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.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Zack Klein Director of Marketing and Business Development 225-753-8682 Zack@247GRS.com Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country BATON ROUGE, La. – June 16, 2026 – Guarantee Restoration Services (GRS), a leading full-service restoration contractor serving the Gulf Coast since 1974, is proud to announce the implementation of its new National Sales Team. This strategic initiative marks an exciting step forward in the company’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients and partners on a broader scale. The newly established team will be led by Barrett Dick, Director of National Sales, alongside Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing. Together, they have played a pivotal role in growing GRS relationships across multiple industries throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond for over a decade. The team also includes newly hired account executives, David Stern and Chad Catalano. “Over the years, we have seen our partnerships and opportunities continue to grow beyond our traditional footprint,” said Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Guarantee Restoration Services. “Creating a dedicated National Sales Team allows us to strengthen those relationships, support our partners on a larger scale, and continue expanding the reach of the GRS brand, while staying true to the service and responsiveness we are known for.” Dick, who will celebrate 10 years with GRS next month, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role. He holds multiple Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials, including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT). After graduating from Louisiana State University, Barrett began his professional career with Marucci Sports before joining Guarantee Restoration Services in July 2016. Just weeks into his time with the company, the historic Great Flood of 2016 impacted Southeastern Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience managing large-scale losses and coordinating restoration efforts for major school districts and commercial clients. Since then, he has helped cultivate business development efforts throughout Louisiana and nationally, working closely with partners in hospitality, education, government, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. “Our focus has always been relationship-driven,” said Dick. “We want our clients and partners to know they have a team they can rely on before, during, and after a disaster. This National Sales Team is another way we are investing in those relationships and positioning Guarantee to better serve organizations wherever they need us.” As part of the expansion, GRS hired David Stern as a National Sales Account Executive. Stern brings more than a decade of high-level sales and relationship management experience from the professional sports industry. Prior to joining our team, he served with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organization, where he consistently ranked among the organization’s top sales representatives and generated more than $38 million in multiyear contracts throughout his career. “David’s experience of building relationships, managing high-profile partnerships, and delivering exceptional client service makes him a tremendous addition to our team,” added Klein. “His background and skillset align perfectly with the direction we are heading as a company.” The National Sales Team also includes Chad Catalano, who joined Guarantee Restoration Services in January 2026. Catalano brings nearly two decades of restoration industry experience, with a strong background in sales leadership, project coordination, and relationship development throughout the Southeast and Gulf South regions. Prior to joining GRS, Catalano served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI and spent more than 16 years with US Restoration as a Sales and Project Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has built long-standing partnerships while helping clients navigate complex restoration and recovery projects. In addition to his restoration industry experience, Catalano also spent several years as a successful high school baseball coach in the New Orleans area, earning multiple district championships and Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, communication skills, and client-focused approach make him a valuable addition to the growing national team. Guarantee Restoration Services continues to serve clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with six locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. With the implementation of its National Sales Team, GRS is further expanding its ability to support partners across the country through large-loss response, catastrophe recovery, and national account relationships. The company specializes in water, fire, mold, storm, and biohazard restoration, as well as reconstruction and pre-loss planning services. For more information about Guarantee Restoration Services, visit www.GuaranteeRestoration.com or call 1-800-349-HELP (4357).
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