Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

Scheduling Tips As Fall Approaches

It’s hard to believe that summer is almost coming to an end and soon it will be time for decorating pumpkins, raking leaves, and watching the trees change to their autumn foliage. Fall also brings cooler weather, which means it will soon be time for cuddling around the warmth of a glowing fire with loved ones. However, you want to be sure that your fireplace is ready to use when you need it. If you wait until the last minute or until a problem arises to schedule a chimney inspection or maintenance appointment, it may be a little more difficult to schedule a time-slot that best fits your schedule. At Old Smokey’s, we want to give you some tips on scheduling a chimney inspection and maintenance appointment for the fall. By following these tips, we can help save you time and headaches of waiting until the last minute.

When should I schedule a chimney inspection or cleaning?

Although you may be a few weeks away from regular fireplace use, now is one of the best times to schedule a chimney inspection. When cold weather starts to set in, there are a lot of people trying to use their fireplace, all at the same time. Naturally, problems that may have occurred and gone unnoticed during warmer months may start to show up when people build a fire for the first time. This means that we get a lot of calls in a short period of time for maintenance issues. This means our schedule time-slots fill up very quickly during these times making it difficult to schedule at a time that fit your schedule best.

The great thing about chimney inspections and cleanings is that they can be done at any time of the year. This means that you don’t have to wait until the fall rush to schedule an appointment. Being proactive and scheduling a chimney inspection or cleaning during the summer will make it a lot easier to schedule a time that is more convenient for you. Scheduling in summer also has a couple of added benefits. First, if there are any issues discovered that need to be addressed, there is plenty of time to get them taken care of. Second, you can be sure that your fireplace will be ready to use the first time you need it when cooler weather sets in.

What are some summer chimney issues?

You may think “my chimney was working fine last time I used it. What could have gone wrong during the summer?” There are a lot of potential problems that could have arisen since your last chimney inspection. Winter is especially tough on your chimney. Wind, freezing temps, and moisture can cause your chimney to erode and crack. The stormy summer weather can also take its toll on your chimney. Also, problems can arise when birds and other nesting animals try to use your chimney for their home during the spring and summer. With so many potential issues, it’s easy to see why it is important to take care of your chimney inspection as soon as possible.

If you are in need of a chimney inspection, now is a great time to schedule one? Beat the fall rush and call Old Smokey’s today to have one of our CSIA certified chimney sweeps inspect your chimney. If you live in northern Indiana, northern Ohio, or mid-Michigan region, you can reach us at 800-876-6539 or 260-424-0009, or schedule an appointment online today!

Quality Chimney Repairs, Repointing, Restoration & Rebuilds

There are a lot of issues that can arise when you own a masonry fireplace and chimney. This is is especially true if your chimney system in older. Masonry chimneys are constructed to withstand a lot of abuse. This makes sense when you consider that your chimney has to deal with extreme shifts in temperature and harsh weather conditions. Because of this, over the years, even the most well-built chimneys will start to show signs of wear and tear due to climate and operational use. When your chimney masonry health starts to deteriorate, issues that can occur that will inhibit your chimney system’s ability to operate correctly and your chimney could also become hazardous. Because of this, it is critical that you have your chimney inspected and maintained by an experienced chimney technician annually. At Old Smokey’s, our experienced masons have seen everything when it comes to chimney masonry issues. Let us show you what we can do to bring life to your old worn out masonry chimney.

Masonry Services We Offer

When it comes to your chimney masonry, we pretty much do it all. If you’re looking to do any type of repair, repointing, restoration, or rebuild, our masonry experts can help you. There are many things that can cause masonry damage. Poor construction, weather, and old age are some of the most common issues that we come across during chimney inspections. If you notice that your masonry is starting to crack, chip, crumble or detach, it needs to be inspected and repaired as soon as possible. These types of issues can quickly become large issues that are hazardous and costly to repair. Sometimes repairing masonry will include a process called repointing. Repointing is the process of carefully removing old and damaged mortar from between your masonry brickwork and replacing it with new mortar. Repointing strengthens bonds between your brickwork and protects your masonry from moisture intrusion. It also has the added benefit of livening up the appearance of your chimney.

If your chimney or fireplace is looking old and worn out, you may be thinking that you want to restore it back to its original self. At Old Smokey’s, we can help you with this as well. Our chimney restoration services include but are not limited to, stain removal, brick replacement, waterproofing, and repointing. Our experienced masons will use materials and techniques that will make sure your repairs match your current masonry’s colors and patterns. If your chimney or fireplace has gotten to the point that repairs don’t really make sense, we can rebuild it for you. Many people use this as an opportunity to totally remodel their chimney system. 

One of the most important masonry services that we offer is preventative care. Your chimney puts a lot of work into keeping you warm throughout the winter. That’s why it is important to have your chimney inspected by one of our CSIA certified chimney technicians at least once a year. Annual chimney inspections allow us to detect issues in your masonry before they become larger issues. This can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run.

Whatever your chimney masonry needs are, we here at Old Smokey’s can help. Call us today at 800-876-6539 or 260-424-0009, or schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our CSIA chimney technicians today! We look forward to serving you!