Installing a fireplace insert in Knoll Ridge, host first
At handover you get the manual, the serial number on record and a clear walk-through of the air control.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Reasons to consider a wood insert for your fireplace
- An open fireplace you want to heat with
- A second appliance sharing the flue
- A loose or missing liner cap
- An insert that is hard to light
Jump to
Wood insert installation decisions, one at a time
Getting the liner past the damper
The liner has to pass through the throat of the fireplace, where the damper plate and frame sit. Manuals say that if the damper control will be out of reach once the insert is in, the damper must be removed or fixed in the open position. A closed damper would block the liner's path.
We explain what will happen to your damper before work starts. Sometimes the plate comes out, sometimes it is secured open, depending on the fireplace and the manual. Either way, the change stays in place while the insert is installed, and it is written into the scope.
Fitting the faceplate before the unit goes home
Some manuals require the faceplate panels to be attached to the insert before it slides into final position and connects to the liner. Other trim pieces follow once the connection is made. The order matters, because some panels cannot be reached after the unit is in place.
We follow the sequence your insert's manual gives. The unit is eased into place without disturbing the liner connection, then the remaining trim goes on. Clearances to combustibles are checked again once everything is fitted.
Starting a fire in a new insert
Insert manuals describe a start-up routine. The air control goes fully open, and crumpled paper and small kindling go in with a few larger pieces arranged so air can move. The door then stays slightly open for a short time before it is closed. The aim is a hot bed of coals before the main load.
We walk through the routine for your model at handover. A cold insert should be warmed gradually, and manuals warn against a roaring fire in a cold unit. A good start keeps smoke out of the room and the glass clearer.
Picking the right flue in a multi-flue chimney
Some masonry chimneys hold more than one flue, each serving a different appliance or fireplace. The insert's liner goes only into the flue that serves the fireplace it sits in. Mixing up flues can connect the insert to the wrong chimney path.
We identify each flue from the top and the bottom during the inspection. The written record notes which flue the insert uses. If another flue is unused or serves a second fireplace, we explain what that means for the rest of the chimney.
Confirmed before a wood insert is ordered
- Firebox and smoke chamber inspection
- Chimney cleaning before relining
- Liner insulation where instructions require
- No link to other flues or ductwork
Common questions about liners and wood inserts
Is the chimney cleaned before the liner is installed?
Yes. Insert and liner instructions call for the chimney to be cleaned and checked first. We do that as a separate step, look for damaged masonry and explain any repair before relining continues.
Is the installation work covered after the insert is in?
Yes. Our workmanship warranty covers the installation work we complete. The insert maker's warranty covers the unit under its own terms, which is another reason we follow the manual closely.
What kind of wood should we burn in the insert?
Dry, split, seasoned natural wood, as the manual specifies. Treated or painted wood, garbage, cardboard and colored paper stay out. We explain how to judge dryness at handover, including with a simple moisture meter.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Leak RepairFind the chimney water entry point and plan a repair before restoring the damaged finish.
- Fireplace RestorationCoordinate fireplace repairs while preserving suitable existing features and defining the intended use.
- Spalling Brick Repair and Chimney Brick ReplacementReplace deteriorated chimney bricks while retaining suitable surrounding masonry.
- Gas Fireplace VentingAssess and repair the gas fireplace vent arrangement using components suited to the identified system.
We received your request
Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo