“Short Stacked” chimneys occur when the contractor installing the fireplace and chimney shows up without enough chimney pipe to complete the job. Rather than making a second trip back with enough chimney pipe, the installers sometimes “forget”, and the homeowner is left to deal with a potentially dangerous situation. Why is “short stacking”dangerous? Normally as you burn fires, the hot gasses rise up through the chimney and escape safely through the chimney cap into the outer atmosphere. For Safety purposes, the manufacturer’s instructions on how their chimney is to be installed are very specific, and allow little leeway for variance. These instructions specify the closest allowable distance the bottom side of the chimney cap can be to the top of the chase pan cover. If the cap is installed too close to the chase pan cover, the combustible wood directly beneath it can overheat and catch fire. Often this is the case where the installers BARELY had enough pipe to be even with the chase pan cover, but not enough to elevate the cap high enough. In extreme cases, the chimney pipe doesn’t even reach the chase pan cover and smoke and hot gasses spill directly into the hollow wooden chase! BOTH CONDITIONS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. If your chimney is “Short Stacked”, discontinue use until additional chimney pipe has been installed so that hot flue gasses from your fires can vent into the outside atmosphere safely.

Spark Screens that are warped cannot close properly and may allow sparks to pop out of the fireplace onto your floors and carpet!! Give your fireplace a little face lift by having your trashy looking screens replaced with a new set of spark screens! Our vans have most common sizes on board, so ask the technician for a new set of screens today!

Gas Line Entry Sealed?


Fireplace gas lighters are convenient, but when installed improperly, they can be downright dangerous! If your gas entry line is not sealed, red-hot fireplace gasses can be drawn into the wall stud cavity and start a fire!

If your Ash Dump Door is rusted solid or falling apart, consider having A to Z install a new, smooth-working door! Being able to use your ash pit and reduce incoming cold air is a win / win!! Don’t deny yourself the opportunity to enjoy your fireplace the way it was meant to be enjoyed! Our Vans often carry the most common sizes and we can usually install a new door on the spot!

Having an Ash Pit cleanout door in dis-repair can be a bigger hassle than you think. Left accessible, it is a very inviting nest area for Skunks, Opossums, Raccoons, Rats, Mice, Cats, etc. If your Ash Pit Cleanout Door is falling out or rusted, we would be happy to install a new door, often on the spot because our vans stock the most common sizes!

What keeps rain water from leaking into your home where the chimney penetrates through the roof? When properly installed, Flashing and Counter Flashing will keep water from leaking into the home for years. Unfortunately, sometimes this flashing falls out, rusts out, or is removed and not put back (often when a new roof is installed). Most commonly, the base flashing is present, but the counter flashing is missing or in need of repair. If you are noticing water leakage around your chimney on your ceiling, in your attic, or beneath your eaves, leaking flashing is most often the culprit. If this is the case with your home’s chimney, consider having A to Z put an immediate stop to your leaking problems!