Checking for Chimney Leaks
“Why are we talking about chimney leaks when it has been so dry?” “No need to worry about water leaks from the chimney, all looks good in the house so far.” These are two statements that have been going through everyone’s minds. No rain, no problems, so therefore there must be no issues! Is it […]
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 […]
Keep the Heat in Your Home – A Fireplace Heat Shield Retains 20% More Heat
As prices of just about everything keep going up, it’s always a good to find something that can help you save. We’re going to focus on a fireplace heat shield, which takes the heat generated from your fireplace and reflects the heat to go into your home instead of up and out of the home. […]
Chimney Crown and Chimney Cap Need to be Ready for What Comes Next
As bad rains continue throughout the Chicagoland area, we are always wondering what is going to flood next. We think about our basement (if you have one) and what may be affected by the seeping water. We constantly check that and other points in our home that we can readily see. But what about the […]
Tuckpointing Bricks on the Chimney
We are coming to an end of summer. This is when our weather begins to change and our focus turns to a nice fire in the fireplace. Did you know that most tuckpointing repairs are done during warm weather? Meaning spring, summer and fall. This is important as the mortar needs to fully dry and […]
How Do Leaks Start in a Chimney?
When you take a look at this picture, you can clearly see that mortar fell out from in between the bricks and additional cracks and loose mortar are next to the empty spot. This is an open invitation for water to continue to break down the mortar and water to make its way into the […]
Can You Keep Your Fireplace Closed This Summer?
You may have heard from friends or family about keeping your fireplace open during the summer, so long as you have a chimney cap to keep the debris and animals out. Keeping the fireplace open all summer is known as “airing out” the fireplace. It makes sense, keep the stale air out and let fresh […]
What’s “Bugging” You This Summer?
Let’s face it, chimney tuckpointing isn’t at the top of your mind this summer. Spring cleaning is over, it’s time for a vacation. Maybe spending time at Lake Michigan or the pool took over your to-do list! But, have you noticed some familiar critters falling from the trees (and into your pool…) all over the […]
Can You Pass the Chimney Inspection This Year?
It’s summertime in the Chicagoland area! The birds are out, making nests in chimneys, rain soaking into the bricks, heat and humidity wearing away slowly on the outside of your chimney. As the sun beats down on the chimney cap, you might notice some small bits of rust tucked away underneath the cap’s edges and […]
What Type of Chimney Do You Have?
Stone or brick masonry, gas or wood burning…There are many types of chimneys out there! Are you wondering what type of chimney you have in your home? Knowing the type of chimney you have is important for proper maintenance. In this article, we will discuss the different types of chimneys, their characteristics, and how to […]