Aardvark Residential and Commercial Services, Inc.

Aardvark Newsletter No. 23

Malissa — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:23:53 +0000

Aardvark Newsletter No. 23

Inside this issue:

· How to Increase Air Flow Through Your Home

A well ventilated home can help keep indoor air healthy and moisture problems under control. In winter, the biggest concern is stopping unwanted air leaks that suck heat and energy out. It seems that the options are either open to the elements with fresh air or a winter of stale indoor environment but there are some options to increase air flow through your home, even when windows and doors are sealed up for the cold months.

Less air movement in winter is usually a benefit. The less drafts, leaks and displacement of heated air that there are means that interiors stay cozy and warm. Still, inside the tightly sealed walls are odors and pollutants that can compromise indoor air quality. Some byproducts of activities, like cooking, can cause moisture problems. In winter, turn your sights towards mechanical ventilation to keep air fresh and circulating.

The best place to start is in the kitchen, this is often the place where odors, moisture and other pollutants start. Make sure your kitchen is properly vented to the outdoors with a vent hood. Keep it clean and well-maintained and be sure to use it to control odors and moisture that can condense and cause wood and finishes to rot.

If you have a forced hot air AC system, use the fan to circulate air throughout the house. Even unconditioned (not heated or cooled) air that passes through your ducts will be forced through a simple filter that is standard on most systems. Make sure the filter and ductwork is clean and move air with the “fan only” setting. You can also consider upgrading this filter to larger media-type or even a whole house HEPA to cleanse the air during winter months.

One last option that many homeowners often overlook is a heat exchanger. These attachments are common on industrial buildings that condition air year round and are responsible for supplying fresh air to many floors and people.

Heat exchangers are fairly simple. Warm indoor air and cold outdoor pass each other along channels of a box, the heat exchanger. The air streams are kept separate; old air is pushed out and fresh air is sucked in. The heat from escaping air transfers through aluminum plates in the heat exchanger warming the incoming air.

Also called heat-recovery ventilators, these simple tools replenish indoor air, allow ventilation for moisture and odors and can retain upwards of 80% of the outgoing heat. This type of system preheats the incoming air and reduces the load on the furnace. They can be expensive depending on the model but offer an effective way to increase air flow without compromising heating efforts.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Aardvark

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Aardvark Newsletter No. 22

Malissa — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:10:30 +0000

Aardvark Newsletter No. 22

Inside this issue:

· Question to ask when getting a Air Duct Cleaning quote
· NBC dateline video on Air Duct Cleaning Scams

We wanted to put it out there that it is impossible to do a complete air duct cleaning in your home for $49.00-$79.00 This is a scam for these companies to get into your home. We have had numerous calls from customers that were so upset because one of these companies had just left their home. They drag you in with these gimmick ads, get to your home want to do an INSPECTION of the duct work (which is usually a $95.00 charge) then tell you that your furnace, mains and returns are NOT included in the advertised ad and it will be X amount of dollars to clean them. By the time they are done your looking at a bill that is $500 plus easy. So we wanted to make a question list for anyone that is looking to get their air ducts cleaned. A good, honest company will give you a bottom dollar cost. No surprises, No gimmick ads no trip fees etc. So here are the bottom line questions you will need to ask:

1. How many vent openings does this include?

2. Are my returns included in this price?

3. Is there an additional cost for my furnace?

4. Are my Main Trunk Lines included in this price? If so is there a limit on how many?

5. Is the Sanitizer included in this price?

6. Is there an inspection fee?

7. Is there a trip charge?

8. Is this the bottom dollar cost?

Aardvark takes pride in giving bottom dollar prices. We DO NOT try to get into your homes and slap you with unnecessary high dollar cost. The price we give you is the price you pay BOTTOM LINE! Our technicians take pride in their work and will do an excellent job! Go to our testimonial page and check out some of our satisfied customers, not just residential but commercial as well. I have attached a video from NBC Dateline that shows you more in depth how these scammers work.

Hope you all have a wonderful week and a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Sincerely,

Aardvark

Don’t forget to go check out our facebook page!

www.facebook.aardvarkresidentialandcommercialservices

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Aardvark Newsletter No. 21

Malissa — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:25:03 +0000

Aardvark Newsletter No. 21

Inside this issue:

· 50 Ways to winterize your home

· 20 Winter Fun Facts

50 Ways to WINTERIZE your home!

1. Replace any old or inefficient windows. Windows are one of the major ways heat leaks out of your house.

2. Seal off drafty windows and patio doors with clear plastic.

3. If you have a lot of outside doors that leak air, you can seal a few off using plastic or caulk putty.

4. If your furnace is more than 10 years old, there’s a good chance that it wastes a lot of fuel. Consider upgrading to a newer one.

