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Chimney cleaning is an important task you must perform at least once a year to remove dangerous soot and creosote buildup, which can cause fires and increase the amount of dangerous carbon monoxide entering the home. If you use your chimney frequently, you may need to clean it more often. Call a chimney sweep if you notice smoke entering your home when you use your fireplace, difficulty keeping your fire going, a campfire smell, or if the fire damper is black.

Some homes with wood-burning fireplaces don't have ash pits due to design choices, construction practices, or the age of the house. Many older abodes don't have them because ash pits weren't a standard feature when they were built. Additionally, in smaller homes or homes with less frequent fireplace use, builders might have opted to forgo an ash pit to reduce costs or simplify maintenance.

Wood is classified as either hardwood or softwood. While both are good options for firewood, hardwoods like oak, hickory, beech, cherry, elm, and maple tend to be the best quality. These woods burn longer and hotter than softwoods and often produce less smoke. As an added bonus, woods like oak, hickory, and cherry emit a sought-after scent that is sure to make your home extra cozy.

Yes, you can repair gas fireplace inserts, but you should always rely on a fireplace professional for this type of work. Gas fireplace inserts cost an average of $600 to repair, and replacing one totals between $2,000 and $5,000, so a repair is almost always going to be worthwhile as opposed to replacing. If you need repairs done to the gas line that feeds into the insert, make sure your repair company has a licensed plumber, as you’ll need one to make any changes to the gas line during the repair.