Stoffer Photography
Example of a small classic porcelain tile single front door design in Grand Rapids with white walls and a black front door

Example of a danish patio design in Phoenix

A fun, hip kitchen with a mid-century modern vibe. The homeowners wanted a kitchen to make them happy. We think you can't help but smile! NEXT Project Studio Jerry Voloski

  Phoenix's food scene is vibrant and thriving, but also one of the most closely watched in the country. Health inspectors in Maricopa County are strict, and customers expect spotless dining spaces.  To stay competitive, restaurant owners and food vendors must stay on top of evolving health codes, sanitation protocols, and food safety benchmarks. That starts with a firm grip on restaurant cleaning safety standards. Ignoring sanitation rules risks more than bad reviews. It invites citations, customer complaints, and operational shutdowns. Whether you're operating a food truck or a restaurant, following these Phoenix cleaning standards helps you stay compliant, pass health inspections, and build customer trust. Importance of a Clean Phoenix Restaurant that Follows Food Health and Safety Standards The restaurant industry in Phoenix operates under strict oversight. The Maricopa County Environmental Services Department conducts regular inspections, and violations can result in fines or closures. In this climate, restaurant cleaning is not just a hygiene standard. It is a business-critical measure. Proper food handling and establishment cleaning protocols reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, control pests, protect equipment, and keep your staff safe. Inconsistent practices, on the other hand, can quickly become liabilities. Start With the Food Code Phoenix food vendors must comply with the 2017 FDA Food Code as adopted by Maricopa County. This includes rules on:

• Sanitizing food-contact surfaces after each use
• Maintaining proper water temperatures for dishwashing
• Cleaning restrooms frequently and keeping them stocked
• Storing cleaning chemicals away from prep areas

Each violation tier, from Priority to Core, has consequences. Priority violations (like improper sanitization) trigger repeat inspections and possible permit suspensions. Establish a Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Cleaning Routine for Phoenix Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens High-performing food vendors operate with cleaning checklists categorized by frequency:

• Daily: Wipe prep tables, mop floors, clean grills, sanitize cutting boards
• Weekly: Deep clean kitchen hoods, polish cooking equipment, disinfect drains
• Monthly: Check pest control measures, clean freezer coils, and inspect HVAC filters

Your routines should align with the facility’s risk level and menu complexity. A meat-heavy kitchen faces a higher risk of contamination than a coffee cart. Build your cleaning schedule accordingly. Train Staff on Cleaning Protocols Staff must be trained to clean as effectively as they cook and do food preparation. This includes:

• Using the right sanitizers and PPE
• Logging cleaning times and who performed the task
• Identifying signs of mold, grease buildup, or rodent activity
• Conducting thorough surface cleaning to ensure all food-contact surfaces are sanitized regularly

Training is not one-time. Update it quarterly and post protocols in shared areas. Use EPA-Approved  Cleaning Products for Arizona Food Business Phoenix regulations call for cleaning products that meet EPA standards. These should be:

• Food-safe and non-corrosive
• Effective against norovirus, salmonella, and E. coli
• Clearly labeled and stored in original containers

Over-the-counter products won’t always meet the grade. Confirm that all cleaning products meet EPA standards by checking them against the official List N for food-contact disinfectants. Maintain Clean Air and Water Systems Your HVAC system can be a hidden contamination source. Dirty filters affect air quality and can lead to dust settling on surfaces. Water lines used in ice machines and beverage dispensers must also be sanitized. Schedule routine inspections with licensed technicians and keep maintenance logs. Phoenix’s dry climate compounds dust issues, making this step even more essential. Waste Management Is Part of Cleaning Waste bins should be emptied multiple times a day and sanitized regularly. Grease traps, in particular, require strict oversight. Phoenix plumbing codes demand regular removal of grease buildup to prevent clogs and contamination. Document waste pickup schedules and trap cleanings to show inspectors you take this seriously. Be Pest-Prevention Oriented Phoenix’s warm climate creates a year-round pest risk. From roaches to rodents, pest sightings during inspections can instantly tank your sanitation score. To avoid this:

