​With a new year rapidly approaching perhaps you are putting together a list of all that you would like to hopefully accomplish in 2021. Maybe you are thinking about getting some projects done in your current home, or even looking for a change and planning a move to a new home. Whatever the case, having the house tested for Radon might be something you will want to add to your list. Ask yourself, when was the last time my home was tested for radon and, why is it so important to do so?
 
To help you understand the importance of having your home tested for radon, please enjoy the following video. It will help you understand a little about what radon is and, why it could be present in your home. If you have any further questions regarding radon testing or any home inspection query, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
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​Depending on its size, a wood-burning stove can be an excellent way to heat either a room or an entire home. If you have recently moved to a home that has a wood-burning stove in it, it is important to know how to take good care of it so that it stays efficient and safe to use. To help with this, here are a few tips on how to keep your wood burner well maintained.
 
As the name indicates, a wood-burning stove is intended for the burning of wood. When choosing firewood to burn in your stove select dry wood that has a low moisture content. This burns a lot hotter than freshly cut wood. Certain kinds of wood ignite quicker than others and so are good to use when starting the fire. Softwoods like pine work well for this. After the fire has been started, you can then use hardwoods like oak, ash, or hickory. Burning wood in smaller pieces will also give you a cleaner, hotter burn.
 
You should never burn coal in your wood-burning stove. The reason is that coal burns much hotter than wood does so burning coal could pose a fire risk. Another reminder is to never burn items that emit toxic chemicals. Such items include plastic, plywood, gift wrapping paper, and colored paper, particleboard, and painted or pressure-treated wood.
 
Other reminders. Creosote can often build up in the stovepipe which can become hazardous so you might want to have your stove periodically inspected by a professional. When you are disposing of ashes from your wood stove it is a good idea to place them in a water-filled, metal container. Lastly, make sure that you have enough smoke alarms fitted throughout the home and check them every month to ensure they are working properly.