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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
So our home was built 7 years ago and we have never once used the Fireplace. We normally burn candles in it but that's about it. This year, we were thinking about firing it up. Should we have Chimney person come out and inspect it before we do or are we good to go?
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Either that or do it yourself. There is a reasonable likelihood of bird nests or other animal dwelling being in your chimney.
Enjoy the fires. John
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
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Kevin Connolly Inner circle New Jersey 1329 Posts |
Most likely your chimney is capped. If not, it should be to keep out animals, water, etc.
Try burning a roll of newspapers by the flue. This will cause a draft up the chimney and you see the smoke come out the chimney top.
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www.houdinihimself.com Always looking buy or trade for original Houdini, Hardeen and escape artist items. I'm interested in books, pitchbooks and ephemera. Email [email]hhoudini@optonline.net[/email] |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
That's about it, if smoke goes up you are good to go. Start small because a hot fire place in Dallas might be more heat than your family can handle. It's 35 degrees here and my wife is sitting in front of ours.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
Are you sure it's actually made for a wood burning fireplace, rather than one with a gas nozzle to burn ceramic logs? This may sound like a dumb statement, but there are fireplaces and there are fireplaces, and the key is to understand what you really have. If it's a real fireplace, and it sounds like it is because you burn candles in it now, the most important function is the opening and closing of the flue. If you make the mistake of starting a fire without the flue opened, you will have a smoke house in your family room and that can be damaging if if gets out of control. It's also good to have a screen or glass doors installed so sparks don't fly out and land in the living space, possibly causing a fire. Have fun!
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
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Octopus Sun Special user Wiggle Wiggle 586 Posts |
Like Bob1Dog said, make sure your flue is open plus, clean out the ash bin.
There should be a small door on the outside to access this ash. depending upon the type of wood burned previously, especially if it was pine like most people burn, YES, you should have someone brush out the chim, this cost us $59.00/year back in CO. worth every penny to have someone come in setup the cloth and brush and vacuum the chim. Pine wood create allot of creosote, coating the inside of the chim causing a serious health and fire hazard. what happens is the smoke will back up and not exit properly and start back filling your room, plus minute particles pine smoke causes serious lung problems. When you get a cold you will not be able to breathe very well due to the pine tar inside your lungs. It only takes a small amount to start to feel quezzy. get the chim cleaned! If you start a fire with the flue closed, you will be in for a nasty experience. again get a fire screen/door or your carpet will be ruined, cash loss... |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Do check to know if yours is wood-burning, or gas. Added to the above, if wood burning, don't burn pine. It is very common in some areas and when you are burning wood for most of your heat, you'll burn almost anything, including old furniture (I had to do that many years ago).
Best bet is to burn hardwood, like Oak. The fire will last longer on less wood, and it is cleaner. My guess is that like in Alabama when I lived there, most fireplaces are for fun, rather than heat. Might as well stay ahead of the curve when you can. If you can afford the hundred bucks or so to have your fireplace, chimney, etc. inspected, then you should do it. It's a small price to pay for security for your family.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Funny that no one seems to have mentioned Coal. Most people in England use Coal for fires.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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mvmagic Inner circle Has written 1322 Posts |
Coal, really? Never burnt coal in a fireplace, just wood.
Michael is right, do have it inspected. There could be crack somewhere. Also, if you plan on using it regularly, have it sweeped once a year. Soot builds up in a chimney and can catch fire. We had that once...good thing our neighbor came to tell us he had called the fire department because flames were bursting from our chimney. The heat can crack the chimney and the fire can spread thru the crack, so sweeping the chimney is really important. Enjoy the fires!
Sent from my Typewriter
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x__iXZTaEu0
Roll some news paper tie in it knots, add a bit fire wood, put the coal on top and light it, more or less.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
My old house used to have a coal burning fireplace, but we had a small stove (fireplace insert) in it to put the coal in, and vent all the gasses out. The coal gas must be vented out of your living area. I could be wrong but I believe that coal in an open fireplace is illegal here in coal country.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Here's a riddle for you.
if the B mt put : if the B. putting :
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-11-24 10:30, Magnus Eisengrim wrote: That riddle is ___d.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Have it inspected. Don't take a chance.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
My God you can look up a never been used before fireplace. Save your money and use a flash light.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Christopher, having had a fireplace in all of my homes for almost 40 years, let me tell you there are only 3 things of concern in a fireplace. They are animals in the chimney, built up creosote from previous fires and pointing. Animals like squirrels and chipmunks can climb down a chimney even it has a cap. Creosote is highly flammable but only occurs if you use the fireplace repeatedly. Pointing is the mortar like substance which holds the blocks together in the firebox. After a period of time, this mortar can come loose or fall out which allows flames to escape and possibly start a fire. Most fireplaces are framed with wood.
You have to make a decision. Is your house worth more than the cost of having the unit inspected and cleaned? Cleaning is generally around $50-$75 and repointing, unless severe is about $100. To be safe and sure, if it were me, I'd have someone come and check it out. Better than starting a house fire.
Where the magic begins
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
I'm with Dave 100%.
Best creature to fall down my chimney was a northern flying squirrel. Awesome creature to have to chase out of the house
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
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Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-11-24 06:26, tommy wrote: That's because by the Sixteenth century you'd cut down most your trees. I've never been in an English house that had a working coal burner. All the places I stayed it appeared that they had been converted to electric, or possibly as. As the the grills that normally would have held the coal were filled with large pieces of amber coloured glass. Which I assumed was used to help radiate the non coal generated heat. Some of the other great houses I stayed in had hot water Radiant heat systems installed.
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Yes not many of use here use open fires these days. Most places have gas central heating today. Its easier than building a fire. A lot of kids here don't know what coal is now I guess.
Many people do have an Aga stove though, especially out in the sticks. http://www.agaliving.com/
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
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Magnus Eisengrim Inner circle Sulla placed heads on 1053 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-11-24 10:52, Michael Baker wrote: Is this a counter-riddle? I'm coming up blank. Any answers to my riddle?
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.--Yeats |
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