Winter is on the way; is your fireplace ready for the burn season? Typically, January and February are the coldest months of the season. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Atlantic Corridor, including Maryland, is expected to be wetter than usual. Here’s what you need to know to prep your fireplace for the upcoming burn […]

Bees are most active in the warmer spring and summer months, and it is not uncommon for bees to build their hives inside the chimney. These tiny creatures can squeeze through small openings like the weep hole, masonry cracks, or chimney cap, for example. Once inside, you may hear them buzzing around as they get to work building their beehives. […]

Something is just ahead besides changing leaves and cooler air and it’s the fall rush that chimney sweeps experience every year. Scheduling chimney sweeping early is recommended because nothing beats a glowing fire in the fireplace when the first real cold snap arrives. Qualified, trusted chimney sweeps like the pros at Complete Chimneys LLC typically get booked up pretty solid […]

Many homeowners are used to routine maintenance for most parts of the home, but the chimney is often neglected. The biggest reason is that they don’t think it’s necessary since everything appears to be working fine.  However, that can be a dangerous and costly mistake. Without routine maintenance, including annual chimney inspections and cleanings, there may be a dangerous level of debris and […]

Shopping online may be a favorite American pastime, but local shopping absolutely makes the most sense when buying a new hearth product. Taking advantage of an online hearth deal that appears to save money often, in the end, causes nothing but regret. There are distinct and important advantages to buying a fireplace or heating stove from a local showroom instead […]

Many homeowners often ask when they need to call a chimney sweep. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends annual cleanings and inspections. However, if you are burning wood in the fireplace more frequently, you will need additional chimney cleanings. If it’s been more than a year since your last chimney cleaning or you notice any one or more of the […]

If you are having a new masonry chimney built to go along with a masonry fireplace, there are some things you may want to know before the building process begins. It’s good to take time and consider essential aspects of your investment so that you can make confident, informed decisions. The more you know about chimneys, the better equipped you […]

While the fireplace is keeping your family warm during a chilly winter, the chimney is battling howling winds, rain, sleet, and snow. The cumulative precipitation throughout the season can be damaging to masonry chimneys. The Freeze-Thaw Cycle When the chimney was built, the layer of bricks had a hard-outer shell to protect it from moisture intrusion. However, several years of […]

Maryland has many homes a century old or older, virtually all of which were originally built with no chimney liner. Thanks to the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), chimney liners have been mandated safety features since the 1940s. Many homeowners are unfamiliar with chimney liners, however, and question whether they need one at all or […]

Humans have been burning wood for heating and cooking for more than one million years. Today, over two billion people use wood heating as their primary source of heat. Wood is a sustainable and renewable energy source powering 6% of global energy needs. The Facts About Wood Energy A report by The University of Georgia […]