The fireplace has long been the favorite spot to gather in the American home. A place for warmth, the fireplace adds ambience, sparking memories that are to be treasured. With all the benefits that a fireplace can bring, there are some major downsides that if not addressed can cause a love for the fireplace to wane.
With soaring energy costs, the chief negative of having a fireplace has to be its inefficiency. When there is a fire burning, the fireplace does indeed radiate warmth in its general vicinity, but it also …
Water damage can cause chimneys to deteriorate faster than anything. Protecting your chimney with a water repellent is different than sealing it with a sealer. Learn why you should never use a sealer.
Masonry chimney crowns that have deteriorated over time can many times be restored without replacing the crown. Learn how to fix your crown yourself.
Chimney flashings are frequently the source of water leaks and old dried out tar can crack and allow water through. Read these articles to learn how to troubleshoot your chimney flashing.
Having been in the chimney business for so long now, it is hard to keep track of the number of people who ask how frequently the chimney needs to cleaned. Many people think that it is based on number of uses. Others think that is has to do with whether or not you can stick your head up and see any debris or nesting. Although there are a few ways to gauge how frequently to have the chimney swept, these are not it.
For starters, after having burned through one cord …
It may not occur to you that strange sounds coming from the chimney are not caused merely by the settling of the house, but may potentially be caused by birds, racoons, or other critters. Chimney Swifts are protected by the Federal Law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This treaty states that it is illegal to remove active nests of these birds. Only after the baby birds have flown away from the nest with their parents is it legal to remove a nest. Companies and homeowners found violating this act …
If you have a prefabricated unit installed in your home now, or you are considering purchasing one, this information is extremely important. One fact that many people do not realize is how young factory build, or “prefab” units really are. They have only been readily available for purchase for the past 25 years, approximately. However, as a chimney sweep, I deal with them all the time.
Nearly one half of the prefabricated units installed throughout the United States are installed improperly. It is absolutely imperative that installation instructions are followed to …
Nothing is more exciting to a chimney sweep company than wood burning season, those cold months of the year when people light up their fireplaces and prepare for hibernation. However, nothing is more frustrating to a homeowner than calling all the chimney sweeps in your area just to hear that they are booked out for a month or two. Taking the initiative to get your chimney swept early can really help out, and in more ways than one.
Often times, chimney sweep companies will offer discounts for chimney sweeps done in …
In the past, fireplaces were used as the primary source of heat inside the home. With modern heating appliances and central or under floor heating, fireplaces have become more of a pursuit in architecture and made a decoration rather than the primary method of heating your home. Fireplaces can become the focal points of living rooms with the help of beautiful yet functional fireplace accessories such as screens, irons, log racks, and more. From among these hearth accessories, be it an off-the-shelf or custom designer solution, a fireplace can become …
Hello my name is Clay Lamb. I have owned and operated American Chimney since 1981. I first want to thank you for visiting our site. I trust we will provide you with enough information to solve your Chimney and Fireplace needs. 
