Expert Chimney & Fireplace Tips

Does Your Dirty Chimney Really Need to Be Swept?

Published March 24, 2015

“Was it dirty?” Our technicians are often asked this question when evaluating a homeowner’s wood burning system. In reality, anyone can reach into a chimney and get soot on their hand. Every chimney is a little dirty! But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it needs to be swept. So how do we determine if a […]

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How to Heat Your Home for Less

Published March 10, 2015

The cost of heating a home in Michigan and Ohio during the winter months can be painful for homeowners, but it doesn’t have to be! Approximately 2 percent of American households use wood as their primary heating source, and according to one Michigan homeowner, using wood for fuel can save a good chunk of money. […]

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How to Clean a Stained Brick Fireplace

Published February 24, 2015

We have a lot of clients who ask us what to do about the black, soot-stained brick surface near their fireplace. If you have a masonry fireplace with a brick or stone face in your home, this blog is for you! Black, stained brick is often seen above the opening of the fireplace. This staining […]

Posted in Chimney Cleaning, Tips & Safety | Tagged Clean Stained Brick, How to Clean Soot | Comments Off

Infographic: Chimney Cleaning Tips

Published February 17, 2015

Infographic Text 3 Types of Chimney Deposits Soot – Black or brown colored composition of carbon particles and ash with a soft texture. Creosote – Unburned wood particles and condensed gasses form curly, flaky, or bubbly deposits in a brown or black color. Glaze – When creosote build ups so quickly that the layers […]

Posted in Chimney Cleaning | Tagged Chimney Cleaning Tips, Infographic | 1 Comment

Shattered Glass Fireplace Door: Problem Solved!

Published February 10, 2015

Recently, the Doctor Flue team took a service call to provide a new homeowner, Margaret, with instructions on proper operation for her gas fireplace. Because the fireplace was new to her, she wanted to understand how to safely operate it. Our technician, Mike, went out to show her how to light the pilot light and […]

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Build a Fireplace Fire to Heat Your Home in Minutes

Published January 27, 2015

If you were ever in boy scouts or girl scouts, you probably know how to make a pretty mean campfire. But, did you know that there are different ways to build fires depending on what you’re using the fire for? Now that we’re the heart of winter, you will likely want to get the most […]

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Can My Home Have Multiple Chimney Flues?

Published January 13, 2015

If you have more than one fireplace, you may have wondered if everything is connected to the same flue. Doctor Flue has the answer! Typically, homes that are built after the 1900s have a separate flue for each fireplace; even the furnace and water heater use separate chimney flues. However, we do see some chimneys […]

Posted in Chimney Inspection, Chimney Services, FAQs | Tagged Chimney Flues, Chimney Inspection, Flue Connections | Comments Off

Doctor Flue’s Top Christmas Fire Safety Tips

Published December 23, 2014

With Christmas just around the corner, you will probably be spending a lot of time with your family by the fireplace. Whether you’re opening presents on Christmas morning or relaxing next to a warm fire, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Doctor Flue has put together some Christmas fire safety tips to keep you […]

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Everything You Need to Know About Fireplace Damper Operation

Published December 9, 2014

Many of our clients ask us about the chain, or handle, hanging down in their fireplace. In most masonry fireplaces, that thing you see dangling from the chimney is a damper handle or chains used to operate the damper mechanism. Here’s a look at the most common fireplace damper operation mechanisms currently used in United […]

Posted in Fireplaces, Tips & Safety | Tagged Fireplace Damper Operation, Types of Fireplace Dampers | 2 Comments

3 Fun Fireplace Recipes to Make this Winter

Published November 25, 2014

If you live in the Midwest, it’s probably quite likely that you spent your summer barbecuing on the grill and roasting marshmallows over a bonfire. There’s just something so fun about cooking over an open flame! It’s too chilly to cook outside now, so why not bring the fun indoors! If you have a wood […]

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