The Chimney Blog
Straight answers from the chimney trade — how often to sweep, what creosote stages mean, how water gets in, and what a repair quote should look like — written without a sales pitch.
How Often Should a Chimney Be Swept?
Once a year for regular wood burning — but fuel, usage and creosote buildup set the real interval. The working thresholds sweeps actually use.
Creosote: The Three Stages, Explained Honestly
Flaky soot, crunchy tar, hard glaze — creosote changes as it builds, and each stage needs a different response. What the stages mean for your chimney.
What Happens During a Chimney Inspection
The camera run, the rooftop checks, the firebox assessment — a step-by-step walkthrough of a professional chimney inspection and the report you should receive.
Signs Your Chimney Needs Repair
White staining, crumbling mortar, rust in the firebox, a leaning stack — the nine signs of chimney trouble you can spot yourself, and what each one means.
Why a Chimney Cap Matters More Than You Think
Rain, raccoons, nests, sparks — an open flue admits all of them. What a stainless chimney cap prevents, in dollars and damage, for very little money.
Why Chimneys Leak: The Four Usual Entry Points
Chimney leaks have a short list of causes — a cracked crown, failed flashing, open joints, a missing cap — and each leaves different evidence. The diagnostic guide.
Gas vs. Wood Fireplace Maintenance: The Real Comparison
Wood needs sweeping and creosote management; gas needs burner, pilot and venting care. Neither is maintenance-free. The honest comparison, fuel by fuel.
Chimney Fires: Signs, Damage, and What To Do After
A chimney fire can roar like a freight train or burn so quietly you miss it. How to recognize one, what it does to tiles and liners, and why the fireplace stays cold until an inspection.
Buying a Home With a Fireplace: The Chimney Checklist
The chimney is the one system a normal home inspection can't evaluate. What to ask, what to look for, and why a camera inspection belongs in your contingency period.