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 

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. 

Things To Do and Not To Do

People have short attention spans and little time these days so here is a quick list of things to do and not to do regarding chimneys and heating appliances to keep you safe and warm this winter:

What Not to Do: 

• Don't burn Hedge in a fireplace or woodstove. It burns too hot and is dangerous!
• Don't burn dry soft pine as your main fuel. It burns too hot and fast. Most importantly, don't burn a Christmas tree or a house fire could result!
• Don't expect a Chimney Sweeping Log to clean out creosote from the chimney or do an inspection. In fact, these logs have been known to cause chimney fires!
• Don't leave stockings hanging on the mantel while a fire is in the fireplace!
• Don't put wrapping paper in the fireplace - it creates toxic fumes!

Things to Do: 

• Do shut down the air supply and get out of the house and call 911 if you have a chimney fire! You may think the fire is out but it might not be completely out, or wood may be smoldering on the exterior of the chimney in your attic. 
• Do burn only dry seasoned cordwood
• Do have fireplaces and wood-burning stoves serviced and swept in the SPRING when chimney sweeps are not so busy and you can get a better price!
• Do use only a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep
• Do have your furnace/boiler/water heater flue inspected annually to check for problems that could lead to CO leakage into the house!
• Do have Direct-Vent gas fireplaces and inserts serviced and tuned-up annually by a professional to assure proper operation. Call after the season is over in the SPRING!

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Marge Padgitt is the CEO of HearthMasters, Inc. and HearthMasters Education in Kansas City, Missouri. www.hearthmasters.net. 

The signs say heavy snow and cold weather for Kansas City

The rabbits, cats, and dogs in the Kansas City area have a noticeably heavy coat right now – according to folklore heavier coats on any of our animal friends indicate very cold wet weather coming soon. But that is not the only way to predict the weather using non-scientific means.

Persimmon Seeds: According to Mike Dougherty of Tree Management Company in Lenexa, Kansas, find persimmon fruit in the supermarket or on a persimmon tree in your neighborhood. Note: You can eat persimmon fruit but most people don’t think it is very tasty and prefer to leave it for the deer, squirrels, and raccoons. The fruit should be locally-grown to reflect the area weather. Cut one of the seeds inside the fruit open and examine the shape of the white kernel inside.

• If the kernel is fork-shaped, we can expect powdery, light snow and a mild winter.
• If the kernel is knife-shaped, expect to be "cut" by icy, cold and cutting winds.
• If the kernel is spoon-shaped, lots of heavy, wet snow will fall. The spoon is supposed to represent a shovel, which you will need to have on hand.

Animal Folklore:

·         If a mole digs its hole 2½ feet deep, expect severe weather; if two feet deep, not so severe; if one foot deep, a mild winter.

·         When pigs gather leaves and straw in all, expect a cold winter.

·         When rabbits are fat in October and November, expect a long, cold winter.

·         Wooly Worms: According to folklore, the black-and-brown caterpillars can predict the weather for the coming winter. If you find one during the fall season and see that the brown band is narrow, winter weather will be harsh. Supposedly, wooly worm weather predictions have been accurate 80% of the time since tracking began in the 1950s.

·         Insects and birds nesting high in the trees in the fall indicate a harsh winter is ahead.

·         Tough acorns: A thicker, harder shell than normal on acorns is a sign of hard weather to come.

·         Squirrel activity: If the squirrels are bustling around and storing more food than normal, or burying their acorns deeper than normal, expect a hard winter.

The accuracy of these folklore traditions may be questionable, however, it will be interesting to see what actually happens this winter. If there is a lot of snow, I’ll be a believer.

Moon Signs:
“Clear Moon, frost soon.”  When the night sky is clear, Earth's surface cools rapidly—there is no cloud cover to keep the heat in. If the night is clear enough to see the Moon and the temperature drops enough, frost will form overnight, so expect a very chilly morning.

Farmer’s Almanac: I prefer to check a publication that has been around since 1792. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, December temperatures will average 30° (2° below avg.) and precipitation will be low at 0.5" (1" below avg.). The Almanac shows snowy and cold periods from December 12 – 27, then very cold. 

Vote for HearthMasters!

The Examiner newspaper is having their annual contest for the Best of the Best in Independence, Missouri. If you live in or near Independence, please vote for us after Sept 13 here: https://examiner.gatehousecontests.com/Best-of-Eastern-Jackson-County-2019/

Thank you!

Woodburners Prep your Wood for Fall NOW!

As difficult as it is to think about cold weather during the nice spring and summer months when the trees are green and the flowers are in full bloom, wood burners need to start prepping for fall now.

Since wood needs to be cut, split, and stacked months in advance so that it dries out properly, now is the time to get that project completed, and get some exercise to boot. There are several types of log-splitters available that can make the job much easier. Prices range from $150 for a hand-operated splitter, to $3,000 for a professional gas splitter.

Wood should be stacked off the ground, away from the house, with a covering over the top but not on the sides-- so the wind can blow through and dry the wood out. For the serious wood-burner, a woodshed with a permanent roof will offer years of protection from the elements. Be sure to stack wood loosely so it will dry out faster. 

Wood should be kept away from the house because creepy crawlies like brown recluses like to hide in between the logs. Check wood with an inexpensive moisture meter to be sure it contains less than 20% moisture content before burning. Moisture meters can be purchased online. 

Stack split wood loosely

Any dry wood will do - but hardwood will burn for a longer time since it is denser than softwood. By using hardwood less time is involved in loading up the wood stove or fireplace insert, but softwoods will burn nicely, too. 

Stay away from dry pine and hedge, however, because they burn so hot and fast there is a greater risk of a chimney fire or damaging a wood stove or fireplace.

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Marge Padgitt is a veteran chimney contractor in Kansas City, Missouri. She is the author of the Chimney and Hearth Pro's Resource Book and The Homeowner's Guide to Hearth Appliances. 

The Wrong Type of Chimney Cap Can Cause Problems

Cement Cap with Crack and Separation

The cement cap on top of masonry chimneys is the single most problematic area of any chimney.  As chimney service technicians, we know that the cement cap (or crown) is often cracked, deteriorated, and separated from the top course of brick, leaving areas where rainwater can seep in and enter the chimney chase.

Cracks often develop because most masons do not install a bond break around flue liners as is required by code, and when flue liners are heated they expand and push on the cement cap. Cracks may also develop during a sudden chimney fire or lightning strike.

Deteriorating Cement Cap

Cement caps are susceptible to weather damage and will deteriorate over time. This area is the most difficult to see because it cannot be viewed from the ground.

Poor Chimney Design

Right: This is a poor design for a chimney. Rainwater runs off the cement cap and directly on to rows of bricks. This upper portion of the chimney will deteriorate much more quickly than the rest of the structure.

Left: There is nothing left of the cement cap that used to be on the top of this chimney. Rainwater has been pouring into the interior of the chase for years, causing deterioration of the mortar joints inside the chase.

This type of damage can be very costly. Both the interior and exterior chimney need repair.




Right: This mortar joint between two tile flue liner sections has been completely washed out due to exposure to rain water on both the outside  and the inside of the tile. Gaps like this can allow toxic and heated flue gasses to escape the chimney.

Cement cap with drip edge. Note: the chimney
is too short and should have been raised.

The 2012 International Residential Code requires a cement cap to have a drip edge and a slope to permit water runoff away from the top courses of bricks on the chimney. Without this drip edge water runs onto the upper bricks and mortar, causing excessive deterioration.
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Marge Padgitt is the CEO and President of HearthMasters, Inc. and HearthMasters Masonry School in Independence, MO. Contact her at www.chimkc.com.