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Monday, December 30, 2019

Biomass Tax Credit - don't forget to claim it!

Happy Holidays from HearthMasters - and the Federal Government!

If you purchased a wood-burning stove or insert in 2017 - 2019 you may be eligible for a $300 tax credit.

Every year, many taxpayers fail to take advantage of the tax credits for which they're eligible. HPBA works to ensure that the $300 biomass stove tax credit is not forgotten. Rewarding investment in more energy-efficient technology can benefit not only individuals but also can positively impact the air quality of entire communities. The U.S. federal government offers a tax credit to tax-paying homeowners who purchase a wood or pellet stove that is at least 75 percent efficient.

The biomass stove tax credit has been extended for purchases made before December 31, 2020. You can claim this credit on your tax return if you made a qualifying purchase since December 31, 2017 and up to December 31, 2020.

What is it?
A $300 tax credit for purchasing a biomass stove that is at least 75 percent efficient. This includes wood-burning stoves and inserts, pellet stoves and inserts, and other types of stoves. 

How to Claim It:
Complete eligible purchase by December 31, 2020.
Retain the receipts from your purchase as well as the manufacturer certificate stating the stove qualifies.
Claim the credit on your federal income tax form.

For more information visit:

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Beware of Flammable Nest Hazards


By Gene Padgitt, CFI, and Marge Padgitt

Many house fires occur due to flammable bird or squirrel nests in or around chimneys. On Monday, February 10, 2014, Gene found a nest that was built on top of a direct vent gas fireplace vent on the exterior of the house.  The nest and wood house siding was charred, which means that the nest was trapping heat in an area that needed to be clear of obstructions. Heat chemically changes the structure of wood over time and lowers the ignition point. Where wood normally ignites at approximately 500 degrees, wood exposed to heat over time may ignite at only 180 degrees or lower. In this case, the homeowners were lucky to have had service done to their appliance when they did or it would have gone unnoticed and eventually caused the house to catch fire.

Shortly after the above inspection, Gene inspected another direct vent gas fireplace and found another bird nest packed tightly inside the holes in the vent. The homeowners had no idea that birds could get behind the vent cover and build a fire hazard inside the vent. It is a good thing they decided to have us do an annual gas appliance check and tune-up or it wouldn’t have been found.


Flammable bird nest material
in a Direct Vent gas fireplace
vent. Homeowners should check
the exterior vent before using
each season. 
Birds and squirrels love to build nests inside and on chimneys where they have some protection from the elements, and heat to keep warm in the winter. Unfortunately, nests are built with flammable dry twigs and other materials that can easily catch fire and cause a chimney or vent fire that may become a house fire.

In 2013 we did a fire investigation involving an unlisted decorative shroud on top of a wood chimney chase serving a manufactured fireplace. The shroud contained over five-gallon buckets full of squirrel nesting materials that were packed down inside the shroud and not visible from the ground. The materials trapped heat inside the area, which in turn ignited the combustible framing. According to the International Residential Code, only shrouds listed for the particular manufactured appliance may be installed.  Unfortunately, there are many architects and builders who design unlisted shrouds to cover ugly chimney termination caps which do not have a listing and are potential fire hazards.  As chimney sweeps we need to be diligent about checking for listed and labeled shrouds and removing those that are not listed.

We had an unbelievable case about 18 years ago which involved the removal of over 20’ of squirrel nesting material inside a clay tile flue liner. It took two men two trips to get all of the material out with many types of equipment. They were almost to the point of tearing the chimney down when they finally broke through the packed materials. The squirrels apparently used the same location year after year and built a new nest on top of the old nest until reaching the top.  Luckily, the homeowners had not used the fireplace for many years and called us to inspect it before using it. 
In yet another fire investigation case in 2012, Gene found the cause of a fire to be bird nesting material packed inside an older model manufactured chimney pipe that was designed without adequate protection against birds.  Birds built the nest between the inner and outer pipe sections and on top of the chase top.  This blocked the air-cooled chimney and caused it to overheat, ignited nesting materials, which in turn ignited nearby combustibles several inches away.  This is something to look for in older model pre-fabricated fireplaces, and unfortunately, there are many of these types of fireplaces still in use.

In 2013 we did an inspection of a manufactured fireplace unit that had bird feathers and nesting materials coming down the flue and through a gap at the bottom of the pipe. Further inspection revealed that nesting materials were packed between the inner and outer chimney walls. We advised the homeowner, who only wanted a screen installed to keep the birds out, that the entire system was a fire hazard and needed to be replaced. This started a huge controversy and she left negative feedback on Angie’s List.  I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before the house burns down. The sad part about this case is that another chimney company did install a screen on the chimney cover for her and did nothing else.  What we say when this happens is “They just bought that chimney,” which means to fire investigators that the last person to touch it is the first person the insurance companies go after.

Chimney swifts are especially drawn to dark, cool masonry chimneys and build their nests with mud and twigs on the sidewalls of flues and smoke chambers. In the U.S., the Chimney Swift is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Neither birds nor nests can be removed from chimneys without a federally-issued permit. Other birds build nests on the smoke shelf or damper. All nests are flammable and are a fire hazard. Unfortunately, the Migratory Bird Act prevents homeowners or chimney sweeps from removing nesting birds of any type inside chimneys, and substantial fines may apply per occurrence.

