chimney is fresh and clear for the winter, but the timing of it is up to you; we offer outstanding special offers during the offseason, so many budget-conscious customers wait until spring or summer. As long as you get it done annually, the timing is up to you. Back to top...
7. Will it make a mess when you sweep my chimney?
Absolutely not! Atlanta Fireplace Specialists takes pride in never making a mess in your home. From laying down tarps to protect your floor and carpet to using triple-HEPA-filtered vacuums to remove dust and particulates from the air as we sweep, we spare no effort to keep your home spotless. We also utilize the "zipwall" system of portable walls when necessary, effectively sealing the work area off from the rest of the house.
We don't hire poorly trained temporary help for the sweeping season; every AFS employee is a year-round, fully trained chimney and fireplace specialist who will do the job quickly, efficiently, and with no mess. Back to top...
8. Why do I sometimes get smoke in my house? Can this be fixed?
Often, a blockage in the chimney can cause smoke to flow into your home; a sweep will remove the blockage, restoring the airflow and solving the problem. If there is no blockage, there may be a flaw in your chimney's design that is causing smoke to enter your home. Chimneys are designed to use differences in air pressure to draw smoke out and away from your home; if your chimney is not long enough or the interior is improperly designed, you could have a condition known as "reverse draw," where air flows down the chimney into the house, carrying smoke with it.
Atlanta Fireplace Specialists can provide several solutions to this issue, depending on where the flaw is in the system. We can install a specially designed shroud that effectively lengthens your chimney and provides a decorative element on your roof, install a new flue, or even, if necessary, rebuild portions of your chimney. Our experience allows us to diagnose the problem and present you with a variety of options to fix it, with one sure to fit your budget. Back to top...
9. I sometimes hear birds in my chimney. Can they get into my house?
You're probably hearing chimney swifts. They are small, gray birds that prefer to land/nest on rough, vertical surfaces as opposed to horizontal ones, so their nests are usually found in hollow trees or chimneys. Chimney swift hatchlings spend longer in the nest than most birds before learning to fly and are also almost the loudest of young birds; you're probably hearing the baby swifts tell their parents that they're hungry! Fortunately, swifts only learn to make noise in the last two weeks before they leave the nest, so by the time you hear them, they're almost ready to go.
Swifts eat insects such as mosquitos, so there are benefits to having a family of them in your chimney. Also, their nests are very small and typically use little flammable material, so the fire risk is minimal. If you believe you have a swift nest in your fireplace, the best thing to do is to close the damper so they can't get into the house. By the time it's cold enough to build a fire, they'll have gone south for the winter.
Once the hatchlings leave, we recommend installing a chimney cap so they can't get back in next year. We also recommend letting your neighbors know, because chimney swifts instinctively return back to your chimney each year, and they will build nearby if they can't get into your chimney.
For nature lovers and birdwatchers, AFS can construct a chimney swift tower, a specially designed habitat for these birds. Developed from research by renowned ornithologists, chimney swift towers provide a replacement habitat for these birds, whose habitat has been encroached by both the declining number of uncapped chimneys and development encroaching on forests in the southeast. A chimney swift tower in your yard provides a place for these beneficial and attractive birds to nest, protected by predators and without disturbing your chimney! Ask us about building a custom-designed chimney swift tower today! Back to top...
10. Does my chimney need a cap?
Yes. Not only does a cap add an attractive design element to your roof, it's an important part of a safe and efficient fireplace. Chimney caps keep animals and plant matter out of your chimney, eliminating flammable debris from causing an unsafe blockage. Also, a chimney cap protects the interior of your chimney from rain, which is the worst enemy of any fireplace or chimney as water both corrodes the mortar holding masonry chimneys together and rusts any metal pieces of your fireplace.
Atlanta Fireplace Specialists can recommend and install a variety of prefabricated caps or even work with you to design and order a custom cap. A chimney cap can add to the look of your home and even improve your resale value. Back to top...
