Chimneys

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.  [...]

August 23, 2022

Phillip Batts

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

Phillip Batts

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

Phillip Batts

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

Phillip Batts

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

Phillip Batts

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

Phillip Batts

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 [...]

April 7, 2022

Phillip Batts

The Consequences of a Cracked Chimney Flue

Also known as a chimney liner, a chimney flue is a little-known component that serves a big role in the safety of your roofing system. Its function is so important that fire experts even recommend having the entire chimney inspected professionally at least once a year for maintenance and repair. [...]

March 16, 2022

Phillip Batts

How to Keep Chimney Swifts out of Your Chimney in Spring

Did you know that your chimney system offers an inviting nesting space for a variety of animals? Chimney swifts are a species of birds that are particularly drawn to chimneys. Unlike other birds, they build their nests on vertical surfaces, as they can't perch on trees. Every March, chimney swifts [...]

March 9, 2022

Phillip Batts

Chimney Chase Covers: A Quick Overview

Understanding the parts of your chimney and their respective functions allows you to properly maintain the entire system. One important component you should know about is the chase cover or chase pan. It is the square or rectangular piece of metal that is fitted on top of your chimney chase.  [...]

March 2, 2022

Phillip Batts

What You Need to Know About Creosote Sweeping Logs

If your chimney is caked in creosote, this can be a potential fire hazard, possibly putting you and your family in danger. Since creosote can be tough to clean, soap and water may not be enough. For this reason, many homeowners use creosote sweeping logs to deal with this chimney [...]

February 16, 2022

Phillip Batts

How Water Damages Your Chimney

Water is one of the main causes of damage in different parts of your home, especially your chimney. Heavy rain and severe weather conditions can take a toll on your chimney. To avoid chimney issues from ensuing, make sure that you get it maintained and inspected regularly. (more…)

February 9, 2022

Phillip Batts

How Can You Tell If You Have a Chimney Leak?

If you live in an area with heavy downpours, your roofing system, and even your chimney could leak. You might think that you have to step outside to inspect for signs of damage. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. You can do these checks from the comfort of your living space! [...]

February 1, 2022

Phillip Batts

How to Deal With Wood Ash as Winter Ends?

Other than your HVAC system, you heavily rely on your fireplace to keep you comfy during the winter months. Since it sustains heavy use, you should have it cleaned and maintained regularly to keep it free from contaminants, such as wood ash. In this post, Batts' Chimney Services, the leading chimney [...]

January 17, 2022

Phillip Batts

What You Need to Know About Pyrolysis

Annual inspections of chimneys are crucial to reducing the risks involving fireplaces. Among the threats that can be eliminated is an extremely dangerous fire resulting from pyrolysis. Here, trusted chimney sweep Batts' Chimney Services talks about pyrolysis, how it occurs, and how it can be prevented. (more…)

January 11, 2022

Phillip Batts

The Role of a Chimney Damper

A damper is located in the flue of a chimney. The flue is the vertical passage that transports smoke and waste gas to the outside environment. To help control the ventilation, a damper is placed inside of the flue. Batts’ Chimney Services, a chimney new construction specialist, talks about the various roles [...]

January 4, 2022

Phillip Batts

Reasons Your Fireplace Smells Bad and How to Fix Them

A well-maintained fireplace provides warmth and beauty to your home. When an unpleasant odor is emitting from it, it can ruin the atmosphere and give the residents a headache. There can be several reasons why your fireplace or chimney smells bad; a reliable chimney sweep talks about some of them here. (more…)