Honest Fireplace Service

A customer of mine is upgrading her fireplace. It's in good condition. Message me for info!

This is what the inside of a flue looks like. These gaps between the flue tiles collect creosote leaving pockets of flammable material that increase the likelihood of a chimney fire.

Before and after photos of a stove installation. The stove was balancing on a metal... thing? The flue came straight through the ground being an underground house. Of course the flue rusted out and it was leaking. We installed a new flue and built a chimney with a drain to prevent water from leaking into the house.

To make a long story short it's important to have your fireplace inspected by a qualified professional. There are times when it's the difference between life and death.

Full story

This fireplace was running constantly when the customer called me. The safety switch designed to shut the fireplace off in case the fireplace is not drafting, was wired incorrectly. Instead it closed the circuit so it could run. The homeowner had the flue sealed off because wasps were coming into the house through the fireplace. This caused the exhaust to come back into the room. Fireplace exhaust contains carbon monoxide and other deadly chemicals. After removing a bucket full of wasps nest, removing the obstruction in the exhaust, and correcting the safety switch issue the fireplace ran correctly.

There are a few times in my career where I believe I saved a life and this is one of them. Not trying to scare anyone but if you have flu like symptoms that you cannot find the cause of have your fireplace inspected.

This summer I will be assembling products including grills, furniture, playsets, etc. I will also be repairing pellet and gas grills. Thanks everyone for a great year! Here's my new logo for Honest Assembly and Repair.

Electric inserts are a cheap alternative to burning wood. I will be back in McPherson Monday the 16th if anyone needs their fireplace serviced.

I have a gentleman who bought a set of gas logs (not from me) only to realize that there was a gas leak in the floor of his firebox. He will not be able to repair the gas line as his house is on a slab and the costs do not outweigh the benefits. They're for a 44" wide fireplace. Only used twice. Remote is included. The set plus installation would be $1,500 this is an over $2,500 value.

Honest Fireplace Service Honest Fireplace Service can take care of your fireplace needs.

Have you checked your pilot light lately? If your pilot flame looks like this photo, you will be having issues with the burner turning on. The flame should not have any yellow in it.

Pros and cons of vented gas logs vs vent-free gas logs.

Vented Gas Logs

Pros
1. Vented Gas logs are the most realistic alternative to burning wood.
2. They are simple to operate and provide an instant fireplace experience.
3. Generally safer to use than burning wood. (No fire in your living room is completely safe)
4. No hassle of cutting/buying wood. Less clean up.
5. Cost much less than a gas Inserts.

Cons
1. Must have a fully functional fireplace. A set of VENTED gas logs does not correct draft issues.
2. Heat loss due to conditioned air being pulled out of the chimney.
3. Damper must be removed or fixed open.
4. More expensive to run if you do not have access to free firewood.
5. It's not a real wood fire.
6. Some come with electronics and pilot assemblies that can cause issues.

Vent-Free Gas Logs

Pros
1. Vent-free gas logs can be used in fireplaces with ineffective venting systems.
2. Can offer more heat than vented gas logs. Some vent free manufactures allow the dampers to be shut.
3. All the benefits of vented gas logs listed above.

Cons
1. In my experience, some homeowners are worried about the smell of vent-free gas logs when the damper is shut to get more heat.
2. Less heat output than a gas insert.
3. Some manufactures reccomend you crack a window in newer homes.
4. If soot is building up on your logs, something is wrong and Carbon Monoxide is being produced.
5. You are required to have a CO detector in the room.
6. Cannot be installed in factory built fireplaces with the damper shut.

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If you have a log lighter bar in your wood burning fireplace, you can install a set of gas logs or gas insert and skip the hassle buying and burning wood. You won't have to worry about chimney fires as well.

Unused chimneys can be a major money pit due to leaks and maintenance. It makes more sense to remove them.

Times have changed.

Horrible Histories-Chimney Sweeps-HD 1080p Many of the things on Horrible Histories, especially from Victorian times, remind me a lot of the Terry Jones' series about "Worst Historical Jobs"

Installed some new appliances today.

Found a loose wire causing it to not light.

It's almost that time of year!

Most dryer vent fires start in the cabinet. This dryer actually had lint that caught on fire.

Most issues with gas fireplaces can be fixed with a service call.