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In the midst of this struggling economy, does your household budget allow for the cost of an annual chimney inspection?  If you are unsure about the necessity of it, you could google ‘how important is an annual chimney inspection;’ and you would find more than 2.3 million search results.   Let us save you some time Read more

Fireplaces are favorite amenities that most buyers consider a plus when searching for a new home.  These creature comforts add an extra touch of architectural vitality to a house, inside and out.  There are plenty of great benefits to having a fireplace in your home, and here are seven of them:     1 — Read more

A leaky chimney can cause all sorts of problems which require costly repair.  When we go on service calls related to leaks in the chimney system, we often find that the source of the trouble is faulty flashing.  The flashing is sheet metal installed for the purpose of ensuring that the connection between the chimney Read more

One of the most enjoyable winter pastimes in the upper Midwest is warming in an inglenook by a beautiful fireplace.  The possibilities for fireplace design are endless.  If you are a fan of great architecture or if you are planning to build your own home, you may enjoy learning about one of history’s most famous Read more

You may have heard some of the old wives’ tales offering home remedies for cleaning your chimney.  They make for interesting reading, but there’s no way a homeowner should rely on such “tricks” as opposed to trusting chimney professionals with modern equipment to ensure that a chimney is safe and not in need of repairs. Read more

You may remember the old saying that “Only you can prevent forest fires.”  But did you know that by burning local firewood in your fireplace, only you can prevent your favorite campgrounds and your own backyard from being destroyed?  When people burn wood from a different area, the entire ecosystem is threatened because of the Read more

A masonry fireplace is a popular and beautiful addition to any home, but it’s more than a great design feature.  Some homeowners don’t realize that the masonry work on the exterior of the chimney needs repair over time.  Harsh weather can be tough on the mortar joints.  When mortar joints are damaged, the chimney could Read more

It seems obvious to most people that the chimney of a wood-burning fireplace is going to need annual cleaning because of the buildup of soot and creosote. A gas fireplace, on the other hand, burns nice and neat. So, why is it important to get the chimney for a gas appliance inspected and cleaned annually? Read more

You can’t always tell by looking at it that your chimney isn’t safe and sound.  There are, however, some visible signs that repair may be needed.  Since chimney safety is equivalent to safety from obvious fire hazards, every homeowner with a chimney should become familiar with telltale signs of damage. 1-Damaged Mortar Joints It may Read more

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of death by poisoning.  More than 500 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States every year.  Exposure to CO can come from several sources, including fireplaces and other fuel-burning appliances.  The more you know about carbon monoxide poisoning, the better equipped you are to prevent Read more