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>

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Q: Do you need a flue or chimney cap?

• <div><p>If you have a chimney, you need a flue or chimney cap. The right covering keeps rain, debris, and animals from getting into your flue or chimney and causing damage. A flue or chimney cap also provides fire protection. The mesh insert around the cap keeps sparks from flying out of the chimney and igniting leaves and other materials.</p></div>

Q: Will a hot fire remove or burn off creosote?

• <div><p>A hot fire alone will not remove significant creosote buildup and can be dangerous, as it risks causing a chimney fire. While the warmth from a fire can help loosen stuck tar, making treatments like creosote logs more effective, it is not a substitute for proper cleaning. For existing creosote, the safest and most effective method is to have your chimney professionally cleaned by a chimney sweep.</p></div>

Q: Do all wood-burning fireplaces have an ash pit?

• <div><p>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. </p></div>

Q: What is the disadvantage of a wood furnace?

• <div><p>One disadvantage of a wood furnace is that you need a constant supply of wood to run it. Even if you have a good amount of wood on your property (or have another way to get affordable wood), you&rsquo;ll still need to chop it, store it, and re-fuel your furnace with it to keep your house heated. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Fireplace Service pros in Union, OR

*The Angi rating for Fireplace Service companies in Union, OR 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 Union, OR 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 April 08, 2026

Reviewed in April 2026
Colton L, Stephen A, B Buckner, Mike C, Jake T, Garrett L, were our installers for 25 windows in our house. They showed up when they said they would, immediately started protecting floors, furniture, plants and shrubs. All work was done over tarps, with very minimal debris off tarps. Every step...
Renewal by Andersen of Boise
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Reviewed in March 2026
Danielle is a dream! I told her exactly what I was looking for and needed, and she exceeded my expectations!
Higher Standards Cleaning Services
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Reviewed in April 2024
Chris was very helpful and Justin did an excellent job upgrading the panel in my garage and adding a couple of receptacles. He was very fast and did a clean job exactly how we wanted it.
D & T JOHNSON ELECTRIC
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Reviewed in January 2024
We were very happy with the workmanship of The T Handyman Services! He was efficient,professional,skilled and got the job done well. The exterior of our house really needed painting and we were very impressed with how nice our house looked when he was finished. We got a lot of comments from...
The T Handyman Services
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Reviewed in April 2023
He was on time worked his butt off and got the job done very professionally and was very likable.
C&K Handyman Services
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Reviewed in February 2022
It was good very nice very accommodating. Even though there are things that got broken but that was just expected they are careful, otherwise I'm going to use them again. The price is lower they don't give me extra charge and I appreciated that.
Portland Move
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Reviewed in January 2022
They were able to pick up the trash every week. They were hard working and pretty dependable. They had a reasonable price. They were very professional. The office manager was very responsive and on time. He resolved all the problem. He was on top of everything.
Chuck It Junk Removal
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Reviewed in March 2021
Adam is a great people-person, very calm, and just a great guy to have working on your project.
You Name It
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Reviewed in December 2020
The exceeded my exception they did a great job and I would recommend them to friends and colleague!
Primos Landscaping
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Find Fireplace pros in Union

Serving Union, OR 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

Serving Union, OR and surrounding areas

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

Cleaning and installation services for your stoves and fireplaces. Whether it's wood, gas or pellet, we service them all. we have the experience, connections and style to bring your vision to life,on schedule and on budget! Call us today for the area's best!

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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JBC Group Solutions Inc

4.0(

)

Serving Union, OR and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Emergency services offered

"I have been using them for 3 years for multiple projects and would not go to somebody else. They also built a cabin in the woods. It was built 10 miles from the road so it was like carrying all the stuff up the path. They also did the garage and remodeling of the house, mostly kitchen and a little bit of plumbing work in the bathroom. I am still using them and I would be using them for the next thing that will be coming up too."

Recommended by75%of homeowners

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AJ's Handymen Services, LLC

New to Angi

Serving Union, OR and surrounding areas

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Warranties offered

We are committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability, is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers interests and make their concerns the basis of our business.

+13

Response time3 days

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Fireplaces questions, answered by experts

If you have a chimney, you need a flue or chimney cap. The right covering keeps rain, debris, and animals from getting into your flue or chimney and causing damage. A flue or chimney cap also provides fire protection. The mesh insert around the cap keeps sparks from flying out of the chimney and igniting leaves and other materials.

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

A hot fire alone will not remove significant creosote buildup and can be dangerous, as it risks causing a chimney fire. While the warmth from a fire can help loosen stuck tar, making treatments like creosote logs more effective, it is not a substitute for proper cleaning. For existing creosote, the safest and most effective method is to have your chimney professionally cleaned by a chimney sweep.

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.

One disadvantage of a wood furnace is that you need a constant supply of wood to run it. Even if you have a good amount of wood on your property (or have another way to get affordable wood), you’ll still need to chop it, store it, and re-fuel your furnace with it to keep your house heated.

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