The Champs of Chimney Chases: The Chase Cover!
Why do I need a chase cover for my fireplace? Chase covers keep out rain and pests. Chase covers are used on factory built fireplaces.
Read articleProtect Your Chimney with Total Water Protection
Summer is the perfect time for family vacations, barbecues and bouts of severe weather. Yes, that’s right – the onslaught of heavy rainfall during a severe thunderstorm can make it impossible for us to ignore all the leaky spots in our home. These storms threaten lives and cause billions of dollars in damage. The average…
Read articleApartment Dryer Vent Cleaning
The main cause of dryer vent fires is the negligence of getting them cleaned. When was the last time you had your apartment building's dryer vent cleaned? Not only is it important to clean the lint filter on the clothes dryer between each load, but it is also important to get the dryer vent duct cleaned annually.
Read articleWhen should I have a Chimney Inspector look at my Fireplace?
One of the common questions we get is in the title of the blog today: When should I have a Chimney Inspector look at my Fireplace? So here goes: When you are buying or selling a home you should definitely have the chimney inspected by a Qualified Chimney Professional When you are buying or selling you should have a Level 2 inspection completed.
Read articleEnjoy the Fire. Burn Wood.
Enjoy the Fire. Burn wood. So when you light up your next outside fire pit for the family to enjoy, remember to pass it along. Pass along the survival skills, Pass along the fire starting skills. Spend time with your son and daughter. Make time for what really matters. Show them you care about them, and build a stronger nation all by simply enjoying the fire.
Read article3 Steps to Prepare a Santa-Clause-Friendly Chimney This Year
3 Steps to Prepare a Santa-Clause-Friendly Chimney This Year; sweep and inspect the wood burning fireplace every year; burn dry seasoned wood
Read articleThe Best Thing about Firewood…and Fall
What is the relative value of different kinds of Firewood? No blog about firewood would be complete without some practical reference to BTUs! Firewood is any combustible flora or plant matter that is convenient and useful to burn in a fireplace or wood stove for heating purposes. In the American novel of the westward expansion of the mid to late 1800's by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prarie, we read about the Long Winter. During this prolonged cold season there became a shortage of firewood. Due to the nature of the Mid West, straw was available and used for fuel to create heat in the little clapboard structure the family lived in. Evenings were spent twisting straw and braiding it into thin cords that would be fed into the wood stove. Thankfully, due to modern technology, all EPA Phase II stoves burn cord wood with around 60%-80% efficiency. It makes me wish I could transport one of these efficient wood stoves back into Laura Ingalls Wilder's little house during the long winter and help her family stay warm!
Read article9 Signs of Chimney Fire and Why they Ignite
9 Signs that a Professional Chimney Sweep looks for to Identify if a Chimney Fire has Occurred: “Puffy” or “honey combed” creosote Warped metal of the damper, metal smoke chamber connector pipe or factory-built metal chimney Cracked or collapsed flue tiles, or tiles with large chunks missing Discolored and/or distorted rain cap Heat-damaged TV antenna attached to the chimney Creosote flakes and pieces found on the roof or ground Roofing material damaged from hot creosote Cracks in exterior masonry Evidence of smoke escaping through mortar joints of masonry or tile liners
Read article3 Lessons Learned from a Lucky Chimney Sweep
A client last week asked one of our Midtown Chimney Sweeps franchisees for a few bristles cut from his chimney sweep brush. The sooty bristles are a symbol of good luck. There is a rich tradition of good fortune intrinsically tied to our careers of soot removal. We reviewed the 1964 film “Mary Poppins” with all-star cast favorites Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews. We gleaned three things to share with you. If you find these helpful, please share this post! Did you know that it's good luck to see a chimney sweep on your wedding day, shake his hand or be kissed by him? 3 Lessons Learned from a Lucky Chimney Sweep.
Read article3 Tips for New Home Owners with a Fireplace
Over 50% of all homes in the USA have fireplaces. Chances are, when you buy a home, the fireplace plays a part in the decision of which home you buy. Statistics say that 58% of hearth owners consider their fireplace, wood or pellet stove or insert to be a major design feature in their home. Now that you have a fireplace of your own, learn 3 tips for new home owners with a fireplace, and get a start on the chimney inspection process! 3 Tips for New Home owners with a fireplace
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