Impact of Temperature Drop on the Chimney
The impact of temperature drop on the chimney can impact the structure and functionality of the chimney. As we have been experiencing in Chicago winters, temperatures have gone from 50 degrees down to 21 degrees during the day, with temperatures falling even further at night. What can you do as a homeowner to watch for, […]
What is the Purpose of a Chimney Cap in Winter? Does it Affect Santa’s Deliveries?
A chimney cap has a job to do. But has it ever stopped Santa Claus? According to holiday lore, nothing can stop Santa’s deliveries at holiday time. He simply uses a little Christmas magic to slip past the chimney cap. But what if the chimney cap is tight and secure (which it’s supposed to be…) […]
3 Ways to Keep the Cold Air from Coming in from the Chimney
Welcome to September where you’re not sure if you should wear a jacket or a pair of shorts. The seasons are beginning to transition and the warm Fall breeze will soon lose its strength and submit to cooler weather. Simply take sitting on the couch, near the fireplace. Regardless if its wood burning or gas, […]
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 […]
Why Does My Fireplace Stink?
At the last rainfall, we had a ton of inquiries. The question everyone was asking, “why does my fireplace stink?” It is distracting when you’re sitting in your common area and you can’t enjoy what you are doing due to the smell. Sometimes it comes in whiffs and other times it is a constant bad […]
How to Prevent and Repair Water Damage on the Chimney
Homeowners don’t think regularly about chimneys, and why would you. It’s high up on the house, it never complains and its always there when you need it. As we know everything ages with time, and so does the chimney… especially when water is around. Let’s take a look at what water damage on the structure […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]