Maintenance & Care

A fireplace feels like it only costs money when you’re burning wood, but a worn or open damper quietly drains heat from your Genoa home year-round.

Draft problems in a two-story Cortland home can be puzzling, especially when the chimney itself seems fine. The answer often lies in how air moves through…

Many Sycamore homeowners schedule a sweep without a clear picture of what the work involves. Knowing what comes out of your chimney, and why it matters…

A fireplace that smells like an old campfire even when it’s been cold for months is a common complaint from Burlington homeowners.

Creosote sweeping logs are sold as an easy shortcut, and Rochelle homeowners often ask whether they work. The honest answer is that they do something, but…

Not all chimneys are built the same, and the differences matter when it comes to upkeep. Maple Park homes include both traditional masonry chimneys and…

Draft is the invisible engine behind every good fire. When a chimney drafts well, smoke and combustion gases rise up and out; when it doesn’t, you get…

Not all chimney companies are the same, and a little homework protects you from the ones that over-sell or under-deliver.

The damper is a simple part with a big job: sealing your chimney when the fireplace is not in use. A worn one quietly wastes heat and lets in weather all…

A chimney that smells, especially in warm or humid weather, is a common complaint. The smell is a symptom, not the problem itself, and it has a few usual…