11. Why is the top of my chimney stained?
Pre-fabricated fireplaces have a metal covering (called a chase top) that prevents water from entering the chimney. The chase top is often made of cheap sheet metal, which after years of exposure can rust and stain your chimney. Also, pine straw and leaves are acidic, and when they break down in the water that collects on top of the chase top, can also cause stains on your siding.
Not only is this unsightly, but it's also a symptom of problems with your chimney. If your chase top is rusty, holes could start to develop, causing leaks. Water is a chimney's worst enemy; it can break down mortar. It can interact with soot, creosote, and other deposits in the chimney to create a foul odor. It can also cause rust to metal parts such as your damper.
We can install a new rain pan and shroud that is made of high-quality, durable metal and will both improve the look of your chimney and prevent further damage or stains. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; replacing your chase top before it rusts through can prevent thousands of dollars worth of damage to your chimney. Back to top...
12. My damper is stuck or missing. Can this be fixed?
It can be fixed and we highly recommend doing so. Dampers regulate the draft, or flow of air up the chimney. When your fireplace is not in use, your damper keeps your warm or cold air in the house, lowering your energy bill.
Dampers are made of iron and, if improperly cared for, can rust shut. This is often caused by rainwater seeping into the chimney due to a faulty or missing cap. You can clean a rusty damper with a wire brush and plenty of elbow grease, or call us to take care of it along with a sweep and inspection. If it's damaged beyond cleaning or repair, we can retrofit a new damper to your fireplace.
With today's high energy costs, a damper that fits well can cut $30-40 a month off your heating and air conditioning costs. It's a sound investment in your home's energy efficiency. Back to top...
13. The bricks and mortar of my fireplace are cracked. Is this a problem?
Many fireplaces are built out of bricks and mortar. These materials have the advantage of being fireproof, durable, and attractive. However, water damage or the passage of time leads to cracking and deterioration of brick and mortar structures, and for brick and mortar to be an effective fire barrier, it must be solid and impenetrable.
A crack in your fireplace provides an outlet for sparks, embers, or even simply intense heat to penetrate through to more combustible materials, with potentially disastrous results. A yearly inspection will prevent cracked masonry from catching you by surprise, but if you do happen to notice cracking in your fireplace, we strongly urge you to cease using it immediately and call a professional.
Atlanta Fireplace Specialists can conduct a thorough inspection of your fireplace and demonstrate what steps you can take to ensure your home and family's safety. Back to top...
14. What is a chimney fire? Why is it dangerous? How do I know if I've had one?
A chimney fire is usually caused when creosote deposits have gotten thick enough to plug or mostly block your chimney and are then ignited by a fire in your fireplace. These deposits burn at a very high temperature, and can often severely weaken the integrity of the chimney, melting ceramic and distorting metal. If the chimney is already weak or is poorly constructed, the fire can quickly spread to the rest of the house. Even if it dies out on its own, it can weaken the chimney enough to be very dangerous in the future.
You can often hear it from inside your home; it's been described as a roaring sound, like a low-flying airplane. You can often visually identify a chimney fire by thick, oily black smoke coming out of your fireplace, far darker than regular smoke.
If you believe your chimney is on fire, immediately evacuate your family from your home and call 911 from a neighbor's house. Chimney fires can spread terrifyingly fast; don't take any chances. Back to top...
15. Why would I hear dripping in my fireplace?
The dripping sound is probably a leak somewhere in your chimney, either from damage to the masonry or from a damaged cap or rain pan. This dripping means that water is intruding into your chimney, corroding both the mortar within and the metal portions of your flue and fireplace. The good news is that if it's caught early enough, most leaks can be fixed for a reasonable cost. However, chimney leaks are like tooth cavities; the longer you wait, the more painful it is to fix. If you hear dripping in your chimney, call a certified professional like Atlanta Fireplace Specialists to come out and diagnose the problem. Back to top...
