Avoid the Dangers of Neglecting Fireplace Maintenance

What You Can Do and What You Should Leave to Cornerstone Chimneys

Fireplace safety requires a combination of routine tasks that a homeowner can perform, as well as services that should be left to the professionals at Cornerstone Chimneys. Each year, chimneys, fireplaces, wood burning stoves, and dryer vents are some of the leading causes of residential fires. Some of these fires are preventable with professional care.

Cornerstone Chimneys, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a veteran owned, firefighter founded business with over 45 years’ experience helping homeowners enjoy their fireplaces without compromising safety. The company is a trusted name and serves homeowners throughout Oklahoma. They are passionate specialists in chimney related challenges such as chimney fires, earthquakes, lightning strikes, age deterioration, tree damage, wind, hail, and water problems, to name a few. They are also the go-to experts for building your perfectly amazing outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and outdoor kitchens!

Their goal is to protect you, your home, and family. Cornerstone Chimneys utilizes interior and exterior comprehensive camera inspections to provide you with specific details about the health and safety of your chimney and fireplace. Additionally, they are a top installer of HEATSHIELD, a cutting-edge mortar used to restore the integrity of chimneys. “Our team approaches every job with the latest tools, technology, and training from the Chimney Safety Institute of America,” emphasized Kathy.

Fireplace and Chimney Risks

• Chimney Fires: The leading cause of chimney fires is the build-up of flammable creosote, a tar-like substance created by burning wood. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), over 25,000 chimney fires are reported annually in the U.S., causing property damage, injuries, and deaths. Kathy warned, “Bird nests, tree debris, and lack of maintenance can also lead to dangerous chimney fires”.
• Carbon Monoxide Exposure: A clogged or damaged chimney can prevent proper ventilation, allowing dangerous, odorless carbon monoxide gas to leak into your home. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, carbon monoxide poisoning from combustion appliances results in an average of 150 deaths per year.
• Water Intrusion: This one may be surprising, but expensive property damage can occur when water leaks through a chimney. This often-overlooked entry point can lead to rusted pipes, erosion of critical mortar joints, and damage to walls and ceilings.

Homeowner Action Steps:

• Go outside and look at your chimney: Do you see a covering on the top of the chimney? Notice any cracks or missing bricks? Do you see wood rot, missing paint, or holes in the wooden chase?
• Burn only dry seasoned wood: keep your outdoor firewood covered.
• Use a fireplace screen.
• Properly manage fires: Build small, manageable fires that burn completely and produce less smoke. Place logs at the back of the fireplace on a grate for proper support.
• Ensure ventilation: Make sure the damper is fully open before lighting a fire and keep it open until all embers are completely extinguished. If your fireplace has glass doors, leave them open while the fire is burning.
• Practice smart disposal of ashes: Use a metal container with a tight-fitting lid to store fireplace ashes. Store the container outdoors, away from your house, and do not dispose of ashes in a trash can, even if they appear cool.
• Safety devices: Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in your home. We also recommend having fire blankets and a fire extinguisher.

Tasks to Leave to a Cornerstone Chimneys Professional

Some services and repairs require professional certification, specialized equipment, and necessary expertise making some fireplace tasks unsafe to perform as a do-it-yourselfer.

• Annual chimney inspection for BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FIREPLACES AND CHIMNEYS: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the CSIA recommend having your chimney inspected annually by a certified professional.
• Chimney cleaning (sweeping): Cleaning your chimney is an inherently dangerous task that involves working at heights on a roof and exposing yourself to toxic creosote. Cornerstone Chimneys use specialized equipment and protective gear to ensure correct and safe cleaning.
• Repairs: Cornerstone Chimneys professionally handle your custom repair with safety and efficiency in mind.
• When disaster strikes: Inspections after a malfunction, chimney fire, lightning strike, or other severe weather event that could have caused damage.

Cornerstone Chimneys specializes in chimney building, repairs, inspection and cleaning; dryer vent cleaning; full masonry rebuilds, fireplace removal and installation, wood-burning to gas log conversions, wood stove installation, hearth and fireplace facing remodeling, wood chase and siding replacement; along with real estate chimney inspections for buyers and sellers.

Outdoor Fireplaces to Full Kitchens

Cornerstone Chimneys are the ultimate professionals for creating or updating your outdoor spaces. Your new dedicated outdoor space is created with your vision in mind and built with integrity for long-lasting functionality and pleasure.

“Creating a dedicated outdoor relaxation space with a fireplace offers significant benefits for your home’s value, mental well-being and social connection,” explains Kathy.

The Cornerstone Chimneys Commitment

Beyond technical expertise, Cornerstone Chimneys is deeply committed to fostering a supportive camaraderie with their customers and employees. The Company prioritizes hiring veterans and helping them transition to civilian life by providing meaningful work and a sense of purpose. “We are actively investing, certifying, and providing ongoing training for the team, Kathy said. “Our customers appreciate the investment in the team has translated into friendly customer service, quality of work and attention to detail.”