Chimney Sweep Wisdom

A beautiful and operational fireplace tops the list of many home buyers today and for good reason. Not only does it save on heating costs in the winter, it is a central focal point that connects the living space with the home. And whether you are remodeling an older home or renovating a fixer upper, […]

You may have heard about how very cold air temperatures can cause damage to the masonry of a chimney.  Actually, it’s not the temperature as much as the way water from rain and melting snow reacts in freezing weather.  Here’s what we mean. The freeze-thaw cycle Bricks are porous and absorb water.  Water also can seep into small cracks in a chimney’s mortar that were caused […]

Your fireplace is a source of heat during the colder months, so you definitely want to get the most out of it in those seasons. A fireplace also can be a source of cold air coming into your home in the winter and warm air coming into your home in the summer, so you definitely […]

When you are buying firewood for your fireplace or stove, you may have come across the term “cord” on the price tag. It’s a term used when buying wood in bundles, but do you really know how much firewood you are getting in a cord? It can be very confusing especially when a cord of wood means different things to different retailers. What type […]

The last thing anyone wants to see scurry across their floor is a wild mouse or rat. Other rodents like squirrels and chipmunks can be just as unpleasant and destructive if they get inside your home. Along with chewing up furniture and walls, rodents can bring other pests with them like lice and diseases. One […]

When the weather turns cold, pillows of smoke billowing from the chimney tops can be seen as homeowners enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire. And while many homeowners know to open the damper when they start the fire. Many don’t know how to use the fireplace damper to control the fire. Fireplace damper position […]

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, there are three things you need to know about creosote: what it is, how it can damage your chimney and how to remove it. What is creosote? Creosote is a substance that gets on the inner walls of your chimney during a fire. Cooling smoke within the chimney causes […]

Cozy fires are enjoyed in Connecticut as early as October every year, and it’s important to schedule chimney maintenance so that your fireplace is ready for that first cold snap. Trusted chimney sweep companies are busiest when wintry weather has already arrived. You will be much more likely to schedule a time for chimney maintenance that is convenient to you, if you get a jump on the […]

The answer to that question is yes and no.  A professional home inspector, like those called in prior to the sale of a home, will look at the fireplace and chimney, checking for obvious signs of problems such as the chimney falling apart, holes in the side of the firebox, and gas leaks in a gas fueled fireplace.  These are all good things to […]

According to virtually every fire-safety agency in the United States, chimneys connected to wood-burning fireplaces need to be professionally cleaned on an annual basis.  This work is necessary to keep the system safe as well as to ensure efficient operation.  But you probably already know all that.  What you may not know is that August is the ideal month to have your chimney cleaned and inspected. By having […]