Water Problems?
Water Problems: A lot of people have water problems this time of year! The rain and snowfall have been extremely hard on chimneys with pre-existing problems. Cincinnati Chimney Contractor Clay Lamb here. If you’ve recently received an estimate for chimney repair or discovered you have water problems, you should know that little holes in your […]
Our Top Recommended Products
Our Top Recommended Products Chimney Creosote Problems Anti-Creo-Soot is by far our most popular product. It is very effective in removing creosote. You simply spray it on, the creosote breaks down, and you sweep it out later. Rutland Creosote Remover is the 2nd most popular remover among our readers. While we usually recommend ACS (above), some of […]
Leaky Chimney? Our DIY eBook solution is here!
Leaky Chimney? Do you have a leak in or around your chimney? As a homeowner, its always beneficial to be informed of the possible issues inside your home. For a limited time only, we’re offering you an easy and affordable way to receive valuable homeowner education from an experienced chimney expert for only $1.99. We […]
Chimney Water Problems – Don’t Call a Roofer!
Click above to watch a video on leaky chimney problems. Chimney Leaks? If you look up at your ceiling, above your fireplace and see water marks, I don’t recommend a roofer! Same if the plaster appears to be moist and the paint is popping off the ceiling above the same area. These observations are likely […]
How to Open Your Fireplace Damper – (Poker, Rotary, Double Pivot)
How to Open a Damper ? 3 types The damper is the small metal flap you can open and close when looking up inside your fireplace and into the chimney flue system. Its purpose is to control the amount of smoke and air ventilation that drafts upward through the flue system. You must open the […]
How to Install (Prefab Fireplace) Panels
Want to know how to install prefab back wall fireplace panels? If you were to burn in a prefab fireplace with damaged refractory panels, three things could happen: 1. Significant heat loss transferred to the metal fireplace construction. 2. The metal box could become extremely hot and warp and could possibly damage the unit. 3. […]
How to resurface your fireplace
Click here to watch this resurfacing youtube video! David Lamb of Embers Fireplace & Chimney in Cincinnati Ohio pictured above. Fireplace Resurfacing Recently, I had a customer who wanted us to resurface the front of their fireplace. As a contractor, I feel it’s important to be honest with my personal experiences, as well as my […]
Vent Free Appliances (Risks, Considerations, and Operating Tips)
? This is a less than 5 minute video by industry expert Jerry Isenhour about vent free appliances. Join us as he explains the insights and the positive and negative sides of: Vent Free Logs Vent Free Appliances and Vent Free Logs If you’re thinking of converting an old fireplace in a gas unit, you’re not alone. As […]
How to easily remove Creosote from your fireplace
Creosote Problems? ??? Stuart of SaverSystems explains how to efficiently and inexpensively take care of your creosote problems. Today we are addressing one of our most common questions: how do I handle my creosote problems? Fortunately, there is a product that greatly helps in treating and preventing creosote. What is Creosote? Creosote is the product […]
Great Day for a Chimney Fire!
What does a Chimney Fire sound like? Frequently I get the question: what is a chimney fire like? Half of them sound like a freight train, the other half are slow rumblers that residents often cannot hear. Chimney fires can cause a number of destructive issues in your fireplace and even your home. Also, it […]
Fireplace Ash, Dump Boxes & Clean-Out Doors
Fireplace Ash Ash Pit is a term regarding ash dumps in the fireplace. Some are rather large, concrete closets. You can find them in many older homes in the basement. The homeowners’ fireplace ash shovels down into this cavity and may take many years to fill up. I mean, many years to fill-up. Some ash pits tunnel […]
How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
7 Ways to help prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (CO) 1)- Have carbon monoxide detector installed on each level of your home 2)- Have your home’s heating and venting systems inspected annually 3)- Have your wood-burning and gas fireplace serviced yearly 4)- Do not use charcoal grills inside your house or fireplace 5)- Never operate a […]
Fireplace Odor? Fix my stinking chimney!
