Wood insert installation with a full-length liner, Medley
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
When a wood insert starts to make sense in Medley
- A worn insert with a warped door
- Cracked glass on an old insert
- Soot on the face above the opening
- A second appliance sharing the flue
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How a wood insert is installed in Medley
Keeping the insert door closed
An insert is designed to burn with its door closed. Manuals warn that a door left partly open can draw gases and flame out of the unit. EPA guidance also says to keep wood-burning appliance doors closed except when loading or stoking. The glass door is part of the safety design.
We show you the loading routine the manual gives, including opening the air control before slowly opening the door. That order reduces smoke rolling out during reloading. Close the door and latch it as soon as the wood is in.
Ash removal from a wood insert
Ashes should not build up to the loading door. Manuals call for removing them only when the fire is out and placing them in a metal container with a tight lid. The container then sits on a noncombustible surface away from anything that can burn. They stay there until fully cool.
We explain how often ash removal tends to be needed for the way you plan to burn. A small metal shovel and a proper container make the job easy. Cardboard boxes, paper bags and plastic bins are not safe places for ashes.
What the free inspection covers for an insert
For an insert, the free inspection looks at the masonry fireplace, the smoke chamber, the damper and the chimney with its flue. It also covers the hearth and the trim and mantel around the opening. We also check the roof access to the chimney top, since the liner is installed from above.
You leave the visit knowing whether your fireplace can host an insert, which sizes fit and what preparation is needed. The written estimate follows with each item separate. Have any insert models or manuals you are considering ready to share.
Liner insulation on an outside chimney
A chimney that runs up an outside wall loses heat to the air around it. Liner instructions recommend insulating the liner for better draft and fire safety, and some require insulation over part of the run. On an exterior chimney that recommendation deserves extra weight.
We explain whether your liner system requires insulation and whether we recommend it beyond that. The flue must be large enough to take the liner plus its wrap, which we measure. The insulation is priced as its own item so you can see the choice clearly.
Parts of the insert job the estimate separates
- Masonry repairs as separate items
- Opening height, width and depth measured
- Floor protection with the right thermal rating
- Debris cleanup and haul-away
Asked before a wood insert goes in
Why does the new insert smell during its early fires?
The high-temperature paint cures during the break-in fires and gives off an odor, which manuals describe as expected. Keep those fires moderate, ventilate the room and set nothing on top of the insert until the curing is done.
What if my chimney already has a liner from an older insert?
We check whether the existing liner matches the new insert's size, runs the full height and belongs to a listed system in good condition. If it does, we explain that option. If not, a new liner is listed as a separate item.
Do you handle gas inserts or electric inserts as well?
Gas and electric inserts are handled by our other services, each with its own rules. This service is for wood-burning inserts only. Mention the fuel you have in mind, and the visit is arranged for the right job.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Top-Sealing Damper InstallationFit a top-mounted damper only after checking the fireplace, product restrictions and control route.
- Hurricane and Storm Damage Chimney RepairAssess storm-related chimney concerns and distinguish temporary protection from permanent component repair.
- Spalling Brick Repair and Chimney Brick ReplacementReplace deteriorated chimney bricks while retaining suitable surrounding masonry.
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