Browse Our Guides
From routine maintenance tips to emergency procedures, our guides cover everything you need to know about chimney care.
Before you buyWhat chimney work actually costs
No price list, and here is why: the variables that move the figure, what a written estimate has to spell out, and the questions that let you compare two quotes properly.
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Do it yourselfComplete chimney inspection checklist
What to look at from the crown down to the cleanout door, and which findings actually matter. Built around the NFPA 211 inspection levels rather than a generic list.
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Diagnose itCommon chimney problems and what causes them
Cracked crowns, spalling brick, rust streaks, smoke in the room. The symptom you can see and the component actually responsible are usually different things.
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Diagnose itSigns your chimney needs attention
The things worth calling about, and the things that can wait. Written for Florida, where a barely-used fireplace still deteriorates every rainy season.
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Stay safeChimney and fireplace safety
Where the real risks sit when a fireplace is used a handful of times a year, with the USFA and NFPA figures the guidance is based on.
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Stay safeChimney emergencies
Chimney fire, carbon monoxide alarm, storm damage, animal in the flue. What to do in the first ten minutes and what not to touch.
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Choosing partsChoosing the right chimney cap
Sizing, mesh, and the material question that decides everything in Florida: galvanized steel rusts through near salt air in a few seasons, stainless does not.
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Choosing workRepair or rebuild?
When repointing is the right answer, when a partial rebuild is, and how to tell that someone has quoted you the wrong one.
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Maintain itFireplace maintenance
Firebox, damper, smoke chamber and glass. What a fireplace that sits unused for most of the year actually needs.
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Know the partsChase cap, chase cover, crown or cap?
Four names, and two of them are the same part. The single most common source of confusion on a chimney estimate, sorted out in a table.
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Browse everythingEvery guide we publish
Seasonal care, creosote, draft problems, liners, animal intrusion and more, written for Florida conditions across hundreds of articles.
Read itPopular Questions
Answers to the questions our customers ask most about chimney maintenance and safety.
Q:How often should I have my chimney inspected?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends annual chimney inspections. Even if you don't use your fireplace frequently, animals, moisture, and settling can cause hidden damage.
Q:What is creosote and why is it dangerous?
Creosote is a flammable, tar-like substance that builds up inside your flue from burning wood. At stage 3, it becomes a thick, glazed coating that is extremely difficult to remove and is the leading cause of chimney fires.
Q:Can I clean my chimney myself?
While basic firebox cleaning is fine for homeowners, professional chimney sweeping requires specialized tools and training. Improper cleaning can damage the flue liner or fail to remove hazardous creosote buildup.
Q:How do I know if my chimney has a blockage?
Common signs include smoke entering your home when the fireplace is in use, a strong odor coming from the fireplace, or visible debris falling into the firebox. Animals and nesting birds are frequent causes.
Q:What does a chimney inspection include?
A Level 1 inspection includes a visual examination of the accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior, plus the appliance and its connection. Level 2 adds video scanning of the flue interior and accessible attic and crawl spaces.
Q:Is chimney waterproofing necessary in Florida?
Absolutely. Florida's heavy rains, humidity, and hurricane-driven water make waterproofing critical. A vapor-permeable waterproof sealant protects masonry from moisture while allowing trapped water to escape.