Month: September 2026

A throat damper leaks heat even when it is closed. How a top-sealing damper works, and when it is the right fix for an Island Lake fireplace.

Using a fireplace safely when the power is out in Lakewood: ventilation, carbon monoxide, what not to burn, and preparing before the storm arrives.

Vented and vent-free gas logs differ in heat, moisture and venting requirements. What Fox River Grove homeowners should weigh before choosing.

A new fireplace is not automatically a correct one. Why Huntley homeowners should book an inspection on new construction, and what gets missed.

Two-story houses pull air down the chimney when the upstairs leaks. Why the fireplace smells upstairs in Woodstock homes, and how that is fixed.

Clay tile, stainless steel and cast-in-place liners compared for Cary homes: cost drivers, lifespan, and which suits an older masonry chimney.

Pellet venting is pressurised and sealed, not a wood stove chimney. What Algonquin pellet stove owners need to know about clearances and cleaning.

Shared chases and split responsibility complicate townhome chimney repairs. What Lake in the Hills owners and associations each tend to be liable for.

What actually happens during a chimney sweep visit in Crystal Lake: how long it takes, how dust is controlled, and what you should receive afterwards.

Old farmhouse chimneys hide capped stove openings and unused flues. Why these forgotten thimbles matter in Marengo homes, and how they are sealed.