by Lou Curley | Nov 17, 2014 | Fire Safety
I use the word avoid because you can’t prevent creosote buildup, but you can slow it down. First, I’m going to explain what creosote is and how it accumulates within your chimney’s flue. Then I’ll explain how dangerous it is to let creosote linger and build up...
by Lou Curley | Nov 17, 2014 | Chimney Cleaning
Regular chimney maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to prevent potential problems. You can do some of the maintenance and cleaning yourself, but don’t underestimate the importance of a professional inspection and cleaning at least once...
by Lou Curley | Nov 17, 2014 | Chimney Inspection
I wrote a post last month titled Anatomy of a Chimney – How to Choose the Best Chimney Cap, so today I’d like to dive more deeply into the actual anatomy of your chimney and fireplace, explaining what each area does. I believe that knowledge is power, and by...
by Lou Curley | Oct 22, 2014 | Chimney Cleaning
Annual servicing of the chimney is an extremely important component of home safety. However, while you may feel tempted to clean your chimney yourself, there are many good reasons to leave this job to the professionals. Let’s go over some of the most important reasons...
by Lou Curley | Oct 22, 2014 | Chimney Inspection
Do you have your chimney inspected once per year? Your insurance provider may require it, but some homeowners are under the mistaken assumption that if it isn’t broken, don’t bother with fixing it. Unfortunately, those homeowners are inadvertently putting their home...
by Lou Curley | Oct 22, 2014 | Fire Safety
Cleaning the dryer hose and vent sounds like an easy enough job; and it is. But why do so many people hire someone else to clean it for them? Cleaning the dryer vent is messy business. A seriously messy job! Consider this, for example: you clean the lint filter inside...
by Lou Curley | Oct 22, 2014 | Chimney Cleaning
Fireplaces are not a new addition to homes. They are, in fact, one of the oldest additions that are still used today in modern homes. They have undergone many different designs over the years, and designers are always looking for more ways to improve the overall...
by Lou Curley | Oct 22, 2014 | Chimney Inspection
I see a lot of problems with chimneys in my line of work. Delaware County is full of beautiful homes with lovely chimneys. Unfortunately some homeowners neglect their chimney due to infrequent or total lack of use. If you don’t use it, don’t worry about it, right? Not...
by Lou Curley | Oct 22, 2014 | Fire Safety
Homeowners often consider Halloween the beginning of the holiday season. It is the first major holiday, and the first real chance they’ve had to decorate home and hearth since July. Many fall decorations resemble leaf-less sticks, fallen leaves, or carved pumpkins....
by Lou Curley | Oct 22, 2014 | Chimney Inspection
Chimneys add lovely grace to most home styles. Many historic homes and castles had multiple chimneys because each individual bedroom or dressing area had its own chimney. Essentially, the larger the home, the more fireplaces were required to maintain warmth. Imagine...