• Seal gaps around doors and pipes
• Store dry goods in sealed, elevated containers
• Keep outdoor waste bins locked and distanced from entry points

Implement a pest control plan that follows local best practices. Proactive prevention will save your operation from reputational damage. Comply With Local Licensing and Inspections Food establishments and vendors must display current food permits and be ready for unannounced inspections. In Phoenix, inspectors from Maricopa County use a digital scoring system, and all inspection results are publicly available online. That means your customers can see your cleaning track record before ever placing an order. If you want to access your past inspection scores or understand local codes better, refer to the official Maricopa County site. The Role of Digital Logs and Compliance Software Many Phoenix-based vendors now use cleaning log apps or digital food safety checklists. These tools:

• Record cleaning completion in real time
• Alert managers when tasks are missed
• Keep a historical record for inspections

Adopting digital systems minimizes human error and provides credibility when auditors review your procedures. Monitor Cleaning Performance Through Internal Audits Routine cleaning is only effective when verified. Conduct regular internal audits to identify missed steps, correct improper practices, and maintain accountability. Assign a team member to perform weekly sanitation checks using a standardized checklist. Focus on key areas like surface residue, properly labeled chemicals, and temperature logs. Document each audit and review the results with your team during pre-shift meetings. This ensures your staff stays inspection-ready and fosters a culture of vigilance. In Phoenix’s competitive food market, consistent self-checks help prevent issues before inspectors arrive. When to Hire Restaurant Cleaning Services in Phoenix Some cleaning jobs go beyond what your in-house team can handle. Tasks like vent hood cleaning, ceiling dusting, or chemical deep cleaning are best left to commercial cleaning services. Choose a cleaning vendor who:

• Is certified and understands the Arizona food codes
• Provides documented service reports
• Offers customized cleaning plans
• Offers flexible scheduling around your operating hours

Outsourcing specialized cleaning ensures your facility stays compliant without interrupting your business flow. Cleaning Practices for Food Prep Areas In Phoenix, with its dry climate and year-round warmth, food prep areas are especially vulnerable to contamination. To comply with restaurant cleaning safety standards, these areas require focused cleaning efforts to prevent cross-contamination and maintain food safety. Here’s how to integrate cleaning into your food prep protocols:

• Cross-contamination prevention: Regularly clean food prep surfaces and tools, and use separate equipment for raw meats, vegetables, and ready-to-eat foods. Proper cleaning prevents any contact with food that could lead to cross-contamination and affects food quality.
• Temperature monitoring: While not directly related to cleaning, maintaining proper food temperature is essential. Hot foods should be stored above 140°F, and cold foods below 40°F. Regularly monitor temperatures and clean temperature gauges to ensure accuracy.
• Proper storage: Use clean storage containers and shelving for food storage, keeping items off the floor. Ensure all food is sealed and labeled to avoid contamination risks and comply with food safety standards.

Food Safety Starts With What Customers Can’t See In Phoenix's food service industry, cleanliness is essential to your success. But cleanliness goes deeper than shiny tables and spotless floors. It’s the behind-the-scenes work: the sanitizing, logging, and double-checking that keep your kitchen safe and your customers confident. When you take both sides seriously, your business doesn’t just stay open; it thrives. Meta Title: Restaurant Cleaning Safety Standards for Phoenix Food Vendors Meta Description: Explore Phoenix-specific restaurant cleaning safety standards so your food business stays compliant, avoids fines, passes inspections, and earns customer trust.  

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Exterior, brick, lime, limewash, painted brick, architectural finish

