We all know what tuckpointing is all about. You can check your brick or stone home at anytime searching for missing mortar. That’s fairly easy. However, how often do you check the chimney, the highest point on your home? With the chimney braving all of the Chicago elements such as rain, high wind, hail, snow, […]
Causes & Fixes for a Chimney Leak
Chimney leaks. Every time it rains, and we’ve had plenty, Superior Chimney experiences an increase in calls about chimney leaks. One of the reasons that it is important to call us versus writing a message on Facebook is to determine if the chimney leak is coming from the chimney or from the roof. To determine […]
Plenty of Rain, High Humidity, and You’re Wondering Why the Fireplace Smells
Some homeowners might shrug-off the fireplace smells as most households have air conditioning. If you have the air conditioning on, then the fireplace won’t smell…right? Not so fast. First, glass doors are frequently found in front of the fireplace. How does the fresh air get in there? It doesn’t. Also, let’s say you have a […]
Do I Need to Waterproof the Chimney?
There are a lot of questions being asked about waterproof chimney. Many think it’s a ‘nice to have’ versus a necessity. We decided to ask the certified technicians about waterproof chimney, and here’s what they had to say. Q: Should bricks be waterproofed? I thought that bricks need to ‘breathe’? Bricks are a porous material […]
Giving Your Old Chimney New Life
As you drive around any of the suburbs or within the City of Chicago, you will quickly find many homes that were built prior to 1960. Although older homes are beautiful and exhibit characteristics of the time, it also lacks the safety codes that are standard in newer homes built after 1960. Sadly, these codes […]
Music Coming from my Chimney?
It’s always interesting to learn what’s been on everyone’s priority list. Interesting to find out that projects around the house has been the #1 task. I guess if we’re stuck inside, best to make our time useful. The #1 task for this past week? Outdoor holiday lights. Saturday’s are the day to make the round […]
Sorry Water, You’re Not Welcome Down My Chimney
This Spring and soon to be Summer season have been all about the rain. Now again, we’re getting remnants of tropical storm Cristobal (not the college football coach) merging with yet another storm. How much more of a beating can the chimney handle? We’ve talked about tuckpointing or repairing the masonry between the bricks, stone […]
Efflorescence on Your Stone or Brick Chimney
When you see a build up of efflorescence on the chimney bricks or stone, more than a small amount, here’s what Superior Chimney’s certified technicians will be looking for
Is there a Best Time for Chimney Repairs? Summer…Really? That’s What My Neighbor Said.
As I looked at today’s date, I am amazed at how fast summer is going. There’s many projects that need to be done around the house, kids have to be dropped off and picked up and let’s not forget our jobs. How can I be talking about chimney repairs and chimney cleaning now? A neighbor […]
4 Reasons Why Chimney Leaks Show Up in the Spring
Rainwater has an amazing way of identifying weak areas in and around your home. You can certainly wait until water leaks occur especially from the chimney, or you can get the water leaks identified and repaired before it causes potential damage. Here are 4 reasons why chimney leaks love Spring. No Chimney Cap. Without a […]