Woodland Hills Fireplaces, Checked for the Whole Household

Is it safe to light the fireplace with a toddler in the house?

Yes, with a few habits. Use a screen that closes all the way or a glass door that latches, keep a gate or clear space in front of the hearth, and never leave the room with a fire going. On a visit in Woodland Hills we look at your screen and hearth and tell you plainly what to add, if anything.

Does the glass on a gas fireplace get hot enough to burn a child?

It can. The glass on a gas fireplace or insert can stay hot well after it is turned off. Newer units built to the 2015 edition of the vented gas fireplace standard ship with a mesh barrier in front of the glass. If yours is missing or bent, we can help you find the right one for that model.

Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm if I have a fireplace?

In California, yes. State law requires a carbon monoxide alarm in a home with a fuel-burning appliance or fireplace. Put one outside each sleeping area and on every floor, and test it monthly while the fireplace is in use. We ask about it on every visit.

What should I check myself between chimney visits?

Four things, no ladder. The screen: does it close with no gap? The damper: does it open, close and stay put? The ash: is it cold before it goes into a metal can with a lid? The alarm: does the test button work? We leave you that list after every visit.

How often should a family that uses the fireplace get it swept?

NFPA 211 calls for a yearly inspection, and a family that burns wood most cold weekends usually needs a sweep each year too. Woodland Hills summers are hot, so early fall is a good time: the mortar has been through the heat and the first fire is still ahead.

Our dog likes to sleep on the hearth. Is that a problem?

Only while it is hot. Brick and stone hold heat for hours after the fire is out, and a sleeping pet may not move when it gets too warm. We show you how far the heat reaches on your hearth so you can put the bed just outside it.

The room smells like smoke the morning after a fire. What does that mean?

It can be a damper that was closed too soon, a dirty flue, or a crack that lets smoke into the house. Leave the fireplace unused until it is checked, and make sure the carbon monoxide alarm works. We start with an inspection and tell you what we found.

Can earthquakes damage a chimney without showing from outside?

Yes. The 1994 Northridge earthquake was centered in the Valley, and many chimneys that looked fine had cracked flue tiles inside. In a family home that matters, because a crack can let smoke and carbon monoxide into the walls. A camera inspection shows it.

Do we need a chimney cap if we live near the canyons?

Yes. A cap with spark mesh keeps embers from going out of the flue on a windy night and keeps rain, birds and squirrels out of it. Homes near the canyon edge in Woodland Hills and Calabasas see Santa Ana winds every fall, so we check the mesh before then.

What happens on a Family Home visit?

We ask who lives in the house, then sweep or inspect the chimney, check the screen, damper and hearth, ask about your carbon monoxide alarms, and explain what we found in plain words. Nothing is repaired until you have said yes.