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Frequently Asked Questions
Your quick guide to our most frequently asked questions and services.
Chimney Cleaning
A proper chimney cleaning reduces the potential for chimney fires by removing dangerous, flammable creosote and soot from the chimney.
Chimneys should be cleaned when creosote buildup reaches between 1/8 and 1/4 inch in the fireplace throat or the interior pipe of your woodstove. Other signs that your chimney may need cleaning include difficulty starting or maintaining a fire, smoke entering the room, or strong odours.
If you are using your woodstove or fireplace on a regular basis, as a general rule, have it cleaned and inspected once a year.
Older fireplaces and woodstoves should be inspected by a Wood Energy Technical Transfer (WETT) certified chimney sweep. They can tell you if the chimney is in good working order.
There are a number of reasons for a smoky fireplace:
The opening of fireplace is too large.
The chimney is too short.
There is improper air flow over the top of the chimney.
The house is too airtight.
There are competing appliances (dryer, furnace, kitchen stove, exhaust fan).
Hot air exiting from the fireplace being used is now creating a negative pressure in the home. Smoke entering the other fireplace or furnace chimney from the top has now become a fresh air return, sucking down smoke from the other flue.
A glowing fireplace brings warmth and comfort to any room, creating the perfect spot to relax or spend time with loved ones. To keep that cozy feeling safe, it’s important to follow a few simple precautions. Here are some key tips for enjoying your fireplace responsibly:
Have your chimney cleaned/inspected regularly.
Ensure the damper is open before lighting and the chimney has sufficient draw.
Turn off all exhaust fans when lighting the fire.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing, operating, and maintaining your fireplace or stove.
Keep all flammable materials a safe distance away from the wood burning appliance.
Begin fires with paper and small pieces of kindling.
Never use flammable liquids like gasoline or kerosene to start a fire.
Empty the ashes from your wood burning appliance when required, storing them in a covered metal container placed safely away from your home and other structures.
Check your fire/CO alarms on a regular basis and replace fire extinguishers as needed.
Use a dry seasoned wood: Seasoned wood has usually been dried for six to twelve months to eliminate excess moisture, allowing it to burn hotter, cleaner, and more efficiently.
Hardwoods: Hardwoods like oak, maple, and ash are dense, which makes them burn longer and generate more heat. They provide steady warmth and leave behind hot coals that keep your fire going.
Softwoods: Softwoods like pine and spruce are lighter and ignite quickly, but they burn fast and produce less heat. They work best as kindling to get a fire started but once the fire is going, hardwoods provide long-lasting, efficient heat.
Storing your firewood: Keep the firewood off the ground and covered on top but open on the sides for airflow. Store away from heat sources.
WETT Inspections
A WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) inspection is a professional evaluation of your wood-burning appliance by a WETT-certified inspector.
A WETT certificate or certification is a popular misconception, but simply put, there is no such thing. Only individuals are certified, and what they provide is an official inspection report, not a WETT certificate.
Level 1 (Visual Inspection)
Level 2 (Technical Inspection)
Level 3 (Invasive Inspection)
You will be provided with a written report outlining the condition of your wood burning system, including its safety, installation, and code compliance.
A WETT inspection is most commonly requested by insurance companies, for real estate transactions, new installations or major changes and system concerns.
Inspection reports only reflect the condition of the system at the time the inspection is performed. We cannot guarantee the condition of the system after the date and time of the assessment. In addition, insurance providers have varying requirements regarding how long they consider a WETT inspection report to be valid. Please contact your insurance company directly to confirm their specific guidelines.
Eavestrough Cleaning
A regular cleaning schedule is essential in keeping your gutter system working properly. For most homes, cleaning them once in the spring and once in the fall is usually enough. If you have a lot of trees around your property, you may need to clean them more frequently to prevent clogs and buildups.
Eavestroughs (gutters) should be cleaned whenever they start to overflow during rain, have noticeable debris, or water isn’t flowing properly through the downspouts. Other signs to watch for include gutters that are sagging, plants growing inside them, water marks on your siding, or pests making a home in them.
Ignoring your eavestroughs can cause damage to your home like rotting fascia or soffits, flooding, and even foundation cracks. Likewise, overflowing water can harm your landscape and clogged gutters can even sag, break or pull away from your home.
Eavestrough covers (or gutter guards) are protective systems installed over gutters to block leaves, twigs, and debris while allowing water to flow through. They prevent clogs, minimize cleaning, and protect foundations from water damage.
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