Homeowners can prevent the entry of birds into masonry chimneys by installing a masonry chimney cover with a bird guard screen on top of the flue or a multi-flue cap. A chimney cover serves dual duty by also keeping rain which deteriorates mortar joints out of the flue.
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Gene and Marge Padgitt own HearthMasters, Inc. chimney and fireplace restoration company in Kansas City, Missouri. 



Friday, December 6, 2019

Don’t Burn a Dry Christmas Tree in a Fireplace!



When deciding what to do with a real Christmas tree this year, be sure putting it into a burning fireplace is not on the list of options. Dry pine is extremely flammable and burns very hot and fast - too fast and hot in fact for a friendly fire inside the fireplace.

Burning dry pine trees are the cause of many chimney fires each year - and many of those evolve into structural house fires. As soon as dry pine is placed on a burning fire it erupts into a ball of fire which reaches up into the flue where flammable creosote can ignite.

Chimney fires may only last a few seconds, but some can last much longer depending on the amount of fuel (creosote) inside the flue that is available to burn. The longer the fire, the higher the risk of flame escaping into the structure, resulting in a house fire.

Instead, think about chopping the tree up into very small pieces to use for kindling throughout the winter. Pine is a great firestarter.  An added benefit is that you can get some exercise while chopping!  If chopping is not your thing, some cities offer Christmas tree pick up service, and will haul the tree off for you.

Check out this video if you'd like to see how fast a tree burns up: https://youtu.be/X_9DukOkd6k


More ideas for dry Christmas trees:
 
  1. Cut the tree up into larger pieces to use in an outdoor firepit or bake oven.
  2. Cut the tree trunk into thin slices to make coasters. Sand smooth, and apply a coat of polyurethane to seal in sap.
  3. Cut the trunk into thin slices, then drill a hole near the top for string, and donate to a scout group or school for an art project. 
  4. Use the pine needles for mulch.
  5. Rent a wood chipper and run the tree through it, then use the chips as mulch in the spring.
  6. Cut up small pieces to use for kindling. 
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Marge Padgitt is an author and chimney professional living in Kansas City, Missouri. Contact her at hearthmastersboss@gmail.com 

Monday, December 2, 2019

Add a mantel for a focal point in any room



Mantels are typically used above or above and surrounding working gas or wood-burning fireplaces, but more and more people are using a mantel in unique ways to add a focal point to any room. A fireplace is not needed to provide ambiance to an indoor or even an outdoor space.

Some homeowners or home decorators find antique or modern



mantels at architectural salvage stores, retail hearth stores, flea markets, antique stores, or online auction sites. Even chimney sweeps and masons may keep a few mantels around that have been removed from repair projects.

Mantels come in all styles and sizes. Small antique cast iron mantels that were once used for very small coal fireplaces are perfect for smaller spaces such as parlors, bedrooms, or foyers. Larger marble or wood mantels are appropriate to use in bigger rooms such as great rooms, family rooms or living rooms.
The outdoor room is more and more popular and outdoor fireplaces are a part of that trend. Adding a mantel to the fireplace may add just the right, and unexpected, finishing touch to the space. Protect the mantel from weather by applying a non-combustible coating to the surface if there is no roof or overhang.

Cast iron and marble mantels are non-combustible, while wood mantels are combustible, so care should be taken if planning to use a fire source. If fire is desired, an indoor gel fireplace may be added as long as clearances to combustible materials is adhered to. There are also some small depth electric fireplaces on the market that can be used if the effect is desired. Some electric fireplaces also produce a small amount of heat.
A Kansas City resident recently had five fireplaces in his historic 1870 home restored and remodeled. A local chimney contractor was able to obtain antique 1860’s period cast iron mantels from New York that fit the brick fireplaces perfectly. The small fireplaces were rebuilt with firebrick in a Rumford style, which was introduced in the 1700’s by Count Benjamin Thomas Rumford, who designed the fireplace to produce more heat. The cast iron mantels and the fireplace designs work together perfectly and appear original to the home. “I was so happy with the finished look,” said the homeowner, “We feel lucky to have been able to get the mantels shipped from New York.”

One final option that the smaller mantels can be used for is the new Bellfires brand pre-cast wood-burning zero clearance fireplace. This fireplace comes in one complete package which includes the smoke chamber and insulation with a stainless steel casing. The Bellfires wood-burning fireplace can be added to any room. A Class A stainless steel chimney is required to be installed with the fireplace. Since the Bellfires fireplace is U.L. listed it can be installed in any city per code requirements. It comes in several sizes, including a 28” high small fireplace that looks period. The cast mantels work well with this fireplace unit.
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Marge Padgitt is president and CEO of HearthMasters, Inc. and HearthMasters Education in Kansas City, Missouri. She is an author, educator, and industry veteran. www.hearthmasters.us, www.chimkc.com