10 Ideas for Turning Your Garage into a Modern Industrial Neighborhood Bar By Elizabeth Aldrich Host happy hours and cocktail parties worthy of a full page spread – in your own garage. Leave the brick exposed, the concrete floors as is, and the wood unfinished and it costs more? The sophisticated older brother of the shabby-chic trend, urban industrial style, is taking over. Real estate agents are able to tack on a few extra grand to a flat if they can include “exposed brick” in their advertisements, and designer chefs and master mixologists are moving into warehouses and industrial districts in urban areas across the nation. A friend recently invited me to dinner at Portland, Oregon’s newest, hippest charcuterie spot, and when we pulled up to the building it was in a warehouse where I used to go to underground raves in high school. These industrial style spaces that were once seen as unfinished or lacking in coziness are now seriously coveted. Their rawness is considered authentic, their grit a mark of character. But if you’re a homeowner, there’s a good chance you already have one of them built right into your house: your garage. I like to preach about how much people underutilize their garage spaces, piling them full of storage bins they never touch. Whether you turn it into a workspace or a playroom, there’s a lot of value in a creatively-used garage space. For the overly ambitious, the design lover, or the hostess with the mostess, here’s one idea that blows the rest out of the water. Turn your garage into a multi-purpose, urban industrial wonderland for work and play. Originally outfitted for factories and warehouses, the industrial style facilitates productivity. Now that it’s also being appreciated as a great aesthetic for bars and restaurants, these rooms can serve both form and function, doubling as work and entertaining spaces. This is great for people who have always dreamed of having that extra basement space for hosting friends, complete with a wet bar and a billiards table, but lack the square footage. Just keep in mind that your friends might love it so much, they’ll start ditching their favorite happy hour spot and showing up at your doorstep instead. Here are ten ideas forbuilding the perfect workshop by day and cocktail bar by night in your garage. 1. Clean out the space. Get rid of everything you don’t need. Part of the beauty of industrial style designs is their simplicity and abundance of open space. Excessive clutter can make people feel boxed in, and that’s not conducive to productivity or to social activity. Out of sight, out of mind. Build shelving up high for storing must-keep belongings, much like a warehouse. For bonus points, store your belongings in wooden crates for aesthetic consistency. Or consider stacking them on a pallet, wrapping them in excessive amounts of plastic wrap, and loading them onto the next cross-country freighter. You won’t miss them. 2. Install storage for frequently used objects. The brilliant thing about the urban industrial look is that your tools, tool boxes, and tool storage cabinets already fit right in. Metal storage cabinets and file cabinets are perfect additions to the space. While grey is certainly the color pallet for this style, 50 shades might be a few too many. Mix it up by spray painting one of your cabinetsto add a pop of color. Make a small pegboard to hold up your tools and hang larger items such as bicycles and recreational equipment by pegs. If you have a lot of storage bins that you have to keep, look upward instead of storing them on the floor. Insert a tracking system onto your garage ceiling and slide the bins into place. For extra credit, get an old locker to use as a coat closet when guests come over. 3. Heat the space.Since you’re not turning the garage into a full-time living space, such as a spare bedroom, you really don’t need to go through the work and additional cost of installing full-blown heating and insulation systems. If you don’t need to use the space when the temperature drops, or if you live in a consistently temperate climate, you might not need to do anything. But if you do want to be able to host people through the winter, a simple garage heater