Our Chimney Sweep Blog

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

Already partway through November, nearly half of fall has passed and winter is only a few short weeks away. Soon, the clocks roll back an hour, and the days will continue to shrink until we experience only a few short hours of daylight. Any hints of an Indian summer are long gone, and everyone has Read more