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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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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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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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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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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Fireplace Safety Tips for Kids from Our Apex Chimney Inspection Company
October 22, 2019
Now that the weather is becoming chilly, more and more families are opening up their chimneys for the season—which also means a higher risk for fire-related accidents. Below are some simple tips to keep your children safe around your fireplace. Install Heat-Resistant Glass Doors If you have a wood-burning fireplace,...
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Dirty Chimney? Watch Out for These Common Health Hazards
October 15, 2019
Your fireplace does wonders to keep you nice and toasty in the dead of winter. Unfortunately, the same fireplace that can be a lifesaver can also negatively impact your health if it becomes dirty. Carbon monoxide poisoning, respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation, and animal-transmitted diseases can all result from...
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How to Use Ashes to Make Soap from a Cary Fireplace Cleaning Company
October 8, 2019
The next time you find yourself shoveling wood ashes out of your fireplace, don’t throw them away! There are countless ways to reuse and repurpose fireplace ashes, and we’re not just talking about compost. Before household chemicals and detergents, ashes were a key component of soap, since wet ashes naturally...
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How to Prepare Your Chimney for Fall with Nexus Chimney Services
October 2, 2019
How to Prepare Your Chimney for Fall with Nexus Chimney Services As hot as the beginning of the month seems to have been, the chilly temperatures will arrive before you know it. Before they do, it’s a good idea to ensure your chimney is safe to use in the season...
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How Water Can Ruin Your Masonry Chimney | Nexus Chimney Services
September 16, 2019
Chimneys typically tend to receive neither the attention nor the concern usually afforded to other household systems. However, chimneys are far from empty black columns; their simple appearance disguises an intricate mechanism capable of multiple, complex functions. When considering the rest of your home maintenance jobs, it’s important to consider...
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Bees in Your Chimney: Do’s and Don’ts | Nexus Chimney Services
September 9, 2019
Bee-lieve it or not, late summer and early fall are prime time for bee activity. The shortening days and dropping temperature send a signal to these buzzy critters that it’s time to collect as much food as possible and find a cozy place to hunker down for the winter. Unfortunately,...
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When Should I Remove My Fireplace Ashes? | Apex Chimney Services
August 20, 2019
Any homeowner with a wood-burning stove or fireplace will eventually be faced with the problem of ash buildup. In today’s post, our Apex chimney contractor will discuss when ashes are actually beneficial, and when they should be removed. Why You Shouldn’t Clean Your Fireplace Ashes Every Day A little...
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