Hudson Valley Chimney Sweeps Blog

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 […]

The weather is getting warmer – the flowers are blooming – spring is in the air. Now that winter is over, it is the perfect time of year to make inspecting and cleaning your fireplace one of your springtime chores. While winter can be especially damaging, a lot can still happen to a chimney in […]

With the cold season winding up, now is a good time to have your chimney inspected to determine if winter weather has caused any damage. Winters aren’t easy on chimneys, and a variety of problems can start during the cold months and gradually worsen over time. How chimneys can be damaged in the winter Extreme […]

Your chimney is an inviting place for small animals to escape the winter rain and snow and hide from predators. Once little birds, squirrels, mice, raccoons, and other critters climb into the flue, they often become trapped, unable to escape. If you hear gnawing, scratching, chirping, or other similar noises in the flue, there may […]

As strong as well-built chimneys are, they won’t last forever without some periodic maintenance. A fully functioning chimney is a safe chimney. One that is damaged or compromised won’t work efficiently and could be dangerous to the home and the people and pets who live in it. Here are six common problems with older chimneys and […]

If you read or watch the news, you’ve probably heard of disasters caused by problems with fireplaces and chimneys. Unfortunately, these reports are very true. A chimney can be a dangerous structure in any home. But on the flipside, chimneys can be quite safe and enjoyable, as long as you, the homeowner, see to certain […]