will suffice. Here are some good options for installing garage heating. Take it one step further, and get a couple patio heaters to help with the next step. 4. Turn your driveway into a patio space. Even the best restaurants and cocktail bars are nothing in the summertime without a solid patio space. Leave the garage door open on warmer nights and invite your guests to go outdoors. Place some stylish folding chairs and a patio table out for comfort. Place a few potted plants here and there to make the space feel more inviting. For a really lively patio scene, put a portable fire pit out on the driveway or front lawn and surround it with workbenches from your garage. 5. Build your bar. Pick a corner in your garage for the bar, and get started. You can build a bar pretty cheaply and easily with reclaimed pallets, and get some industrial-style barstools. Behind the bar, you’ll have both your tools and your liquor, and there’s no need to build expensive cabinetry. If you’re serving quality, why cover it up? Build shelving or open cubicles to house your liquor. Put out metal buckets filled with ice to chill beers.Be sure to serve up cocktails worthy of the space. The Hemingway Daiquiri served straight up is a unique way to dress down, or industrialize, a traditionally frou-frou cocktail. To go the extra mile, build a bar with laid brick.Install an extra fridge in the garage so you can avoid having to trek into the kitchen to refill chilled drinks, and you can store dips, vegetables, and other hors d'oeuvres right at your fingertips. 6. Bring on the games. To really turn your hosting space into a fun time, be sure to offer ample play options. For the low on space, a dart board will suffice, whereas if you’ve got a five-car garage and can’t manage to fill the space, put in a couple billiard tables. Ping pong tables are ideal for most because they’re great fun and can easily be folded up and stored. If you want to keep your guests playing until the wee hours of the morning, get an old pinball machine, a vintage arcade game, or a small Skee-Ball alley. 7. The heart of your space.Build along worktable that doubles as a table for your guests right in the center of your garage. It should be tall enough to be used while standing, although you can place a few barstools along with it. Having a table space for drinks but limited seating will encourage guests to walk around and mingle. Build it out of wood and make sure to maintain a natural finish. Don’t be afraid to rough up the work table by day. The dings and marks created while you build will only lend authenticity to the piece. 8. Install lighting. Remember, the urban industrial style is all about function and showcasing materials in their raw form. There’s no need to buy expensive floor lamps or install a fancy lighting system. The most popular lighting in these types of spaces is exposed bulb lighting. Just open up the wiring on your current lighting system and drop down some bulbs. For additional lighting, string up exposed bulb patio lights and place some vintage metal desk lamps on the tables and bar area. 9. Brand your space. Use the designs for the stuff you build by day as wall art. Blow up sketches, blueprints, schematics, and architectural drawings to hang up for decoration. Choose one wall that could use a splash of color, perhaps the wall behind your bar, and get a friend to paint a mural, or whip out the spray paint for a real urban feel. Splurge a little and get a custom neon sign made of your last name or the word “bar” to hang behind the bar. 10. The garage door. For the finishing touch, and to really wow your guests, get a brand new modern, industrial style garage door installed. Look for the window-paneled types that restaurants use, like this contemporary aluminum and glass beauty. You can leave it half open when you want to utilize your driveway-patio space. On nights when you have to close it all the way, the glass panels let your guests still look out onto the stars, making it feel like a patio space even when it’s too cold for one. Once your garage bar is up and running, put on your denim suit and get ready to call yourself the Joneses. No one will be able to keep up with you.

