How do I know if my chimney is safe to use?

• <div><p>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.</p></div>

Can I leave my fireplace burning overnight?

• <div><p>No, you should never leave a fireplace burning overnight or unattended during the day. While fireplaces are made to contain fires, fires can and do spread from fireplaces, so it’s crucial that you’re there to monitor them and put them out if needed. If you’re worried about putting out a fire before bed, stop feeding it fuel long before bedtime and actively put out the fire using your poker, a shovel, and some baking soda.</p></div>

Is it worth capping a chimney?

• <div><p>Yes, it’s worth capping a chimney. Here are several <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/5-reasons-install-chimney-cap.htm">reasons to install a chimney cap</a>:</p><ul><li><p>Keep out rain, snow, wildlife, and other debris</p></li><li><p>Help prevent chimney fires</p></li><li><p>Reduce your chimney’s exposure to moisture</p></li><li><p>Maintain your chimney flue liner</p></li><li><p>Help reduce energy bills by helping regulate your home’s temperature</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

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Q: Is a spark arrestor the same as a chimney cap?

• <div><p>A spark arrestor is not the same as a <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/5-reasons-install-chimney-cap.htm">chimney cap</a>. Both sit on the top of the chimney. However, the cap keeps debris from entering the chimney, and the spark arrestor&rsquo;s primary function is to prevent burning embers from escaping. Some spark arrestors are integrated into the chimney cap, and others are installed separately. </p></div>

Q: Is it worth capping a chimney?

• <div><p>Yes, it&rsquo;s worth capping a chimney. Here are several <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/5-reasons-install-chimney-cap.htm">reasons to install a chimney cap</a>:</p><ul><li><p>Keep out rain, snow, wildlife, and other debris</p></li><li><p>Help prevent chimney fires</p></li><li><p>Reduce your chimney&rsquo;s exposure to moisture</p></li><li><p>Maintain your chimney flue liner</p></li><li><p>Help reduce energy bills by helping regulate your home&rsquo;s temperature</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Q: What causes a grease fire?

• <div><p>A grease fire starts if hot cooking oil comes into contact with a heat source, such as an electric heating element or the flame on a gas range. Once the grease is ignited, it can be very difficult to put out. </p></div>

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Fire Pit Installation questions, answered by experts

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.

No, you should never leave a fireplace burning overnight or unattended during the day. While fireplaces are made to contain fires, fires can and do spread from fireplaces, so it’s crucial that you’re there to monitor them and put them out if needed. If you’re worried about putting out a fire before bed, stop feeding it fuel long before bedtime and actively put out the fire using your poker, a shovel, and some baking soda.

A spark arrestor is not the same as a chimney cap. Both sit on the top of the chimney. However, the cap keeps debris from entering the chimney, and the spark arrestor’s primary function is to prevent burning embers from escaping. Some spark arrestors are integrated into the chimney cap, and others are installed separately.

Yes, it’s worth capping a chimney. Here are several reasons to install a chimney cap:

Keep out rain, snow, wildlife, and other debris
Help prevent chimney fires
Reduce your chimney’s exposure to moisture
Maintain your chimney flue liner
Help reduce energy bills by helping regulate your home’s temperature

A grease fire starts if hot cooking oil comes into contact with a heat source, such as an electric heating element or the flame on a gas range. Once the grease is ignited, it can be very difficult to put out.

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