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Timely chimney repair and maintenance is the only way to ensure that your entire fireplace system is running optimally and safely. Here are some common chimney problems and what should be done about them. Leaky chimney After years of use, the bricks and mortar that were used to build your chimney can begin to deteriorate […]

You would think the actual fire itself in a fireplace would be the most elementary part of using the appliance. Often, it’s the most problematic. Sometimes, just getting a good fire started is challenging. Burning the wood at max efficiency isn’t always easy. Preventing excess smoke can be difficult. Well, there’s no need to worry. […]

It’s easy to get caught up in the enjoyment of cozy fires and everything involved in the holiday season, but it’s very important to make fireplace safety a priority. Double the number of open-flame fires occur on Christmas Day, compared to average days, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). The following are basic fireplace […]

In many cases there are things homeowners can do to remedy a fireplace that’s drafting inefficiently. And fortunately, it’s easy to tell when this is happening by the sudden appearance of smoke or cold air in the house. Here are some things you’ll need to know to fix draft problems when the fireplace is operating […]

Now that the summer is here, chimney maintenance may be the furthest thing from your mind. Scheduling an annual chimney cleaning and inspection is crucial to protect your home from the risk of a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure. It can also protect your home from water damage caused by chimney leaks. While it may not seem like a priority, this is […]

In the unlikely event your chimney is struck by lightning during a summer thunderstorm, the one thing you don’t want to do is operate the fireplace before having the chimney thoroughly inspected.  This is because a lightning strike can cause minor damage to the chimney structure – damage that a casual observer might not be able to spot. The two key concerns with lightning are a […]

Think about your chimney and all its components right now.  Do you know the exact state of all these elements?  Do you know where damage or breakdown is starting?  What about signs of serious damage?  If you’re like most homeowners, you can’t answer each of these questions with any certainty.  So what should you do?  […]

Older homes are a pleasure to live in because of their craftsmanship and character. One of the drawbacks to older homes is that many do not meet modern building codes. If your home was built 50 years ago or earlier, it is very likely that the fireplace and chimney are not up to code. Using your fireplace without having the chimney […]

Chimney crowns, the concrete coverings that sit on the tops of chimneys, are very durable and perform well for years.  Eventually, however, even the best-made structures can begin to fail.  When a chimney crown becomes cracked or damaged, it’s important that the situation is addressed right away, before more extensive – and expensive – damage happens. The chimney crown is always part of a thorough inspection performed by […]

Here in the Indianapolis area, we know all about cold winters.  If you’re building a new home here, you’ll thank yourself many times over if you follow through with including a fine new fireplace in your construction plans.  Modern fireplaces of all types are much better than their forebears at bringing supplemental – or primary – heat to any kind of home.  Let’s take a look at the most […]