As a company, we want you to know we are taking the Coronavirus very seriously. As our client, your health and safety are our #1 priority. Some precautions and important information we want you to know are as follows: Before shift wellness checks Controls are in place to ensure that symptomatic workers stay or are sent home. Those controls include daily self-reporting for all workers. As part of wellness checks, employee temperatures are taken before each shift. All deliveries and materials are sprayed with a disinfectant prior to arriving at a job site. All employees will be given writte ..read more

Your chimney may be the biggest system in your home besides the central air and heating unit and there’s a lot that can go wrong with it. Because it’s so big and can cause big problems for your home, it’s important to understand just what makes up the chimney system, how it works, and how it can go wrong. Parts of the Chimney From bottom to top, there are many parts and materials that make up a fireplace and chimney system. The terms ‘fireplace’ and ‘chimney’ are often used interchangeably, and they work together to get the job done. What we know as the fireplace is actually called the firebo ..read more

There are many issues that can arise during the winter months—things that affect the bills you pay and the safety of your home. The problems that affect your home this winter are not always caused by your fire appliance, your heater, or even neglect. Many problems arise because of weather, storms, damage, or other things entirely out of our control. In order for our customers to have the safest home possible this winter and every winter, we recommend these tips. Gutters and DrainsGutters and outside drains are great assets during freezing winters and wet springs. However, if they aren’t proper ..read more

Whether you’ve had a harsh winter already this year, or your chimney sustained damage in the past, it’s important to diagnose and repair the damage as soon as possible. Winter-damaged masonry can lead to more serious problems and costs in the future, so the sooner you call a professional, the better. Common Winter Damage Chimney Leaks – When water enters the chimney system it can be catastrophic, leading to water damage in the chimney system itself, the fireplace or appliance, and also the rest of the home. The water may enter by a faulty chimney cap, damaged crown, spalling masonry, or disl ..read more

So you think you have a gas fireplace? It is fairly simple to figure out whether your fireplace burns gas or not. First, there is not an empty space for logs and fire-building in your firebox. Instead, you’ll find logs—usually ceramic. Your system will be connected to a gas line of some kind and will have an ignitor and pilot light. This is a gas fireplace. What type of gas fireplace you have can be slightly more difficult to figure out. If you don’t have your owner’s manual, it is important to determine what type of system you have. Using the system according to its design is important for sa ..read more

During the season of fuel and fires, ventilation and maintenance, it’s important to not cut corners. Cutting corners when it comes to your fireplace and chimney can result in serious damage to your home, costly services to your chimney system, and even injury and possible loss of life. In order for your chimney to work safely and efficiently all winter long and year after year, it must be maintained properly and used correctly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) help to keep fire in its place by educating responsible homeowners to ..read more

As temperatures across the country finally drop, leaves are turning and falling little by little. Make sure these leaves aren’t falling into your chimney and clogging it up. One of the best times of the year for your fireplace may also be the worst if you have a flammable obstruction in your flue. Leaves and other organic materials can be a dangerous hazard if your chimney isn’t capped. Call a chimney expert now to make sure your flue opening is protected with a cap. Protection from the Top Down Without a chimney cap, your flue opening is left wide open so that anything can fall or climb right ..read more

When it comes to chimneys, it is our personal and professional goal to make sure all of our customers are safe and comfortable this winter. We strive to further this goal by providing expert services to maintain and restore chimney systems to safety and efficiency. One of the most common services that older chimneys require at least once in their lifetime is a flue liner repair or replacement. At Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, we trust HeatShield for liner repairs—big and small. HeatShield Meets Industry and Environmental Standards In over 20 years, HeatShield has revolutionized the chimney indust ..read more

Fall is the best time to educate homeowners and the general public about chimney safety because winter is when most fires happen. It’s when you’re using your fireplace or furnace to heat your home that disaster can happen, especially when the chimney isn’t maintained properly. In order for our friends and neighbors in the Boston, North Shore, and Portland area to have safe and efficient fires this burn season, we offer services to keep the chimney working properly and lasting year after year. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is doing its part to make the public aware of chimney r ..read more

Of all the things that can shorten the life of a perfectly good chimney, water is the worst. Not only does water wreak havoc on masonry—the very substance your chimney is made of—but it is everywhere. Water comes in different forms all year round. When temperatures fall, water in the chimney is even worse. Fortunately for our customers with masonry chimneys, there is something we can do to prevent water damage during all seasons, and year after year. Water and Your ChimneyBecause of the materials that make up masonry, water is best avoided. The porous nature of masonry is perfect for venting y ..read more