How to Safely Remove Creosote from Your Fireplace to Prevent Issues

creosote

Most homeowners know that creosote buildup can be quite dangerous in their chimneys. It can lead to respiratory illnesses and even chimney fires that might spread to their homes. Although creosote is typically thickest toward the top of the chimney, it’s possible for the substance to build up in your fireplace to some degree, too. […]

What to Do with Leftover Firewood at the End of the Heating Season

leftover firewood

Try as you might, deciding exactly how much firewood you will need to get you through the winter – and then buying just the right amount – is more difficult than it might seem. If you have leftover firewood that you won’t need between now and next winter, you have a few options available to […]

5 Expert Tips Regarding Chimney Safety

damascus chimney sweep services

Your fireplace offers up amazing ambience and plenty of heat, and even the US Department of Energy touts the benefits of heating homes with wood. Unless you have studied up on your chimney safety guidelines, fireplaces can be hazardous, and even a small oversight could result in devastating fires or other events. Below are five […]

How a Fireplace Can Drastically Reduce Your Energy Costs

saving energy costs

If you have a fireplace that you aren’t using, you are probably paying more for energy than you should be. A fireplace provides far more than just a calming visual effect; it also offers comfortable warmth that radiates into even the largest rooms. Here are a few ways in which a fireplace can reduce your […]

Pro Tips for Lighting a Proper Fire in Your Fireplace the Right Way

Lighting a Fireplace

A roaring, crackling fire is a great way to unwind, relax, and catch up with your family, and it’s been the favorite backdrop for a good book for hundreds of years, too. If you’re struggling to light a fire, or if you just want to do it as efficiently as possible, the three pro tips […]

How to Get Your Fireplace and Chimney Ready for Wintertime

How to Get Your Fireplace and Chimney Ready for Wintertime get fireplace ready MCP Chimney & Masonry, INC.

The cold winter months are just around the corner, and for many homeowners, that means warm, toasty fires in their fireplaces. Before you light that first fire of the season, though, it’s important to ensure that your fireplace and chimney are clean and in good repair. Here are some important tips for ensuring that you […]

How to Get Your Chimney Ready for Leaves and Snow

Fireplace

  Fall is in the air now, and that means winter is just around the corner. These two seasons bring with them falling leaves and falling snow, both of which can cause problems if you haven’t properly prepared your chimney. Here, you’ll discover some great advice for protecting your chimney (and consequently your home) from […]

How to Cheer Up the Look of Your Fireplace During the Summer

Fireplace

During the winter months your fireplace probably gets a lot of use – regardless of whether it is used indoors or outdoors. With this use comes a cheery, festive look. A crackling fire nestled into a rustic, functioning fireplace is a relaxing site. When the holidays roll around it is festooned with lights, stockings, cornucopias, […]

Why Inspecting Your Chimney for Masonry Leaks is Something that Should Be Done Now

Why Inspecting Your Chimney for Masonry Leaks is Something that Should Be Done Now iStock 000009121945 Large MCP Chimney & Masonry, INC.

  Chimneys play important roles in the safe operation of your fireplace. They allow smoke and combustion gases to escape safely and prevent them from entering your home. Unfortunately, common issues can have a tremendous impact on that safety, and in some cases, it can even jeopardize the structure of your home. Here are some […]

Chimney Maintenance You Can Start Now

Chimney Maintenance You Can Start Now masonry repair 2 MCP Chimney & Masonry, INC.

Most homeowners are unaware of the maintenance their chimneys and fireplaces need in order to operate safely. Though there are some things homeowners should not attempt on their own, including cleanings and repairs, simple chimney maintenance is different. With the following tips and tricks, you can maintain your chimney, reduce the likelihood of future issues, […]

Cleaning Your Own Chimney Among Worst Tips

Custom Fireplace Mantels

While the internet has become a wonderful tool in many respects, the World Wide Web can often mislead consumers, giving them bad advice when it comes to chimney maintenance. We see firsthand the frustrations of homeowners who have received bad chimney maintenance tips, leading often to increased chimney repair costs due to damaged fireplaces or […]

Winterize Your Chimney for Increased Home Energy Efficiency

Chimney Maintenance

Winterizing your chimney plays a key role in home energy efficiency, helping your chimney operate safe and clean to offset high furnace costs, using the heat from your fireplace to warm your home instead. And while a thorough chimney cleaning and inspection is a fundamental part of winterizing your chimney, there are other tasks that […]