Our Chimney Sweep Blog

Chimney Health Hazards: Things You Should Know Our chimneys, in conjunction with the fireplaces they support, help to provide us with much warmth during the colder months. They can, however, have various adverse effects on our health. Of course, one shouldn’t live in fear of this, though it is wise to have a working knowledge Read more

Regular maintenance on your masonry chimney will keep it looking great for years. In reality, though, regular maintenance falls through the cracks while you juggle work, life and family. Sometimes, even the most proactive homeowners will be surprised by damage left by previous owners. So while in a perfect world, repointing would be the only Read more

Five Reasons for Chimney Leaks and What to Do About Them Causes of leaking chimneys can usually be narrowed down to five reasons. If your problem isn’t solved from addressing the items on this list, your leak probably isn’t from the chimney! #1 The Simplest Cause of Chimney Leaking: Rain Going Straight In from the Read more

Understanding chimney draft problems is not necessary for most people. Usually, if you notice smoke not rising from your chimney, you can call on a professional to fix the issues. This information is for those who really like to understand; it may be too much information for many people. I’ll do my best to keep Read more

Asking what’s the best way to waterproof a chimney or what are the best waterproofing products are both understandable enough questions, but they’re also too broad for a simple answer. Best way to waterproof what kind of chimney? Are we waterproofing a vertical wall or the breast of the brickwork? There are brick, concrete block, Read more

Although you probably rarely if ever see your chimney damper (or fireplace damper), much of your enjoyment of your fireplace and hearth area is made possible by this important component. Typically set just above the firebox, but sometimes at the top of the chimney, dampers are simple assemblies that include moveable plates, clamps and a Read more

Like a washing machine that overflows, many home appliances provide obvious evidence that repair is needed, but chimneys are often inconspicuously dirty or in disrepair. Chimney and fireplace upkeep is a matter of home safety, and it is important to schedule routine chimney inspections and cleaning. Although the squeaky wheel usually gets the grease, it Read more

A house fire isn’t just something that happens to other people. It can happen to anyone. Fortunately, by engaging in safe practices with your fireplace or stove, you can dramatically reduce the odds of your home ever being subject to a devastating fire. Here are nine valuable fire-safety tips. 1. Don’t smoke while in bed Read more

Chimney flues and fireplace dampers both are related to venting and drafting a fireplace. While they engage in similar processes, flues and dampers are very different, with each having its own maintenance needs and potential damage issues. Let’s look at these two important components. Your fireplace damper Just above the firebox in your fireplace sits Read more

Our cold Maryland winters affect not only us, but they also affect our chimneys. Let’s look at some of the issues that cold weather can cause with chimneys and how to solve or prevent these chimney problems. Backdrafts Smoke backing up into your home is no fun. Less fun is what the smoke carries: deadly Read more