What do chimney sweeps, firemen and soap makers have in common? May 4th is the day we commemorate St. Florian as the patron saint of Linz, Austria and Upper Austria, chimney sweeps, firemen, and soap makers. In 1184 A.D., St. Florian was adopted as the patron saint of Poland. Typically in artwork, St. Florian is … Continue reading St. Florian – Patron Saint of Chimney Sweeps
The issue of damper clamps can be confusing, not just to homeowners but to home inspectors, utility companies, government building departments and even amongst chimney professionals. In many cases, this issue rears its ugly head during the stressful time of purchasing or selling a home. What is a damper clamp? Damper clamps are also referred … Continue reading Fireplace Damper Clamps
There’s nothing better than a warm, cozy fire in the fireplace but there’s nothing worse than the “campfire-in-the-living-room” smell that can sometimes occur afterwards. Understanding some of the causes for a stinky fireplace will help prevent the problem. There are several key causes for fireplace odor issues. 1) Smoking Problems Sometimes a smoking problem … Continue reading Six Causes of Fireplace Odors
Are Fire Logs safe to use? This is one of the most frequently-asked questions that we, as chimney sweeps, get asked. There is something to be said for their convenience and it’s not like everybody has enough room to store a cord of wood. We also find that older people like using fire logs because … Continue reading Are Fire Logs Safe to Use?
What does a rolled-up newspaper have to do with preventing a smoking problem in a wood-burning, open fireplace? One of the most common causes for smoking problems in open hearth fireplaces is due to homeowners not priming the fireplace flue before starting the fire, especially during cold weather. An indication that this is the cause … Continue reading Priming the fireplace flue
As a professional chimney sweep, the most common phone call I get is about fireplace smoking problems. Sometimes the smoke can fill the room; other times you may not even realize you have a smoking problem because the smoke is so subtle. If it smells like a campfire in your living room the day after … Continue reading Ten Fireplace Smoking Problems and Solutions
Many homeowners don’t realize just how potentially dangerous it is to do laundry. According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2010 to 2014, there were an estimated 15,970 fires due to washers and dryers in the United States each year. Interestingly, the innocent-looking clothes dryer accounted for 92% of those fires. These fires resulted … Continue reading 18 Important Tips for Dryer Vents
Sheep are best known for flocking and will run together as herds because there’s safety in numbers. This works great for sheep but works against homeowners for their home maintenance, especially in preventing fire hazards due to chimneys and fireplaces. It’s common knowledge that you never call for maintenance on your air conditioning on the … Continue reading Timing is Everything – Don’t be a Chimney Sheep!
Imagine coming home after a hard day of work and sitting down next to a cozy fire in your fireplace, and relaxing with a cup of soothing tea or a glass of Merlot, all in just a matter of minutes, with minimal effort. Think this is impossible? With gas logs in your fireplace, this is … Continue reading The Pros and Cons of Gas Logs
Why have a chimney cap? Well, let me tell you a not-so-funny, but very ironic little story. A few years ago, a man called me up asking about a chimney cap to protect his new roof. He was burning wedding photos after a somewhat bitter divorce. A short time later, his neighbor was banging on … Continue reading 5 Reasons for a Chimney Cap