The ABC’s of Tuckpointing Chimney Repair
The ABC’s of tuckpointing chimney repair include chimney size, repair and materials. Have you ever browsed online, especially a website like Instagram or Facebook, and saw photos of perfect homes? It feels like you do home repairs almost every day! Those home improvement shows on HGTV make a living off of the perfect interior and […]
Chimney Repair: Fact or Fiction
Winter is coming to an end in the Chicago area, which so happens to be the best time to schedule for a chimney repair. In this blog, we will play a game of Fact or Fiction! We will ask you a question about one type of chimney inspection. Before you read on to the answer, […]
What Makes “Chimney Potholes”?
The freeze thaw cycle is an unfortunate way your chimney experiences damage in the fall, winter and spring months. Have you ever noticed the road during springtime? Even without salt, the very porous asphalt/concrete is freezing and thawing. This process causes annoying potholes & cracks. The same goes for chimneys! The material that holds masonry […]
My House Looks Like a Fireplace!
Installing a chimney smoke guard can be a crucial part of keeping your home safe during the winter. Have you ever been inside an old hut where ancient people used to live? If you have ever traveled Europe, you might’ve run across such huts called Skansen. Inside the Skansen are small fireplaces with handmade fireplaces […]
Holiday Gatherings… and Drafty Fireplaces?
This year’s Thanksgiving was filled with family gatherings, comfort food and… drafty fireplaces? There really is nothing quite like gathering around a cozy fireplace, eating food and talking to friends, but this year was a little bit different. A drafty fireplace was in the mix at our Thanksgiving dinner, sending damp and cold air into […]
Q&A: When Is the Best Time for an Exterior Chimney Repair
We’ve received many questions about exterior chimney repair over the years from concerned homeowners trying to keep up on the maintenance of their chimney. This includes damage to mortar and any structural damage not involving the flue, fireplace, and so on. Here’s some of the most interesting questions that we’ve received, and our answers to […]
A Guide to Chimney Crown Repair
How do you know if you need a chimney crown repair? It’s not like you can see the top of it from standing on the ground. Or walking the dog and notice, “Wow, that house needs a new chimney crown.” It would be great as you’d be able to stop the leaks from occurring in […]
Chimney Flashing: Protect Your Chimney from Spring Showers
Have you checked your chimney flashing this year? Or have it professionally checked by a certified chimney technician? After a humid, wet and cold winter and spring, it’s possible that your chimney flashing experienced some damage. Currently, Illinois is experiencing friendlier spring temperatures but as the saying goes: May flowers bring spring showers! Not many […]
Tuckpointing Chimney Repair: DIY or Hire a Professional
Tuckpointing chimney repairs are a time consuming and expensive project. For an average chimney, the standard time to complete tuckpointing repairs may be around 4-6 hours, at the very minimum. It can cost a decent amount of money too. Because of the time and expense, many think of turning to a do it yourself YouTube […]
Chimney Freeze-Thaw Cycle in a Mild Chicago Winter
Chimney freeze thaw cycle is a regular occurrence in Illinois, even with the mild winter we’ve been experiencing. Now with the week ahead, temperatures hovering around the 30 degree mark during the day, chance of snow multiple times and in the 20’s at night, is a perfect recipe for the chimney to have to endure […]
