It may just feel like yesterday that you were lighting the first fire of the year. However, warmer weather is on the way, and it is almost time to close up your fireplace for the season! Getting your fireplace cleaned up after the winter is part of a smart home...
Chimney Maintenance
Chimney Odor Sources
If you have noticed unpleasant odors coming from your fireplace, there could be several things in your chimney that are causing these smells. These stinky problems happen more often in the warmer months of the year, especially when you have weatherized your home to...
Prevent Freeze/Thaw Damage This Winter with Summer Waterproofing
Did you know that some of the worst damage to your chimney is more likely to occur during the winter? Cold temperatures are extremely tough on masonry materials, and the bricks and mortar of your chimney can suffer so much damage and deterioration that the structure...
Why Vines Can Be Harmful to Masonry Chimneys
Many people love the look of vines growing against a masonry chimney, but ivy and other attaching vines can cause extensive damage to the structure of a chimney, especially if the chimney was built before 1930. If you are looking to buy a historical home, you should...
Spring Is the Perfect Time for Exterior Chimney Repairs
Have you started your spring cleaning this year? For many of us, spring is the time to refresh and renew, which means taking care of cleaning and maintaining our homes. Winter weather can be tough on the exterior of your home, especially your chimney. You may even...
Why a Chimney Leak Needs Immediate Attention
You might have seen us quote the claim of the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)Â that water is the biggest enemy of masonry chimneys. As all of our sweeps have been certified by the CSIA, Blue Ridge Chimney Services has a great deal of respect for that...
When Do I Need to Have My Chimney Relined?
Your chimney system is made up of several important components, including the liner. In order for your chimney to work efficiently and safely, all of these components need to be in good condition. Your chimney liner is so essential to the safe functioning of your...
Heavy Snow Can Lead to Chimney Problems
Recently, we saw quite a bit of snow here in the Shenandoah Valley area, with an average snowfall amount of about 18 inches. When that much snow accumulates on your roof and your chimney, you could end up with water leak problems. Since the snow has melted, Blue Ridge...
Chimney Cleaning Logs Are No Substitute for a CSIA Chimney Sweep
Sometimes you see a product that you think may save you money, but it will actually end up costing you even more money than you saved. One of these products is chimney cleaning logs, which claim to remove and reduce the amount of accumulated creosote from the interior...
Prevent Freeze/Thaw Damage This Winter with Chimney Crown Repair
Your chimney crown sits at the top of your masonry chimney to cover and seal your chimney from the flue liner to the chimney edge. An important component of your chimney system, the chimney crown keeps water from rain and melted snow from entering the inside of your...