How do I know if my chimney is safe?

• <div><p>There are a few things you can look out for to ensure your chimney is safe to use. Check for the following issues:</p><ul><li><p>Cracks or missing pieces in the masonry of the chimney</p></li><li><p>Creosote buildup in the chimney, which is a black, tar-like substance</p></li><li><p>Cracks, stains, or scorch marks in the firebox</p></li><li><p>Water stains in or around the fireplace</p></li><li><p>A broken or stuck damper</p></li></ul><p></p></div>

Does vinegar work to clean a stone fireplace?

• <div><p>If you would rather use vinegar to clean the stone fireplace instead of dish soap, this mixture should work fine. Vinegar is slightly acidic, however, so it may etch some kinds of stone without quite a bit of diluting. For a stone fireplace, dilute it to about one cup of vinegar for every gallon of hot water. It’s a smart idea to test the diluted mixture in an inconspicuous area of the fireplace and watch for etching. You can <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/six-clever-ways-clean-vinegar.htm">use vinegar to clean</a> quite a few different items around your home, and it’s especially good at removing stains.</p></div>

Get matched with top fireplace pros in El Prado, NM

Q: What is the usual duration for fixing a gas pre-fabricated fireplace unit?

• <div><p>Repairs typically take 1-3 hours, depending on the issue's complexity.</p></div>

Q: Do fireplaces help you save on heating bills?

• <div><p>Fireplaces can theoretically help you save on heating bills if you lower the temperature throughout the rest of your home and heat only a single room that you occupy using the fireplace. However, in most cases, homeowners won&rsquo;t save any money on heating bills. Gas and electric fireplace inserts could actually lead to a spike in your respective energy bills if you use them frequently, and if you don&rsquo;t keep up with <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/chimney-maintenance-tips.htm">chimney maintenance</a> and repairs, your traditional masonry fireplace could actually be a source of heat loss in the winter.</p></div>

Q: Should a chimney flue be open or closed?

• <div><p>The damper, located just above the firebox, can open or <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-close-chimney-flue.htm">close the chimney flue</a>. The damper should remain closed unless there&rsquo;s a fire burning in the fireplace. Closing the damper prevents energy loss through the chimney and cold air from seeping into the home during the winter. Opening the damper helps maintain airflow when there is a fire and prevents smoke and gases from venting into the house.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Fireplace Service pros in El Prado, NM

*The Angi rating for Fireplace Service companies in El Prado, NM is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Fireplace Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Fireplace Service companies in El Prado, NM is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Fireplace Service needs.

Last update on January 16, 2026

Reviewed in January 2026
Jeffrey helped me rebuild a whole mobile home! Stripped it down to the frame and then rebuilt it exactly how I wanted! Any issues we came across he always had a viable solution. You can tell he knows a lot about construction and has experience. I would definitely hire him again if he was ever...
A & J Transitional Construction LLC
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Reviewed in November 2025
These guys are great!! In March this year I had warranty issue w/ my new stove from Tierra Stoves and determined it needed an internal part. After dozens of calls and failed appts, in Sept, gave up and called Bailey's in Taos. They don't sell or service my stove brand, but understood my...
Bailey's Chimney Cleaning & Repair
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Reviewed in May 2025
Cesar and the crew from Western Walls did a fantastic job on re-stuccoing our adobe house in Taos. The result is beautiful. The crew were very efficient and did a great job of cleaning up when they finished. Altogether highly recommended.
Western Wall Finishes, LLC
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Reviewed in January 2025
Santiago helped us so much with a big tree thinning/ Fire mitigation project. A lot we purchased had a huge amount of dead trees and fallen trees. We didn’t want to clear the whole lot with a bulldozer, which is what others offered. We were able to come to an agreement with Santiago on a...
Kastro Services
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Reviewed in July 2024
They also did my large deck and I will use them for both every time itÃ Â¢Ã Â Ã Â s needed.
B&B painting
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Reviewed in November 2023
Juan and Ramon did excellent work adding a new electrical panel, adding new outlets, and adding new lighting to my home. The job was done quickly and at a great price. They were very professional and friendly. I could not be more pleased with the work they did. I will be hiring them again in...
JMG Electric Solutions, LLC
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Reviewed in September 2023
Natasha and Summer cleaned for me one time, and Summer and Rou the next time. I was very pleased both times. They are efficient, follow my preferences to the t, and have wonderful energy to uplift my house. They will be regulars for me.
Healthy House L.L.C
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Reviewed in July 2023
This is meeting a great need in the Taos area. Very professional, on time, great job.
NM Mighty Dumps
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Reviewed in December 2022
Our furnace had two problems--the occasional smell of gas outside the house and was sometimes sending lukewarm air through the registers. Alan (sp?) diagnosed our problem in about 5 minutes. He was also very willing to share his knowledge. I learned more about our HVAC system during Alan's...
JW Plumbing, Heating & Air
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Reviewed in October 2022
Mariano Aragon did a fantastic job of repairing some seriously damaged areas in my kitchen and guest bathroom. After the plumbing repairs were complete both rooms were a disaster area. Mariano came to the rescue, rebuilt all the structural damage and did beautuful refinishing of the plaster and...
Taos Tradesman
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Find Fireplace pros in El Prado

