Spring is just around the corner, and with the warmer weather comes some possible unforeseen fireplace and chimney maintenance needed! From critters to leaks, it’s important to have the upper hand to avoid larger problems down the road.

 Often, homeowners don’t even begin to think about having their fireplace and chimney cleaned or inspected until the colder weather decides to show face in the Fall. However, there are several reasons that Spring is the better choice!

•  During the Fall our wait times for a chimney cleaning and inspection can book out up to two months in advance. By scheduling in the Spring, after you are done using your fireplace for the season, you will be ahead of the game when the cold weather hits – and no crazy wait times!
• Inspections take a look at the entire operating system, to make sure there are no visible defects and safety standards are met. This allows us to make necessary adjustments or repairs if needed, prior to burn season. Allowing our customers to be able to enjoy their fireplace the entire season, without a hitch.
• Spring brings along with it little critters, that love nothing more than to build their nest and have their babies in your fireplace chimney. As cute as baby birds, bats, raccoons, and squirrels are, most of us (I’d hope) would prefer if they did not take up residence in our homes. Having your fireplace and chimney inspected will allow us to ensure that a proper cap or top-sealing damper is installed at the top of the chimney, to keep the animals and debris out!
• April Showers may bring May flowers, but they also bring leaks to unsuspecting homeowners. It is important to have the exterior chimney inspected to make sure that everything is sealed tightly, and there are no masonry, chimney flashing, chimney cap or chase top issues present.
• What’s that smell?! If you have a woodburning fireplace it produces a substance called creosote. This tar-like substance sticks to the walls of the fireplace flue, it is what is cleaned off the flue when we perform a chimney cleaning. When the rain and humidity that comes along with the warmer weather reaches the creosote, it can cause an unpleasant odor in the home. Cleaning of the firebox and flue is the first step to ridding your home of this unpleasant odor.

Contact us for your free quote today! We would love to have one of our Certified and Fully Insured Chimney Technicians get you all squared away this Spring!

-Serving South East Wisconsin & North East Illinois –

This time of year there is nothing more enjoyable than cuddling up in front of your fireplace, and enjoying the Holiday season. Unfortunately for most of us, the last thought on our mind is the dangers that lurk in our fireplace and chimney. If proper maintenance and care are not a forethought, the enjoyment can be short lived. This is why annual chimney cleanings and/or inspections are so important!

When a flue has a buildup of creosote and hasn’t been properly maintained, it opens up the chance for a chimney fire to occur. Although the term “chimney fire” sounds as if the fire is contained to the chimney, they are capable of damaging structures, burning down homes, and can be a grave risk to homeowner’s and their families.

Chimney fires can be quiet and homeowners may not even know that they have occurred. Without enough oxygen and fuel to produce a dramatic fire, you may not even be aware that a chimney fire has occurred until your annual chimney inspection. Even though these chimney fires may not be as dramatic as their counterparts, the temperatures reached within the chimney are such, that damage can be done to the chimney structure itself and have the ability to make their way to the combustible portions of the home.

However, many chimney fires produce a low roaring sound. Often sounding similar to a jet engine or freight train in the middle of the home. They often produce mass amounts of dense black smoke, and neighbors may notice sparks and flames jetting out of the top of the chimney.
Not only can you both hear and see the chimney fire occurring, but you may notice a strong burning smell coming into the home.

If you are experiencing a chimney fire it is imperative that you contact the local emergency services by dialing 911.

Preventing A Chimney Fire

Wood burning fireplaces and wood stoves, provide a wonderful way to heat the home. However, you want to make sure that you are burning aged, dry, hard woods. Well-seasoned firewood enables the wood to burn hotter and cleaner. Too much moisture, and you will be sacrificing the amount of heat available to the home and will increase the amount of creosote buildup in the chimney.

A chimney’s job is to effectively move smoke out of the house as rapidly as possible. This means you want to make sure that your damper is open, and you are allowing enough air through to allow the smoke to be drawn up and out. A smooth transition in the smoke chamber, also helps with helping the smoke not to linger. The longer it takes the smoke to vacate the chimney, the more creosote buildup you will find.

Have your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected annually! CSIA recommends having your fireplace cleaned and inspected approximately every cord and a half of wood. If you are using your wood burning fireplace/woodstove to heat your home for the entire Winter season, you may need to have service provided more frequently.