Category: Chimney Tips

The white film on gas fireplace glass is normal deposit, not damage. What causes it, and how Algonquin homeowners clean it without scratching.

Cracked refractory panels are a safety issue, not a cosmetic one. When a Lake in the Hills firebox needs repair or replacement, and what the limits are.

Black streaks above the opening mean smoke is escaping the firebox. What soot staining tells Crystal Lake homeowners about draft and damper problems.

Dryer vents that end in an attic or garage dump moisture and lint indoors. How Wonder Lake homeowners check where theirs actually terminates.

A well-sealed house can starve a fireplace of air and backdraft it. How makeup air works, and what Bull Valley homeowners can do about it.

Do creosote sweeping logs work? An honest answer for Oakwood Hills homeowners on what they change, what they cannot do, and why sweeping still applies.

The small metal door at the base of the chimney opens onto an ash pit. What it is for in Prairie Grove homes, and why a rusted one causes problems.

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.