5. Insulate the hot water lines around your hot water heater and turn down the temperature of the water heater to the “warm” setting (120 degrees F).

6. Consider “blanketing” your water heater with faced fiberglass insulation. (Do not do this if you have a gas-powered water heater)

7. Wrap any hot water pipes that run through unheated areas of the house. Also, you can insulate cold water pipes to help prevent them from freezing during the winter.

8. Replace your furnace filter about every 3 months.

9. Make sure your cold air returns aren’t blocked. Your furnace needs these to operate efficiently.

10. Try replacing the weather stripping around the doors in your home.

11. Use a programmable thermostat to reduce heating costs when no one is at home.

12. Uncover all south-facing windows to let all possible sunlight in your home.

13. Keep all vents and baseboard heaters clean.

14. If you have a fireplace, close the damper when the fireplace is not in use.

15. If the damper is old or doesn’t close well, try putting some insulation in it to seal it off. Just remember to take it out before using it!

16. If you like using a fireplace, consider getting an insert that will direct the heat into your house instead of just sending it up the chimney.

17. Consider replacing all of your lightbulbs with energy-saving CFL bulbs.

18. Install a timer on your water heater so it isn’t heating a whole tank of water when you don’t need it.

19. Install foam insulators behind the face plates of light switches and electrical outlets.

20. Check the insulation in the walls of your home. It might need some work in order to keep heat in efficiently.

21. Plant evergreen trees close to your home to block the winter wind.

22. Reverse the direction of ceiling fans to push hot air downward and delay it from escaping the house.

23. Consider hanging thermal curtains to help prevent drafts.

24. Install a dryer vent seal to prevent cold air from traveling back into your home.

25. There are attachments to vent your dryer inside your home so you don’t waste the heat and humidity. (Don’t try this if you have a gas-powered dryer).

26. Check windows for leaks. Windows with wooden frames often warp and become inefficient.

27. Caulk both sides of the trim around your windows. This is an area where a lot of air can get in.

28. Try not to use space heaters to heat large areas of your house.

29. If you spend most of your time in one room in a large house, consider setting your thermostat low and using a small heater to heat where you are going to be.

30. Remove any window-unit air conditioners.

31. Keep all closet doors closed when possible. There’s no need to heat space that isn’t in use as long as it doesn’t contain water pipes.

32. Make sure that your garage isn’t too drafty.

33. Try to use the clothes dryer for consecutive loads of laundry. This conserves the energy that would be needed to heat up the dryer several times. (make sure to get those cleaned and inspected!)

34. Replace the caulking around any bathtubs or showers.

35. If your home has folding attic stairs, consider insulating the door with a cover of some sort.

36. If your home has a sliding glass door, check the seal on the bottom to make sure it isn’t letting in cold air.

37. If your water heater needs to be upgraded, consider installing a tankless water heater.

38. Use the oven for baking during colder hours of the day to help heat your home.

39. Install storm doors to help keep out drafts.

40. Use an energy monitor to tell you what appliances are using the most energy. This might help pinpoint areas where you can cut back on energy usage.

41. Make sure that your duct system is working properly.

42. Look into installing a geothermal heating system. While it is a bit expensive, initially, the energy savings provide a long-term cost benefit.

43. Dress warmly when you are inside so that you won’t be tempted to raise the temperature on the thermostat.

44. Make sure that there aren’t any drafts coming in under doors. If there are, consider using a rubber strip to seal them off.

45. If you own a brick home, check the mortar. It may need repair.

46. Replace worn or missing shingles.

47. Seal any cracks in the foundation of your house.

48. Wear socks and slippers. If your feet are warm, you will feel warmer and can keep the thermostat set low.

49. Install a programmable Energy Star thermostat that will lower the temperature at night and when no one is at home.

50. Close off rooms that aren’t used and shut the vents.

20 Winter Fun Facts:

1. We have all heard that no two snowflakes are alike. Did you know a scientist took 400,000 to prove it?

2. Icicles form most often on the south side of buildings.

3. The record for the most snow angels at one time was set in Ontario Canada in 2004 when a couple of schools joined to create 15,851 snow angels.

