Building a new home can feel like stepping into quicksand and you get in deeper practically every time you take a breath. This feeling of being overwhelmed is, no doubt, why so many houses everywhere are built with a builder-grade fireplace. It’s one less decision to make and it helps to cut costs. Unfortunately, a […]

The chimney may appear to be a simple structure, but it is comprised of several components that are designed to work in unison. Together, these parts of the chimney contain the heat and vent the smoke and fumes while you sit back and enjoy the warmth of a wood-burning fireplace. We’ll help you to get […]

A wood stove can be a reliable and affordable source of home heating. Like any other type of heating appliance, it will eventually need replacement. If you have been keeping up with annual cleaning, routine maintenance, and making necessary repairs along the way, you have been able to prolong its useful life. How do you […]

A fireplace is often the best feature in a house, but why should it be limited to the main living are? Because modern, factory-made fireplaces can be placed within inches of combustible materials, they are safe to install in virtually any room of your home. When you consider the creative possibilities for fireplaces, it can […]

Chimneys are vulnerable to moisture all year round. But winter weather with its snow, freezing rain, ice, and damaging winds can have a devastating impact. And if the damage is severe, you may not be able to use your fireplace or heating stove to stay warm until it has been repaired. So, as the winter weather approaches, it is prudent to […]

Chimneys can seem like sturdy structures, but have you ever seen one that looks like it’s tottering? Exterior chimneys are subject to all kinds of harsh conditions, and moisture can cause the greatest amount of damage. Homeowners often neglect chimney maintenance, and the result can be decaying bricks in danger of collapsing. Chimney brick damage […]

Masonry fireplaces add a beautiful aesthetic touch to a home, but they aren’t highly efficient when it comes to heating and preserving the heat. A common issue homeowners who run masonry fireplaces describe is cold air drafts coming from the fireplace. If this is a problem you’re having, here are some ways to address it. Stopping the cold air The […]

Homeowners living in the north and east can expect a colder and wetter winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The increased precipitation and freezing temperatures are not good news for masonry chimneys as there is a higher risk of water damage, especially during the freeze-thaw cycle. Homeowners should take precautionary measures to prepare their chimney in advance of any upcoming […]

If you have a wood-burning masonry fireplace, do you know the condition of the chimney? Homeowners often enjoy the wonderful ambiance of their fireplace while rarely giving a thought to the masonry chimney. Due to neglect of chimney maintenance, the first fire of a winter season ends in a hazardous home fire for many homeowners […]

Cleaning your chimney is something that should never be ignored. In excessive quantities, creosote can become a flammable substance increasing the chance of a fire. Creosote logs, also known as creosote sweeping logs, or CSL’s for short, present an easy way for homeowners to clean their chimneys while enjoying the warmth of the flames. But […]