Get matched with top fire pit installation pros in Cedar Falls, IA

DIY smoke detectors are possible, but professional installation ensures compliance with fire codes and optimal safety.

Your smoke detector might be too high in some homes or circumstances to reach yourself. If you feel unsafe getting on a ladder to replace your hardwired smoke detector, call a licensed electrician or local handyman to knock this project off your to-do list. If you have a battery-operated smoke detector, your local fire department can change the batteries or help you replace the detector—just make sure you call the non-emergency number.

In any case, do not let this project go unresolved, as it could turn into a huge safety issue.

While your municipality may have its own regulations requiring pergolas or other structures to be a certain height above a fire pit, the standard recommendation is that the pergola should be at least 10 feet above the fire pit. A taller pergola allows the heat from the flames to dissipate before reaching the structure.

In general, it will take about 90 minutes to burn the creosote sweeping log by itself, allowing it to work its magic. This may be longer or shorter depending on the conditions of your chimney.