Posts by TJ Robinson
9 Signs Your Chimney Needs an Inspection
Your fireplace can be a wonderful addition to your home. But if it’s not maintained properly, it can become a source of danger to your home and family. An improperly maintained chimney can lead to a fire that starts inside your chimney, causing damage to your home and belongings – and, possibly, even injuries or…
Read MoreWater Can Damage Your Chimney
Now that it’s May, the weather is finally warming up – which is a good thing if you don’t like snow and ice. But spring typically brings rain. While the roof and walls of your home protect you from rain, snow and ice, your chimney is constantly exposed to the weather. And moisture of any…
Read MoreWhat Is a Level 1 Chimney Inspection?
It used to be when you had a chimney service technician inspect your fireplace, stove or venting system, they determined the scope of work that was performed. However, recently, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) developed minimum chimney standards that no longer leave the tasks performed during a home heating appliance inspection up to the…
Read More6 Ways to Control Spring Allergies
Spring has finally arrived in Indiana. The temps are getting warmer. The grass is getting greener. The daffodils are blooming. And the trees have buds on them and are bursting into flowers. But with the arrival of spring also comes seasonal allergies, causing your nose to run and your eyes to water. According to…
Read More8 Brick Fireplace Cleaning Tips
Do the bricks surrounding your fireplace look dark and dirty – especially the more you use your fireplace? Unfortunately, unsealed brick, which has a dull, flat appearance, is a porous material. That means soot, dust and dirt can penetrate into the cracks and crevasses of the bricks. Soot and dirt that has been absorbed into…
Read MoreSafety Tips for Factory-built Fireplaces
Is your home less than 50 years old? Was your home’s design one of a half a dozen new build designs in a planned neighborhood? Does your home have a fireplace or multiple fireplaces? Well, chances are your home features a factory-built fireplace. Factory-built fireplaces – often called pre-fab fireplaces – are constructed and assembled…
Read MoreWhen Should You Repair or Replace Your Chimney Cap?
When was the last time you or a professional chimney sweep – like those at T. J.’s Chimney Service – inspected the chimney cap covering your chimney or flue? Last year? A few years ago? Never? A chimney cap is the rectangular or round device that fits onto the top of your chimney or flue.…
Read MoreWhat Is a Factory-built Fireplace?
When you think about a fireplace, you probably think of one made of bricks or stones. But did you know that, for over 50 years, many fireplaces used in the construction of new homes are actually made in factory?In fact, factory-built fireplaces now make up about 75% of all types of fireplaces used in home…
Read MoreHow to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Imagine receiving a frightening phone call from your elderly grandparents, who live out-of-state and are calling to tell you that they love you, but they’re dying. That’s precisely what happened to Ariane Townsend. And if she hadn’t of called the fire department in her grandparents’ hometown, they would have likely died of carbon monoxide poisoning.…
Read More5 Benefits of Cleaning Your Dryer Vent
How many loads of laundry do you do each week? According to Proctor & Gamble Co., the average U.S. household does 600 loads of laundry each year. And a 2007 survey of 2,500 Whirlpool customers found that 78% of those surveyed do about nine loads of laundry a week. That’s a lot of dirty clothes…
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