Blog

The lining is one of the most important parts of your chimney, and it can be costly to replace.  When you are dealing with paying the cost of a new flue, it can help to know why a liner needs to be replaced and what types of chimney liners are available.  The following information provides Read more

Are you having difficulty getting a fire to ignite in your fireplace?  There are many possible reasons for this frustrating fireplace problem.  See the issues listed below as well as those mentioned in Part 1 of this two-part series.   6 – The Chimney Draft isn’t Adequate   If there isn’t enough of a draft in Read more

Winter is hanging on; and even in the southern states, the fireplace can still be needed for warmth before spring comes to stay until summer. But what if you suddenly find that you can’t get a fire started? There are many possible explanations for why a fire won’t start in a fireplace, and the following Read more

We are proud to say that we are members in good standing of NCSG and CSIA certified. Many times homeowners do not realize all the benefits this fact represents without knowing exactly what these certifications mean. What is Required to be an NCSG Member? The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) is a trade association which Read more

The Benefits of a Springtime Chimney Cleaning It’s wonderful to enjoy a crackling fire when it’s cold outside.  But after the long winter months are over, it’s nice to give the house a good spring cleaning.  There’s something about being able to enjoy the warm outside air that makes it especially compelling to get indoor Read more

How often do you schedule your dryer vent cleaning? Did you know it’s not unusual for a clothes dryer to start a house fire?  In January of this year in Bethel, Connecticut, for instance, a clothes dryer caught on fire; and the Bethel & Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Departments were quick to get the fire Read more

It is cozy and pleasant to watch the dance of flames in a fireplace when it’s cold outside, but does your fireplace efficiently contribute to the heating of your home?  It’s possible to reduce energy costs by relying on your fireplace or wood stove, but it’s important to note that a fireplace insert will often Read more

Snow lovers have been having a happy Connecticut winter; but, because of the weather, a lot of homeowners with chimneys may have something to deal with that’s not so cheerful.  Snow on rooftops and freezing and thawing cycles coupled with moisture content in mortar and bricks can damage the chimney.  Wet and wintry weather conditions Read more

The joy of having a fireplace or cozy wood stove can be all but lost if your house begins to smell of smoke.  Of course, the smoke is supposed to go up the chimney, not in your home, which requires adequate draft or movement of the smoke.  Diagnosing the problem may require a professional chimney Read more

A buildup of creosote is the main reason that it’s important to have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually, but did you know that there are three degrees or stages of creosote?   Tar, soot, and creosote are all byproducts of wood burning, and “creosote” is what the mix of the three components is usually called.  Read more