The Chimney Crown Jewel
The chimney crown is the chimney crown jewel for any system. It may be just a slab of concrete, but it serves an important purpose. Recently, standing in line at the grocery store, a couple was discussing their recent chimney inspection. The couple found that the chimney crown had multiple cracks. Some cracks were hairline […]
Stop the Stink: Humidity and the Chimney
As the Chicagoland area continues to reach hot temperatures, we’ve had some very uncomfortable humid days. Simply working in the garden or walking down the driveway to get the mail, you’ll experience drips of sweat due to the high humidity. Your chimney is going through similar experiences. Humidity can intensify unwanted smoke smells from the […]
The Chimney Cap Blew Off! What Do I Do?
As we have all experienced in the suburbs of Chicagoland, wind can cause a lot of damage with branches from trees falling on the roof and all over the yard to finding roofing shingles and flashing on the driveway and in the yard as well. As these are cause for concern, the chimney cap blowing […]
5 Reasons for Chimney Leaks this Spring
March is the time of year when we go for a rollercoaster ride with the temperatures. Some days it’s 60 degrees, and the next it drops by twenty degrees. There are two things we fight when this happens, one is the common cold and the other is the chimney leak. Both are runny and make […]
What are the Components of a Chimney?
As you may know, Superior Chimney writes a lot of articles to educate the Chicagoland area on chimneys and how to identify problems. Every once in a while, it is good to go back and review the basics. That’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to discuss what are the components of a chimney. […]
Your Fireplace Smells Like Fireworks!
Have you noticed that odor in the fireplace sometimes smells similar to the residue of fireworks? Every New Years Eve across the world, and Fourth of July in the US, fireworks explode into a concoction of bright, beautiful colors of various shapes and movements. After the celebrations, the smoke from the sky sinks into the […]
Get Your Fireplace Swept and Inspected for the Gobble Gobble
It’s that time of year, and many of you will be hosting Thanksgiving. If your house is like mine, everyone will gravitate to the room where the fireplace is located. Why? Who doesn’t want to sit by the fireplace and enjoy good conversation and a glass of your favorite beverage. Be sure to get your […]
Effects of Fall Rain and the Chimney
Do you know what ends our time of enjoying the wonderful Fall colors? Rain. The other day when it rained, it took most of those bright yellow leaves and brought them to the ground. It saddened me not only because the colors were gone, but now the leaves have to be cleaned up. And with […]
Leaves in the Chimney, Can It Be Dangerous?
I just came inside from blowing leaves off of the lawn. It was crazy how I had to pick leaves out of the bushes, stuck inside the fence, sitting on the window sill and out of the filled gutters. Even if you have gutter guards, the leaves are still stuck on top of the guards […]
A Beginning Season Fireplace Guide for Your Fireplace and Chimney
We’re heading in that time of year where homeowners are opting for hot chocolate over an iced tea. The sound of a crackling fireplace becomes more and more desirable as the cool nights settle in. Nothing is better than the sound of a warm, cozy fireplace. As you want to get the fireplace started, you’ll […]