"Chim Chimney, Chim Chimney, Chim Chim Cher-ee!" These iconic song lyrics call to mind the quintessential chimney sweep Bert featured in the musical Mary Poppins. As long as there have been chimneys, the ash and soot they leave behind after a fire has needed to be cleared away. Chimneys build up creosote which can restrict airflow, and even catch fire inside the chimney. Chimney sweeps perform the…Read More
The weather is warming, spring is coming, and your chimney most likely needs a cleaning! After burning wood all winter, your fireplace or wood stove will be ready for a spring cleaning. It is recommended that you clean your chimney once a year, and spring time is a great time to prepare for the next wood burning season. If you are considering tackling this task on your own, read on to see why hiri…Read More
The fireplace should be a focal point of your home. In times past, before technology invaded the living room, the hearth was where everything happened. The fireplace was used to cook, for light and, most importantly, to warm the home. The practice of cutting firewood was an affair that lasted all summer and for some, keeping the winter chill away depended on it. Back in those days, firewood was pr…Read More
We previously looked at the books that can keep you warm through the long winter. Ok so maybe the only way you are going to be truly warm reading books is if you are burning them, of which we would definitely not recommend. The best way to read a good book is to stack some wood in the fireplace and get it blazing. The ideal light to read a book is by firelight, maybe that is why the popular Amazon…Read More
Keep the fires burning, that is what we always say. There is nothing that compares to the ambiance of a roaring fire on a cold winter night, with the glow creating the perfect light for reading. That being said, reading by the fire is best done when your chimney is clean and Chimney Care Plus is your local Frederick chimney sweep. We have been providing our neighbors a safe environment to curl up …Read More
The Maryland winter cold is just beginning to seep in, that miserable biting chill that seems to drip off of the trees in the still mornings. The time to use your fireplace is quickly approaching, but is it ready? How do you know if your fireplace, flue and chimney are ready for use? The only way to know for sure is to call the professionals at Chimney Care Plus. We are your local chimney care and…Read More
Do you ever think about your chimney? I mean, do you really think about it when the weather is warm and the fires are not burning. Probably not, it is just like the air conditioner in your car, it is never a sure thing it will work until that first hot day in spring. If you live in an area with wildlife it is a pretty good bet that at least at some point, one critter or another has considered your…Read More
Just like a man, your fireplace is not an island. It is connected to your house through the attic or upstairs. Generally, homeowners know little about the condition of their chimney and that can be a dangerous situation. The elements in this part of the country are legendary for destroying things. The cold, damp winter can take the mortar between bricks and shatter it. Think that you are exempt …Read More
The writing's on the wall and the weather is changing. Let me reiterate that again, it is soon going to be really cold. Cold enough that my crystal ball broke last year. If you have lived in Frederick for more than 45 minutes, you know that it can get colder than the arctic in less than a day. That’s right my friend, it is chimney season. The time of year when going outside seems like the last t…Read More
Fire: The magical entity that inspires a million different poetic clichés, sports references and is even used to describe people with red hair. It is used as the benchmark of human discovery on this planet, how many times have you heard the adage of humans discovering fire? We love fire, we depend on fire to warm us, we count on fire to eat fiery treats like the blazing jalapeño popper. We are s…Read More