Fireplaces might be an aesthetic, a comfort or a necessity for people during the winter months. Whatever their purpose, they should be used with care, and the Modesto Fire Department already has seen ...

Lee Wallender is a home improvement writer of nearly 20 years and specializes in home remodeling, repair and maintenance. Sami Allen is the managing editor at Forbes Home, with over seven years of ...

Water is a byproduct of combustion. If the proper venting of flue gases is neglected — as is so often the case, unfortunately, in our industry — water in the form of condensation triggers serious ...

correctionAn earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the National Fire Protection Association as the National Fire Protection Agency. The article has been corrected. It’s that time of ...

Q. We had a chimney cleaning service inspect our chimney and they suggested that we install an insulated flexible aluminum flue liner in our chimney connected directly to our gas water heater vent.

IF YOUR home has an existing fireplace or chimney, you might assume it’s ready for use with a modern wood burning stove. But that assumption can lead to serious safety risks, poor heating performance, ...