Animals often discover that a chimney provides warmth, protection from the elements and a great place to build a home. For the animal, a chimney can be paradise, but animals living in a chimney brings a great deal of distress to a homeowner in several ways. Birds, raccoons, bats and squirrels are the most common… Read more »
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While even new homeowners know that regular cleaning is required for ash and carbon-producing wood fireplaces, there is some question as to whether the increasingly popular gas fireplaces have the same need. After all, they aren’t burning wood, they are burning propane or natural gas, so are they producing the same dangerous creosote that will… Read more »
Ideally, you should never be able to smell your chimney inside your home, but it does attract an odd smell over time. The creosote byproduct of burning wood will build up on the masonry, leaves can get in and start to decay, leaks can lead to an unpleasant moldy smell, and unfortunately sometimes creatures get… Read more »
During warm weather, your fireplace is probably not at the top of your mind. However, it’s important to have your chimney inspected before winter arrives. Scheduling a chimney inspection during summer or fall will let you safely enjoy your fireplace when winter comes. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends having your chimney inspected… Read more »
In Europe a few centuries ago, chimney sweeps were commonly children as young as six years old. Young children did this job because, given their size, they could go from bottom to top inside narrow chimneys to remove soot, obstructions, etc. Children completing this dangerous of a job was eventually outlawed. And, thankfully, today’s chimney… Read more »
Leaking chimneys can quickly become costly, not only to your chimney but to your home’s interior. Left untreated, chimney leaks can lead to water damage. That’s why it’s important to have your chimney inspected annually and fix leaks as quickly as possible. Here are several common causes of chimney leaks. Damaged Chimney Cap The chimney… Read more »
Chimney fires cause many houses to burn down each year. In many cases, if the homeowner had called a chimney sweep and had the chimney cleaned, the fire could have been prevented. Chimney cleaning helps prevent chimney fires, and anyone with an active, wood-burning wood stove or fireplace in their home can go a long… Read more »
At Fiddler on the Roof Chimney Service, we take pride in our premier chimney services and repairs. If your home is equipped with a fireplace or wood burning stove that you haven’t used since the winter, then it’s time to schedule a chimney sweep and cleaning to ensure the performance and efficiency of your appliance… Read more »
Heating your home with natural resources like wood, pellets, or coal can create an energy-efficient way to stay warm. However, in order to safely use a fire, you need to make sure your chimney is in good working condition. Whenever you light a fire in your fireplace, the leftover black soot-like material, known as creosote,… Read more »
Without a solid understanding of masonry and the work that goes into crafting a brick chimney, it’s easy to overlook or underestimate signs of damage. For example, you might think that crumbling mortar is a minor concern, especially if it’s only a little bit of damage right now. Unfortunately, even a little bit of mortar… Read more »