Our Company Blog

Uses for Ashes in the Spring

Through an entire burn season your fireplace or stove has produced buckets and buckets of ashes. If you saved them you might wonder what you could use them for. Whether you’ve added them to compost through the winter or have kept them separate there are many uses for ashes this spring.

Ashes in Your Garden

Ashes added to your compost can enhance the nutrients therein before adding it to the garden.  Sprinkled directly onto the garden before tilling can help you attain a certain level of acidity and placing a 1/4 cup of ashes directly into the hole when planting tomatoes can mean a healthy plant and plump fruits. Placing them in a flower garden can also enhance the color of some species as well as promote healthy plants.

Ashes for Cleaning

When you are deep into your spring cleaning, you can use ashes as an effective and safe cleaning aid. Ashes mixed with a small amount of water can clean your fireplace or stove glass better than most products on the market. You can use the same mixture for shining your metal handles, as well as chrome on your car!

Ashes as Pest Repellent

As spring rains and warm weather persist, bugs and pests might seek shelter in your home. If you notice the shiny trails of slugs weaving along your floors or walls, you can use ashes to stop them in their tracks. It may be difficult to find the place where they enter, but sprinkling ashes along cracks can prevent slugs and snails. If you’re unable to find the cracks that allow these pests into your house, you can also sprinkle ashes along the foundation and in the crawl spaces beneath your house.

Ashes as Pet Treatment

Ashes can deter fleas, ticks, lice, and mites in your animals, as well as help with general skin irritations. Sprinkling a bucket of ashes into a chicken coop can make dust-bathing even more affective for your poultry. In the same way, pet owners can rub a small amount of ashes through the coat of cats or dogs to curb a flea infestation. This same small bit of ashes in the fur also neutralizes pet odors. Sprinkling ashes at the bottom of the cat litter box also neutralizes odors.

Ashes to Control Pond Algae

It doesn’t take much, but using wood ashes in your pond, large or small, can control the algae growth that can turn your pond an ugly green. Just 1 tbsp per 1,000 gallons can be an affective and free pond water treatment.

No matter how you store or use your wood ashes this spring, make sure they are cool before using them for any purpose and that you wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose when you are shoveling, sprinkling, or moving ashes. You should also make sure to have your fireplace and chimney professionally cleaned so that ashes aren’t left in your fireplace or stove through the summer. Ashes will start to stink once they mingle with summer humidity. You can schedule an appointment with Chief Chimney Services online or by calling 631-863-2460 today.

Why Are Professional Certifications Important?

You wouldn’t hire just anyone to rewire your home’s electricity, and you shouldn’t hire a neighborhood handyman to work on your chimney system. According to the U.S. Fire Administration there are about 1 million home fires annually. Of these house fires both electrical fires and home heating fires make up 7 percent. The truth is that a fireplace may add value to your home, but if not maintained and used properly it can cost you dearly in life, health, insurance, and repairs. The best way to save money tomorrow is to take preventative measures today. Hire a certified professional who specializes in fire and chimney science, masonry repairs, installations, and more.

Professional Affiliations and Memberships

There are many affiliations that chimney sweeps can have that indicate a higher standard than others. If you’re shopping around for a chimney sweep, you should first look at their professional certifications and affiliations. If a professional in any field spends the time and money to join professional organizations, this is an indication that they are wiling to invest in their performance, their business, and their industry. Some professional affiliations to look for are memberships to national and state Chimney Sweep Guilds and training and certifications from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and National Fireplace Institute (NFI). These certifications mean the chimney sweep has advanced training and education in his field.

The Most Trusted Industry Standard: CSIA

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certification has been the industry standard since the 1980’s for many reasons:

• Accreditation.
  CSIA meets the highest of education standards and is actually regulated by the Indiana State Workforce Innovation Council.
• Longevity.
  CSIA was established in 1983 and has been the industry standard since.
• Non-Profit.
  CSIA is a non-profit organization governed by professionals and technical experts in the industry from across the country.
• Code of Ethics.
  CSIA members must adhere to a stringent Code of Ethics designed to protect homeowners from fraud. If they are found in violation of the Code of Ethics their certification can be revoked.
• Public Safety and Industry Involvement.
  CSIA’s mission includes public and professional education and a commitment to eliminate home chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion, and other chimney-related hazards.
• Continued Education.
  CSIA members must re-certify by examination or continued education every three years in order to stay abreast to industry changes.
• Reciprocal Affiliated Trades Relationships.
  CSIA devotes resources to educating not just the public, but also similar trades that can contribute to the safety of homes and families including home inspectors, realtors, and homeowner associations.
• National Recognition.
  CSIA has been nationally recognized as the industry standard. CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps have appeared on Good Morning America, Dateline, and 20/20, in the New York Times, Consumer Reports, and Popular Mechanics, to name a few. It’s the certification required by many homeowners insurance companies, municipal codes, and warranties.

It’s important to find a trusted professional when searching for someone on whom your home’s safety depends. In the Suffolk County area you can depend on the best chimney sweeps by calling Chief Chimney Services today at 631-863-2460 or requesting an appointment online.