4. The wind chill factor measures heat loss from exposed skin.

5 .If it gets cold enough, single digits or below, ice crystals can form and snow can fall from clear skies.

6. All snowflakes have 6 sides.

7. Antarctica set the record for the worlds coldest temperature at -129(degrees Fahrenheit)

8. It does not have to be 32(degrees Fahrenheit) outside to snow.

9. Average snowflakes fall at 3.1mph

10. Ice is a mineral.

11. Billions of snowflakes fall during a storm, even a small storm.

12. A whiteout is also called a snow squall. This is when the cloud touches the ground and everything looks white.

13. 60% of the Earth's fresh water is stored in the polar ice caps.

14. Hot water freezes faster than cold water.

15. The "winter blues" were first diagnosed in 1984. And have recently been named seasonal affective disorder or S.A.D. (seriously)

16. The tallest snowman was 113 feet 7 inches tall. Named Angus and made in Bethel Maine in 1999.

17. Nine years later in 2008 this same town created the world's tallest snowwoman. The snowwoman stood 122 feet 1 inch tall.

18. The largest snowflake recorded in the Guinness World Book of Records fell in Montana and was 15 wide.

19. Ten inches of snow melts down to one inch of water.

20. Winter ends and spring begins with the March equinox. This is when the day and night are approximately the same length. Currently the equinox occurs on either March 20 or 21st.

Hope everyone enjoys the newsletter this week. We wanted to keep it informational but on the fun side as well. Hope everyone has an AWESOME week! Check us out on facebook! Facebook.com/aardvarkresidentialandcommercial

Sincerely,

Aardvark!

Aardvark Newsletter No. 20

Malissa — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:18:25 +0000

Aardvark Newsletter No. 19

Malissa — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:57:24 +0000

Aardvark Newsletter No. 19

Inside this issue:

· Air duct cleaning basics and benefits
· Chimney cleaning basics and benefits
· Dryer vent cleaning basics and benefits

Air Duct cleaning basics:

Air-duct cleaning generally includes cleaning all parts of a heating and cooling system, including ducts, registers, grills, diffusers, heat exchangers, coils and drip pans. Services also typically include motor and housing cleaning. Providers use physical cleaning methods such as scrubbing or brushing and chemical methods such as biocides and sealants to clean air duct systems.

Benefits:

Air-duct cleaning can provide health and financial benefits to homeowners. Dust and other debris build-up in the heating and cooling system of a home encourages mold and bacteria growth if moisture enters the system. This causes health problems and allergic reactions in some people. Dirty systems also run less efficiently; clean systems usually break down less often and last longer. Cleaner, more efficient systems require less energy to operate and thus lower energy costs for the homeowner, according to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association.

Chimney cleaning basics:

Your chimney–and the flue that lines it–may add architectural interest to your home, but their real function is to carry dangerous fireplace, wood stove or furnace gases and smoke safely out of your home. A chimney helps your household air stay breathable…just as your windows and your bathroom, attic and kitchen vents do. Unlike those other exhaust points in your home, however, fireplace and wood stove chimneys need a special kind of care. As you snuggle in front of a cozy fire or bask in the warmth of your wood stove, you are taking part in a ritual of comfort and enjoyment handed down though the centuries. The last thing you are likely to be thinking about is the condition of your chimney. However, if you don’t give some thought to it before you light those winter fires, your enjoyment may be very short-lived. Why? Dirty chimneys can be a fire hazard. Chimney fires can damage structures, destroy homes and injure or kill people.

Benefits:

As energy prices continue to rise, the presence of a fireplace raises the value of a home by about $12,000, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Dryer Vent cleaning basics:

Restricted airflow, lint build-up and moisture cause overheating that prevents fast drying action. When this happens, the temperature limit safety switches cycle on and off continuously and will fail over a period of time. The higher costs of operation and possibility of a dangerous dryer fire.

Benefits of cleaning your dryer vents::

Saving money on your electricity bills.
Extending the life of your dryer vents and dryer.
Reduce the drying time of your clothes.
Prevent potential fire hazards and water damage.
A clogged dryer vent may lead to a fire, so having your dryer vents thoroughly cleaned prevents the fire hazard.
Clogged dryer vents will eventually overheat, leading to a variety of potential problems, so having your dryer vents cleaned will prevent overheating.

Hope everyone has a safe and warm week!

