Get matched with top fireplace pros in Centerville, IA

If there’s a draft within your fireplace, it can lead to a weakening of its flame. And when the fire burns the wood, it won’t burn effectively, resulting in a build up of soot and smoke. If you notice this happening, you’ll want to inspect the glass to see where the draft is getting in. You can also hire a fireplace repair pro to do the work for you.

Like any other household appliance, electric fireplaces can wear out after about 10 to 20 years. With more frequent use, the parts will wear out quicker, and you may get just 7 to 10 years out of a well-loved electric fireplace. Fortunately, electric fireplaces come with a lower upfront installation cost compared to alternatives like gas, so you can install a replacement for less.

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.

A chimney requires both a cover and a cap, but these parts often get confused with one another. A chimney cover seals the top of the chimney around the flue pipe to prevent water from entering the chimney. A chimney cap is a piece that sits above the flue to prevent animals, debris, and water from entering the flue.