What Happens When a Chimney Flue Is Blocked?
A blocked flue is one of the quickest ways for a chimney to go from an inconvenience to an emergency. When exhaust cannot leave the house, it comes back in. That means smoke, soot and carbon monoxide in the rooms where your family sleeps and eats. What can block a flue Bird nests, leaves and […]
What Is a Level 2 Chimney Inspection?
Request a Free Estimates Share: Table of Contents A Level 2 chimney inspection is a more detailed chimney inspection that includes a visual review of accessible chimney components and video scanning of the flue liner. In New York, a Level 2 inspection is often recommended when a home is being sold, after a chimney fire, […]
What Is a Chimney Cleaning? Connecticut Homeowner Guide
Request a Free Estimates Share: Table of Contents A chimney can look perfectly clean from the living room while telling a very different story a few feet above the firebox. That is something chimney professionals see often. A homeowner enjoys fires all winter, notices no obvious problem, and assumes the chimney system is fine. Inside […]
Animals in Your Chimney in Connecticut: Removal and Prevention
Animals use chimneys as shelter because they are dark, sheltered and tall. In Connecticut, chimney swifts, squirrels, raccoons and bats are the usual guests, and each causes blockage, damage or odor. Rooftop chimney inspection on a fall day Signs of Animals Scratching, chirping or movement sounds Nest debris in the firebox Strong, musty or foul […]
Why Is My Chimney Not Drawing? Causes of a Smoking Fireplace
If smoke rolls into your living room instead of up the flue, the chimney is not drawing properly. Draw is simply the pull of air upward through the flue, and when it fails, smoke, soot and carbon monoxide have nowhere to go but into the house. It is one of the most common service calls […]
Spalling Chimney Brick in Connecticut: Causes and Repair
Spalling is when the face of a brick flakes or pops off, and in Connecticut it is almost always caused by water that freezes inside the masonry. Left alone, spalling weakens the chimney and lets more water in. Water damage inspection on chimney masonry Causes Water absorbed by brick and expanding as it freezes Failed […]
How Winter Weather Damages Chimneys in Fairfield County
Connecticut winters are hard on masonry. Coastal moisture, heavy snow and repeated swings above and below freezing all work on a chimney from the outside, while smoke, steam and creosote work on it from the inside. By the time you see a leak in the ceiling, the damage has usually been building for several seasons. […]
Chimney Inspection Cost in Connecticut: What to Expect
A chimney inspection in Connecticut typically costs about $100 to $350 depending on the level. A Level 1 visual check is the lowest cost, while a Level 2 camera inspection, required for most home sales, costs more because of the time and equipment involved. Why CSIA certification matters for chimney care Inspection Levels Level 1: […]
Is Black Soot From a Gas Fireplace Dangerous?
Yes, it can be. Black soot on a gas fireplace usually means the fuel is not burning cleanly, and incomplete combustion is also how carbon monoxide gets made. A light film of dust on the logs after a long summer is normal. Dark, greasy residue on the glass, the ceramic logs or the wall above […]
Should You Repair Chimney Flashing Before Selling Your CT Home?
Request a Free Estimates Share: Table of Contents Understanding What Chimney Flashing Is and Why It Matters When preparing a home for sale in Connecticut, many homeowners focus on interior upgrades but overlook chimney flashing at the roofline. Flashing, usually aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel, seals the space where the chimney meets the roofing system […]
