Author: Johnathan Mason

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.

Hearth extension size and clearance to combustibles are where remodels go wrong. The fireplace measurements Wonder Lake homeowners should check.

The 3-2-10 rule explains a surprising number of draft complaints. How Bull Valley homeowners measure chimney height and what to do if it falls short.

A camera scan shows cracked tiles, gaps and blockages a flashlight cannot reach. When an Oakwood Hills chimney warrants one, and what the video shows.