Chimneys

January 14, 2026

Batts' Chimney Services

Why You Should Never Block Your Chimney Flue

Our neighbors in the Birmingham area are always looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and cut down on rising utility costs. One idea that occasionally surfaces is blocking the chimney flue when the fireplace is not in use. But… while this may seem like a quick way to stop [...]

May 15, 2025

Batts' Chimney Services

How to Identify a Damaged Chimney Liner

The chimney liner plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety and efficiency of your fireplace. Often overlooked, the chimney liner is the protective barrier between the intense heat of your fireplace and the structure of your home. For Alabama homeowners, where fireplaces are a common feature in many homes, [...]

February 12, 2025

Batts' Chimney Services

How Alabama’s Climate Can Affect Your Chimney

Living in Alabama means dealing with a unique set of weather conditions that can significantly impact your home's chimney system. From sweltering summers to wet winters, our state's climate presents specific challenges for chimney maintenance and durability. Understanding these effects can help you protect your chimney and ensure your family's [...]

February 4, 2025

Batts' Chimney Services

Tools of Our Trade – What We Use to Clean Your Chimney

At Batts' Chimney Services, we pride ourselves on using professional-grade equipment and time-tested techniques to keep Alabama's chimneys clean and safe. Understanding the tools we use helps our customers appreciate the thoroughness and expertise we bring to every job. Let's look at the specialized equipment that allows us to maintain [...]

December 12, 2024

Batts' Chimney Services

The Main Benefits of a Chimney Cap

A well-maintained chimney is essential for the safe and efficient operation of a fireplace or wood stove, especially in regions like Alabama where varied weather conditions can impact chimney performance. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your chimney is by installing a chimney cap. Despite its [...]

November 11, 2024

Batts' Chimney Services

How Often Should I Have My Chimney Cleaned?

Chimneys play a crucial role in maintaining a safe and efficient fireplace or heating system. However, many homeowners are uncertain about how often their chimneys should be cleaned. Regular chimney cleaning is essential for ensuring safety, preventing damage, and maintaining the efficiency of your heating system. Here in Alabama, where [...]

November 5, 2024

Batts' Chimney Services

Step in Time – A Brief History of Chimney Sweeps

When you hear the term “chimney sweep,” do you automatically think of the lovable character of Bert from Mary Poppins? While you might not find one of Batts’ Chimney Services chimney experts doing a choreographed dance along your rooftop, we do have a connection to a profession with a long [...]

October 25, 2024

Batts' Chimney Services

‘Tis the Season for Fireplace Safety 

As we get ready for the holiday season here in Alabama, there's nothing quite like cozying up in front of a warm, crackling fireplace. The flicker of the flames and gentle glow instantly makes a house feel like a home. However, along with the comfort and cheer fireplaces provide also [...]

October 5, 2024

Batts' Chimney Services

The Best Ways to Keep Critters Out of Your Chimney

Nothing ruins a peaceful evening by the fireplace quite like the pitter-patter of little feet scurrying around in your chimney. While the thought of a family of raccoons, squirrels, or birds taking up residence in your chimney might seem cute at first, it can quickly become a nightmare situation. These [...]

August 6, 2024

Batts' Chimney Services

What are the Different Types of Chimneys?

As a chimney cleaning and maintenance company serving Alabama homeowners, we often get questions about the various types of chimney systems out there. There's more variety than you might think! While they all serve the same basic purpose of venting smoke and gases from fireplaces, woodstoves, furnaces and other heating [...]

January 12, 2023

Batts' Chimney Services

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

Batts' Chimney Services

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

Batts' Chimney Services

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

Batts' Chimney Services

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.  [...]

August 23, 2022

Batts' Chimney Services

Common Dryer Mistakes Every Homeowner Should Avoid

Most homeowners regularly rely on their clothes dryer. Without proper maintenance, however, dryer vents can become clogged and cause over 15,000 residential fires each year in the United States alone. For this reason, it's important to use your dryer wisely and clean its vents regularly. Through proper dryer vent maintenance, [...]

May 16, 2022

Batts' Chimney Services

What’s the Difference Between Top-Sealing & Throat Dampers?

Throat dampers are pretty common and most homeowners – even those who don’t have a fireplace – are familiar with them. They are part of the fireplace, rather than the chimney, and work by keeping the chimney closed off at the bottom, keeping the house warm by shutting out the [...]

May 9, 2022

Batts' Chimney Services

How Dryer Vent Cleaning Can Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality – if it’s not something that you think about often, you probably should. After all, it's an important but often overlooked factor to your family’s overall health. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to symptoms like headaches, difficulty in concentrating, fatigue, as well as irritation to [...]

May 2, 2022

Batts' Chimney Services

What Is a Chimney Smoke Test and How Is It Done?

If you’re planning to reinstate a chimney that hasn’t been used in a while, or maybe you just purchased a house and would like to check how airtight the chimney is, you'll want to have a chimney smoke test done. In today’s article, your friendly team of chimney cleaning experts at Batts' [...]

April 18, 2022

Batts' Chimney Services

Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Fireplace Cracks

As a homeowner, you should always be on the lookout for cracks in your fireplace even if you only use it a few months each year. Depending on the material, cracks can be caused by different factors. If you want to keep enjoying the warmth of your fireplace while keeping [...]

April 11, 2022

Batts' Chimney Services

What Causes Creosote Buildup?

Whenever the fireplace is used, a residue called creosote is deposited in the chimney flue or lining. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this is a highly flammable material that can be a potential hazard and lead to a house fire. Fortunately, the buildup can be dealt with [...]