Don’t Fall for These Fireplace & Chimney Safety Myths

Myths abound in the hearth industry. Ninety-nine percent of them come from people who don’t know that much about fireplaces and chimneys. We don’t know where the other one percent comes from, but myths can be dangerous, regardless of where they originate.

Fire N’ Stone of Tilton, NH, would like to tell you about five common myths and set the record straight on them. In so doing, we hope to help you keep your chimney and fireplace safer and in better condition.

Myth #1: Fireplaces aren’t safe.

The truth is, when a fireplace is built correctly, maintained, and repaired, it’s as safe as any other heating or cooking appliance in your home.

Myth #2: If I’m careful, I can get on a ladder and inspect my own chimney.

No, you can’t. You may be able to climb a ladder, but without the right tools and knowledge of how chimneys are built and function, you can’t perform a proper chimney inspection.

Licensed chimney inspectors have been trained to understand:

• Drafting physics
• Chimney construction
• Signs of flue liner damage
• Signs of brick and mortar damage
• Evidence of a chimney fire the homeowner didn’t know about
• The correct size ratio between the chimney and fireplace

and about a hundred other things the average person doesn’t know.

Myth #3: Thanks to the Internet, I can make a lot of my own fireplace and chimney repairs.

No, but thanks to the Internet, you can cause severe damage to your fireplace and chimney, potentially putting your family’s safety at risk. If all it took were a video or a web page to learn how to repair fireplaces and chimneys, there would be a lot of upset service technicians out there who’ve spent years learning their trade and earning valued certifications.

Before starting a repair job, consult with a professional. There may be some straightforward tasks you can do on your own, but most of the work should be left to the people who do it for a living.

Myth #4: The best way to start a fire quickly is with lighter fluid and cardboard!

A better way to state this is: lighter fluid and cardboard are poor choices for overheating your fireplace and sending barrels of smoke into your chimney, where it will condense into flammable creosote.

Fireplaces should burn only dry, natural firewood, and fires should be started only with kindling and maybe a few crumpled-up newspaper pages. Never burn cardboard, plastic, metal, clothing, or other flammable materials. And never use any liquid accelerant.

Myth #5: If I’m having a chimney fire, believe me, I’ll know it.

Believe us, you may not. Many chimney fires start and go out on their own before anyone is aware of them. But all of these fires can cause damage to the chimney liner and other parts of the system.

You can reduce the risk of chimney fires by having your chimney professionally swept and inspected at least once a year. Sweeping will remove flammable creosote, the cause of most reported chimney fires in New Hampshire each year. Inspections will discover if damage exists from previous fires or other causes.

Expert chimney and fireplace services by professionals

The greater Tilton, NH, region relies on Fire N’ Stone for the right advice and the proper chimney and fireplace services when they’re needed. If any part of your chimney and fireplace system isn’t functioning properly, call us to resolve the issue.

Reach a technician by phone or through our contact form.