What Animals Live in a Chimney and How to Keep them Out!
Animals living in a chimney is a very common occurrence in Chicagoland. Animals, like humans, love warm, dark and quiet places to settle down and make their nests in. Chimneys are often times the perfect home! So, how do you know if there is an unwanted critter nesting inside your chimney? Let’s say it’s all […]
Chimney Cap: 4 Top Reasons to Put a Lid on It!
In Illinois, a chimney cap is an essential part of every chimney. You may notice that most chimneys have a chimney cap. A chimney cap is a small, metal cap located directly on top of the exit hole, often to a point or a flat top and a short, sealed, mesh gate attached protecting the […]
The Chimney Pot is Not What You Think…
A chimney pot has become popular in recent years. They provide a decorative top to the chimney finishing the look and feel of a detailed house. Most times, chimneys are finished with a metal tube that can keep out water, debris, snow, animals and other items that can easily make its way into the home. […]
What are the Causes of a Blocked Chimney
A blocked chimney in Illinois can happen to any household whether they have a fireplace or not. So those of you that say that this doesn’t pertain to me…well, it does. A blocked chimney pertains to everyone who has a chimney in their home, which is just about everyone that has a water heater and […]
Clean and Check the Chimney. You Never Know What You May Find
Clean and check the chimney is a common spring-cleaning item on many homeowners’ list. Spring cleaning the chimney can take on different meanings. Sometimes it means repairing the chimney like tuckpointing. Other times it may mean checking and getting rid of critters and debris left over from the Fall and Winter seasons. However, sometimes, a […]
Cold Air Can Create a Chilly Fireplace Draft
A fireplace cold draft is a common problem for many homeowners. There are many reasons for a fireplace cold draft to occur, but what we know for certain is how the cold draft makes you feel. Uncomfortable. Let’s find out a bit more about some causes of fireplace cold drafts and what may be to […]
The Forgotten Hero: Chimney Cap
Does anyone really think about the hard-working chimney cap that sits silently on the uppermost point of the house? Of course not. It just sits there keeping watch ensuring the inside of your chimney stays dry and empty. What is a Chimney Cap? The chimney cap is a piece of steel that looks like a […]
Climbing to Reach the Chimney in Spring
Although a jacket is still needed, it’s nice to be able to go for a walk and enjoy some sun and fresh air. As I take advantage of the ‘no rain’ days, I always like to look at the homes I pass to check out what types of upkeep homeowners are choosing to perform this […]
Why Does the Fireplace Let Cold Air into the Home?
Whenever we think of a cold winter’s day, our minds drift to a warm fireplace. There’s nothing like sitting in an oversized chair with my favorite ‘drink’ while I close my eyes to enjoy the warmth and crackling sound of the fire. The fireplace can certainly serve as a place of solace and relaxation. Clearly, […]
Are There Ghosts in My Chimney?
As the children walked home from a fruitful night of trick or treating, they looked up at the sky to admire the full moon on Halloween night. It’s large size and red-tint color brightened up the cloudless sky. The night sky seemed to place the children in a trance as their hands slowly, almost in […]