Get matched with top fireplace pros in Puxico, MO

The best location for a wood stove depends on your home's layout and venting options. For optimal heat distribution, a central location on the ground floor, such as the living room, is often recommended. If you have an existing, functional chimney, installing the stove there can simplify the venting process. Alternatively, placing the stove near an outside wall can make it easier to route a new chimney through the roof. For safety, ensure no combustible materials are near the stove. Building codes typically require 20 to 36 inches of clearance between the stove and any side walls.

You shouldn’t remove a fireplace yourself. Before beginning this job, you’d need to know whether or not you have a load-bearing fireplace. To do that, you’d need help from a structural engineer. Plus, fireplace removals require permits and often involve working with gas lines or electricity, which can be dangerous. For all of these reasons, it’s best to hire a pro for this project.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), the leading cause of house fires is cooking accidents, followed by fires started by heating equipment. Electrical issues are the third most common cause of house fires. The best way to keep your home protected is to use caution when cooking and never leave a stove or oven unattended while in use. You can also keep up with chimney cleaning and avoid using space heaters to reduce the risk.

A chimney liner is a good thing to invest in regardless of if you have issues or not. Chimney liners increase the safety of your fireplace. Without a chimney liner, the gasses that get emitted during burning could eventually damage the masonry and create a major fire hazard in your home.