Chimney Sweep Wisdom

A well-built chimney is strong and solid, and more than capable of handling extreme temperatures & keeping water out.  But even the best chimneys are prone to deterioration over time.  Once chimney damage is present, it will continue to worsen until you and your family are at risk for a serious safety hazard. Cracked masonry materials and areas where bricks are missing or crumbling all […]

Your chimney has served you so well for decades that it seems rather indestructible.  It has withstood the constant bombardment of wind, heat, rain and snow without as much as a whimper. But looks can be deceiving. And upon a closer inspection, you begin to see the signs of old age. There may be cracks along the surface, weakened joints and some of its parts may be a […]

Every year lightning strikes cause around 22,600 fires and $451 million in property damage according to the National Fire Protection Agency. Most of these strikes happen in the summer during thunderstorm season. In the U.S., there are approximately 100,000 thunderstorms a year. Of those, around 10% are severe according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Since chimneys are the highest point on many homes, […]

Your chimney isn’t being used during the summer months, so there’s nothing going on with it, right?  Wrong.  Although there are no fires burning to create smoke and heat, various things can be happening with your chimney in the off-season that you definitely need to be aware of. When professional chimney sweeps are called out […]

You may only operate your chimney for part of the year, but that doesn’t mean it can’t fall prey to trouble at other times.  Here are three things to be aware of during the spring and summer than can adversely affect your chimney. 1. Small animal infestation If your chimney isn’t fitted with a secure chimney cap, you could be opening up the […]

You’ve used your fireplace and chimney all winter, and they’ve performed well.  Now it’s the off-season, and it’s time for you, the homeowner, to take a close look at your home heating appliance and make sure any needed repairs or maintenance are performed before another long winter. Where your chimney is concerned, here are four common areas professional chimney sweeps often find that need attention. […]

Chimneys are built to last a long time, even with the ravages of outside weather and the intense heat they endure year after year.  But no chimney will last forever – and some chimneys won’t last long at all if they fall prey to structural damage. Many things can lead to chimney damage, but the […]

While all of our chimney technicians love learning about the newest trends in chimney maintenance and safety, we know that many homeowners are looking for answer to simple questions about their chimney. We’ve made a list of the most common questions we hear and their answers to help you. 1) How can I tell if […]

A chimney crown plays an important role in preventing water damage to your home. This concrete slab or metal plate that sits on top of the highest bricks on the chimney stops water from seeping in between the mortar joints in the masonry. It also hangs over the edge of the chimney so that water will run onto the roof instead of […]

Do you use your fireplace as a main heating source for your home, or do you rely on it just for supplemental heating?  In either case, your home’s overall energy efficiency will be determined to a large degree by the efficiency of your chimney.  A clean chimney that is operating optimally is efficient.  A chimney in any other condition is not.  Here are three points homeowners need to know. […]