Get matched with top fireplace pros in Littleton, ME

Fireplace inserts are essentially wood, gas, or electric stoves designed to fit into an existing masonry fireplace. People opt to install inserts because traditional fireplaces can lose a lot of heat, require more maintenance, and may impact indoor air quality. A fireplace insert installer near you can help you decide which brand and size fit your home.

It’s possible to clean your chimney by accessing it from the opening above your fireplace, but be aware that this method is messier because you will be pulling loose buildup of soot, ash, and creosote into your fireplace instead of up, out, and onto the roof. While the bottom-up method can cause more of a mess, it’s a good option if you’re not comfortable getting on the roof.

The best time to clean your chimney is before you actually need to use it. For most of us, that means getting your chimney cleaned in the spring, summer, or early fall. You may find that chimney sweeps are booked up when the winter months fade and the first round of customers begin to hire them for cleanings, but you also don’t want to wait until too late in the fall when chimney sweeps might be responding to other customers who waited until the last minute. Thus, the safest bet may be the summer.

Depending on who’s doing the estimating, about 22,000 to 25,000 chimney fires happen each year in the United States. Given the fact that millions of Americans have fireplaces (and chimneys), that means chimney fires aren’t exactly common—but they’re not rare, either. Since they’re so dangerous, it’s important to take precautions to prevent them.