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 […]
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 […]
What To Do About a Chimney Leak?!
A chimney can be an obvious place where a chimney leak can occur. The chimney extends to the sky, many times as the highest point of your home. Not to mention, there’s a hole at the top that needs to be covered, and cement and bricks that are porous! It’s pretty obvious that chimney leaks […]
Wind Storms and the Chimney: With or Without Rain
Wind storms and the chimney: it’s not a pair made in paradise. The wind storms that we’ve had lately in the Chicagoland area have been challenging. Not only has debris from the trees been thick all over the grass and driveway, but has also blown off roofing materials, gutters and of course some things associated […]
