Categories for Fireplace Services

Six Fireplace Safety Tips

November 30, 2020 11:36 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Having a fireplace in the home can be a wonderful element. It creates an instant gathering place for friends and family, and helps you feel connected to thousands of years of humanity. We have always been drawn to the warmth and captivating sights of a fire, but we also need to understand how to respect its power. Fireplace safety in Seattle, WA is something that should be taken seriously. At Custom Fire Art, we want our customers and their families to stay safe when they’re gathered around the hearth, and we’ve assembled some basic tips below to help you create a safe and fun environment: Use quality wood: The wood you burn in your fireplace is going to have a big impact on how safe the fire is. Pine and other woods that give off sap should be avoided at all costs—the sap will gunk up the chimney and increase the likelihood of dangerous chimney fires. Dried wood burns better, which makes the fire easier to control and reduces the likelihood of sparks from spattering wood. Keep the fireplace clean: Allowing ash and embers to accumulate from one fire to the next is a common fireplace hazard in Seattle, WA.... View Article

Wood Burning vs. Gas Fireplaces

August 1, 2020 12:09 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Installing a fireplace or upgrading your current one is a fantastic way to add value to your home while creating a gathering space for your friends and family. However, installing a fireplace isn’t always an easy decision. Choosing between gas and wood-burning fireplaces can be tricky for some homeowners! The good news is that our team at Custom Fire Art is here to help you make that decision. Continue reading to learn about a few of the main gas fireplace pros in Seattle, WA. Safety The first advantage gas fireplaces have over wood-burning models has to do with safety. Failure to clean wood-burning fireplaces can lead to devastating chimney fires that can destroy an entire house. Additionally, lighting a wood-burning fireplace isn’t always easy and could lead to burns. Gas fireplaces don’t pose a risk of creating a chimney fire, and you turn them on with the flip of a switch. Maintenance The fires mentioned above are often caused by failing to remove all of the creosote buildup in the chimney of a wood-burning fireplace. Homeowners with a wood-burning fireplace are advised to hire a chimney cleaning company once a year to remove that hazardous material. Since gas fireplaces don’t... View Article

What You Need to Know About Fire Safety in King County

January 22, 2020 7:40 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Knowing how to keep your home safe from fire and what to do if a fire breaks out are two crucial elements of being a homeowner. The bad news is that there’s a lot of fire safety information to keep in mind. The good news is that we’re here to help you out! Keep reading to learn some helpful tips for fire safety and how we can help keep your home safe with annual fireplace services in Seattle, WA: Prepare your home for winter: With fireplaces roaring and space heaters set up throughout the house, the winter months pose a greater risk for indoor fires. Call a provider of residential fireplace services in Seattle, WA to clean out your chimney to reduce the risk of a fire. Or, have them convert wood-burning fireplaces to safer gas models. Change smoke detector batteries: Unless your smoke detectors are hardwired throughout your home, you’ll need to replace those batteries every six months or so. Instead of waiting for the smoke detector to start beeping at you, mark your calendar to switch those batteries twice a year. It’s also a good idea to check your smoke detectors once a month to ensure they’re working... View Article

How to Prepare Your Indoor Fireplace in Seattle, WA for the Summer

June 5, 2018 6:11 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Even though you might not think much about your fireplace during the summer months, it’s important that you take the appropriate steps to care for it after the prime heating season is over. Without the proper care and maintenance, your indoor fireplace in Seattle, WA may not be ready to be used when winter comes around again. If you are consistent with your spring and summer cleaning and maintenance, though, it will be much easier to get your chimney and fireplace in shape to be used again when the weather cools down. Make sure you add these fireplace tips to your spring home maintenance list. Wood burning fireplaces If wood burning fireplaces aren’t cared for appropriately, the risk of a fire starting increases significantly because of the buildup of ash, creosote and other debris. To avoid this, make sure to clean your fireplace after summer. Before you begin cleaning your fireplace, it’s important to ensure that there are no hot embers inside and that surrounding furnishings and surfaces are protected. Lay down a drop cloth to cover the flooring in front of your fireplace, and move items and furniture out of the way before you start cleaning. You can use... View Article

Keep Safe This Winter by Following These Five Fireplace Safety Recommendations

December 6, 2017 3:01 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful—as long as you practice the proper fire safety techniques. There’s no better way to warm up after a long day in the cold temperatures than by cozying up next to the fireplace. Getting the most out of your fireplace requires a routine of cleaning and safety practices. Unfortunately, failing to operate your fireplace safely can result in a traumatic house fire. Following these five simple recommendations and calling for any necessary fireplace services in Seattle, WA will help keep your fireplace burning both warmly and safely all winter long: Only burn dry wood: Logs should be split, stacked and dried for at least eight months before they are ever piled up in the fireplace. Recently cut wood—commonly known as “green” wood—has no cracks, and the bark is firmly attached. When placed in the fire, the green wood will sizzle and bubble as the moisture locked inside the wood creates smoke and creosote. Inhaling the creosote can be unhealthy and cause trouble for those with asthma or other breathing problems. An accumulation of creosote in the chimney could even result in a chimney fire. Never leave a fire unattended:... View Article