• Are you certified?

    Yes. We are currently certified by both the F.I.R.E. Service and the NFI.

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  • Do you work on weekends?

    Occasionally we will open our schedule on a Saturday. The best way to find out if we have a Saturday available is to call our office and check the schedule.

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  • I hear water inside my chimney.

    Most commonly in pre-fabricated (metal) units, this can point to a problem with the chase cover, which covers the opening of the chimney at the exterior. If left untreated, this could lead to extensive corrosion damage to the fireplace and require it’s replacement. There can also be other sources of water intrusion, which we can diagnose in an inspection.
    With masonry chimneys, the source of leaking can be the lack of a proper rain cap, a cracked crown, loose or missing mortar joints, among others. In both cases, preventative maintenance can save you a large expense down the road.

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  • I think I have a birds nest (or beehive) in my fireplace. Can you help me?

    In these instances, if you have live critters, animal control or an exterminator will need to be called out to take care of the problem. Make sure your service person follows CA code and does not install any mesh smaller than 5/8″ to deter future pests and/or intruders. If there are no live critters (once an exterminator has neutralized the hive, or animals have left/been removed), we can sweep the chimney to try and remove any birds nests or bee hives. That being said, we are not able to remove honey. Whatever comes off on our brushes is the most we can remove. It can be quite a sticky situation!

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  • My flue/damper won’t work/close.

    If you have gas logs (or decorative glass, rocks, etc.) installed in your fireplace, this is not an uncommon problem. Per uniform building code requirements, when there is gas plumbed to a fireplace a damper clamp must be installed to keep your damper from closing. If the gas line is capped off and no log lighter is installed, then is permitted to be functional.

    Another common problem with dampers is that they become stuck or frozen into position. In such cases, lubrication can be helpful.

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  • My house fills with smoke when I use my fireplace.

    There are many reasons for a smoking chimney and/or fireplace. Visit our Got Smoke? tips page for more information.

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  • The brick inside my fireplace is cracking. How do I know when it needs to be replaced?

    For prefabs, most manufacturers will differ on when it should be replaced. However, the general rule of thumb is if you can fit the width of a dime into it the crack, you need to arrange for a certified technician to come out and inspect for possible replacement. Even in masonry fireplaces, some cracking is normal and we will help you determine when it requires maintenance or repair.

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  • When I flip the gas switch, nothing happens (or the flame is low).

    In this instance, we recommend that you call a gas fireplace specialist to come out and inspect your unit.

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  • Where can I find my fireplace make and model?

    Manufacturers place a tag on the interior of the fireplace with the make, model (a combination of letters and numbers like TLC 42-3 or RD3800), and miscellaneous information about your specific fireplace. This information is very important when it comes to finding replacement parts.

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  • Why would I want a log lighter?

    A log lighter can be useful to help you light your wood. If you haven’t had your proper boy/girl scout training, this can be a harder task than you think. You will still need to manually light the log lighter with a long match or barbeque lighter, but you can easily shut it off with the gas key when finished.

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