Hudson Valley Chimney Sweeps Blog

Chimneys are not just venting your wood-burning or gas fireplace. Many homes in the Hudson Valley area have multiple heating appliances, like a gas water heater, furnace, or boiler that are also venting in the chimney to expel harmful fumes such as carbon monoxide (CO).  Routine maintenance, including annual chimney inspections and cleaning, is essential […]

Fireplaces are nice amenities, whether or not you’re planning to sell your home in the near future. If you are planning to sell, a working fireplace with a classic design along with a mantel can add up to $12,000 to your sale price, according to the National Association of Realtors. Naturally, the exact dollar amount […]

When was the last time your chimney or fireplace was serviced? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends homeowners have annual chimney inspections and cleaning when necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the chimney and fireplace.  However, many homeowners often wonder when they should clean the chimney. If you notice one or […]

Nothing’s as comforting as a warm fire on a cold night, and few things are as aggravating as a leaky chimney, which could put an end to your warm fireplace fires. Damaged chimneys often leak, and when the damage is severe, it can become unsafe to use the fireplace. Let’s look at how we approach […]

Many homeowners are surprised to discover that when it’s raining outside, it is also raining inside their chimney. As the cold and icy weather blanketed the Hudson River Valley region in the winter thaws into the warmer and colorful spring season, years of exposure to harsh winter weather became evident when spring showers sprout chimney […]

If you want to keep the warm hearth fires burning in the winter, it’s important to tend to ongoing fireplace and chimney care. Chimneys are subject to damage caused by harsh winter weather. Protecting chimneys against moisture intrusion is a year-round job, but the most destructive effects of moisture in masonry occur in wintry weather. […]

It was Roman philosopher Gaius Plinius Secundus who said that “home is where the heart is.” It was a phrase that was uttered over 2,000 years and still rings true today. It was also when families would gather around the hearth of a wood-burning fireplace to stay warm. Having a fireplace in virtually every living […]

Chimneys and fireplaces have a lot of terminology that can get confusing. Today, we want to talk about the difference between the fireplace damper and the chimney flue. The two are somewhat connected and work together, but there are some important differences. What is a damper? Dampers are present on most chimney/fireplace systems. They sit […]

Any family with kids at home knows that they are attached to the hip with their smartphones, iPads, or other technological wizardry. Turning off the technology is a constant struggle in many homes. It’s essential for kids (and parents too!) to power down and recharge while spending quality time together. Sometimes it can be challenging […]

Winter in New York isn’t the best time to be doing any type of home maintenance. Fortunately, professional chimney services companies work year-round. If you have a problem with a leaky chimney, arrange a visit from an experienced chimney technician, who will follow a logical path in addressing and solving the leak. 1. Where is […]