Get matched with top fireplace pros in Gainesville, FL

There are a handful of things you can look out for that indicate fireplace repair is necessary in your home:

• See or smell smoke in your home during use.

• You smell gas or unusual odors coming from your fireplace.

• The fireplace is visibly damaged or crumbling.

• The igniter won’t light.

• You notice shaling (pieces of chimney lining) building up in your fireplace.

• Any portion of the fireplace is rusted.

• You notice efflorescence (white stains) on the brick.

If any of these signs emerge or you suspect that you have an issue, call in a fireplace repair professional immediately.

The primary disadvantage of a ventless fireplace is that it doesn’t have an exterior venting system. This means that the byproducts from combustion are emitted into your home, which raises some safety concerns. In addition, ventless gas fireplaces produce moisture as they burn—and if there’s no ventilation, you could end up with a mold problem.

Wood is classified as either hardwood or softwood. For firewood, hardwoods are generally the best choice as they tend to burn longer, hotter, and produce less smoke than softwoods. Recommended hardwoods include oak, hickory, maple, cherry, ash, beech, birch, elm, and walnut. Oak is a particularly good option as it's widely available, slow-burning, and doesn't produce much smoke or sparks. Some woods, like oak, hickory, and cherry, also emit a pleasant scent. It is best to avoid softwoods such as eucalyptus, poplar, and willow, as they create a lot of smoke and have a high moisture content that makes them difficult to light and burn efficiently.

Deciding whether to buy a prebuilt fireplace kit or build one from scratch comes down to aesthetics, available space, and budget. Many homeowners like the convenience and lower cost of prebuilt options—around $1,500—versus the involved planning and construction of a larger fireplace. Another bonus: you can usually move prebuilt units. Custom projects are more common when homeowners have access to a larger budget and more area in the yard to place the fireplace.