Do you own a home over fifty years old or older and have a fireplace? Have you noticed if your chimney is corbeled? If you don’t know what that is, here is a guide to chimney corbeling and what you need to know. It’s more than just a funny-sounding term, and it should only be... Read more

When using your fireplace, it is bound to create byproducts from the wood and smoke that can build up over time in your flue. As the soot builds it becomes creosote which can be very difficult to remove and dangerous to leave in the flue. Not only can creosote create a blockage in your chimney,... Read more

Have you noticed a foul odor coming from your living room and are not sure what the cause is? It’s probably your fireplace. You may be asking, “Why does my fireplace smell bad, and how can I fix it?” In some cases, you can fix it yourself, in some, you can’t. Let’s investigate further.  Causes... Read more

Cold drafts are a problem many people face with their fireplace. Your fireplace is meant to provide heat for your space and draft issues can get in the way of your fireplace performing that function. Typically, draft issues are caused by a malfunction, missing, or broken chimney component or improper damper use. Let’s talk about... Read more

While there are more efficient ways to heat your home, nothing compares to the charm and nostalgia of a wood-burning fireplace. However, winter weather can take a terrible toll on your chimney, and in this post, we’ll show you how to deal with the effects of winter to keep your chimney safe and long-lasting. The... Read more

Summer is a time for relaxing, enjoying the quiet time with family and friends. Yet, it should not be the time to let your guard down. The weather has been mild. Heavy rain and snow have dissipated. Don’t let chores and maintenance around the house build up. This is the prime time to take care... Read more

Water is a chimney’s number one enemy. If you don’t stay up to date on maintenance and inspections, water damage gets out of control and can lead to brick spalling, failing mortar joints, chimney leaning, or complete collapse. This post looks at the types of damage water does to a chimney, the benefits of waterproofing,... Read more

While winter may seem like a long way off, now is an excellent time to get your fireplace and chimney ready so you have one less thing to worry about when cold weather arrives. If you have a toddler or young children, it’s essential that you make your fireplace as child and baby-proof as possible,... Read more

Back in 1736, Benjamin Franklin coined the catchy phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” to promote fire prevention. That statement rings true today and is why we encourage annual chimney inspections and cleanings to every homeowner in Princeton, NJ, and surrounding communities. In fact, fire prevention is the number one... Read more

As homeowners in Mercer County are getting ready to light the fireplace for the winter season, many are unaware of a hidden danger. It’s called creosote. Creosote is a natural substance created during the combustion of wood and other fuels. The problem with creosote is that it continues to buildup layer upon layer with every... Read more