16. I have gas logs on my fireplace. Can I burn wood?
This depends on your fireplace; always check your owner's manual before doing so. If your fireplace was originally designed as a woodburning fireplace and has gas logs installed, you should be able to burn wood in it. However, many prefabricated fireplaces were designed for gas only. The firebox may not be designed to take the more intense heat of a wood fire, and the flue and chimney might not be able to handle the increased smoke. Never burn wood in a gas fireplace without ensuring you're following the manufacturer's guidelines. Back to top...
17. Can I install gas logs in my wood-burning fireplace? What if there isn't a gas line?
Absolutely! As long as you have a natural gas line to your house, we can run a new gas line to your fireplace and install gas logs. Most modern woodburning fireplaces are already pre-configured to be converted to gas, and with older fireplaces, we can drill a hole to run a gas line through.
We carry three of the top lines of gas logs in the country, RH Peterson, Golden Blount and Monessen, with a variety of different looks, and many of them give you the look and feel of a real wood fire without the mess. We can work with you to find the perfect set of gas logs for your fireplace so you can enjoy the look and warmth of a beautiful fire without having to chop and haul firewood. Back to top...
18. Why are there dark stains around my fireplace?
You probably have a problem with smoke coming back into your home, and the soot is staining the wall around your fireplace. It's easy to clean this; Quick N' Brite is a cleaning product that several websites recommend to do the job. We can also come out and take care of the stains for you.
This cures the symptom, but stains around your fireplace means far too much smoke is coming into your home instead of up your chimney. We can diagnose the issue and fix it so that you'll never have to clean smoke stains again! Back to top...
19. I feel cold air around my fireplace. Can this be fixed?
There are several causes for this issue. Usually, it's a flaw in the design or installation of your fireplace or chimney. There may not be enough insulation around your fireplace, especially where the gas line enters or around the floor. Alternatively, your chimney may be experiencing "reverse draw," where either poor design or damage to the chimney is causing airflow to come down the chimney and into the house. The good news is that we can diagnose the cause and fix it. Give us a call and we'll give you a free estimate to solve the problem. Back to top...
20. How do I get more heat out of my fireplace?
The two ways to improve the amount of heat coming from your fireplace are to reduce the amount of heated air escaping up the chimney and/or to direct more heat from the fire out into the room. Proper maintenance and a properly working damper will help reduce the heated air escaping up the chimney, but there are a variety of methods to redirect heat out into the room.
A fireback is a heavy cast-iron plate, often etched with decorative designs, that can be installed in the back of your fireplace. This plate gets very hot and helps radiate heat into the room. Firebacks are not only highly effective, but often very attractive in appearance.
There are a variety of blower systems we can install that suck cold air from the room and blow heated air from the fireplace back out. These systems are available for both gas and wood-burning fireplaces and are very efficient.
The most expensive, but most efficient alternative is to install a fireplace insert, which fits into your existing fireplace and is up to 80% efficient in directing heat to the room as opposed to the 10% of a traditional fireplace. It's airtight and puts out a tremendous amount of heat.
Atlanta Fireplace Solutions can give you an estimate that will include several options, so that you can find one that will fit your needs and budget. Back to top...
21. My gas logs are unattractive or don't have much flame. Can this be fixed?
Of course! We carry a complete set of tools along on every sweep and inspection. We can clean and redress your gas logs and breathe new life into them for a fraction of the price of buying new ones! In addition, we can arrange them for maximum efficiency and visual appeal.
If you decide it's time to replace your gas logs, we carry dozens of designs. You're sure to find the perfect set for your fireplace. Back to top...
22. How do I build a great fire?
Before you do anything, open the flue and make sure it works correctly. You'll usually be able to feel the cold air coming from outside if it's open.
Crumble a few pieces of newspaper and throw them into the back of the fireplace. These are going to act as our tinder, starting our fire with an easy-to-light surface.
Stack some kindling (smaller pieces of wood) on top of the newspaper. Make sure you leave enough room in there for oxygen to circulate, as your fire will need it to burn. You don't need too rigid a structure since you have the grate and screen to keep the fire put together.
