To a nearby critter, climbing up your chimney is no different than climbing a tree.  Without a chimney cap and mesh screen to keep them out, small animals like birds, raccoons, squirrels, and even pests will crawl inside the flue. When one small animal moves into your chimney, it often attracts other visitors. It doesn’t take... Read more

When choosing a chimney sweep, it’s not always wise to choose solely on price. Often, the lowest price isn’t always the best or safest option. Some inexperienced persons lack the training, experience, and certification of a certified chimney sweep. They may also be operating without insurance or a license. Do you want an inexperienced contractor... Read more

New Jersey winters cause chimney damage across the state. During springtime, it’s important to take a look at your chimney exterior. Contact chimney professionals for masonry repair services if you see any cracked bricks, crumbling mortar, or other signs of masonry damage. Chimney masonry repair services may be needed, and spring is the best season... Read more

When lighting the fireplace to keep your family warm, you expect heating costs to go down. After all, a gas or wood-burning fireplace doesn’t use any electricity. However, some homeowners are finding that heating costs are rising as fast as the smoke going up the chimney. There are several plausible reasons that your chimney could... Read more

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that homeowners using liquid and fossil fuel heating appliances clean their chimney at least once per year. Unfortunately, not all homeowners take the advice seriously, putting them at an increased risk of a fire and exposure to carbon monoxide.  Fire Hazard Many homeowners are not aware that... Read more

Chimney masonry is highly vulnerable to moisture, and a serious problem that often results from moisture intrusion is spalling. Spalling means the surface of bricks break and pop off. By keeping up with annual chimney inspections, your chimney technician can spot warning signs and could help prevent spalling. The worst-case scenario is for spalling to... Read more

The chimney is an integral safety feature of your home. Whether you use your fireplace or heating stove a few times per year or every day during the winter, there are a few basics you need to know. Here are six chimney basics homeowners should know about their chimney. Keep Out Water Moisture is the... Read more

Annual chimney inspections ensure that the chimney is keeping your home and family safe even when you’re not using the fireplace or heating stove. However, many types of damages are difficult to spot with the naked eye, and a regular inspection may not detect all the deterioration and damage that may be developing inside the... Read more

It’s hard to believe that you can still feel a draft in your home with a blazing fire going in the fireplace. When the chimney is performing efficiently, it will draw into the fireplace the same amount of air that it expels. But when there is an imbalance, a draft will occur. There are a... Read more

You just had an annual chimney inspection, and your chimney sweep is recommending a new liner for the flue. Like other chimney components, the flue liner will eventually reach its end of life and require replacement. Here are five questions every homeowner should ask when getting a new chimney liner: Why Do I Need a... Read more