Custom leaded glass panel used for privacy and charm in small window of front entry door. Glass: clear textured glass (granite, 1/16" reed, beveled glue chip) and beveled glass Lead: 3/16" rounded Size: 1 @ ~8" x 18" x 1/4" thick *This product was commissioned and made-to-order. If you're interested in this design, let's chat! We can recreate it for you to your specified dimensions, or we can discuss any design changes you'd like, as well as additional options for materials (glass texture, color, lead size, etc.). Reach out to hello@legacyglass.com to get started!

Corner shower - mid-sized rustic 3/4 metal tile ceramic tile and brown floor corner shower idea in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, orange walls, a console sink and white countertops

PEACOCK FANTASY - Custom Designed Peacock Wall Mural in brilliant colors. Notice how it has just the right amount of color | Have a custom mosaic idea? We can help, with our brilliant Italian-trained mosaicists and easy-to-install tiled masterpieces. Worldwide shipping available on the complete range of quality handcrafted marble & glass mosaic products. For inquires and more info, contact us: http://mecartworks.com

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Cast Glass front doors add character and absolutely make an impression. The texture and design of double entry doors utilizing cast glass can be dramatic or simple - both options can still provide the desired privacy. Featured texture is "Oceanwave" on clear glass.

To prepare your fireplace and chimney for winter, schedule a professional inspection and chimney cleaning. The temperatures are just about right to either fire up those logs or turn on the gas fireplace. Either way, you don’t want to miss out on a cozy night in front of the fireplace. But why is it important to prepare your fireplace and chimney for winter? That’s what we going to talk about today, everything from the damper, to chimney cap to what to look out for and what to repair now. The team at Superior Chimney is ready to share practical tips for getting ready for the cold to start. Why is it Important to Prepare the Fireplace for Winter? Your fireplace works hard during the winter. Using your fireplace just on the weekends or everyday while you relax causes system stress behind the scenes regardless. While providing you warmth and comfort, the fire in the fireplace creates a byproduct called creosote, which is sticky and gives off a smokey smell. All winter long, this will be slowly building inside of the chimney walls. Now that’s what’s going on inside your home. Outside, your chimney endures the elements every day with the snow, ice, freezing rain, and critters looking for a nice warm place to settle. All these things add up putting stress on the chimney structure. Getting this done now will give you peace of mind and helps your system run efficiently. This way, heat stays in your living room where you want it. Start with an Annual Chimney Inspection The most important step to take now is to get a certified chimney inspection before you light your first fire. A certified technician can identify creosote buildup, cracked flue liners, damaged masonry and blockages that are hard to see from inside and outside the home. The National Fire Protection Association standard for chimneys, fireplaces, and vents calls for chimneys to be inspected at least once a year and cleaned as needed for safe operation (NFPA 211). The Chimney Safety Institute of America gives the same guidance, recommending that fireplaces, chimneys, and vents be inspected annually by a certified professional (CSIA). Ventilation is a Breath of Fresh Air for Your Home Proper ventilation allows your home to breathe. Your home relies on vents connected to the fireplace and natural gas appliances to carry harmful gases such as carbon monoxide safely outdoors. During the winter, snow and ice can pile up around the vents. When that happens, pollutants have a harder time leaving the home. Signs of a Blocked Chimney Vent A blocked vent can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. If symptoms go away once you or your family leave the house, that’s a sign of a blocked chimney vent, and it needs to be addressed right away. Be sure your carbon monoxide detectors are in working order and located on every level of your home. Keep the Cold Air Out of Your Fireplace Pay attention to the chimney effect, also called the stack effect, during winter. Warm air inside your home rises to meet the colder air outside. That cold air can rush down the chimney and into your home. This pressure imbalance can also pull smoke back into the room when you light a fire. Keeping the damper closed whenever the fireplace is not working, is one of the best ways to stop cold drafts from entering your home. Have You Tried to Preheat the Chimney Flue? What? What is that? When you are ready to light the fireplace, warming the flue can help smoke travel up the chimney flue and out of your home. Light your gas starter without wood in there for a few minutes or a small bundle of kindling if you don’t have the convenience of a gas log starter. This will warm the air and cold chimney walls within the chimney flue so when the fire starts, it will go up and out of your home (Priming the system). Never roll up a sheet of newspaper, or any paper, and hold it up toward the open damper! The New Critter Home? For many animals, a chimney looks like a warm and safe place from the cold and freezing temperatures. Squirrels, raccoons, birds, bats, possum and other small creatures may try to nest inside. How do you know if a critter made its way in? If you hear scratching, chirping, or the sounds of moving around in the chimney, or a foul smell call a certified chimney professional to inspect the chimney flue. A technician can safely remove the animals and check for any nesting material or structural damage it left behind. Sometimes an animal can die inside the chimney. Typical first signs can be a strong odor, trouble venting smoke, seeing flesh flies or maggots. Any situation, you will want to call Superior Chimney at 877-244-6349 for help. You may want to consider a tightly fitted stainless steel chimney cap with mesh sides is the best long term solution. It keeps wildlife out while