Light your fire. Again, you'll want to light the tinder (newspaper, in this case) in a few different spots to get it burning quickly. Your kindling should catch fire pretty easily. You can add a bit more kindling once it starts to create a nice coal bed.
Once you've got a small fire going, you can start adding your bigger logs. Just lay these across the grate lengthwise, then stack one or two on top diagonally. Remember: you want to leave enough room for oxygen to flow so everything catches fire easily.
That's it! You should have a warm, crackling fire going in no time. You can always add more logs if you want to keep it going longer, too. Make sure you close your screen so embers and sparks don't fly into the room and light your carpet on fire. Back to top...
23. Why does the glass enclosure of my fireplace get stained? Can it be restored?
If the fuel for your fireplace is not burning properly, the residue will often stain the glass of your fireplace. Fortunately, there's an easy way to fix it.
If you have a gas fireplace, shut the gas off (even if there's no fire, this is important.) Then, mix equal parts vinegar and tap water in a spray bottle. This is a gentle, non-abrasive and non-flammable cleaning solution that should remove stains from your glass and restore it to beautiful condition. Wipe the inside and outside with paper towels and the cleaning solution. It may require some scrubbing, but it should come off.
Do not use cotton rags as any cotton particles left behind are flammable. Also, do not use other cleaning materials without checking your owner's manual as they too may be flammable. Back to top...
24. Why did my gas fireplace stop working?
There's many reasons this could be happening. Make sure your pilot light is on and the shut-off valve is not shut off. Also, check the settings on your remote if you have one.
If these are all set correctly, you may have a problem with your ignitor, a faulty switch, or your gas line. Give us a call; we can diagnose the issue and get you back up and running in no time. Back to top...
25. Where do I find glass doors for my fireplace?
There are many manufacturers of glass doors for your fireplace; you can find them anywhere from Home Depot to online retailers. Atlanta Fireplace Specialists proudly carry Thermo-Rite glass doors; they come in a variety of styles and sizes. We can order doors designed to fit your fireplace, and install them, for about the same as you'd pay for a set of doors retail. See our links section for a selection of Thermo-Rite doors, and call us to add them today! Back to top...
26. How do I turn my pilot light on/off?
To turn it off, Locate the switch or knob for your pilot light (check your owner's manual for assistance if needed.) Flip it to off. To relight it, flip the switch or knob to 'Pilot Ignite' (sometimes abbreviated 'ign' and then press the ignitor button. If it fails to ignite after a few tries (this sometimes happens if there is air in the line), then wait ten seconds and try again. Back to top...
27. Can I add a remote to my gas logs? Can my broken remote be replaced?
Yes. We can come out and install a remote for almost all gas logs. We can also order you a replacement remote. That way, you can enjoy the warmth of your fireplace without leaving the comfort of your couch! Back to top...
28. Why are some of the exterior bricks on my chimney cracking, deteriorating, crumbling, or missing?
The biggest enemy of any masonry structure, including your chimney, is water. An improperly sealed and protected chimney will suffer from deterioration as water penetrates through and breaks down the mortar sealing the bricks together.
This could be caused by several factors. If your chimney cap is missing, damaged, or rusted, it could allow water intrusion. For a masonry chimney, damage to the crown can cause water to seep in. In the case of a prefabricated fireplace, an improperly installed, damaged, or rusting rain pan could cause leaks. If the flashing (the reinforcing panels where chimney meets roof) are damaged, water running down your roof can seep in and damage the mortar.
Regardless of the reason for the damage, the problem will only get worse unless it is fixed, and any damage to a chimney affects the integrity and safety of the whole system. If we catch the problem early, we can frequently grind out the damaged mortar and repair the damage ( a process called tuck pointing) with a minimal amount of fuss and cost. Less frequently, we may have to replace sections of the chimney or if the damage is severe enough, we may need to rebuild the entire chimney.
Chimney maintenance is like dental work. It hurts to think about, but the sooner you fix it, the less it will cost and the easier it is to fix. Atlanta Fireplace Specialists can provide you with multiple options to fix almost any problem, fitting a wide range of budgets. Back to top...