The People's Chimney Service

5.0(

)

Clean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimneyPre-Fabricated Fireplace Unit (Non-Gas) - Install+1 more

Serving El Prado, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Emergency services offered

Small jobs welcome

"Great prompt service and they did a super job installing my new wood-stove. They were knowledgable, professional and worked hard to accommodate me. Arrived on time..exactly as planned. I highly recommend hiring them."

Response time5 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Clean and Inspect a gas fireplaceClean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney

Serving El Prado, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Everything is going great. Also added some other equipment such as app controlled door locks, etc."

Recommended by93%of homeowners

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Terry's Chimney, Stove, and Fireplace - Home Facebook

5.0(

)

Gas, Pellet, or Wood Stove - InstallGas, Pellet, or Wood Stove - RepairPre-Fabricated Fireplace Unit (Non-Gas) - Install+1 more

Serving El Prado, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 1980

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

With years of experience serving the New Mexico area, we are your solution for all your fireplace and stove needs. We take great pride in our extreme professionalism, timeliness and superior customer service on every job. We make sure to develop a lasting relationship so that the next time service is needed there will be no question on who to call. Check out our 5 star reviews from happy customers! Call us today so we can discuss your needs and make a plan that fits your budget. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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SMRT Construction Services Inc.

3.3(

)

Brick or Stone Fireplace (Gas) - InstallBrick or Stone Fireplace (Gas) - RepairBrick or Stone Fireplace (Non-Gas) - Install+9 more

Serving El Prado, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 1984

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"They did a good job. They were very good. They had to go out to Home Depot and get a part. They were on time and did extra. It was very good for me. I paid for the materials that they got at Home Depot. I would use them again."

Recommended by58%of homeowners

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ABC Chimney Sweep

New to Angi

Clean and Inspect a wood burning stove or pellet stoveClean and Inspect a wood fireplace chimney

Serving El Prado, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 1982

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. Not only are we focused on quality work and outstanding results, we are also committed to educating our clients through our wide range of expertise, in turn creating a level of value unmatched by any of our competitors. We look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!

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Dreamstyle Remodeling & Doors featuring Pella

New to Angi

Brick or Stone Fireplace (Gas) - InstallBrick or Stone Fireplace (Gas) - RepairBrick or Stone Fireplace (Non-Gas) - Install+9 more

Serving El Prado, NM and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

With a strong commitment to customer service, superior product quality, and expert installation, we are proud to have helped more than 67,000 customers in New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho and West Texas improve their homes. We stand behind our products and installation with one of the strongest lifetime warranties in the home remodeling industry. With easy financing options, we can make your home remodeling dreams a reality for little, or often no, up-front investment.

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Fireplaces questions, answered by experts

Repairs typically take 1-3 hours, depending on the issue's complexity.

There are a few things you can look out for to ensure your chimney is safe to use. Check for the following issues:

Cracks or missing pieces in the masonry of the chimney
Creosote buildup in the chimney, which is a black, tar-like substance
Cracks, stains, or scorch marks in the firebox
Water stains in or around the fireplace
A broken or stuck damper

If you would rather use vinegar to clean the stone fireplace instead of dish soap, this mixture should work fine. Vinegar is slightly acidic, however, so it may etch some kinds of stone without quite a bit of diluting. For a stone fireplace, dilute it to about one cup of vinegar for every gallon of hot water. It’s a smart idea to test the diluted mixture in an inconspicuous area of the fireplace and watch for etching. You can use vinegar to clean quite a few different items around your home, and it’s especially good at removing stains.

Fireplaces can theoretically help you save on heating bills if you lower the temperature throughout the rest of your home and heat only a single room that you occupy using the fireplace. However, in most cases, homeowners won’t save any money on heating bills. Gas and electric fireplace inserts could actually lead to a spike in your respective energy bills if you use them frequently, and if you don’t keep up with chimney maintenance and repairs, your traditional masonry fireplace could actually be a source of heat loss in the winter.

The damper, located just above the firebox, can open or close the chimney flue. The damper should remain closed unless there’s a fire burning in the fireplace. Closing the damper prevents energy loss through the chimney and cold air from seeping into the home during the winter. Opening the damper helps maintain airflow when there is a fire and prevents smoke and gases from venting into the house.

The El Prado, NM homeowners’ guide to fireplace services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

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