Since 1982
SERVING GREATER Kansas City
CHIMNEY & FIREPLACE MAINTENANCE | INVESTIGATIONS
pADGITT cHIMNEY & fIREPLACE | Padgitt forensic investigations | hEARTHMASTERS PUBLISHING
Specialty O&C Fire Investigations for Insurance Claims
Answers to common questions
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We DO NOT recommend non-venting gas logs.
Click HERE for more information on this topic.
We specialize in wood and gas-burning appliances. We do not install
or service pellet appliances.
We do not install any products purchased from another source.
We are a service company only. We are not a retail establishment.
If you are considering a stove or insert installation, one of our technicians
will need to inspect the location where you want to do the installation.
We must take measurements, check the chimney and flue, and determine
what the best application will be for your lifestyle. We may be able to offer suggestions to help in your decision.
We must do the installation. We do not sell products to the homeowner who plans to do the installation him/herself because our liability insurance will not allow us to do so, and the manufacturer does not allow it. No matter where you purchase your product, it is a good idea to have a certified technician who is trained in codes, clearances, and the proper installation method do the job for you. After all, we are talking about a fire-burning appliance in your house.
All chimney flues should be inspected annually. This includes flues serving furnaces, water heaters, boilers, fireplaces, wood-burning furnaces, and wood -burning stoves.
Wood stove chimneys or flues may need sweeping twice per season since their flues/chimneys are small and creosote restricts draft.
Burn only dry, seasoned cord-wood or untreated pallet wood in your fireplace or stove. Do not burn treated wood, colored paper, gift wrapping, trash, etc. as those items can cause toxic fumes or a chimney fire. Cut wood at least 6 months prior to the wood-burning season to allow it to dry.
We DO NOT recommend burning hedge in your appliance as it burns too hot and sparks a lot. This can damage your appliance and can be very dangerous.
A "cord" of wood is 128 cubic feet of wood stacked in a 4' x 4' x 8' pile.
Chimney sweeping is necessary to remove flammable creosote from the flue and smoke chamber when there is 1/8" or more of buildup. ALL wood produces creosote, even dry hardwoods.
Dryer vents need to be cleaned to remove flammable lint and to allow the dryer to work properly. This should usually be done once per year for a 1-3 person household or twice per year for larger households. Commercial dryer vents should be cleaned once a month.
A gas fireplace is still a fireplace and should be treated with the same care as any other type of heating appliance.Gas appliances such as gas logs, gas stoves, and gas inserts should be serviced once per year for optimal operation and to maintain the warranty. Their flues or vents need to be inspected annually.
A Pre-fab (wooden chase) fireplace is not the same as a masonry (brick or stone) fireplace. Modifications and certain installations (ie. inserts, direct vents) can void your warranty and could be hazardous. Please call our office for more information.
Click HERE to learn about what happens to your liner during a chimney fire.