Get matched with top fire pit installation pros in Plains, KS

One of the best ways to know your chimney is good to go on any given night is to simply look up into your flue with a flashlight. If you see a thick buildup of creosote—a shiny, dark substance that looks like tar—it’s best to have your fireplace professionally cleaned before you go ahead with the burn. Additionally, having your fireplace professionally inspected once per year can also help increase your peace of mind and keep your family and your home safe.

Pellet stoves burn compressed wood byproducts, making them very efficient and clean-burning. However, even efficient combustion still produces fine dust particles, which could have an effect on the health of vulnerable people in your household, such as infants and people with asthma. A wood stove pro can help determine whether the levels in your home are unsafe.

If you plan to put a fire pit on a grassy area, be sure to put compacted paver sand down first to help level out the ground and add better heat protection. If you’re placing a fire pit on hardscaping, like a concrete patio, consider placing a fire pit mat down first. This can add more protection from the heat and also protect the look of your hardscaping if you choose to remove the fire pit in the future.

Your pilot light needs to be on whenever you’re using your furnace to heat your home. However, you might decide to turn it off during the summer months, when you don’t need heating. Doing this can save you a little bit of money on utility costs—just make sure you’re fine with relighting your pilot light (or hiring a professional to do it) when fall comes around and you’re ready to get cozy.