Fireplaces--Building a Mantel



Fireplaces--Building a Mantel

Are you looking for contractors? ServiceMagic has prescreened over 30,000 licensed contractors & agents for all your home improvement & move-related needs.

This is a Free Service with No obligation.

Get 3 Contractors to compete for your project!!



How it works - A 3 Step Process

1. Find the right category for Fireplaces--Building a Mantel at Service Magic
Find the right category and describe your needs
· Select the category that most accurately describes your service need
· Describe your request thoroughly so ServiceMagic contractors will want to work for you
· Contractors will choose to accept your request based on your description & their availability


2. Let Service Magic match you to presecreened qualified service professionals
· Avoid playing phone tag. ServiceMagic will immediately contact their matching Pre-Screened Contractor
· Once their pros confirm their interest and availability, they'll let you know by e-mail
· Meanwhile, get prepared using their HomeFront Library and Homeowner's Toolbox


3. Select the professional for your Project
· Review detailed profiles from up to four prescreened member contractors
· Read Ratings & Reviews from previous customers to help you make the right decision




Related Articles

If you own a fireplace, it is important to think about getting your chimney cleaned. Learn about why you should get your chimney cleaned and answers to other common questions concerning chimneys.

Preventing Chimney Fires

As fires burn, smoke goes up the chimney. Some of that smoke condenses in creosote on the flue -- the inner surface of the chimney. Creosote, a hard tar-like substance, builds up over time. When a thick coat of creosote catches fire, you get a chimney fire -- a powerful and frightening inferno that can be as loud as a low flying jet.

Chimney fires are often so hot that nearby walls and rafters burst into flame. The fire spreads so fast that firefighters often arrive too late to save any of the home.

Not all chimney fires are loud roaring events, but quiet ones can be just as dangerous. The extremely high temperatures associated with chimney fires cause cracks to form in the flue and chimney. Carbon monoxide is generated anywhere fuel is burned, including your fireplace, woodstove or furnace. Normally, these deadly fumes vent safely up the chimney. But if the chimney starts to leak, the fumes may be drawn back into the home.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a sneaky poison. The odorless colorless gas can be lethal. The human body treats it as if it were oxygen. Quickly distributed throughout the body, the poison has the biggest effect on the brain. Children can sustain brain damage with low levels of exposure. Symptoms mimic the common cold, so most people are unaware they are being poisoned. More extensive exposure leads to vomiting, nausea and, eventually, death.

The good news is that your fireplace can continue to be a source of safe pleasure if you stick to a simple maintenance schedule. Have your chimney cleaned regularly and inspected by a chimney sweep trained in chimney inspection.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions:

Q: How often should I have my chimney cleaned?
A:
The Chimney Safety Institute recommends that if you light fires in your fireplace or woodstove three or more times a week during the heating season, you should have your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year. If you burn unseasoned wood (wood that is still a bit wet or green), twice-a-year cleaning and inspection may be necessary.

Q: If I keep a small fire going most of the time, will I need to clean the chimney more often?
A:
Most of the creosote build-up occurs when the fire is first lit. A cold chimney causes much more of the smoke to condense on the chimney flue. Therefore, a continuous fire will usually foul a chimney more slowly than many separate fires.

Q: How much does it cost to have my chimney cleaned?
A:
Typically, an inspection will run about $30-$50. A cleaning goes for about $60 to $130, depending on the difficulty level. However, major chimney repairs can cost thousands of dollars. Most major chimney problems can be prevented with regular preventive care.

Q: What is a chimney liner?
A:
Nearly all new chimneys have chimney liners. Chimney liners may be made of metal, tile or cement and create a smooth, airtight path up your chimney. By increasing the distance between heat and combustible surfaces like rafters, liners can provide an extra level of protection from chimney fires. They also help prevent water from getting into the masonry work, where it can freeze and cause permanent damage to your chimney. Many efficient furnaces require chimneys with precisely sized chimney liners.

Q: Do I need to have the flue from my furnace cleaned too?
A:
Yes. Whenever you have your chimney cleaned, have the furnace flue cleaned at the same time. While furnace flues are typically less susceptible to creosote build-up, they do get fouled with sulfur and chlorine. Allowed to accumulate, these chemicals combine to form a powerful acid that eats away at the flue.



