We see many wood stoves day-to-day and some are nice and clean while others are very dirty or possibly in need of replacement. We also hear or see many customers struggling using multiple methods which involve harmful cleaners to razor blades to clean their wood stove glass. We take the time during our inspections and cleanings at Ace Chimney Cleaning to help our customers with cleaning solutions that are less harmful and easier to use and in most cases required less time to clean when burning properly and keeping a regular cleaning schedule between cleanings.

Dealing with a bird in a chimney or fireplace can be a stressful situation, not only for you but for the bird as well. Birds resting or nesting atop the chimney sometimes wander inside it, unable to fly back up to escape. Freeing the bird may take some time; being quiet and patient during the process will help coax the bird where you want it to go so you can get it out of the house, back outdoors, safe and happy once again.

If you have bats in your chimney, and not in any other part of the house or attic, the situation is a little easier, because the bats are confined to one small area. Before discussing bat removal tactics, there are two very important things to keep in mind!

MAKE SURE THE DAMPER IS SHUT – So that bats don’t get into the house and start flying around once you do your bat exclusion.

DO NOT START A FIRE – You will have to open the damper to start a fire, and when you do, bats will get inside the house. If you start a fire, for some reason many bats crawl down and fly out the bottom rather than the top. Plus, many bats would die, and to kill bats is illegal and inhumane. Plus, bats can fit through very small areas, and you may find bats in the attic and walls if you start a fire.

As that chill in the morning air turns your thoughts to cranking up the fireplace, it’s important to focus on chimney safety before you start stacking firewood.

Fall chimney maintenance and proper cleaning are key steps to keeping your family safe and warm as the temperatures drop. Neglected chimneys accumulate creosote, a combustible by-product of charred wood, along their walls. Add to that a high internal flue temperature and you’ve got a potentially dangerous chimney fire on your hands.

The best way to avoid a house fire caused by the fireplace or chimney is to hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect for cracks and loose bricks. He’ll also clean your chimney.