Chimney Tips & Advice

Toddlers and pets do not know the fire is hot. Here is how Bolingbrook families create a safe hearth — buffers, hot glass, tool storage, detectors, and a sound chimney.

Crown, flue, damper, smoke chamber — what are all the parts of a chimney? A plain-language glossary so Elwood homeowners can understand their own fireplace.

Oak, hickory, pine — which firewood actually burns best? A Homer Glen guide to wood density, the top species, and the seasoning step that makes them work.

A black smudge climbing the wall above your fireplace means smoke is spilling out the front. Here is what causes it and how Minooka homeowners fix it for good.

A rental fireplace is burned by people whose habits you cannot see. Here is what Channahon landlords should know about responsibility, annual service, and documentation.

Just bought a home with a fireplace you know nothing about? Here is what New Lenox homeowners should check before the first fire, and what an inspection reveals.

That white powdery staining on your brick chimney is a moisture warning. Here is what efflorescence means, how freeze-thaw damages masonry, and how Lockport homeowners stop it.

Why does smoke go up the chimney — and why does it sometimes come back into the room? A plain-English look at draft and the stack effect for Romeoville homeowners.

Clay tile, stainless steel, or cast-in-place? Here is what each chimney liner type does and how Plainfield homeowners choose the right one when it is time to reline.

A smelly fireplace on warm, humid days has a findable cause. Here is what makes a chimney smell, why the odor drifts indoors, and how Shorewood homeowners fix it for good.