Chimney brick spalling is a serious issue that can cause significant damage to your chimney if left unchecked. As bricks are exposed to the elements, they can begin to flake, chip, and erode away, leaving your chimney vulnerable to further deterioration. This blog post will discuss the importance of recognizing and repairing chimney brick spalling before it becomes a major problem. Don’t let your chimney fall apart – be proactive in protecting it from the elements! What is spalling? Spalling is a condition in which the surface of masonry materials such as brick or stone begin to break down. It ..read more

When you own a home with a chimney and fireplace system, keeping water out of it is one of your most important maintenance responsibilities. The reason why water penetration prevention is so crucial has to do with the warning from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) of the amount of expensive damage and deterioration it can do to masonry chimneys. According to the CSIA, the most economical preventive measure you can take against chimney water leaks is a chimney cap. However, you should be aware that the cheap aluminum caps you can find at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or another big box hardw ..read more

As we head into the spring season, many homeowners across the Shenandoah Valley are taking a look at the exterior of their houses to see if winter weather left behind any damage. Unfortunately, masonry chimneys are vulnerable to deterioration because of the freeze/thaw cycles that occur during the coldest months of the year, and this type of masonry damage can leave behind cracks and gaps that allow water to leak into homes through the chimney and fireplace system. If you notice any broken or missing bricks and mortar joints from the structure of your chimney, you should contact Blue Ridge Chi ..read more

When you live in a historic home, you generally need to update some of the systems of the house so that it meets modern safety codes and standards. Not only do newer technologies get developed that make our homes more secure, but building codes and standards also evolve over the years because of results from tests performed by engineers, physicists, and other professionals. In the 1940’s and the 1980’s, the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) tested the durability of masonry chimneys after increased concerns about their safety and performance. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of Americ ..read more

As we head into the middle of another cold winter season here in the Shenandoah Valley, homeowners across the region are cozying up to their fireplaces with their families and loved ones. We depend on our chimney and fireplace systems to keep us warm, but the brutally cold temperatures can wreak havoc on masonry chimneys. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the bricks and mortar joints of your chimney can suffer from accelerated deterioration when the mercury falls below freezing. Fortunately, Blue Ridge Chimney Services is ready to help you deal with the masonry damag ..read more

Just like the famous opening lines from the song “Winter Wonderland” say, “the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.” To many, these lyrics conjure up images of cuddling by the fireplace with loved ones while watching the snow falling peacefully through the window. While the weather here in the Shenandoah Valley can vary greatly from winter to winter, we see about an average of 19 inches of snowfall every year. To make sure the frightful weather stays outside so that you can enjoy your delightful fire, your chimney needs to be protected against water penetration damage ..read more

The last thing you need during the busy holiday season is to deal with the aftermath of a chimney fire; however, without taking care of certain precautions, your chimney and fireplace system may not be safe to use. For years, Blue Ridge Chimney Services has been dedicated to providing the Shenandoah Valley region with superior professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services, and you can trust our team of professionals to make sure you are prepared to safely use your fireplace this winter. We have been trained and certified by industry leaders like the Chimney Safety Institu ..read more

As you are starting to get ready for another busy holiday season, you are concerned about the appearance of your fireplace. Although you have tried to scrub away the soot and smoke stains from your fireplace front, you cannot seem to get it to look the way it has in the past. Fortunately, Blue Ridge Chimney Services knows exactly how to restore the look of your fireplace with our professional fireplace cleaning services. We use Paint “N” Peel Fireplace Cleaner from ChimneySaver because it is the best product on the market to clean fireplace fronts. If your fireplace front is beyond a simple cl ..read more

A popular way to save money and energy in your home is to convert a  masonry fireplace to a gas fireplace. At Blue Ridge Chimney Services, we can now help you with this home improvement project. We are proud to announce that our staff is now certified by the National Fireplace Institute (NFI). We can sell, install, and service gas fireplace appliances now. For many years, we have been servicing the Shenandoah Valley region. We provide professional maintenance, repair, and installation for wood-burning fireplaces, stoves, heating appliances, and venting systems. You can expect the same high-qua ..read more

As a homeowner, you want to keep your household as comfortable and safe as possible. Start by having your chimney professionally swept and inspected every year! This is an important step towards achieving a safe home. When you have this annual chimney maintenance service performed, you typically receive a basic Level 1 professional chimney inspection after your chimney is swept. However, certain conditions do require you to have a more in-depth Level 2 inspection that includes a video scan. For years, Blue Ridge Chimney Services has provided the Shenandoah Valley region with professional chimn ..read more