Posts by TJ Robinson
Beware the Chimney Cleaning Scam Artist
It’s January and the snowflakes are swirling. The worst weather of the season will likely hit within the next two months. If you haven’t done so already, the sudden frigid temperatures could make you more inclined to get that fireplace and chimney primed for use. If that’s the thought running through your mind, make sure…
Read MoreHow Santa Gets Down the Chimney
How does Santa make it down the chimney? It’s a common question among curious children this time of year. Kids may not have the worldly knowledge yet, but their better sense tells them that a man of Santa’s girth could have difficulty squeezing down a slim chimney, not to mention climbing back up. Definitive proof…
Read More32 Years of Business and Still Going Strong
When you’ve been in business as long as we have, sometimes you stop and reflect at all the changes that have occurred in the industry. TJ’s Chimney Service has been servicing Indianapolis-area residents for 32 years, so there’s plenty for us to consider. Back when we started in 1979, the tools – and the services…
Read MoreTJ’s Twelve Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, TJ gave to me, an overdue chimney cleaning. On the second day of Christmas, TJ gave to me, two fireplace inspections and an overdue chimney cleaning. On the third day of Christmas, TJ gave to me, three dryer vent cleanings, two fireplace inspections, and an overdue chimney cleaning. On…
Read MoreThose Pesky Rodents
Most home builders will tell you that new construction slows down during the winter months. That trend, unfortunately, doesn’t extend to the animals that live around your home. In fact, it’s during the winter that some of those pesky critters really settle in, especially in your chimney. You, or someone you know, probably have a…
Read MoreWhat is a chimney?
What is a fireplace? Most people would answer the question by pointing to their fireplace and saying, “Well, that’s it right there.” But that’s the simple response. In truth, your fireplace consists of several pieces working together. First you have the doors, which are usually glass but can also be metal. The doors close off…
Read MoreChimney Safety
People sometimes ask us how we stay safe on the job. Because we often end up on people’s roofs, chimney safety is a top priority. Below is the basic checklist for staying safe. Check the Ladders – Climbing up to the roof and back down again can occasionally be tricky. We always make sure that…
Read MoreLarge Chimney for Sale
If you know anyone in the market for a chimney about 13 stories tall (and overseas), one is available on eBay at a low starting bid. An old Victorian brewery chimney in Wrexham, Wales is on the market. The owner, Dr. John Marek, originally purchased the structure to keep it from being demolished. As one…
Read MoreWhat is Creosote?
One of the biggest causes of damage to your chimney is creosote build-up. So what is creosote? When you light a fire in your fireplace, smoke is release up the flue. The smoke, or flue gas, is made of steam and carbon-based by-products in vapor form. As the smoke travels from the fireplace up the…
Read MoreCleaning a Dryer Vent Isn’t As Simple As You Think
People often look at their dryer ventilation system and think, “I could clean that in a few minutes.” Sure, you might be able to remove the superficial lint, but there’s a lot more to the process. To adequately clean your dryer vent, you would need to do the following: Pull the dryer out from the…
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