Our Services in Mission, BC

It is an electric fan, installed at the top or the base of the flue or on the connector, that pulls exhaust out more strongly than natural draft alone. They are used when a chimney cannot be made taller or fixed another way, or for appliances that call for forced draft. The unit must match the appliance and the flue, and a failure of the fan has to shut the appliance down safely.

The usual causes are heavy or glazed creosote that resists brushing, flues with bends or offsets, obstructions such as nests, difficult roof access and extra problems discovered during inspection. Weather, a locked gate or a pet underfoot can also slow things down. Telling the office what you know in advance helps them allow enough time, and findings that need discussion are easiest to cover at the end.

Picture it from the roof down. A cap shields the opening, a crown of concrete or mortar seals the top edge of the masonry, and the flue, usually lined with tile or metal, carries smoke upward. Flashing seals the joint where the stack meets the shingles. Indoors, a damper and a funnel-shaped smoke chamber sit over the firebox. Using these terms helps when you describe a problem over the phone.

Remove ash regularly but leave a thin bed to insulate the coals, and leave a generous space around the stove free of clutter. Wipe the glass with a damp cloth once it has cooled, and confirm the door still shuts snugly against its gasket. A slip of paper closed in the door tells you if the seal is tight, because it should resist being pulled out. Never put hot ash in plastic or a wooden box. Now and then during the season, peek inside for warped parts.

Because the fires burn hot and clean, they leave fewer deposits than most stoves, but the long passages still collect ash and soot. Cleanout doors give access to the channels, and the right schedule depends on how often you fire it and what you burn. Ask the builder or an experienced technician for guidance, and have the flue and the stack looked at regularly.

No. Liquid accelerants can flare up violently, ignite vapor outside the firebox and burn the person lighting it. Residue can also stay on the hearth. Use dry kindling, crumpled paper or a commercial fire starter designed for stoves and fireplaces. If the fire will not light, check the damper, the wood and the draft rather than adding something stronger.