Aardvark

Aardvark Newsletter No. 18

Malissa — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:15:58 +0000

Aardvark Newsletter No. 18

Inside this issue:

· Tips to keeping your Dryer running safely

· Benefits of getting your Dryer Vent cleaned

· Video

Tips to keeping your Dryer running safely

Use metal dryer ducts to help prevent dryer fires. Consumer Reports says that flexible dryer ducts made of foil or plastic are the most problematic because they can sag and let lint build up at low points. Ridges can also trap lint. Metal ducts, either flexible or solid, are far safer because they don't sag, so lint is less likely to build up. In addition, if a fire does start, a metal duct is more likely to contain it. See our dryer venting safety report for more tips as well as photos and a dryer-venting video.

No matter which kind of duct you have, you should clean it regularly. In addition, remove the visible lint from the lint screen each time you use your dryer. This not only will reduce the risk of a fire, but your clothes will dry faster and your dryer will use less energy. If dryer film is a worry, there is certainly no harm in occasionally cleaning the lint filter with warm soapy water and a small brush.

Clean inside, behind, and underneath the dryer, where lint can also build up.

Take special care drying clothes stained with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains. Wash the clothing more than once to minimize the amount of these chemicals on the clothing, and line dry instead of using a dryer.

Avoid using liquid fabric softener on all-cotton clothing made of fleece, terry cloth, or velour. In our flammability tests, liquid fabric softener added to rinse water accelerated the burning speed of these fabrics. If you want a softener, use dryer sheets instead.

Buy dryers that use moisture sensors rather than ordinary thermostats to end the auto-dry cycle. Thermostats can allow the dryer to run longer than necessary.

Occasionally wipe the sensor with a soft cloth or cotton ball and rubbing alcohol to keep it functioning accurately. Sensors are usually located on the inside of the dryer, just below the door opening, and can be hard to find. They are usually two curved metallic strips, shaped somewhat like the letter "C".

Get you dryer vent cleaned professionally at least once per year.

Benefits of getting your Dryer Vent cleaned

· Reduce your risk of a dryer fire.

· Drastically lower your power bill.

· Your dryer will last longer with less repairs.

· Your clothes will dry faster with less lint left on them.

· Clogged vents cause dryers to overheat.

· This process pays for itself.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Hope everyone has a terrific week!

Aardvark Services

Aardvark Newsletter No. 17

Malissa — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:03:39 +0000

Newsletter No. 17

In this issue:

· Tips for maintaining your fireplace

5 Tips for Maintaining Your Fireplace

1. Clean your fireplace often.
The most important thing you can do to make sure that your fireplace continues to work properly is to clean it often. We recommend that you clean your fireplace at least once a year.

2. Prevent creosote buildup.
Creosote is a tar-like substance that builds up in your fireplace and chimney over time. Creosote can be dangerous if it catches on fire. One good way to prevent creosote buildup is to start each day with a roaring fire, instead of a small one, so as to burn up any of the creosote that may have built up overnight.

3. Get your fireplace checked by a professional once or twice a year.
Even though you may not be using your fireplace during the spring or summer months, it’s important to get it checked out throughout the year, to make sure that warm, humid weather hasn’t affected its proper function. A professional chimney sweep can inspect all parts of your fireplace, including the harder to reach places for a pretty small fee.

4. Before setting up your fireplace, check for blockages.
Aside from creosote, other things could potentially block your chimney. It’s not uncommon for birds to nest up there, effectively ruining your fire. Before setting up your fire, open the damper and using a strong flashlight and mirror, look to see if there is any sort of debris. If you have any doubts, call a chimney sweep.

5. Make sure the wood is hard and seasoned.
Using the proper wood is as instrumental to burning a safe, effective fire as taking any other measure. Wet, green wood aids in creosote buildup, and it’s also just plain hard to light and keep going. Dry, seasoned wood is best.

Hope everyone has a warm and safe week. Remember to check out our specials on chimney cleaning this week. Just click on the SPECIALS tab!!! Have a great week!

Aardvark Services

Aardvark Newsletter No. 16

Malissa — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:43:08 +0000

Aardvark Newsletter No. 16

In this issue:

· Start your New Year off with a Healthy and Safe home.
· Indoor air problems
· Pollutant Sources
· Health
· Identifying the problem

Happy New Year everyone!! This issue we are going to kick off the New Year with talking about the importance of a healthy and safe home. The first thing we should talk about is the air quality in your home. Here are a few facts that everyone needs to know……..

