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Failing to open your flue can lead to serious health hazards if you start a fire because the smoke will back up into your home. Breathing fire smoke, even in relatively small quantities, is bad for human lungs, and smoke can also irritate your nasal passages and eyes. Furthermore, smoke can cause damage to your interior fixtures and furnishings, at the very least leaving an unpleasant smoky smell for a long time. In short: If your flue isn’t open (or you’re not sure if it is or not), don’t start a fire to find out!

Yes, a pot filler can add value to a home by attracting buyers with its combination of prestige and usefulness. When building or renovating a kitchen, pot filler installation costs can add value without significantly increasing your overall budget. However, it's important to consider the overall design and layout of your kitchen before deciding to install a pot filler. Unlike other parts of the stove, a pot filler may not be used every day. Pot fillers are most appreciated in larger kitchens with a large distance between the sink and stove. In a smaller kitchen with a sink located close to the stove, a pot filler may seem like an unnecessary feature to some potential buyers.

Asbestos can be found in many building materials, especially if the materials were installed more than 20 years ago. Asbestos-containing materials (ACM) can include:

• Acoustic ceiling tiles

• Furnace insulation

• Home appliances

• Fire-retardant clothing

• Cement pipe

• Pipe insulation

• Wall and ceiling insulation

• Vehicle brake pads

• Vinyl flooring

• Sprayed acoustic ceilings

• Stove insulation

• Patching compounds

• Textured paints

• Roofing shingles

• Siding

Homeowners usually do not have to update existing systems unless they are doing significant renovations. Consult your local building codes or ask a knowledgeable local contractor for the details.