0006 [LINK] Fireplaces, chimneys, and chimney sweeps.
Contributed by one of our home pros, home inspector Russel Ray of The HomeTeam Inspection Service in San Diego, California.


Find certified chimney sweeps in your area, as well as helpful information about fireplaces and chimneys... click to read more

0007 [PDF] Protecting hearth and home

Contributed to our Library by one of our home pros, home inspector Russel Ray of The HomeTeam Inspection Service in San Diego, California.

Article comes from a Minnesota chimney sweep but is relevant for chimneys and fireplaces throughout the nati... click to read more

0018 [PDF] Before lighting a fire, read this.

Although you might be thinking about using your fireplace to cut down on your heating bills, many fireplaces can actually remove more heat from a house than they produce. Read this article from the
U.S. Department of Energy about fuel effic... click to read more

0033 [MHTML]
We use MHTML files for those web sites that don't fully support PDF creation, thereby cutting off the right side of the page in the PDF file. However, some browsers do not support MHTML files, so download this file at your own risk.

Water damage to your masonry chimney.

This is a great article about water damage, chimney caps, chimney crowns, roof flashing at chimneys, and waterproofing your chimney.

0039 [LINK] Web site for a nation chimney trade association. Find a chimney sweep in your area through their locator service, search industry recall notices, event dates (very useful for chimney sweeps and home inspectors), and an online vendor directory.

0040 [LINK] Web site for a trade association specializing in fire and electrical safety relating to buildings and building construction. Its mission is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, r... click to read more

0041 [LINK] This web site is for a training company specilizing in fire investigation, research, and education to provide a comprehensive and accurate information about the design, function, and operation of all types of fireplaces. Professional training and certification courses incorporati... click to read more

0042 [LINK] Web site for a nonprofit, nongovernmental agency dedicated to the responsible use of wood as a home heating fuel. Topics include:
Why heat with wood?
Stoves, fireplaces, inserts, furnaces, and so on.
All about chimneys.
Planning your new hearth.
Outdoor air supplies.
Firew... click to read more

0043 [LINK] Comprehensive web site includes everthing relating to chimneys and fireplaces. Stove, fireplace, and accessory manufacturers. Internet and catalog direct merchants. Nationwide directory of local retail shops. Hundreds of articles. Thousands of questions and answers. Links. Commun... click to read more

0045 [LINK] Web site for one of Minnesota's premier chimney sweeps.

0046 [LINK] Web site for information about chimney restoration.

0174 [PDF] This file has an illustration of saddle flashing, also called a chimney cricket, and an actual picture of an installation at the chimney.
Contributed by Russel Ray, a home inspector in San Diego, California.

0175 [PDF] 2-page document containing pictures and information about chimney swifts.

0193 [LINK] If you have a question about chimneys, this is the place to go. Through the "Homeowner Info" page, you can ask questions via email of over 300 chimney professionals worldwide.

0201 [PDF] Fireplace repair for the do-it-yourselfer.

This article is about mortar repair and re-pointing.

0231 [PDF] Ameri-Vent installation and assembly instructions for Type B gas vents. 14-page document, 573 KB.

0252 [JPG] Gas vent termination height requirements.
79 KB

0276 [PDF] Combustion safety.
Presentation at the RESNET conference in San Antonio in 2005. Propane, natural gas, combustion air, guidelines, ignition sources, drafting/venting, open and closed combustion appliances, pressure problems, ductwork, and carbon monoxide.
7 pages, 1.1 MB

0278 [PDF] Simpson Dura-Vent Type B gas vent systems catalog, including diagrams of typical installations, product type and specifications, and rules for safe venting.
40-pages, 4.5 MB

0282 [PDF] Energy savers: Tips on saving energy and money at home.
This document comes from the U.S. Department of Energy. The thermograph picture of heat loss from a house (p. 3) is worth, as they say, a thousand words. Has a list of easy low-cost and no-cost tips, discussion about insula... click to read more

0289 [PDF] Annual maintenance of gas appliances recommended.
Routine maintenance of a home’s appliances will ensure they operate with maximum efficiency, correctly, and safely.
4 pages, 420 KB

0307 [PDF] Majestic direct vent gas fireplace installation instructions.
40 pages, 4.7 MB

0517 [PDF] Tops to last a lifetime.
Interesting document about chimney caps. Good illustrations and dates of use for various cap designs.
3 pages, 712 KB

0528 [PDF] Cut heating costs by using a vent-free gas heater, fireplace, stove, or log set.
2 pages, 325 KB

0529 [PDF] Facts about vent-free gas appliances (fireplaces, heaters, etc.).
2 pages, 346 KB