Our Chimney Sweep Blog

Many people enjoy relaxing in front of a fire, but are unwilling to put in the time and energy necessary to properly and safely maintain a traditional fireplace. Luckily for the casual fireplace enthusiast, gas fireplace installation is a relatively easy process, allowing you to enjoy some quality time in front of the fire without Read more

About Chimney relining: Types of Chimney Liners No matter what sort of chimney lining you have, in time it will need to be maintained or relined. Understanding the three major types of chimney liners will help you discuss with a trusted professional the best way to line your chimney and keep your home safe and Read more

An annual chimney inspection is important to ensure proper safety. While these inspections will highlight your biggest problems areas, damage and fire hazards can show up throughout the year. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on these important problem areas throughout the year. If any signs of damage appear, contact your chimney professional Read more

Wood Burning Inserts for your Fireplace Few things are as satisfying as cozying up to a fireplace on a cold day. Unfortunately, fireplaces aren’t meant to run unsupervised, and cannot effectively heat your entire house. Luckily, there are ways to turn your fireplace into super efficient heating: wood burning fireplace inserts. These inserts are designed Read more

If you’ve never thought to clean the roof of your home, you’re not alone. With the endless amount of cleaning that needs tending to inside and around the home, many people never stop to think about their roof. This could be an expensive oversight. A variety of algae, known as Gloeocapsa magma, is spreading through Read more

Do I Need A Heat Shield? Wood stoves require heat shields both under and behind them to protect your home from heat damage. While many wood stoves include heat shields in their design, some do not. Refer to your wood stove to determine if external heat shields are necessary. Installing these heat shields as instructed Read more

Ever wonder about the overall efficiency of a wood burning stove as opposed to a gas stove? There are many differences between the two types of stoves but understanding the distinction in combustion and heating efficiency is the most helpful towards making a decision as to which stove is beneficial for you and your family’s Read more

Let’s start with a few definitions. Appliances include fireplaces, woodstoves, furnaces, boilers, pellet stoves, hot water heaters, etc. They’re all individual appliances. A chimney is a structure that has one or more flues in it. A flue is simply the chimney passageway that vents the fumes from whatever is attached to it. (A flue is Read more

What is a Freestanding Woodstove? A pretty basic definition of woodstoves is that they are metal boxes made in such a way that you can have a wood fire inside so that the metal gets hot and heats the room. As basic as that definition is, there’s actually a great deal of engineering, new technology Read more

So, you’re wondering about the difference between chimney caps and chimney dampers? There’s a big difference, but as per usual the confusion is in the use of the terms. Chimney Dampers A damper is a device which slows down the flow of smoke. In the case of fireplaces, it also slows down the heated house Read more