Remember to Close Your Chimney Damper for Summer!
June 16, 2020
Now that warm weather is here to stay, there’s one important thing to do before you start enjoying some summer fun: remember to close your fireplace damper! Leaving your fireplace damper open during the summer can have a number of consequences, some expensive and some dangerous for your health. In...
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Our Apex Chimney Inspector Explains How to Stop Chimney Swifts
May 15, 2020
While many types of birds have been known to nest in chimneys, the worst offender is doubtlessly the chimney swift. These deceptively harmless-looking little birds can occupy chimneys in the hundreds or thousands, causing a fire and sanitation hazard for homeowners. Even worse, since they are a protected species, chimney...
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How to Close Out Your Fireplace for Spring & Summer | Nexus Chimney
April 15, 2020
With the days getting warmer and longer, it’s time to think about closing down your fireplace for the summer season, when it’s likely to see very little use. Keep reading to learn how to close your chimney system safely, without damaging your fireplace or its accessories, from our Apex chimney...
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Top Home Repair Jobs You Should Never DIY | Apex Chimney Services
March 15, 2020
Determined weekend warriors may be inclined to tackle any home repair job that comes their way in order to save money and learn a new skill in the process. However, there are some home repair jobs that just aren’t worth the risk. Here are some common home improvement jobs that...
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There’s a Squirrel in my Chimney! Our Cary Chimney Contractor Shares What to Do
February 15, 2020
Hearing scratching, scuttling sounds in your chimney that are definitely not the sound smoke makes? You probably have a squirrel trapped in your flue. Here’s what to do (and what not to do) according to our Cary chimney contractor. Confirm that it is, in fact, a squirrel Many of our...
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Chimney Anatomy 101: Knowing Your Chimney from Top to Bottom
January 28, 2020
A chimney might look pretty simple from the outside, but it’s actually a very complex system of internal and external components. While there’s no sense in becoming a chimney expert—(that’s our job!)—being able to identify the basic parts of your chimney can help us troubleshoot a potential issue over the...
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How to Choose the Best Firewood for Your Apex Chimney
January 21, 2020
Firewood might look pretty similar from one batch to the next, but different types of wood burn very differently. Not all firewood produces the same results, even if it’s properly seasoned. You may be looking for firewood that crackles nicely; wood that burns efficiently without creating excessive heat; or wood...
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Watch Out for These Common Chimney Safety Issues in Old Houses
January 14, 2020
If you own (or are about to own) a house that’s more than 30 years old, take a good look at the chimney. While newer homes are likely to be built in compliance with modern safety codes, older homes are often built to older standards, and therefore are at high...
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Top Signs You May Need a Cary Chimney Inspection
January 7, 2020
Top Signs You May Need a Cary Chimney Inspection If you have a chimney which you use regularly throughout the fall and winter, it’s essential to have your it inspected and cleaned at least once a year. Buildup of soot and debris, as well as other problems, can present a...
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Don’t Get Burned — 4 Tips for Hiring an Apex Chimney Sweep
December 31, 2019
There are many places where you can, and should, cut corners when planning your annual budget. Chimney inspections are not one of them. Despite their simple-seeming outer appearance, chimneys are actually very complex, and hiring a chimney sweep who doesn’t know what he or she is doing can have devastating...
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Why Anyone (Besides Santa) Would Have Trouble Entering a House Through the Chimney
December 24, 2019
Maybe you’ve read our articles about people getting stuck in chimneys this season, or maybe you’re just wondering how the man in the big red suit does it. Or, maybe you’re nervous about a would-be burglar entering your home via chimney. Not to worry: in today’s post, our Cary chimney...
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Top People Who Have Gotten Stuck in a Chimney This Season
December 17, 2019
Ah, Christmas. ‘Tis the season for twinkling lights, mugs of eggnog, and news stories of people getting stuck in their chimneys. While some of these chimney victims entered intentionally, and others fell in by accident, they all have one thing in common: they got stuck. Below are some of the...
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The Incredible Reddit Carbon Monoxide Story, as Told by Our Apex Chimney Contractor
December 10, 2019
As a chimney inspection and repair company, we spend a significant amount of time educating our clients on the dangers of carbon monoxide, a deadly substance which can be produced if a chimney system is broken or poorly ventilated. For today’s post, we thought we’d have some fun and share...
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Cold Air Coming Through Your Chimney? Learn Why From Our Apex Chimney Sweep
November 26, 2019
If you’ve been noticing a chill in the air, even when a fire is burning full-blaze in the fireplace, there is most likely a downdraft of cool air entering your home through the chimney. Fortunately, this is a common problem and one that’s usually fairly easy to solve. Keep reading...
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Our Apex Chimney Contractor Explains How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
November 19, 2019
Carbon monoxide (CO) claims the lives of more 500 people in the United States every year. Odorless and invisible, it can leak through fireplaces and other fuel-burning appliances, unnoticed until it builds up to deadly amounts. CO is the number one cause of poisoning fatalities in the U.S., and faulty...
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