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Chimneys tend to be one of the most overlooked aspects of home maintenance. There are a number of components inside a chimney system that can have issues, making it too important to be ignored. The liner of a chimney is a necessary for a safe and efficient fireplace. Fire safety experts stress that a fireplace or wood stove should not be used until a damaged chimney […] Read more

The bright, mesmerizing flames and crackling wood in the fireplace make us feel warm and comfortable on those cold, dreary days. But behind those picturesque flames are several unwanted contaminants including smoke, soot, and creosote. While much of the fumes vent through the chimney, some of it clings to the liner and walls inside the flue. Regularly cleaning the chimney is necessary to increase fireplace efficiency and […] Read more

It’s natural to check your homeowner’s insurance coverage when expensive chimney repairs are needed, to see whether chimney damage is covered in the policy. Typically, chimneys aren’t specifically dealt with as part of a homeowner’s policy. Instead, policies describe applicable damages to the entire house, including but not limited to the chimney. A general way […] Read more

Relaxing by a warm fire is one of winter’s great pleasures; but even when a fireplace is operating just as it should, there could be an undetected chimney leak. Moisture gets into chimney systems in various ways, causing damage to the chimney structure and also possibly in a home’s interior. Water stains on walls and ceilings near the chimney are usually caused by a chimney leak. […] Read more

Many homeowners underestimate the importance of chimney flashing. The chimney is a masonry structure built from the home’s foundation that extends above the roof line. Since moisture is the number cause of premature chimney deterioration, its performance and structural integrity require it to remain water-tight. What is Chimney Flashing? The chimney flashing is a thin metal sheet that securely fastens around the seams of the chimney with […] Read more

If you look through glass doors to see the flames in your fireplace or wood stove, you likely have an efficient appliance that helps you cut heating costs. It’s nice that you don’t have to give up the pleasure of watching mesmerizing flames for the sake of efficiency. When the glass is blackened, however, the view has been spoiled by a buildup of soot. The black glass […] Read more

If wallpaper near your chimney is damaged or you’ve noticed rust on your fireplace’s glass doors, you may be wondering if there is water in your chimney. The answer is yes, likely so. These are two of several ways chimney moisture damage becomes evident. Unfortunately, signs of water in a chimney are rarely immediate. Moisture […] Read more

Only two procedures are typically required to keep your fireplace and wood stove clean after use during winter. The first is ash removal. This is important because once there’s too much ash, the fire can’t get needed air. The second is cleaning the glass doors, though it is usually required less often. Follow directions applicable […] Read more

Lighting a fire is as primitive as cavemen, and yet it is often difficult for those with no experience. Enjoying your fireplace is pretty tough when you can’t even get a fire going without filling your home with smoke or getting stressed out from the frustration of trying to ignite logs. One of the most […] Read more

You may be raring to sit by a cozy fire in your fireplace, but don’t do anything rash. If the fireplace and chimney haven’t been checked by a chimney professional since last winter, your home could become part of a terrible statistic. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 51,050 home fires involving heating equipment occurred annually in the U.S. between 2012 and 2016, […] Read more