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Spring is here and it is about time to start your spring cleaning. You might want to consider adding a chimney sweep to your list. Now is the perfect time to get that fireplace or wood stove flue swept out before the rush of the busy season in the fall and winter. You may have seen and heard about creosote logs, and perhaps have even heard that these will “clean the chimney” or even that you no longer need to sweep the chimney because they burn cleaner than wood. Neither of these statements are true, though. While some of these products might burn cleaner than wood, it does not mean they should take the place of your annual or semi annual chimney sweep. These creosote cleaning products contain additives that are released through the smoke and cling to creosote. This is done through a chemical reaction and may cause the creosote to become brittle, therefore making it easier to sweep the chimney flue. What is creosote and why is it dangerous? Creosote is a natural byproduct of wood combustion, consisting mainly of tar and other trace chemicals. It is highly flammable and often sticks to parts of a fireplace, stove pipe, and chimney. Creosote will never go away on its own, which is why you should sweep your chimney or hire a professional to do so on a regular basis. Build-up of this tar-based byproduct is easily flammable, which could result in a chimney fire.   Should you use a creosote cleaning product? The purpose of these types of products (logs, spray, powder) is to help break up the creosote so that when a professional comes to sweep the chimney, it is easier to help remove the creosote. The Village Chimney Sweeps does sell a spray, called ACS (or Anti-Creosote Spray), that does the same thing as the popular creosote cleaning logs. Inquire in the showroom, a call to the office, or ask your technician for a bottle. Just be sure to give your local chimney sweep a call to get the flue swept as well. Contact us at 717-846-9417 for more information or...

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At The Village Fireplace and Stove Center and The Village Chimney Sweeps, things have been underway to freshen up our showroom to provide an up-to-date showroom featuring the latest products from brands that you know and love. We have updated some Valor and Mendota gas and electric fireplace displays to bring you the latest they have to offer. From the new “FireIn” log choices to new HD backgrounds, updated LCD electric fireplaces and showing off our finish options on whole renovation projects…there is sure to be something everyone will fall in love with. Mendota FireIn FV42 With the new FireIn logs, the burner is wrapped inside the logs, so the flame pattern provides a more realistic fire. HD black glass background reflects the flames back to make a standout fireplace. The FV42 unit is a landscape design from Mendota and has a mid-century modern shape. See our gas fireplace offerings here. Valor PE2 A vibrant LCD backdrop add depth and motion to ember-lit logs on this electric fireplace. With the remote you can control flame effects, lighting, heat, and other features. See our electric fireplace offerings here. Mendota 360 FireIn Mendota’s only current offering in a freestanding stove. Featuring ultra-realistic gas flames and three-sided glass that gives an unobstructed view. See our gas stove offerings here. Showroom in progress. An open wall to make room for both the Mendota FV36 and FV42 FireIn gas fireplaces. Soon these fireplaces will be framed up and feature finish work by our team. Mantels will be hung to give you the feeling of being in your own home with a Mendota gas fireplace and feature wall. The FV36 features white oak logs and a herringbone brick and a modern front in a vintage iron finish. A framed wall that will soon be our featured fireplace when you first walk into our showroom. The Mendota FV46 FireIn with oak logs and a slim antique copper front. Not just our main building Changes are underway all over our property and we can’t wait to share them with you. Be sure to follow the progress on our facebook page where we will be posting updates as we balance bringing amazing installations to your home as well as being able to showcase all we have to offer here in the showroom. In our Fireplace Room located in the building next to our main showroom, you will also find 2 new Valor products going in. The H6 large gas fireplace with a herringbone brick and traditional logs will also be framed and feature El Dorado stone. The Valor LT2 is done being framed and just waiting on the finish...