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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Fireplace Doors

Has a friend or neighbor recommended that you invest in some fireplace doors? Or maybe you’ve been considering adding them, but don’t know much about what they actually do. Regardless of your situation, you’re likely facing a lot of questions that you’ll need answered before making any investments.

Fortunately, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Weststar Chimney Sweeps has been serving the San Diego area for 20 years now, and we pride ourselves on offering knowledgeable, honest, and in-depth evaluations every time you hire us for the job. If you need help buying and installing your new fireplace door, don’t hesitate to reach out today!

Why Do I Need A Fireplace Door?

fireplace with open doorsThere are many reasons to install a fireplace door. First of all, they add a level of safety to your space. They help to keep kids and pets out of the firebox, they stop sparks from flying out and landing on your rugs or furniture, and they prevent any hot or burning logs from rolling out of the fireplace and landing in your living room.

Fireplace doors also help to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home. They cover up any messy ash and half-used wood piles for when your fireplace isn’t in use, and many can be customized to your unique style preferences. You’ll have a personalized piece that guests and family members are sure to rave about for years!

Is your fireplace causing your energy bills to skyrocket? Whether you have cold downdrafts entering your living room in the winter or you struggle with all of your air-conditioned air escaping in the summer, an open fireplace can cause your HVAC system to work much harder than necessary, which means more money coming out of your pocket every month. This is less than ideal, but a fireplace door can do a much more effective job at keeping your home more comfortable than a throat damper or chimney cap.

All in all, you’ll get the style, efficiency, and peace of mind you deserve when you invest in fireplace doors for your home. Take the next step today by reaching out to our team to explore your options!

What Style Options Are Out There?

Now, when you choose to work with the crew at Weststar Chimney Sweeps, you get to explore a lot of choices when it comes to finding the perfect door for your home. We offer custom-designed models from Fireplace Door Guy, so you can choose which style would look best with your set-up. We’ll also measure your fireplace to guarantee an exact fit. From something plain and simple to something more ornate and intricate, we have an option for every preference.

Can I Install The Door Myself?

In today’s technological world, it’s easier than ever to find do-it-yourself tutorials online for just about anything. Well, when it comes to your fireplace, we encourage our customers to rely on CSIA certified technicians to perform any and all of their installation work. This guarantees you get the best results possible for your appliance, and it ensures your family stays as safe as possible, too.

Not to mention, even a minor mishap can lead to some pretty big problems, all of which are very costly to fix. In the long run, you’ll be much better off trusting an expert from the very start.

What’s Better? A Door Or A Screen?

Now, fireplace screens are another alternative when it comes to keeping your household better protected. Screens are less expensive and they can play a big part in keeping your living space more comfortable. That being said, they may not do as effective a job as a fireplace door, and they tend to allow small sparks or embers into your space from time to time.

Don’t get us wrong – screens are a great option for many, and they can contribute a lot to the look and function of your fireplace. Along with this, they may not block as much heat as a fireplace door would. It’s all about finding what works best for your set up.

Or, if you want heightened efficiency, while keeping little ones and pets as safe as possible, why not invest in both? Doors serve a big purpose, but they get very hot since they are directly in front of the fire. By placing one of our folding screens in front of them, you ensure no little paws or fingers risk getting burned. And when the fire is out, just set it aside and out of the way. It’s as easy as that!

I Live In San Diego County – Who Can Help With This Process?

If you live in San Diego County, we encourage you to give the team here at Weststar Chimney Sweeps a call now. We serve countless cities including Alpine, Bonita, Rancho Santa Fe, Vista, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, and more, and we would be happy to set you up right before the holidays arrive in full swing.

Our team is CSIA Certified, so you can bet we know our stuff, and we are members of the NCSG, ensuring we stay informed and up-to-date on any advances in the industry. We pride ourselves on always putting you – the customer – first, and we offer honest and in-depth evaluations. Combine all that with our A+ BBB rating and our long list of positive customer reviews, and you’ve got a team you can trust in for the long haul.

Ready to get started? Reach out today!

Is Your Fireplace Safe?

Is Your Fireplace Safe?

When you have a fireplace in your home, ensuring that it works safely is one of the most important responsibilities you have as a homeowner. Making sure your fireplace and chimney are in good condition can help you fulfill this responsibility. Of course, the most important thing you can do to guarantee your chimney and fireplace work safely and efficiently is to schedule an annual professional chimney sweeping and inspection. Weststar Chimney Sweeps is proud to provide these maintenance services to the residents of the San Diego area, and we only employ chimney sweeps who have been trained and certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Since safety is our top priority, we would like to share with you some other tips on how to be sure your fireplace is safe.

Outside The Homemasonry fireplace - san diego CA - weststar chimney sweeps

You need to check to see if there is a chimney cap installed at the top of your chimney as this prevents water leaks, keeps birds and animals out, and other important functions. If getting on your roof is too hazardous, you can use binoculars to get an up-close look at the condition of the cap to check for signs of damage and debris building up on the cap. While you are using the binoculars, check to see if the flashing system looks tight and shows no signs of corrosion damage, and then look to see if the flue liner is visible above the crown. You should also look for cracked or missing bricks from the chimney as well as any leaning or other signs of structural damage. Take a look at the trees near the chimney to see if any limbs are directly above the chimney. If you find any signs of damage or problems, contact us at Weststar Chimney Sweeps to ask us to come by to examine things further.

Inside The Home

Now you can check out your fireplace to see if anything looks like a potential problem or a safety hazard. According to HouseLogic, you will need a flashlight to look at the condition of the damper to be sure it opens, closes, and seals correctly. It is important that your damper works properly to keep air from leaking out the chimney. Then, open the damper completely and shine the flashlight up the chimney to look for any signs of animal invasions like nesting materials. To be sure nothing is blocking your flue, look up the flue, and if you can see sunlight at the top, your flue is clear with no blockage. Your next step is to look at the hearth to inspect the fireplace surround and firebox to be sure there are no cracked or missing masonry materials like bricks and mortar. This type of damage is very serious and can lead to dangerous hazards. The last thing you should look for any signs of moisture inside the firebox because this means you have a chimney leak somewhere in your chimney. As with any outside damage, any interior damage or possible issues deserves professional attention, so you need to call us as soon as possible to avoid any damage becoming worse.Ensuring the safety of your chimney and fireplace is extremely important. If you need professional assistance, contact us at Weststar Chimney Sweeps to ask us to come by to give your chimney an inspection from our CSIA-certified chimney technicians.