Fireplace Odor? My chimney stinks! Ask the Chimney Sweep recently received this question about fireplace odor that you may be dealing with yourself: I have a wood-burning fireplace that I have not used in at least six years. I have had it cleaned 3 times since last using it. In the late spring and […]
Test your wood with a Moisture Meter
Moisture Meters Burn Wise suggests: Test your wood with a moisture meter Burning wet wood is detrimental to the efficient use of a wood burning device. This is because of its effects on air quality. In general, smoke from burning wood is harmful on the respiratory system. Burning wet wood however, actually becomes a more harmful […]
Chimney Corbeling: Chimney Masonry Repair
Hips and Shoulders: Chimney Corbeling Chimney Corbeling can cause bigger problems so it is best to get the issue fixed sooner rather than later. The corbeling hips on your chimney could be allowing damaging water to come into your home. Corbeling aligns the shape of the smoke chamber to allow for better air flow inside the […]
Level 2 Inspection: All Chimneys and Fireplaces
Level 2 Chimney Inspection A Level 2 Inspection is mandatory when there are changes to the flue or the construction. Additionally, it is mandatory when the home or property is for sale. Chimney corbeling can cause bigger problems so it is best to fix the issue sooner rather than later. Level 2 Inspections: Level 2 inspections are […]
Leaky Chimney: Chimney Water Damage
Got a Leaky Chimney? A Leaky chimney is no April Fools joke, with Spring just around the corner the rainy season will be upon us! Keep this video and hope that you never have to use it! In Cincinnati? Schedule an appointment and let’s check out your chimney! 1. Moisture coming in from the top So this isn’t […]
When to get a Chimney Cleaning
When should I clean my chimney? When to get a chimney cleaning is one of the most common questions that chimney sweeps answer daily. The real answer lies within: when was the last time it was cleaned? Schedule an appointment with American Chimney to get your chimney swept. To Prevent a Chimney Fire A chimney fire can […]
Level 1 Inspection: Chimney Cleaning
Chimney Cleaning and Maintenance Are you looking for a chimney inspection? This is what your chimney sweep should be inspecting. A Level 1 Inspection is a visual inspection of the easily accessible parts of your chimney. Here at American Chimney, we do a series of levels of inspections. Level 1 inspections are 33 point chimneys. We look at readily […]
Fireplace Damper Problems
This is my conversation regarding a damper problem that one of our Ask the Chimney Sweep readers had. Question from Reader But, how does this work when I’m in a condo and the top of the fireplace has a raised protective cover that covers 2 holes (one from my condo’s chimney and one from the […]
What to do After Experiencing a Chimney Fire
Experienced a Chimney Fire? Don’t know what to do after a chimney fire? This is a great 28-minute Podcast/Slideshow! Russ Dimmitt and Clay Lamb of Ask the Chimney Sweep and Cincinnati’s American Chimney Sweep recorded this great episode to educate homeowners about the problems with their fireplace after experiencing a chimney fire. Schedule an appointment […]
Vent Free Logs: Smells and health concerns
Question regarding Vent Free Logs: Smells, heat & respiratory concerns, Q. My husband just had open heart surgery. We had a fireplace built 30 years ago and have been using a large buck stove. Because of his health conditions, we decided to go to Vent Free Natural Gas Logs. We have had a gas smell […]
How to Fix Smoking Fireplace Problems
How to Fix Smoking Fireplace Problems? A recent question came into Ask the Chimney Sweep blog. Q: Our house is 20 years old and I have noticed the last 2 years or so and definitely this year that smoke fills our house. I thought it might be because of the chimney needing cleaning so we […]
Lining a Wood Stove
Lining a Wood Stove Question- Here is an interesting question about using a Wood Stove that came into Ask the Chimney Sweep With a fireplace insert, would it be practical to start by just dropping in a new metal flue liner, to TRY to stop the smoke from coming back into the room? (It’s an […]
Firewood: Ten hints that your firewood is not “seasoned”
Firewood: Ten hints that your firewood “is not” seasoned 1. Firewood looks weathered but still looks recently cut 2. Pungent smells, of freshly cut wood 3. No obvious dry cracking on the butt ends of the wood 4. Tree bark still tightly adheres to the wood 5. You hear a hissing moisture sound when the wood starts to burn 6. It […]
Animal Problems – Getting Into My Chimney
Animal Problems in Chimneys So, are you having animal problems? Join Cincinnati Chimney sweep, Clay Lamb. He’s owner of American Chimney Masonry, and producer of the Ask the Chimney Sweep. Finally, we have videos on how raccoons, birds, and other animals, are getting into your chimney! Furthermore, check out other blogs. ? […]
Chimney Flue Systems
Chimney Flue Systems In conclusion, check out this Chimney Flue restoration project in Richmond, Indiana. Importantly, we strip the face layer of the brick, exposing the building’ flue system. Check out the rest of our YouTube as well. In conclusion, we hope you can find a reputable Chimney Sweep in your area by using […]
Chimney Cap Damage
Do You Need Your Chimney Cap Repaired? If so, schedule an appointment with a trusted chimney company today! We hope you can find a reputable Chimney Sweep in your area to help you fix your chimney cap by using this link: ncsg.org . In addition, be sure and go online so you can read their […]
Fireplace Options
Fireplace Options: In this video from, you can and will find the answers to the most common fireplace options and questions about: Gas logs Vented gas logs Vent-free gas logs Gas Inserts Direct Vent Ethanol fireplaces This video offers simple description of the different types of fireplaces narrated by Taylor president of AcmeStove Produced by […]
OSHA COMPLIANCE: “NO EXCUSES”
If you own a service company be sure to take time to read this great information. During your OSHA company meetings this would be a good article to share with your team. OSHA COMPLIANCE: “NO EXCUSES” Brought to us by Jim Gillam Editor & Publisher of The Chimney Sweep News Rick Kaletsky, occupational health […]