still allowing smoke and gases to escape freely. What are Common Chimney Repairs Your chimney stands tall and is exposed to the weather all year long. In winter, snow builds up on the chimney crown and rain always finds its way into small crack in the chimney masonry. Anytime you have spalling or cracked bricks with or without missing or deteriorating mortar, you have a problem brewing with the chimney structure. When water from rain or snow freezes, it expands and widens the cracks. This process is known as the freeze and thaw cycle. Water that enters the chimney can mix with creosote. That’s what creates a musty, smoky smell. A persistent odor from your fireplace is often an early sign that moisture is getting inside, so prompt repairs help protect your home. Don’t Forget the Chimney Flashing Metal step flashing seals the joint where your chimney meets the roof. Over time, it can loosen, rust, or pull away from the chimney. Have a certified chimney professional inspect the flashing each year to confirm it remains watertight. Adding a waterproofing sealant to the masonry and a crown repair when needed gives your chimney lasting protection through the wettest months. The Chimney from Bottom to Top Each year when your chimney inspection is performed, the certified chimney technician will automatically check the firebox all the way up to the damper and out to the exterior chimney itself. The chimney technician will be looking for cracked or missing firebricks, gaps in the mortar joints, and loose pieces within the chimney walls especially if you do not have a chimney liner. The chimney technician is searching for hairline cracks, damaged bricks, ineffective damper, damaged or missing chimney cap to name a few on the 14-point inspection. Because it is difficult for a homeowner to inspect on top of the roof or inside of the chimney as well as know exactly what to look for, it is best to have a trained, certified technician to do it for you. The technician will show you and the office staff will email you pictures so you have an understanding of what the technician has found. Keep Fire Safety Essentials Nearby A few simple tools make a fire experience safer for family, pets and guests. Keep a sturdy metal fireplace screen in front of the opening to catch sparks and embers. Place a fire extinguisher rated for household use in a safe, dry space. If you can have it near the fireplace, even better. Be sure to talk to family members or anyone else living in your home so they know where it is. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly throughout the heating season. Keep rugs, furniture, holiday decorations including Santa stockings at least three feet from the fireplace. This space gives you plenty of room to ensure the fire stays in the fireplace. When it is time to clean out the ashes, wait until they have cooled down… at least until the next morning. Shovel them into a metal container with a tight lid and keep it outside away from your home. Preparing a Gas Fireplace for Winter Gas fireplaces need attention before starting it up too. Have a certified chimney technician check the burner, pilot assembly, gas connections, and venting system before you turn it on for the season. The chimney technician will continue to conduct a thorough cleaning and inspection from bottom to top according to the 14-point inspection. As a homeowner, clean the protective glass front that’s attached or separate from the fireplace only once the unit is cool. Look for any soot buildup, which can be an indication that a burner or vent is experiencing a problem. Frequently Asked Questions How often should a chimney be inspected? CSIA (the Chimney Safety Institute of America), NCSG (the National Chimney Sweep Guild), NFPA (the National Fire Protection Association) and IRC (International Residential Code) all specify a chimney inspection at least once a year. Cleaning is then scheduled based on how much buildup the technician finds. Why does my fireplace smell bad in winter? A strong odor can point to creosote mixed with moisture, a downdraft caused by the stack effect, or an animal in the chimney flue. A certified inspection can pinpoint the cause quickly. Should I close the damper when the fireplace is off or cooled? Yes, once the fire is completely out and the ashes are cool. A closed damper keeps warm air inside and cold air outside. What is the best time of year to have my chimney cleaning? Right now! Scheduling before the first cold snap gives you more appointment options and time for any repairs. Do I need a chimney cap? A chimney cap is critical to the function of your chimney. It keeps out rain, snow, debris and animals while allowing smoke to go up and out of your home properly. Every chimney needs a chimney cap for the same reasons every home needs a roof! Get Your Fireplace Winter-Ready With Superior Chimney A well maintained fireplace is one of the coziest parts of winter. With a yearly inspection, clear vents, a sturdy chimney cap, and sound masonry, you can enjoy every fire without unnecessary worry. Now that you know how to prepare your fireplace and chimney for winter, contact Superior Chimney today to schedule your inspection and sweeping, and enjoy a warm and comfortable season by the fire.

The Porcelanosa "Nara" wall tile continuous pattern continues directly into the recessed shampoo niche which aligns with the chrome wall controls. Photo: Jamie Snavley

Custom leaded glass panel for bedroom window Glass: plain clear glass and beveled diamonds Lead: 3/16" rounded Size: 1 @ ~18" x 24" x 1/4" thick *This product was commissioned and made-to-order. If you're interested in this design, let's chat! We can recreate it for you to your specified dimensions, or we can discuss any design changes you'd like, as well as additional options for materials (glass texture, color, lead size, etc.). Reach out to hello@legacyglass.com to get started!

KuDa Photography
Large minimalist wooden u-shaped staircase photo with metal risers

Inspiration for a mid-sized 1960s master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile and white floor corner shower remodel in Providence with a two-piece toilet, gray walls, a pedestal sink and a hinged shower door

Corbin Henry
Example of a tuscan family room design in Sacramento