What Causes Indoor Air Problems?

Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.

Pollutant Sources

There are many sources of indoor air pollution in any home. These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.

The relative importance of any single source depends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source is and whether it is properly maintained are significant. For example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted.

Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and household products like air fresheners, release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities carried out in the home, release pollutants intermittently. These include smoking, the use of unvented or malfunctioning stoves, furnaces, or space heaters, the use of solvents in cleaning and hobby activities, the use of paint strippers in redecorating activities, and the use of cleaning products and pesticides in house-keeping. High pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some of these activities.

Indoor Air Pollution and Health

Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.

Identifying Air Quality Problems

Some health effects can be useful indicators of an indoor air quality problem, especially if they appear after a person moves to a new residence, remodels or refurnishes a home, or treats a home with pesticides. If you think that you have symptoms that may be related to your home environment, discuss them with your doctor or your local health department to see if they could be caused by indoor air pollution. You may also want to consult a board-certified allergist or an occupational medicine specialist for answers to your questions.

Another way to judge whether your home has or could develop indoor air problems is to identify potential sources of indoor air pollution. Although the presence of such sources does not necessarily mean that you have an indoor air quality problem, being aware of the type and number of potential sources is an important step toward assessing the air quality in your home.

A third way to decide whether your home may have poor indoor air quality is to look at your lifestyle and activities. Human activities can be significant sources of indoor air pollution. Finally, look for signs of problems with the ventilation in your home. Signs that can indicate your home may not have enough ventilation include moisture condensation on windows or walls, smelly or stuffy air, dirty central heating and air cooling equipment, and areas where books, shoes, or other items become moldy (see www.epa.gov/mold). To detect odors in your home, step outside for a few minutes, and then upon reentering your home, note whether odors are noticeable.

Hope Everyone had a wonderful and safe New Year. Next week we will be discussing chimney safety. I will have some GREAT information on cleaning and maintaining your fireplace! Happy 2012 EVERYONE!

Aardvark Services

Check out the specials we are running on Air Duct Cleaning!!!! Just go to the main page and click on the SPECIALS tab. We have unbeatable deals going on right now for the New Year!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Aardvark Newsletter No. 15

Malissa — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:50:54 +0000

Aardvark Newsletter No. 15

In this issue:

· Getting your house ready for the New Year!

· Air Ducts

· Chimney

· Dryer Vent

· Gutters

For many, the New Year means a fresh start and there is no better place to begin than inside the home. Your home is meant to last, but over time, simple wear and tear can result in inefficient systems and less-than-perfect conditions.

Make sure the air you breathe is the best

Anyone with allergies knows that air quality is very important. This applies inside the home as much as outside. You should get your Air Ducts cleaned. This helps anyone with allergies or upper respiratory problems as well as cuts out the dust in your home and makes your system run better which in return saves money on utilities.

Why should I have my chimney cleaned?

The purpose of chimney cleaning is to remove flammable deposits such as soot and creosote from the interior walls of a chimney. If these deposits are allowed to build up, they will eventually ignite and cause a chimney fire. During the winter months, in many areas, chimney fires are the #1 cause of house fires. Chimney fires damage chimneys, cause fires within other areas of the home and cause millions of dollars in property damage annually. In the United States well over 50,000 homes annually catch on fire due to the use of solid fuel burning appliances. (The majority of solid fuel used by homeowners is wood, but also includes coal, wood pellets and biofuel.)

Are dirty vents a fire hazard?

A plugged vent will certainly cause a dryer to run hotter and increase the chance that something could catch fire. A dirty vent, however, is only one link in a chain of events that must occur for a fire to start. Other events may include: failure of thermostat and limit switches in the dryer, lint inside the dryer, a missing or damaged lint screen, and a crushed hose behind the dryer. Some of our competitors employ "scare tactics" and reprint newspaper articles about fires caused by dryers. Though fire hazards may be exaggerated, many fire departments and insurance companies do require that dryer vents be inspected and cleaned regularly.

Gutter Cleaning in Winter?

Winter is upon us. Great. It's really, really cold outside. And guess what? All of the leaves are off the trees and your gutters are full because you haven't had a chance to clean them out yet. You can't let it sit there like that until spring. The water is freezing in the gutters and all of those leaves and gunk are getting frozen in there with it. Not good. Let's face it. You don't want to be the one on top of the ladder with an ice pick and a crow bar trying to get that stuff out of the gutters. So, it's time to schedule a cleaning. Because there is no way that you want to get out there in the cold and clean out those gutters. I don't blame you a bit. Give us a call and we will schedule you an appointment and take care of you right away!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Wishing you a Happy New Year from all of us here at Aardvark Services.