More Resources for Fireplaces--Building a Mantel

Building Mantel
Building Mantel
Description: Building Mantel
http://www.colley.ws/pictures/building_mantel/  -  950 bytes

building a fireplace mantel
... Follow Up Message Subject Title: building a fireplace mantel Posted by Dwight on December 27, 2002 at 11:24 AM In Reply to: Building a fireplace mantle posted by ... Chrismas and I need to build a mantel for it. Oak to match the the ...
Description: I got a gas fireplace insert for Chrismas and I need to build a mantel for it. Oak to match the the oak floor in the living room. Any ideas or plans that I can get ahold of
 -  13 KB

Fireplace Mantel Projects - Building Fireplace Mantels
Fireplace Mantel Projects by Mario Rodriguez Building Fireplace Mantels Paperback: 192 pages $13.97 Building Fireplace Mantels discusses the basics of fireplace mantel projects, and describes in detail from start to finish, step ...
Description: Building Fireplace Mantels discusses the basics of fireplace mantel projects, and describes in detail from start to finish, step-by-step, including a materials list, suppliers, and tools needed for nine fireplace mantel projects to build nine different...
http://emporiumindonesia.com/Furniture-Book-Summa...ojects.htm  -  5 KB

SCS Building Group - Fireplace Half Log Mantel
http://www.scsbuildinggroup.com/mantel.htm  -  2 KB

Fireplace Mantel - asktootalk.com - Building a Fireplace Mantel
... Complete Guide to Building a Classic Fireplace Mantel from Stock Materials ... Review: March 20, 1999Building the classic mantel This ... questions I had about building a mantel. Written clearly so ...
Description: An interesting answer to a question on building a mantel for a tile surround corner fireplace.
http://www.asktooltalk.com/home/qanda/faq/firepla...mantel.htm  -  16 KB

fireplace mantel-fireplace shelf mantel specifications:U.S.Building Products
Home] [Up] [Shelf Mantel Specifications 2 ... Systems] [Electrical] [Fireplace Mantel Systems] [Hardware & Tools ... COPYRIGHT ?? 199 5 - 200 3 UNITED STATES BUILDING PRODUCTS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVE ...
Description: We sell and ship Building Products such as fireplace mantels Worldwide
 -  17 KB

Building Fireplace Mantels: Simple Federal Mantel
... Home Projects & Design Building Fireplace Mantels: Simple Federal Mantel ... from Building Fireplace Mantels Building Fireplace Mantels: Simple ... From Building Fireplace Mantels, pp. 50-63 ...
Description: Open or download the 15-page PDF file below for a Simple Federal Mantel. (Requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF files
 -  22 KB

Balmer Crown Molding, Ceiling Medallion + Fireplace Mantel Store
... Molding, Decorative Moldings, Fireplace Mantels, Ceiling Medallions, Wall and Door Trim ... Door Surrounds Fireplace Mantels Wall Niches ... ceiling medallion, wall niche, fireplace mantel or door surround. We manufacture these ...
Description: Shop for crown molding, decorative moldings, ceiling medallions, fireplace mantels or door surrounds. Manufacturer direct moldings. Secure online US shopping. Balmer Molding, Medallion and Mantel Store.
http://store.balmer.com/  -  12 KB

Fireplace Mantels by Hazelmere Mantel Company
Handcrafted Wood Fireplace Mantels, Overmantels and Surrounds ... Hazelmere Fireplace Mantels ... Hazelmere Fireplace Mantel Company Visit our new ... Improvement Directories and Building Contractor websites ...
Description: Fireplace mantels for your home improvement or remodeling project. Handcrafted wood mantels, overmantels and surrounds. View our new Portfolio photos.
http://www.hazelmeremantel.com/  -  18 KB

The Mantel Shop - Fireplace Mantels and Mantel Surrounds of wood and stone, and...
... The Mantel Shop, Inc ... GO DIRECTLY TO MANTEL SURROUNDS GO DIRECTLY TO MANTEL ... great selection of stone look mantel surrounds from Balmer. (Click ... our Policy Page). We are also building a large selection of raised ...
Description: Sales of solid wood fireplace mantels, mantel surrounds, fireplaces and stoves, glass doors, wrought iron and brass tools and screens.
http://www.mantelshop.com/  -  19 KB