Our Company Blog

The Importance of Gas Appliances and Stoves

Are you a new homeowner? Perhaps you have recently installed a new fireplace in your home? If so, it’s important that you know the basics of fireplace maintenance. Many homeowners are choosing gas appliances and stoves for the easy of use, low maintenance, and versatility they offer. Fire is fire, though. This means any home heat appliance requires a certain level of care and maintenance.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends annual inspections and cleanings for the safest and most efficient use of your fireplace. This annual maintenance should be completed by a certified professional. Also, be scheduled in a way that allows necessary repairs before burn season. Spring and summer is an ideal time for these types of appointments.

What to Expect at Your Annual Service Appointment

For masonry chimneys, a system inspection would include every component from top to bottom. This includes the interior of the chimney. Gas fireplaces often don’t use the chimney. However, still require an annual inspection to insure that all the other components of the system are intact.

During an inspection of your gas appliance your chimney sweep should:

• Change the batteries in your unit. 
• Clean and inspect the unit. 
• Clean and inspect the glass and all hinges, latches, and attachments. 
• Inspect all electrical components.

When you schedule an annual service appointment for your gas fireplace, it may be the only time a professional gets a look at your system. It’s important not to put these appointments off.

Schedule a Service Appointment with Beach Stove and Fireplace

As a CSIA member, Beach Stove places our customer’s safety and comfort as top priority. We don’t want to leave your fireplace up to chance. That’s why we sell, install, and service the best gas products on the market. In fact, if you purchase your fireplace appliance or stove from Beach Stove and Fireplace, we extend you our preferred customer rate on annual maintenance for the NEXT THREE YEARS!

As a preferred customer, you receive a discounted rate (less $25) for annual maintenance appointments for three years after your purchase. To receive this $25 discount on your services you must schedule your annual maintenance during June and July, and you must have purchased your appliance or stove from Beach Stove and Fireplace. When you make this appointment you get a certified professional who cleans and inspects the system thoroughly, producing a report for your records, and putting together a repair plan for any damages found.

By scheduling your annual maintenance in June or July it insures that our technicians won’t be busy with installations or emergency calls, and will have time available to complete necessary repairs before burn season begins again.

Schedule your annual maintenance services now by phone or by visiting our showroom at your convenience!

Levels of Chimney Inspection

Chimney sweeping is one of the most important parts of chimney maintenance, along with your yearly inspection. Without a chimney sweep, creosotes can begin to block your chimney, which can cause draft problems. So what does this mean for you and your family? Blockages can cause chimney fires, and back draft can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Stay safe and call Beach Stove and Fireplace to schedule your appointment today!

Inspection Level 1

There is more than just one level of chimney sweeping. The first of three is the most common and most basic level of inspection. This is what your technician will do every year if nothing has changed within your chimney and fireplace structure. This is when you get a sweep and inspection of any visible parts of the chimney. They will also test your flue to make sure that it is working properly.

Inspection Level 2

The other two levels of inspection go more in-depth than a Level 1 inspection. Your technician will typically suggest a Level 2 inspection if they notice anything that could become a problem in the original checkup. If they find a problem inside of your chimney, do not use it because it could become hazardous. A Level 2 inspection is also for anyone who wants to change the way they use their chimney. For example, if you are switching how you fuel your fire, experience relining, or have just added or replaced part of the appliance, you need a thorough check. New homeowners are also ones who fall into this category because you should always have a fireplace and chimney inspected before its first use.

Inspection Level 3

A Level 3 inspection is the most in-depth form of inspection. This is usually what a technician will conduct if you have had fairly serious damage to your home or chimney. An example would be if you have mold growing in your home and the technician having to take out part of your chimney so it doesn’t spread to your foundation. If you feel like your home is in danger you can always call for help in understanding the situation. It is important that whatever company does your chimney inspection is Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified.

Chimney Maintenance — What You Need to Know

Whether you are purchasing a home with a working chimney or wanting to use your current fireplace when the weather gets cooler, there are some basic maintenance tips for ensuring safety and efficiency.

• Your chimney should be inspected and cleaned annually. This ensures that the chimney is structurally intact and ready to use safely.
• When scheduling your chimney cleaning and inspection, only use NCSG (National Chimney Sweep Guild) certified chimney sweeps.
• Regardless of how often your chimney and fireplace have been used, the fireplace and chimney still need a thorough cleaning prior to the new season. Some prefer to have them cleaned in the spring (stating the benefit of having the creosote buildup removed and avoiding any musty smells over a hot summer), while others recommend an early autumn cleaning (this will ensure that any birds or debris that may have gotten into the chimney during the spring and summer will be removed before the fireplace and chimney get going).
• Never use the chimney unless the damper is fully open.
• Creosote is a substance created by flue gas residue and unburned wood particles. It is highly combustible and any buildup that isn’t removed makes your chimney and home at risk for a chimney fire.
• Never burn trash or plastics in your chimney. This can also add to the buildup in your chimney.
• A chimney cap can prevent water, debris, and animals from getting into your chimney. If you do not have one installed, consult with a certified sweep to determine the best cap for you chimney. This is a preventative measure designed to help keep your chimney free of contaminants.
• Chimney Swifts are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty. If a swift makes its home in your chimney, it cannot be removed until the birds migrate south for the winter. Consult a professional sweep about dealing with Chimney Swifts.
• You should use some type of fireplace screen when your fireplace is in use. This can prevent embers from inadvertently escaping the fireplace as well as prevent children and animals from reaching into the fire.
• Your chimney has a protective liner inside of it. These lines can be made from a variety of materials, such as stainless steel and clay. The liner should be checked periodically to ensure structural integrity. The liner protects the inside of the chimney from intense heat which can damage the chimney.

Responsibly using a chimney means not skipping annual check-ups. Your fireplace will heat more proficiently and you can feel more secure when you build your first fire of the season.