Q: We own an older house in Los Gatos. It was built in 1930s. The fireplace was built without a damper. There is also a glass-door fire screen that can be closed. We get an odor of ashes even when the ...

Q–The fireplace in our 70-year-old house has a damper that does not work. Replacing it would be a very difficult and expensive job, but someone told me that we could have a new damper installed at the ...

Before starting a fire, open the fireplace damper so smoke can properly exit through the chimney. Use kiln-dried firewood for the cleanest burn and least chimney build-up. Kindling lights quickly, but ...

Q: I have a house built in 1969 with a brick fireplace that we put a gas decorative insert in and changed the decorative fireplace door. There are now large gaps between the masonry work, brick and ...

Q: I have a house built in 1969 with a brick fireplace that we put a gas decorative insert in and changed the decorative fireplace door. There are now large gaps between the masonry work, brick and ...

Winter is here, meaning you might be looking to start using your fireplace again. Before you do, though, make sure it's ready to safely warm your home for the holidays. If you have a wood fireplace ...

Learn More › A fireplace should create warmth and ambiance, not fill your living room with smoke. When smoke enters the home instead of venting up the chimney, it’s usually a sign of a problem with ...

PITTSBURGH, July 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "I had a new damper installed on our chimney, and it failed within two years. The heat from the fireplace compromised the tension in the springs that hold the ...