Chimney Services Blog
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 [...]
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' [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
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…)
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! [...]
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 [...]
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…)
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 [...]
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…)
Signs That You Need to Have your Dryer Vent Cleaned
While it’s important to regularly take the lint out of your dryer, cleaning the removable trap is also sometimes just as crucial. These simple tasks contribute to your home’s safety and energy efficiency, so you have to be diligent in doing them. (more…)
How Often Should I Have My Chimney Inspected?
Chimney inspection is a critical part of home maintenance. Typically, it is recommended to be done at least once a year, especially if you use your fireplace regularly. Nevertheless, even if you rarely use your fireplace or stove, it’s still best to schedule chimney cleaning and inspection every year. (more…)
Why Should You Only Use Seasoned Firewood
It might seem like a minor detail, but did you know that using properly-seasoned firewood makes all the difference in making your chimney last? It would be understandable to think that any kind of wood logs would work for your furnace, but it actually does matter a lot. Using the [...]
A Brief Primer on Parging
Your chimney and fireplace is an intricate heating system that requires you to take care of it. After all, it makes your home warm and cozy during the winter months. However, there is one part that some homeowners typically forget, and that is the smoke chamber, hidden above the firebox. [...]
How to Get Rid of Animals In Your Chimney
Animals tend to seek warmth during the cold winter months, making your chimney look like prime real estate for them. This is especially true for birds and rodents. Unfortunately, even if you’re an animal lover, these animals can wreak havoc on your chimney if they’re left there alone for too [...]
