Blog

A hearth area is one of a home’s central hubs.  People gather around a fireplace to socialize, watch TV, eat and relax.  If your hearth area has lost its appeal or never really looked the way you wish it did, you have a variety of refacing and amenity options to enhance the beauty of your hearth and give your fireplace a fresh, […] Read more

If you’re new to the world of fireplaces, you may not know exactly what a chimney sweep does.  Like the name implies, these professionals sweep (i.e., clean) chimneys.  But many also perform other important tasks such as diagnosing problems and making repairs and replacements.  Now that you know what a chimney sweep does, we want to talk about four reasons to call one […] Read more

The long winter is finally over. As the weather warms up, spring projects crop up that motivate us to get out of the house and get moving. While you’re finishing up your spring cleaning, working in your yard or tackling a new home improvement project, don’t forget about your chimney!  Whether you used your fireplace frequently […] Read more

Everybody loves a roaring fireplace and the relaxed mood it sets on a chilly or ice-cold winter evening.  But even with all the beauty a fireplace brings, there are some aspects of running one that aren’t particularly beautiful but are definitely necessary.  One of these aspects is the maintenance of the chimney. Even the sturdiest and most […] Read more

In Wisconsin, folks get a lot of use out of their fireplaces.  Whether it’s for supplemental heating or simply the beauty that a fireplace brings to a home, we operate our fireplaces regularly during the cold winter months.  Because of this, chimney and fireplace systems often need professional attention to keep them running optimally. When cleaning, inspection and […] Read more

A chimney is the last place that you might expect mold to thrive. Many homeowners do not realize how susceptible the chimney system is to water issues that can create the perfect environment for mold. Household mold flourishes in dark, damp, humid environments. Just like basements, crawl spaces, and ventilation ducts, chimneys are very vulnerable to moisture. How does […] Read more

The exhaust system employed with a fireplace and chimney really is an amazing operation.  While humans designed the physical units, Mother Nature has always provided the draft, without which a fireplace would become a disaster. If a fireplace’s natural draft is interfered with, smoke can pour into your house and residents may be subject to CO […] Read more

For all the enjoyment a wood-burning fireplace can bring to a home, it also can bring some health risks if not operated properly.  Fire is beautiful to look at, but the byproducts of fire are not good for people or animals.  In particular, we’re talking about smoke, creosote, chimney soot and carbon monoxide. Let’s look at some of the […] Read more

A chimney may look like a secure, low-maintenance structure, but looks can be deceiving. Chimneys are vulnerable to many different problems, and homeowners can cut repair costs and ensure chimney safety with routine inspections and needed maintenance.  Five of the most common chimney issues are: creosote buildup, chimney obstruction, cracks in the flue, masonry deterioration, and a damaged chimney crown. 1-Creosote […] Read more

A chimney, along with all components of a fireplace system, requires specific maintenance tasks to keep it running the way it was intended.  You can save significant money and decrease the risk of a dangerous catastrophe simply by performing or having performed a few basic preventative maintenance jobs on your chimney. An inspection by a licensed, certified professional […] Read more