Chimney Sweep Wisdom

When wood burns in a fireplace, smoke rises to the relatively cooler section of the chimney where it condenses and becomes a substance known as creosote. As creosote builds up, the chance of a chimney fire increases. A full-blown fire can destroy the chimney and parts or all of the home; in the worst-case scenario, […]

If you love your fireplace, no need to be sad when you close it up for spring and summer. With a wood-burning fire pit, you can enjoy outdoor fires year-around. For cool summer nights, a wood fire can make your backyard feel like a carefree getaway. Just don’t be too carefree, since safety precautions are […]

Every fire-safety agency in America recommends annual chimney inspections and cleanings, particularly for homes with wood-burning fireplaces. Perhaps you’ve gone a little (or a lot) longer than a year. Or maybe you’ve recently moved into a new home with a fireplace whose history you don’t know. In either case, once a year is the right […]

Many homeowners are waterproofing their chimney to prevent water leaks. Water is the chimney’s worst enemy. While bricks are manufactured with a hard-outer shell, cracks eventually develop due to weather and normal wear and tear. These small cracks create channels that lead moisture inside the chimney resulting in water leaks. Prevent Carbon Monoxide Leaks But […]

After the confinement of winter, a good spring cleaning is perfect to make your home feel clean and fresh. If you’ve made good use of your wood-burning fireplace, your chimney is the dirtiest place in the house. Your home may not feel or smell clean without a good chimney cleaning. Tackling dirty blinds should be […]

A leaky chimney can be confusing. Where’s the leak coming from? Why is it happening? Has significant damage been done? What is required to fix the problem? If you’ve ever had a chimney leak, you’ve probably asked yourself these questions. The problem with leaky chimneys is that many areas within the structure as well as […]

As winter is winding down, it’s time to begin preparations for the annual fireplace spring cleaning. As many parts of the country experienced extremely cold weather, the fireplace has been working overtime keeping homes warm and cozy. But every time that beautiful flame is ignited, there is a hidden danger growing in the chimney. It’s […]

Gas burns much cleaner than wood, which begs the question: Are maintenance needs the same for gas and wood-burning chimneys? There are several differences in the effects on chimneys of gas versus wood burners. For instance, wood fires cause creosote deposits in the chimney flue, resulting in the need to have the chimney cleaned more frequently. Annual inspections, however, are recommended for chimneys of both gas […]

A fireplace from which smoke backs up into the house needs to be professionally inspected right away.  If you’re having drafting problems, it means something isn’t working the way it should, and only a certified chimney services technician can diagnose the cause of the problem and undertake the necessary repair or component-replacement work. Often drafting issues involve the smoke chamber. What is a smoke chamber? The smoke chamber is located […]

Even the most well-built chimneys will need maintenance and repairs from time to time. Winter weather conditions like rain, hail, snow and ice can accelerate the normal wear and tear. And with cold and ice outside, and fire and high temperatures inside the flue, chimney repairs are all but inevitable. Fortunately, most chimney problems can […]