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
Our Chimney Sweeps are CSIA Certified. That means that our sweeps are trained by the Pros to be a Pro. We also love our fireplaces. Sitting near the fire in our homes is relaxing. It is our happy place. It is our desire that you love and enjoy your fireplace too.
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 purposes of 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.
A fireplace should be inspected annually or if you note something different in your fireplace.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/When-you-should-call-a-chimney-sweep.pdf
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.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/what-is-a-chimney-inspection-why-do-you-need-one-every-year/
– 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.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/things-you-can-do-to-help-your-chimney-fireplace/
Schedule an annual inspection. Repair issues when recommended. Understand that a buildup of creosote can be dangerous.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/the-ultimate-guide-to-using-your-fireplace/
Burn seasoned wood. Use a moisture meter to determine if wood is properly seasoned. Do not burn anything else like paper or trash in your fireplace.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/the-ultimate-guide-to-firewood-what-you-can-cant-burn-in-your-fireplace/
Yes! Carbon Monoxide is because of the incomplete burning of fuel. Carbon monoxide is called the “silent killer.” It is the second leading cause of poisoning in the home.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/carbon-monoxide-your-home-what-you-need-to-know/
A chimney fire is most often caused by buildup in the chimney due to a “dirty chimney.” Chimney fires can be dangerous. If your chimney is on fire, call 911 immediately. After a chimney fire, 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 liner is the wrong size for your chimney
– the chimney is blocked
– the chimney is not tall enough
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/why-is-my-fireplace-smoking/
– the stack effect, wind-loading, or interior competing mechanical devices
Birds, smells, clogged chimneys, chimney fires, leaking chimneys – while there is so much to love about a fireplace, we can help you know when to seek repairs.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/what-to-do-when/
Chimney leaks can be caused by missing or damaged chimney cap, receding mortar joints, or a 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/
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 fireplace places need to be maintained just like an indoor fireplace. Firepits need to be kept a safe distance from your home and on the proper flooring. Starting a fire in a firepit or outdoor fireplace needs to be done with care.
For more information: https://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/fire-pit-safety-tips/
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.