Our Chimney Sweep Blog

With evening temperatures dipping near the freezing mark in Needham and throughout the Norfolk County, MA area, many homeowners are already starting to light the fireplace to stay warm. Since winter weather conditions can be brutal for chimneys, these ten tips will help ensure your chimney is ready for cold weather. Tip #1:  Schedule a Read more

The Boston area has some brutal winters. Memorable, even. Winter is hard on people, and it’s also hard on chimneys. Here are three of the most common winter chimney damage issues and what needs to be done. Chimney structural damage The bricks and mortar that make up your chimney are prone to cracking over the Read more

Nobody gives a lot of thought to a chimney, until it starts having problems. A malfunctioning or damaged chimney can be a major safety risk for you and your family. Here are five common chimney problems and how to resolve them (and in some cases, keep them from happening in the first place). Masonry damage Read more

Fireplaces and chimneys that are damaged or malfunctioning usually leave certain clues. Other clues don’t point to existing damage but rather damage that may occur soon if the clues are neglected. Keeping your fireplace and chimney safe starts with performing periodic visual inspections, followed by fixing what you can and then bringing in a professional Read more

Chimney (or fireplace) dampers are important components in the safe and efficient operation of a fireplace. Here’s what you need to know about these devices. What chimney dampers do Dampers function like doors to control the flow of air between the fireplace and the world outside. They are most often located just above the firebox Read more