Spring and summer are not usually associated with a roaring fire and puffs of smoke emerging from your chimney, and that is exactly why now is the best time for masonry repairs. Your masonry fireplace and chimney may have issues that you aren't aware of and should be checked right now by a professional chimney sweep; not convinced? Let's investigate further. A Few Reasons Why Spring and Summer Are Best for Chimney and Fireplace Repairs Weather Conditions The weather in spring and summer is generally milder, drier, and warmer. The weather is important as mortar, a key material used in masonr ..read more

You may be wondering “what is brick staining?” Well, just as you may have to re-stain your wood decks every couple of seasons, the bricks on your fireplace may need attention as well. While many people leave their bricks as is, or opt for painting, there are a few reasons you may want to consider brick staining. Read on to learn about the benefits of brick staining on your chimney.   5 Benefits of brick staining your chimney 1. It’s a one-time thing Unlike that deck that needs frequent re-staining, your brick chimney won’t be like that. Luckily, this process will last the life of your c ..read more

If you recently noticed your chimney is starting to lean to the left or right, you know you have a serious problem that must be addressed immediately. A leaning masonry chimney can easily collapse, turning its bricks into deadly missiles. You may also be wondering- why is my chimney starting to lean? There are a number of reasons it has begun to lean. Here are a few of the causes of a leaning chimney. Reasons for a Leaning Chimney Foundation Settling or Shifting The most common reason for a leaning chimney is the settling or shifting of the foundation. Over time, the ground beneath the found ..read more

With Summer on the horizon, you are probably thinking about a trip to the beach or a lake; you may be planning to lounge around a pool. The last thing you are likely considering is your fireplace, but it's crucial that you do. Here are some tips to prepare your fireplace for summer. You will be glad you did when fall comes around, and you need your fireplace. Getting Your Fireplace Ready for Summer Clean the Fireplace and Chimney After a long winter of cozy fires, your fireplace and chimney may have accumulated ash, soot, and creosote. If you are unfamiliar with creosote, it is a sticky and ..read more

If you've been putting off the annual cleaning and inspection of your fireplace's chimney, now is the time to act. Now is the time for a chimney inspection. Why? Because you want to be sure your chimney is in good working order before the winter weather arrives, and its easier to get an appointment in the spring. If the upkeep of your chimney is not enough reason, a buildup of a substance called creosote can cause a foul stench in hot weather. Let's look deeper at why you should have a chimney inspection and sweeping in spring. Reasons Why You Should Have Your Chimney Inspected in the Spring ..read more

If you enjoy relaxing by your fire in the winter; spring and summer are excellent times to have your chimney inspected and cleaned. It is much more convenient to have any needed repairs done to a fireplace before the weather turns cold. You want to have your fireplace in good working order when the time comes to use it, not have to wait for it to be repaired and lose the additional heat it supplies. What can you do? Preparing for your chimney inspection and cleaning will make the whole process move faster. How to Prepare Your Chimney for Inspection and Cleaning Remove Ash and Logs Even if t ..read more

As a homeowner with children – especially babies – it’s important to make sure everything in the house is babyproofed. Your fireplace is no exception to this rule.  If you’re a new homeowner, new parent, or even just want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your children, read on for our best advice on how to create the most babyproofed fireplace! You can have a beautiful fireplace and keep the area safe at the same time. Regardless of if you have a traditional or electrical fireplace, similar precautions should be taken. Below are three of the most basic improvement ..read more

Have you noticed some dark patches or stains on the carpeting around the fireplace lately? While you may have thought it was from your pet or just a compilation of dirt ground into the fabric, it’s most likely soot. When you ignite a fireplace, whether it’s fueled by wood, coal, or gas, the combustion process creates a carbon by-product called soot. These black deposits don't just adhere to the walls inside the flue. They also exit the open hearth and fall to the floor, getting trapped inside the carpet fibers. How Do You Remove Black Soot Stains? Soot stains darken carpets and leave an una ..read more

In the past few years, because of the pandemic, there has been a tremendous paradigm shift. Rather than buying a new home, most homeowners in Chevy Chase, MD, Arlington, VA, Washington DC, and elsewhere are making home improvements emphasizing energy efficiency. As a result, many homeowners are converting an inefficient masonry wood-burning fireplace to a modern gas fireplace. Even electric fireplaces are now trendy. With so many trendy styles and designs, upgrading a living room or an outdoor living space into a warm and cozy retreat with a rustic or modern fireplace as the centerpiece is ..read more

Masonry chimneys and water don't mix well, especially during the snowy winter and humid summer months in Alexandria, VA, and throughout the Greater Washington, DC, area. A cap is one of several essential components explicitly designed to protect your chimney from the damaging effects of moisture intrusion. The right cap will also stop sparks, prevent obstructions, and keep out chimney swifts, raccoons, and other critters. So, here's how to know which cap is best to cover your flue. What You Need to Know When Buying a Chimney Cap When shopping to replace a damaged or missing cap, you will fi ..read more