With a population of 2.34 million inhabitants, the Kansas City area spreads across 15 counties in two states, Kansas and Missouri. While the greater St. Louis metropolitan area outranks us to be the largest populated area of Missouri, population statistics and projections predict that the Kansas City is growing so steadily that our area will become the most inhabited metropolitan part of the state. Although Kansas City covers a lot of territory, Fluesbrothers Chimney Service has been sweeping and repairing the chimneys of homes over most of the area, covering a lot of ground. Serving a large area for 14 years, we have made lots of friends in Kansas City, and we love being the best, trustworthy fireplace destination. We would like to thank our loyal customers by highlighting a few of the cities we serve to inform you of the best things to do in this area.

Kansas City

Recently named by one of the most trusted travel guides, Frommer’s, as one of the top ten destinations in the world (yes, the world! And, we are the only city in the US that made the 2012 list!), the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is one of the main reasons our largest city was selected. Hailed as an architectural icon and as one of the most technically advanced performing arts center in the country, the Kauffman Center houses the Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Ballet, and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. If you are more into sports, you can go see the Kansas City Chiefs play NFL football, the Kansas City Royals play MBA baseball, and the Sporting Kansas City play professional men’s soccer, along with other pro sports teams, including a women’s American football team. Of course, as we are known for our barbecue, Frommer’s listed Arthur Bryant’s as their pick for best barbecue joint in the area. For shopping, dining, and live music, the Power and Light District offers the best entertainment in the downtown area, focusing on local businesses, including restaurants, and boutiques.

Overland Park

One of the largest suburbs in the Kansas City area, Overland Park features many attractions and fun things to do. Art lovers must visit the Nerman Contemporary Art Museum, the largest of its kind in the four-state area and the only one in Kansas. Housing the largest shopping mall in the region, Oak Park Mall is a shopper’s dream, with Nordstrom, American Girl, LEGO, and 185 other stores and specialty shops located inside the mall. A popular destination for nature lovers, the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens includes a Monet garden, waterfalls, walking trails, and a children’s discovery garden.

Independence

Since we appreciate fine masonry work, one of Fluesbrothers Chimney Service’s favorite thing about Independence, another large suburb of Kansas City, is its abundance of historical homes. The most famous resident of Independence, President Harry S. Truman, lived here after his presidency in a simple home that is now open to the public as a museum. One of our most treasured historical homes, the Valle Mansion, an ornate 30-room former home, is one of the best examples of Second-Empire Victorian architecture in the entire country. Other top attractions in Independence include the Independence Events Center, the Adventure Oasis Water Park, and many pioneer trails museums and sites.

As you can see, we do really love serving the Kansas City metropolitan area and its inhabitants for many, many reasons. If you live in the area and need any kind of fireplace and chimney services, check out our service areas to see if Fluesbrothers Chimney Service can be your favorite fireplace destination and chimney repair resource.

How to Remove Ash from Your Fireplace or Stove

Is there a right and a wrong way to remove ashes and coals from your fireplace or wood stove? You bet there is. Just recently, a detached garage in North Carolina burned to the ground because the homeowner improperly disposed of ashes in a plastic garbage can.

Removing ash can be simple and easy, but it’s not second nature to know what to do with the byproducts of your heating appliance. Those of us at Fluesbrothers Chimney Sweep want to help educate you about proper ash removal so that you can protect yourself, your home, and your pets against potential harm.

• Did you know that in the right circumstances a hot coal can continue burning for up to a week?
• Did you know that coal ash can be toxic to animals and plants, whereas wood ash can actually be reused in your garden to nourish your soil?
• Did you know that, according to the National Fire Protection Agency, thousands of residential fires are caused each year by improper ash removal?

If your answer to any of these questions is “no,” please read on.

Ash Removal Guidelines

Because you’re dealing with flammable (and sometimes toxic) materials, ash removal should be taken very seriously. Here are some basic guidelines to follow when scooping ash from your firebox.

1. DO NOT use a paper bag, a plastic bag, a plastic trash can, or a cardboard box to dispose of your ashes.
2. DO use a metal pail with a lid and an inverted bottom or legs so that the bottom of the pail won’t sit directly on the ground.
3. DO moisten the ashes after you’ve scooped them.
4. DO put a lid on the ash bucket.
5. DO NOT use a vacuum cleaner to clean up ashes.
6. DO NOT store cooling ashes in your home, garage, or on your deck.
7. DO store your cooling ashes outside, away from your home.
8. DO give your fireplace ashes at least four days to cool before dumping them.

Do you live in the Kansas City area and have questions about ash removal? We are more than happy to answer them or to service your chimney and or heating appliance so that it’s working as safely and efficiently as possible. Please contact Fluesbrothers today.