Cracked Firebox Bricks: When to Repair Before You Burn in Bartlett
Hairline cracks in firebrick are usually fine to monitor, but open mortar joints, loose bricks, or cracked-through panels in a Bartlett fireplace need repair before the next fire.
-
-
Chimney Tuckpointing: When Mortar Joints Need Repair in Winfield
How to tell when the mortar joints on a Winfield chimney need tuckpointing, what the repair involves, and when repointing is no longer enough.
-
Does a Gas Furnace Chimney Need Inspection? What West Chicago Homeowners Should Know
A chimney venting a gas furnace or water heater still needs a yearly inspection. Why gas flues fail quietly and the warning signs to look for.
-
How to Build a Cleaner Fire and Slow Creosote Buildup in Campton Hills
Dry wood, a warm flue and plenty of air make a cleaner fire. How to build a top-down fire and cut creosote buildup in your chimney.
-
White Stains on Your Chimney: What Efflorescence Means in North Aurora
White, chalky stains on chimney brick are efflorescence, a sign water is moving through the masonry. Here is what causes it and how it gets fixed.
-
What to Do After a Chimney Fire in Warrenville
After a chimney fire, keep the fireplace cold, document the damage, and get the Level 2 inspection NFPA 211 calls for before you burn again in Warrenville.
-
Chimney Liner Options in Elburn: Stainless Steel, Clay Tile, or Cast-in-Place?
How Elburn homeowners can choose between a stainless steel, clay tile, or cast-in-place chimney liner, and why changing appliances means re-checking the flue.
-
Gas Fireplace Annual Service in Carol Stream: What Gets Checked and When the Gas Valve Needs Replacing
What a yearly gas fireplace service in Carol Stream covers, from vent caps and pilot assemblies to the signs a gas valve needs replacing.
-
Should You Clean Air Ducts After a Remodel? A Lombard Homeowner’s Guide
How renovation dust gets into your ductwork, the signs it’s there, and when a post-remodel air duct cleaning is worth it for Lombard homes.