Chimney Archives - Chimney and Wildlife

Misconceptions about Chimney Care and Maintenance

When you’ve been in the chimney repair and wildlife removal business for as long as we have, you start to notice that certain misconceptions are pretty prevalent among homeowners. Sometimes, they’re based on outdated information, and other times, they actually have roots in superstition. And while we think that “old wives’ tales” can be fun to read about, what we don’t want is for people to continue believing in myths that can be damaging—or downright dangerous. […]

By Tony|July 25th, 2018|Chimney|Comments Off

How to tell if a Chimney Repair Firm is Reputable

At Chimney and Wildlife Specialists, we firmly believe that hiring a professional to do work on your home should not be a huge ordeal. […]

By Tony|July 11th, 2018|Chimney|Comments Off

Things to Consider Before Buying a Prefabricated Chimney

Is your chimney looking old and tired? Would you like to transform your wood-burning fireplace into a gas-burning one or vice-versa? Did you move into a house with no chimney and fireplace but are now wishing that you had them? […]

By Tony|June 27th, 2018|Chimney|Comments Off

How Roof Damage Can Affect your Chimney (and Vice-Versa)

Question: how often do you really think about your chimney? It’s okay if your answer is, “Not very often, honestly.” After all, the bulk of the structure lies outside of your home, it’s pretty easy to forget about. […]

By Tony|June 20th, 2018|Chimney|Comments Off

Accessories and Tools No Fireplace is Complete Without

Is your hearth looking a little bare? Do you feel like your fireplace is missing something? While fireplaces aren’t terribly difficult to use, there are a few tools and accessories out there that can enhance your experience. Some are purely decorative while others are mostly practical; your needs will probably vary depending upon whether you have a gas fireplace or a wood-burning fireplace. Regardless of which category you fall under, here are some recommendations to consider: […]

By Tony|June 13th, 2018|Chimney|Comments Off

Caring for your Chimney when You Rent Your Home

When we dispense advice on this blog for dealing with chimney and wildlife issues, we usually do so while assuming that the reader is a homeowner. That’s the nature of our business; the folks who typically inquire about our services tend to be property owners as opposed to property renters. In the interest of being inclusive, we’d like to devote today’s post to people who don’t own their living spaces. […]

By Tony|May 2nd, 2018|Chimney|Comments Off

What to Do if a Bird Enters the House Through Your Chimney

Picture this: you’re sitting on your living room couch, reading a book or dozing off, when you suddenly hear the sound of flapping wings. Intrigued, you look around, only to see a sparrow, a Mockingbird, or some other non-domesticated bird perched inside your fireplace. You barely manage to say “What in the world…?!” (or something a little less polite) before the terrified critter takes flight and settles on top of your mantle or a wall-mounted kitchen cabinet. […]

By Tony|April 25th, 2018|Chimney|Comments Off

Is it Safe to Mount your TV Above the Fireplace?

At Chimney and Wildlife Specialists, we’re not really experts on home decor. We’re always happy to help our clients pick out gas logs that will look beautiful in their fireplace or repair structural damage done by pest animals, of course. But quandaries about furniture arrangements or wall ornamentation usually fall outside of our range of expertise. […]

By Tony|April 11th, 2018|Chimney|Comments Off

All about Fireplace Repair

When it comes to discussions about chimney and fireplace maintenance, fireplaces often get the short end of the stick. Sure, blog posts and informative web pages about chimneys frequently mention fireplaces, but it’s typically in the context of, “If your fireplace is doing this, then it’s probably because your chimney is doing that.” Chimney problems may be a little more dramatic than fireplace maladies, but is that any reason to delegate the fireplace to “second fiddle” status? […]

By Tony|March 28th, 2018|Chimney|Comments Off

Protective Fireplace Coverings: Glass vs Wire Mesh Firescreen

What kind of cover do you have on your fireplace?

If you didn’t immediately know the answer to that question, it’s okay. While we often pay attention to the hearth, the chimney, and the fuel source for our fireplaces, we don’t really give much thought to the protective coverings that keep up safe from the open flames. But these little structures really are important, so let’s take a moment to look over the kinds of covers you’ll find on both wood-burning and gas-powered fireplaces: […]

By Tony|March 14th, 2018|Chimney|Comments Off

We've been there and done that...read on for tips and tricks

We've been there and done that...
read on for tips and tricks