When you make an appointment, know that:
- We sweep chimneys and service gas fireplaces all year long. April – August is the best time for annual maintenance and repairs.
- From October through January, Louisiana Fireplace could be booked up 4-6 weeks out.
- As a courtesy, we will remind you of the appointment by a call or at text at least 24 hours before your appointment.
- Louisiana Fireplace technicians will arrive within two hours of the approximate appointment time.
- If you have a woodburning fireplace, please do not light a fire for about 36 hours before we are scheduled to come. We need it cold to sweep and service it.
- We cannot tell you if your fireplace is functional until we see it in person. The only way to know if the fireplace is functional is to schedule a certified sweep to inspect it annually. If you do not use your chimney/fireplace each year, we recommend an inspection before you burn again.
Frequently Asked Questions
With all the charm and warmth that a fireplace* can bring, it also needs regular attention and maintenance. Louisiana Fireplace wants to help you understand what your fireplace needs so that you can enjoy it for many years to come.
*For the FAQ below, all open fireplaces with or without doors, prefabricated fireplaces, inserts, and stoves that burn wood are referred to as a fireplace. Pipe chimneys and brick chimneys are referred to as chimneys.
Woodburning Fireplaces
- Our Chimney Sweeps are CSIA Certified. The Chimney Sweep Institute of America (CSIA) is the only nationally recognized certification for chimney sweeps. That means that our sweeps are trained by the Pros to be a Pro. They have trained, been tested, and maintain their certifications with continual
learning. - We have two National Fireplace Institute certified employees, one in Design Specialty and the other in Gas.
- Louisiana Fireplace is a licensed remodeling contractor with the State of Louisiana.
A fireplace should be inspected annually, or if you note something different in your fireplace.
There can be a lot going on in the chimney/fireplace that you cannot see. Let a professional look and make sure your fireplace is usable.
– Have your chimney/fireplace
inspected annually.
– Keep your chimney/fireplace dry.
– Repair as needed and when recommended.
– Be mindful of what type of wood you are burning.
– Remove soot and smoke stains so that your fireplace is a happy focal point in your
home.
Schedule an annual inspection. Repair issues when recommended. Understand that a buildup of creosote can be dangerous.
Burn seasoned wood. We recommend hardwood only. Use a moisture meter to determine if wood is properly seasoned. Do not burn anything else, like paper or trash, in your fireplace.
Yes! Carbon Monoxide happens because of the incomplete burning of fuel; it is a byproduct of burning fuel (wood or gas). Carbon monoxide is called the “silent killer.” It is the second leading cause of poisoning in the home. We recommend that all homes have a carbon monoxide detector.
A chimney fire is most often caused by a buildup in the chimney due to a “dirty chimney.” Build-up can be hidden and may not be visible without proper equipment. Chimney fires can be dangerous. If your chimney is on fire, call 911 immediately. After a chimney fire, an inspection by a certified CSIA Sweep is needed. Repairs may not be obvious but should be made before further use.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/the-facts-about-chimney-fires-your-questions-answered/
A fireplace can smoke for any number of reasons:
- Green/wet wood
- The flue is not properly warmed
- The fire is too big for your fireplace
- The flue is the wrong size for your chimney
- The chimney is blocked
- The chimney is not tall enough
- There is a buildup in the chimney
- Negative house pressure
- Wind
- Not cold enough outside
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/why-is-my-fireplace-smoking/
Screens to prevent birds in the chimney, broken chimney flues, chimney fire damage, damage caused by leaks, and leak prevention. There is a solution to most issues.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/what-to-do-when/
Chimney leaks can be caused by a missing or damaged chimney cap, receding mortar joints, porous bricks, or poorly installed or damaged flashing. Each possibility has a different solution. Most leaks can be repaired. Proper maintenance can help avoid some leaks.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/chimney-leaks-what-to-do-if-you-have-one-how-to-prevent-them/
Yes! Your dryer runs more efficiently when the vent is clear. Chimney sweeps also sweep dryer vents.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/clothes-dryer-safety-tips/
Outdoor fireplaces must be maintained just like an indoor fireplace. Firepits need to be kept at a safe distance from your home and on the proper flooring. Starting a fire in a firepit or outdoor fireplace must be done with care.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/fire-pit-safety-tips/
GAS Fireplace
You could have a gas leak, older ceramic fiber logs develop an odor with age, or the burner has not been properly maintained. Have your log set serviced soon.
There are multiple safety sensors build into most gas logs that will turn the unit off if it does not have optimal burning conditions or if the mechanisms are starting to fail. You can trouble shoot yourself by using compressed air to clean the pilot assembly. You can also sign up for annual maintenance with us.
If your logs are vent free, they should not soot. Most likely the logs have not been placed according to manufacturer’s instructions. If they are vented, sooting is normal. Vented logs should be serviced and cleaned regularly.
Depending on use and maintenance the industry average is about 10 years.
Replace all batteries on the remote and receiver box. Syncing the remote may be necessary after changing batteries. See installation instructions for details.
Wood and gas burning fireplace should be maintained annually. This is required for some warranties. Louisiana Fireplace offers an Annual Service Plan for both wood and gas burning fireplaces.
Is Your Fireplace Smoking?
1. Sweep Fireplace
Have the fireplace swept by a CSIA certified Chimney Sweep. Clean chimneys draft better. A chimney sweep inspects and ensures there are no obstructions in the chimney (which can cause smoke issues). Louisiana
Fireplace has the only CSIA Sweeps in the Cenla area. To find a CSIA sweep in your area go to www.CSIA.org.
2. Build the fire at the back of the fireplace.
3. Start your fire using the “top-down” method.
See tips here https://www.woodheat.org/top-down-steps.html
4. Grate Size – are you using the proper size grate in your fireplace?
Masonry Fireplace: Your grates should be approximately 2/3 the size of the fireplace.
Zero Clearance: Preferably, use the grate that came with the factory-built fireplace when it was installed. If you can no longer replace the original style, use a grate designed for style and size fireplace.
Using an oversized grate can push the fire too far forward. The prongs of the grate can push smoke out of your fireplace.
5. Wind Direction
If the fireplace seems prone to smoke when the wind blows from a certain direction, open a window facing that direction to level out the air pressures.
For example, the fireplace smokes more when the wind blows from the north, crack a window on the north side of your home.
6. Firewood
Only use seasoned firewood that has a moisture content of 20% or less. You can check this by splitting a piece of your firewood and checking with a moisture meter on the split section.
7. Don’t Overload
Build hotter fires and use smaller pieces of firewood. Do not overload the firebox but get a good bed of coals burning. Add 1-2 pieces of wood at a time, allowing them to burn down before adding more.
8. No Fans or “can” lights
Refrain from using any fans inside the house while using the fireplace (Central Air Conditioners, Stove Vents, Clothes Dryer, Bathroom Vents, etc.). Also, having “can” lights turned on, in the same room as the fireplace, can also
draw smoke out of the fireplace.
9. End of burn
If the fireplace starts smoking toward the end of the burn, when the chimney is cooling either run your lit log lighter pipe for a few moments, add smaller kindling, or use smaller pieces of well-seasoned wood to increase the heat
and help the draft.