Phillip Batts

February 13, 2024

Phillip Batts

DIY Chimney Maintenance: Tips from a Professional Chimney Sweep

As professional chimney sweeps with years of experience, we often encounter homeowners eager to maintain their chimneys themselves. While certain tasks require professional expertise, there are several maintenance steps homeowners can undertake to ensure the safety and efficiency of their chimney. Here's a short DIY guide to chimney maintenance. Regular [...]

February 2, 2024

Phillip Batts

Choosing the Right Wood for Your Fireplace

Choosing the right wood for your fireplace is essential for safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Here's a helpful guide: Hardwoods vs. Softwoods Hardwoods like oak, ash, and maple are denser and heavier, offering a longer burn time and more heat output. They are ideal for your fireplace because they produce [...]

April 25, 2023

Phillip Batts

How Vital Are Chimney Liners?

The chimney liner serves as an integral, albeit often overlooked, tool in maintaining the integrity of a chimney. While not all homes require it, it should be considered if yours does need one. Without a functioning and up-to-date liner, repairs could cost far more than installing one in the first [...]

April 18, 2023

Phillip Batts

Dryer Vent Cleaning and Its Biggest Benefits

Dryer vent cleaning is an integral part of maintaining your home. Not only does it keep your appliances functioning correctly, but it can also benefit your family's safety and help save you money over time. This blog post will discuss the five benefits of scheduling regular dryer vent cleaning. (more…)

April 11, 2023

Phillip Batts

Is Installing a Chimney Cap Necessary?

A chimney cap not only adds a charming, rustic look to your home or business; it is also an important tool for ensuring the efficiency of the structure's fireplaces and other heating systems. Local chimney cleaning specialist Batts' Chimney Services explains the benefits of having chimney caps installed. (more…)

March 24, 2023

Phillip Batts

How to Spring-Clean Your Chimney and Fireplace

Spring is an excellent time for deep cleaning and freshening your home. A place that you should remember during the spring-cleaning season is the chimney and fireplace. Fireplace and chimney cleaning help to maintain cleanliness and safely use these structures year after year. In this blog post, we discuss why it's essential [...]

March 17, 2023

Phillip Batts

A Crash Course on Creosote

Creosote is common to all wood-burning systems. However, not all homeowners are aware of what it is, what its effects are, and how to prevent its buildup. This blog post offers a crash course on creosote, including learning about the different stages of creosote accumulation and steps for preventing further [...]

March 10, 2023

Phillip Batts

4 Common Causes of Chimney Damage

Chimneys and fireplaces can add a cozy atmosphere to your home, but they have certain risks. You need regular maintenance to avoid fire damage or costly chimney repair. In this post, we cover four of the most common causes of chimney damage so you can prevent them and keep your home [...]

February 23, 2023

Phillip Batts

Popping and Crackling Firewood: Should You Be Worried?

Popping and crackling firewood helps create that authentic fireside experience that can't be duplicated with gas and electric fireplaces. It can also be a safety problem if it causes bits of burning wood to jump out of the fire. In this blog post, Batts' Chimney Services takes a look at [...]

February 20, 2023

Phillip Batts

How Much Cleaning Do Gas Fireplaces Need?

Gas fireplaces may be easier to clean as their wood-burning counterparts, but they need care and maintenance, nevertheless. In this post, Batts' Chimney Services takes a look at how gas fireplaces are kept clean, and how often it should be done. (more…)

February 16, 2023

Phillip Batts

What Happens During a Professional Chimney Inspection?

Annual chimney inspections can help reduce the risk of health hazards caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or chimney fires due to creosote buildup. If you haven't had your chimneys by a professional in the past year, you should schedule an appointment soon. In today's post, local chimney repair and cleaning company Batts' [...]

January 27, 2023

Phillip Batts

How to Build a Fire in a Fireplace Properly

Fireplaces provide much-needed warmth during the cold winter months. The hearth can also provide an aesthetically-pleasing focal point to your home if the fire is built properly. In this post, Batts' Chimney Services will walk you through the proper way to build a fire in your fireplace. (more…)

January 19, 2023

Phillip Batts

What Causes Crumbling Chimney Masonry?

The condition of the masonry surrounding your chimney can have an impact on its functionality and life span, so it's important to be aware of its causes. Batts' Chimney Services takes a look at the common reasons why chimney masonry can crumble and what solutions are available to keep yours [...]

January 12, 2023

Phillip Batts

Can Snow Damage My Chimneys?

While most of today's chimneys are built to keep debris and small animals from getting into the flue, snow may sometimes make its way in.  In this blog post, chimney cleaning and repair company Batts' Chimney Services discusses what happens when snow makes its way into your chimneys, and whether or not [...]

December 22, 2022

Phillip Batts

Why Is My Fireplace Smoking Up The House?

A fireplace is a fantastic addition to any home. It provides a warm and inviting atmosphere that the whole family can enjoy. However, if your fireplace is smoking up the house, it can be a real nuisance.  (more…)

December 15, 2022

Phillip Batts

Can I Cook In My Fireplace?

The fireplace is the focal point of many homes. It's where you gather to relax and enjoy quality time with family and friends during the colder months. Another activity you can do in this place is cook. With some creativity, you can use your fireplace to whip up some delicious meals. [...]

December 9, 2022

Phillip Batts

Why You Shouldn’t Use a Chimney With a Cracked Liner

It can be tempting to ignore a cracked chimney liner. There is a common misconception that this issue won't affect other parts of your home. Unfortunately, a cracked chimney liner can endanger your property and your family. If you are dealing with this problem, you must immediately contact a chimney repair professional.  [...]

November 17, 2022

Phillip Batts

What Is Chimney Repointing?

If you have an old chimney, you've probably had someone recommend having it repointed. In today's post, Batts' Chimney Services shares a quick guide to what you need to know about chimney repointing. (more…)

November 10, 2022

Phillip Batts

4 Tips on Making Your Fireplace Burn More Efficiently

A fireplace is a great alternative heating system for your home and can improve your home's aesthetics, but it is not as efficient as a whole-home system like a furnace. However, there are a few things that you can do to improve a fireplace's efficiency. Read on as Batts' Chimney [...]

November 3, 2022

Phillip Batts

How to Get Bats Out of Your Chimney

Bats find shelter in dark and warm spaces where they feel secure and protected. Unfortunately, chimneys are among these spaces. However, letting them stay in your chimney can result in bat urine and droppings accumulating inside, leading to odors and contaminated runoff, and may even mean bats getting into your [...]