Hudson Valley Chimney Sweeps Blog

Once in a while, you may notice a tall shiny steel tube being dropped down a chimney in your neighborhood. It’s hard to miss, because the tube appears to be as tall as the house as it bends across the roof while workers handle it. The tube is a stainless steel chimney liner, and homeowners […]

Most homeowners see at least some portion of their chimney virtually every day. From a comfortable distance, everything looks fine, so there is nothing to worry about, right? However, looks can be deceiving. Unbeknownst to the casual observer, tiny cracks may be forming in the chimney. As these cracks continue to expand, water can seep […]

Historically, most chimneys have been constructed of bricks that are held together by a mortar compound since that was determined to be the best way to build a chimney. But as the years pass, brick chimneys can become eyesores, or a homeowner may just get tired of seeing the same brick structure on the roof […]

Timely chimney repairs make all the difference between a chimney that does its job and presents you with no headaches and one that doesn’t work right and may be dangerous. This is why it’s recommended by leading hearth industry agencies and service providers that you have your chimney inspected once a year in order to […]

A well-built chimney stands tall and sturdy, appearing nearly impervious to the external elements while homeowners enjoy the warmth of a crackling fire in the fireplace. However, appearances can be deceiving. Just like any other structure, chimneys are not immune to wear and tear and other damaging effects. There are also three dangers that can […]

A chimney can contain various types of “debris,” so if you’re having issues with stuff falling down into your firebox, first you need to identify what kind of “stuff” it is. Common types of chimney debris In most cases, there are only a few things that can get into (or form within) a chimney and […]

A fire pit in your backyard will bring you years of enjoyment and beauty. If you’ve ever experienced a blazing fire pit in someone’s yard and think it’s about time to get one for your own property, here are eight things to consider before you get to work. Where to place your new fire pit […]

Many homeowners often wonder how often they should clean their chimney. The National Fireplace Protection Association and fire safety professionals recommend annual chimney sweeps. Regularly cleaning the chimney is often your first line of defense for minimizing fire and health hazards. Hiring a professional chimney sweep is convenient and affordable, and it can also help […]

A clean fireplace and chimney means safety for you and your family. There are several ways you can keep your firebox and chimney flue clean, and none of them take a lot of time. Here are some tips. Firebox The key to a clean fireplace is staying on top of it. This requires removing ashes […]

Because chimney liners are built or installed within the flue, they’re not generally visible and therefore often overlooked when homeowners think about chimney maintenance and safety. Ignoring your chimney liner, however, could lead to big trouble. Here’s what you need to know about these critical components. The purpose of chimney liners Depending on where you […]