Blog
Choosing the Proper Firewood For Your Fireplace
Selecting the right wood to burn in your home is important to your overall chimney health. Subtle changes like the woods moisture, how it was stored and more can impact your chimney and also your indoor air quality. To keep these both in check, we recommend using seasoned, dry, locally sourced wood. Check out our […] Read more
How to Tell if You Need a New Chimney
Regularly cleaning and maintaining your chimney and making timely repairs will prolong its useful life. However, environmental conditions, age, and normal wear and tear can cause the chimney to deteriorate – even if you are no longer using the fireplace or heating stove. Its deterioration can further escalate when routine chimney inspections, maintenance, or professional […] Read more
A Guide to Smoke Chamber Issues
Between your fireplace and chimney flue is an area called the smoke chamber. Its purpose is to smoothly channel smoke, gases and hot air from the firebox to the flue. Issues with the smoke chamber often go unnoticed, because it’s located in a place that’s hard to get to and impossible to see. Corbelled smoke […] Read more
Don’t Trust Home Safety to Just Any Chimney Sweep
The chimney is designed to protect your home and family when using the fireplace. However, it can eventually become a fire and safety hazard without proper chimney maintenance and care. When hiring a chimney sweep, there is a big difference between someone who says they can sweep chimneys and someone who is a Certified Chimney […] Read more
Facts About Chimney Cracks
The chimney is an impressive structure built to withstand the high temperatures of a roaring fire in the fireplace. It also takes the brunt of Mother Nature all year long, combatting wind, ice, storms, and humid summer conditions. As a result, the chimney will need maintenance and repair from time to time. The appearance of […] Read more
How To Stay Ahead Of Your Fireplace And Chimney Maintenance
While you’re sitting back and warming up to the glow of a burning fire in the fireplace, ash, soot, and other debris is collecting in the chimney. While cleaning is not a chore that everyone likes to do, keeping the fireplace clean in between professional cleanings can minimize health and safety risks. It can also […] Read more
Can a Cold & Rainy Winter Damage My Chimney?
Weather that’s cold and rainy definitely can get the ball rolling toward chimney damage. Also, that kind of weather can significantly worsen any damage that already exists. Water and masonry don’t mix well. As solid as the surface of a chimney is, water will eventually erode it. Rain and melting snow can get into cracks […] Read more
Know Your Chimney System
Just to look at it, you wouldn’t think a chimney is all that complicated. It’s just a brick-housed channel for smoke to go up, right? Well, partially right. The fact is, a chimney system contains many parts and components that must work properly to prevent water and other types of damage including fires. Here are […] Read more
What Do Inspectors Find During Routine Chimney Inspections?
The ideal chimney inspection turns up no problems, and the chimney inspector gives it a complete bill of health. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Many things can happen to a chimney over time, especially one that’s used regularly. Here are some chimney issues inspectors often uncover during routine chimney inspections. Leaky chimney Chimney leaks […] Read more
Repair Your Chimney for Winter Warmth & Safety
As southern New Hampshire gets ready for another unpredictable winter with its ice storms and blizzards and sub-zero weather, the fall is a good time to make sure your chimney is ready to perform predictably to get you through the season safely. Here’s a checklist of “must-do’s” for your chimney and fireplace this fall. Visually […] Read more