Carbon Monoxide and Your Chimney

Every winter, over 200 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by problems in their home heating systems and chimneys. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates the actual toll, including unreported and misdiagnosed cases, could be as high as 4,000 deaths per year. On top of that, roughly 10,000 carbon monoxide-related injuries are reported annually. The […]

What Is a Stage 3 Creosote Deposit, and Why It’s an Emergency

Most homeowners know creosote is bad. Fewer know that not all creosote is the same, and that the difference between a Stage 1 deposit and a Stage 3 deposit is the difference between a routine annual cleaning and a chimney that should not be used again until it receives emergency professional treatment. Stage 3 creosote […]

How Creosote Buildup Causes Chimney Fires and How to Prevent It

Every year, nearly 25,000 chimney fires occur in American homes. The vast majority of them share a single root cause: creosote. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, over 77% of residential heating fires that start in chimneys are directly linked to creosote buildup, a flammable byproduct that accumulates silently inside your flue with every fire you […]

Chimney Fire Warning Signs Every Homeowner Should Know

When most people picture a chimney fire, they imagine flames shooting dramatically from the chimney top and firefighters responding to an obvious emergency. The reality is far more dangerous than that picture suggests. Many chimney fires, perhaps the majority, burn quietly. No roaring sound. No visible flames. No neighbor calling 911. Just intense heat building […]