Aardvark Services

PS. Check out our AMAZING special we are running until 12/31/11 just go back to the home page, click on specials and give us a call!

816-965-9410

Aardvark Newsletter No. 14

Malissa — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:56:34 +0000

Aardvark Newsletter No. 14

Merry Christmas

color:red">DO's & DON'Ts of Fire Safety

Use seasoned hardwood (split and cut) that's over 1 year old.
Remember to open the damper.
Slightly open a door or a window before lighting the fire so as to create a draft, which will eliminate any smoking problems as the fire is started.
As a safety precaution, use a fire screen and fireproof rugs around the hearth to prevent sparks from catching carpets, rugs, etc. on fire.
Use kindling, starter bricks, and/or fat wood sticks when lighting the fire for the first time.
Keep wood covered with tarp or cover to prevent moisture absorption which would cause more smoke than fire. This would increase creosote and soot build-up that could someday result in a chimney fire.
It's strongly recommended to use rechargeable fire extinguishers and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!

Don't

Do not use "Dura-Flame" or any other artificial logs because of possible toxicity, noxious odor, and coal-like residue in your fireplace and chimney.
Do not use wood less than a year old, or any other softwood (e.g., pine).
Do not burn trash, large amounts of paper, wrapping paper, Christmas trees, etc. This helps prevent chimney fires.

color:red">Fireplace Safety

color:red">What You Need To Know About Fireplace Safety

The U.S. Fire Administration states that over one-third of the American population use wood stoves, fireplaces, and other fuel-powered appliances to warm or heat their homes. Unfortunately fires related to home heating or warming also account for more than 30% of residential home fire incidents every year.

A lot of these fire incidents occur because a lot of homeowners are simple unaware of the danger and risks involved with heating their homes using wood as well as other sold fuels, and this is why fireplace safety is so important.

Nevertheless, by following the proper procedures as well as some fireplace safety tips given in this article, you can keep your fireplace in proper operating condition, greatly reducing the risk of fire.

color:red">Fireplace Safety Tip #1: How to Maintain your Fireplace

No matter what kind of fireplace you are using, whether it is a custom fireplace, contemporary fireplace, corner electric fireplace, etc, it is of paramount importance to keep your chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned before the cold season begins. You have to make sure that you have a mesh screen spark arrester to cover the opening of your chimney to keep the hot sparks in as well as to keep birds and other small animals from entering the chimney. You should also keep your roof free of leaves and other debris and make it a habit every heating season to remove and branches above the vents, flues, or chimneys.

Inside your home, make sure the fireplace hearth remains free from decorations, debris, and other flammable materials. It is also safe to use your fireplace with a metal screen. If your fireplace has a glass door, leave the door open when the fire is burning. It is also a good idea to install or use a stovepipe thermometer to keep the flue temperature monitored.

Fireplace Safety Tip #2: How to Use your Fireplace Safely

When using your fireplace, it is important to remember not to use flammable liquids like kerosene, lighter fluid, or gasoline to start a fire. You should also use seasoned hardwood for your fireplace. Slightly dry and slightly wet softwood can accelerate the buildup of creosote because it burns faster at lower temperature compared to dry wood. Because of the risks of producing carbon monoxide, you should not use a hibachi or charcoal in your fireplace. You should also not burn trash, cardboard boxes, and other debris in your fireplace.

Whenever you build a fire, make sure to check if the damper is open. Once the fire is already burning, never leave it unattended. Be sure to extinguish the fire completely before you go to bed or leave the house.

color:red">Other Fireplace Safety Tips:

Heap firewood outside around 40 feet away from your house.
You should install carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms on every floor of your home and make sure to test the batteries monthly. You should also change the batteries once a year.
Always keep a fire extinguisher beside the fireplace.
Make sure to provide proper ventilation all your heating equipment.
All vent pipes must be extended 3 to 5 feet above the roof of the house.

Fireplace safety is something we need to know.

Hope everyone has a Safe and Happy Holiday. Remember to get those chimneys inspected and cleaned before you use them this holiday season. Safety is #1 prevention for fires.

From all of us here at Aardvark Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!