chimney contractor

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 [...]

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 [...]

September 23, 2022

Phillip Batts

4 Ways to Remove a Bird’s Nest From Your Chimney

A bird's nest in your chimney is dangerous because it blocks the top of the flue and traps hazardous carbon monoxide and other harmful fumes from combustion. Moreover, birds and other animals can affect the airflow and the structure of your chimney, which can present more problems. (more…)

September 20, 2022

Phillip Batts

Fireplace Maintenance Tasks to Complete Every Fall

Fall is a great time to check your chimney and flue and make sure they are in tip-top shape. If your fireplace is not properly maintained, then it won't operate as efficiently as it should during the colder months. (more…)

June 29, 2022

Phillip Batts

Addressing Lint Buildup in Your Dryer Vent the Right Way

The clothes dryer is an essential part of our lives. It can be found in almost every household across the country as it has become part of the standard way of taking care of the laundry. But to ensure that the dryer keeps drying efficiently, you'll need to keep the [...]

June 8, 2022

Phillip Batts

Summer Cleaning and Maintenance Checklist for Your Chimney

With the summer season in full swing, it's the perfect time for chimney maintenance. Doing this during summer can ensure your chimney is clean, safe and ready by the time fall and winter weather sets in again. It's also better to do it sooner so that you won't have to [...]

June 2, 2022

Phillip Batts

Why Your Gas Fireplace Still Needs a Proper Chimney Cleaning

A traditional wood-burning fireplace requires regular cleaning to clear out the ash and carbon that have collected in the firebox and chimney. This can be tedious and costly at times, which is why many homeowners switch to gas fireplaces instead. But because they don't burn wood, do gas fireplaces still [...]

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. [...]

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…)

Get Your Chimney Quote Today

Our goal is to make sure your chimney looks and functions the way you want it to. Our people only consider the job complete when you are satisfied. To get a free quote for your inspections or dryer vent cleaning, fill out our contact form or call Batts' Chimney Services at (256) 660-1338.