HOMEOWNER’S BLOG

All it takes is one week on the road without a washer and dryer and you’re thanking the heavens you’ve got these modern appliances in your home. They certainly make life easier – especially if you’ve got a big family.But did you know that your clothes dryer could actually be a fire and carbon monoxide hazard if you skip routine maintenance?It’s true. Lint and debris can build up in your dryer duct, causing your dryer to work overtime and creating potential [...]

​Hello, wood burners! Welcome to your ultimate guide on firewood and what you can + can’t burn in your fireplace. We’re going to cover everything from wood types and the moisture content of properly seasoned wood to creosote logs, wood storage, and safe burn practices.Let’s get started! What Kind of Wood Should You Burn in Your Fireplace?A lot of people hav [...]

​Even if you grew up with a fireplace in your home, there’s always more to learn about how to properly use, maintain, and enjoy your fireplace. You likely have questions about how to get the most heat and efficiency from your fireplace, how to know if it’s safe to use your fireplace, how to improve draft, etc. Well, we’re here to help.​Here at CSIA, we believe that the more homeowners know about fireplaces, the more empowered they&r [...]

A smoky fireplace can be a serious inconvenience. The moment smoke starts pouring back into your home, the enjoyment of the evening is gone. You go from relaxing and sipping your favorite beverage to opening windows and trying to figure out what the heck is going on.​Smoke can stain your furniture, drapes, and walls, cause coughing fits and respiratory problems, and – because it contains carbon monoxide – it can make you sick. Of course, when yo [...]

So, you want to know what you can be doing to keep your chimney and fireplace in great shape. Great! There are a couple of things you can DIY, but some things are best left to the professionals. We’ve included both here because they’re *vital* to chimney/fireplace performance, safety, and longevity.​Alright, let’s dive in and look at the top five things you can do to help your chimney and fireplace perform well (and as safely as possible), sta [...]