How to Prevent Chimney Fires this Winter

Shawn Folks • January 20, 2022

Home fires are devastating, although not altogether uncommon. Odds are that you or someone you personally know have been the victims of a home gone ablaze. Annually, there are over 350,000 fires in American homes. Some are relatively minor, easily extinguished and cause little structural damage, while others leave nothing spared. The causes of these fires vary. As one might suspect, kitchens are the most common area where fires begin. However, you may be surprised to learn that about 6 percent of all home fires originate in the chimney.


What Causes a Chimney Fire?

The function of a chimney is to allow for safe fire burning within the home by expelling potentially dangerous by-products like smoke, gas, hydrocarbon, tar, and more. These substances travel up the chimney and out of the home. However, as they do so, they will encounter rapid temperature changes that lead to condensation. As a result, a residue of these combined materials called creosote will begin to build within the chimney walls. Creosote is highly combustible and when a significant amount has built up and is met with high enough temperatures within the flue, a chimney fire can occur.


Steps to Prevent a Chimney Fire

The key to preventing chimney fires is minimizing the presence of creosote. This means ensuring adequate ventilation and proper temperatures. Before burning a fire, the flue should be fully open and remain open throughout the entire burn time. Likewise, glass doors on the fireplace should be kept open throughout. In order to maintain hot enough temperatures within the chimney and thereby hinder the buildup of creosote, opt to use seasoned wood, which produces a hotter smoke.


Finally, and most importantly, have your chimney professionally inspected and cleaned every year. While homeowners can easily miss the signs of creosote buildup, a professional chimney sweep can quickly identify these dangerous deposits and thoroughly clean them, thereby preventing the possibility of a future fire.


Signs of a Chimney Fire

Chimney fires can occur without the homeowner’s knowledge, leaving behind unnoticed structural damage. Potential indicators of a previous chimney fire include:


·       Creosote that appears puffy or honeycombed in texture

·       Discoloration or warping of the rain cap, damper, metal chimney, or smoke chamber

·       Flue tiles that have collapsed or cracked

·       Flakes of creosote on the ground or roof

·       Damaged roofing material

·       Masonry cracks on the exterior of the home


What to do After a Chimney Fire

If you have experienced a chimney fire or suspect that you may have based on the signs above, it is crucial to consult a fire restoration service professional help for repair and restoration of your home. Guarantee Restoration Services is home to a team of certified professionals who address the effects of chimney fires on homes every single year. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

The Dangers of Hidden Water Damage in Commercial Properties

By Adrianne Hungerford • June 3, 2026
Hidden moisture can damage commercial buildings long before it's visible. Learn the risks, warning signs, and importance of professional mitigation.

Why Pre-Loss Planning Matters for Lafayette Properties on the Gulf Coast

By Jeremy Cryer • May 27, 2026
On the Gulf Coast, preparation isn’t optional. It’s simply a part of doing business. From hurricane season to heavy rain events and everything in between, properties in Lafayette face a different level of risk than most. And when something does happen, the difference between a smooth recovery and a stressful situation often comes down to one thing: having a plan in place with the right team. Why Pre-Loss Planning Looks Different in Lafayette Pre-loss planning looks a little different here because the risks are different. It’s not just about knowing where your shutoffs are or having a list of contacts. It’s about understanding how quickly a storm can shift, how water can move through a property, and how to respond when multiple buildings or locations are impacted at once. That kind of preparation requires more than a template. It requires local knowledge. At Guarantee Restoration Services, our Lafayette team builds pre-loss plans with that in mind. We take into account the specific challenges that come with properties in Acadiana, including wind-driven rain, tornado threats, and the potential for widespread damage across an entire area. That allows us to create a plan that is realistic, not just theoretical. The Importance of Having a Clear Path Forward “We’ve seen how quickly things can escalate during a storm event. Having a pre-loss plan in place gives our clients a clear path forward instead of trying to figure it out in the middle of the chaos,” said Craig Rose, Mitigation Manager at our Lafayette Branch. That “clear path forward” is what makes the biggest difference. When a storm hits, response times are everything, but so is access. Roads can be blocked, power can be out, and communication can be limited. A strong pre-loss plan accounts for those variables and ensures that response efforts can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Protecting Operations, Employees, and Tenants It also helps property teams stay focused on what matters most. Instead of trying to coordinate vendors, track down information, or make high-pressure decisions, they can follow a plan that has already been built around their property and their priorities. From a business standpoint, that level of preparation protects more than just the building. It protects operations, tenants, employees, and timelines. Building Trust Before Disaster Strikes “Pre-loss planning is about building trust before there’s ever a problem. Our clients know who to call, what to expect, and how we’re going to support them when something happens,” said Paige Hebert, Business Development Representative in Lafayette. That trust and familiarity matter, especially in a region where large-scale events can impact entire communities at once. You are not just calling a company, you are calling a team that already understands your property, your risks, and your expectations. Be Realistic. Be Ready. Pre-loss planning on the Gulf Coast is not about over-preparing. It is about being realistic and ready. Because when the next storm comes through Lafayette, it is not a matter of if you will need a plan—it is a matter of how well that plan works when it is put to the test. Call us today to schedule your Pre-Loss Planning meeting where 24/7 is not just a number… it’s a GUARANTEE!

How to Respond to Property Damage in the First 24 Hours

By Shawn Folks • May 20, 2026
When a disaster strikes and a loss happens, the clock starts immediately. The first 24 hours after a storm event or a fire loss are the most critical for any property. It is at this time that major decisions need to be made, the damage is either controlled or spreads, and the path to recovery is determined. These decisions are often rushed, unclear, and reactive without a plan in place. This is where having a pre-loss plan makes a measurable and meaningful difference. A pre-loss plan creates a clear starting point for you and your team instead of scrambling to figure out who to call, what steps to take, or how to protect the property. It removes reactive hesitation and replaces it with action to recover. Everyone involved knows their role and understands the process, allowing them to move quickly without second guessing. Speed matters in restoration. Water continues to spread; materials continue to deteriorate, and secondary damage, like mold, can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The faster a response is initiated, the more damage can be contained. Pre-loss planning allows that response to begin immediately, not hours or days later. Other than fast action, it also brings clarity during a very chaotic and challenging moment. Property managers, facility teams, and business owners are not left out in the dark trying to make high-pressure decisions on the spot. Instead, they are following a plan that has already been thoroughly thought through, discussed, and tailored to their specific property’s needs. Communication can become fragmented without a plan. Another advantage to pre-loss planning is coordination. There are several moving parts including emergency services, restoration teams, and insurance carriers. Having a plan streamlines communication ensuring that everyone involved is aligned from the start. At Guarantee Restoration Services, pre-loss planning is designed to support the exact moment the dust settles. It’s not just about preparing documents to sign ahead of time; it’s about setting up our partners and clients to respond with confidence when it matters the most. From established points of contact to documented site conditions and response protocols, everything is built to protect time, reduce damage, and maintain control.  Many people think preparation is about preventing the worst from happening. Rather, it is about being ready when it happens. Because when those first 24 hours hit, you do not want to be figuring things out. You want to be executing a well-formulated, personalized plan for recovery. Call us today...where 24/7 isn’t just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!
VIEW ALL BLOGS