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Category Archives: Chimney Services

What is that Chimney Smell?

By Doctor Flue | Published April 30, 2015

Many people notice odors coming from their chimneys even when a fire is not burning or hasn’t been for a long period. There are many factors that produce undesirable odors from a dirty chimney including moisture, humidity, and particle build-up.  If Your Chimney  Smells Like…  Then it’s Most  Likely From… Asphalt  Cresote build up Musty […]

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Is it Time to Replace Your Chimney Chase?

By Doctor Flue | Published April 7, 2015

If you’re experiencing unexplained cold air circulating in or around your fireplace, it might be time to replace your chimney chase. But what exactly is a chimney chase and how do you know when to replace it? The first thing you want to determine is the type of chimney you have in your home. If […]

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Does Your Dirty Chimney Really Need to Be Swept?

By Doctor Flue | Published March 24, 2015

“Was it dirty?” Our technicians are often asked this question when evaluating a homeowner’s wood burning system. In reality, anyone can reach into a chimney and get soot on their hand. Every chimney is a little dirty! But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it needs to be swept. So how do we determine if a […]

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How to Clean a Stained Brick Fireplace

By Doctor Flue | Published February 24, 2015

We have a lot of clients who ask us what to do about the black, soot-stained brick surface near their fireplace. If you have a masonry fireplace with a brick or stone face in your home, this blog is for you! Black, stained brick is often seen above the opening of the fireplace. This staining […]

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Infographic: Chimney Cleaning Tips

By Doctor Flue | Published February 17, 2015

  Infographic Text 3 Types of Chimney Deposits Soot – Black or brown colored composition of carbon particles and ash with a soft texture. Creosote – Unburned wood particles and condensed gasses form curly, flaky, or bubbly deposits in a brown or black color. Glaze – When creosote build ups so quickly that the layers […]

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Can My Home Have Multiple Chimney Flues?

By Doctor Flue | Published January 13, 2015

If you have more than one fireplace, you may have wondered if everything is connected to the same flue. Doctor Flue has the answer! Typically, homes that are built after the 1900s have a separate flue for each fireplace; even the furnace and water heater use separate chimney flues. However, we do see some chimneys […]

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Chimney Efflorescence: The White Residue on Your Chimney

By Doctor Flue | Published November 11, 2014

If you’ve ever noticed a white residue accumulating on your brick chimney, you may not have thought much about it. However, this white staining, called chimney efflorescence, can become very problematic if left unchecked. What Causes Chimney Efflorescence? Efflorescence accumulates on a masonry structure as a result of moisture passing through the chimney, dissolving the […]

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Painting a Chimney Can Do More Harm Than Good

By Doctor Flue | Published October 21, 2014

Painting the exterior of a home is not easy work. Whether you’ve hired a professional painter or are taking the DIY route, it’s important to have a plan in place, and that plan should include what parts of the home are to be painted. Here at Doctor Flue, some of our customers have asked us […]

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What to Expect During a Chimney Inspection and Cleaning

By Doctor Flue | Published October 7, 2014

Did you know that homeowners in the US lose more than $200 million each year due to unsafe chimneys? Don’t let your chimney to get so out-of-hand that you become a contributor to this statistic! To avoid a potential chimney or fireplace fire, it’s important to get a chimney inspection every year. Similarly, if your […]

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Yikes! There’s a Critter in my Chimney!

By Doctor Flue | Published August 21, 2014

As cooler weather approaches, you can expect critters to find ways into your home – which is certainly not ideal for any homeowner. It’s not uncommon, especially in older homes, to hear the occasional mouse scurry across the attic floor, or find a critter setting up shop in your basement. Some homeowners have the misfortune […]

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