Fireplace Tips: How to Burn a Safer Fire

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Fireplace Tips: How to Burn a Safer Fire

1. Use Dry, Seasoned Hardwood

  • Why: Wet or green wood creates excess smoke and creosote buildup, while hardwoods burn hotter and cleaner.
  • Tip: Store wood for at least 6 months to ensure it’s fully dried and seasoned. Oak, maple, hickory, and ash are ideal hardwoods that produce long-lasting fires with less creosote.

2. Open the Damper

  • Why: A closed damper traps smoke and carbon monoxide inside homes.
  • Tip: Always ensure the damper is fully open before starting a fire.

3. Crack a Window

  • Why: Fires need oxygen to burn efficiently, and cracking a window improves airflow and reduces the risk of backdrafts.
  • Tip: Open a nearby window slightly to increase ventilation and airflow.

4. Start with Small Kindling

  • Why: Using small, dry pieces of wood helps ignite the fire evenly.
  • Tip: Stack kindling in a crisscross pattern to increase airflow.

5. Keep the Fire Size Manageable

  • Why: Overloading the fireplace can lead to overheating and structural damage.
  • Tip: Build medium-sized fires that allow proper air circulation.

9. Avoid Burning Trash or Paper

  • Why: Non-wood materials create toxic fumes and excessive creosote.
  • Tip: Stick to burning only seasoned hardwood for a cleaner burn.

10. Extinguish the Fire Properly

  • Why: Leaving a fire smoldering can lead to accidental flare-ups.
  • Tip: Let the fire burn down to ash, then spread the ashes and use sand or water to fully extinguish.

11. Monitor Carbon Monoxide Levels

  • Why: Incomplete burning can release harmful gases into your home.
  • Tip: Install carbon monoxide detectors near the fireplace and throughout your home.

Keeping Your Home Safe, Warm, and Cozy

At Potomac Services, we understand the importance of a clean, safe, and efficient chimney for your home. As a veteran, family-owned business with over 20 years of experience, we pride ourselves on delivering expert care for your chimney, so you can enjoy your fireplace without worry.

  •  Veteran-owned, local, and family-owned
  •  20+ Years of Experience
  •  Certified, Trained & Experienced
  •  High Quality Products
  •  Customer Satisfaction & Warranties

We provide chimney and masonry service to Roanoke, Christiansburg/Blacksburg, Smith Mountain Lake and Surrounding Areas.

(540) 685-1007

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What our customers say about us

  • "Jeff, Casey and Team literally went the extra mile to get our wood burning fireplace and chimney safe to use. They also did great installing a safe and beautiful gas fireplace to modernize our previously unusable basement fireplace. Their attention to detail and customer focus made them a pleasure to work with. Big thanks to the team for coming to us out in the sticks, and for doing excellent work at a fair price. Finally, we appreciate working with a Veteran owner who leads his team in reliable and trustworthy manner. First class!"

    Edward M.

  • chase top repair
    Excellent work, Potomac Services! I needed to replace my chimney chase cover due to aging (rust!) on the original unit, and this company did a great job. I received multiple quotes and they were definitely the best deal overall. They had exceptional communication, timely work, and were very professional overall. I would choose them again for future chimney needs!
    Dylan Scarton
  • Outstanding repair work on my chimney ! They beat competition prices and did a great job repairing and replacing broken bricks and mortar. Will definitely recommend to all my neighbors. Highly recommend!
    Pam Heishman
  • Casey was excellent to work with. Very friendly and kept everything very clean. Explained everything to me as needed.
  • Carlos and his partner did a great job cleaning my dryer vent. They were prompt and professional, thorough and cleaned up all of the lint inside and outside when they were finished. I would recommend them and I will use them again next year.
    Kathy Fialk