What is Creosote, and Why is it So Dangerous? Ask an Apex Chimney Company
August 6, 2019
Longtime readers might have noticed that we discuss creosote—an oily, black substance the builds up inside chimneys—fairly often. But what, exactly, makes creosote so dangerous? In today’s Apex chimney company blog, we discuss why creosote is far from a fire hazard or a cause of a nasty smell (all though...
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Homeowners: Book Your Chimney Inspection NOW to Have It Ready by Fall!
July 23, 2019
Every year at Nexus Chimney, we face the same situation: the first crisp day of November dawns, and our phones blow up with people who want to light a warm, cozy fire—but can’t, because their chimney is dirty, broken, or uninspected. Even though we aim to serve every customer who...
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3 Common Summer Chimney Problems to Watch Out For
July 16, 2019
Since most of us use our fireplaces in the winter, it would seem like chimney problems just don’t occur in the summer. However, there are some good reasons to schedule a chimney inspection during these hot, humid months. Animals and bugs abound during the summer season, and summer storms can...
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Do I Really Need a Chimney Cap? Ask an Apex Chimney Company
July 9, 2019
Even though a chimney cap is relatively minor installation, many homeowners question whether it is necessary or not. The answer is that this small bit metal protecting your chimney can prevent countless chimney-related mishaps and save you thousands of dollars in unnecessary chimney repairs. So, unless you want headaches down...
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Why Does My Chimney Smell Bad in the Summer? Apex Chimney Services
July 2, 2019
You may have noticed an acrid, burning smell coming from your fireplace that seems to get worse as the summer goes on. In today’s post our Apex chimney contractor will explain why the worst fireplace smells happen in the summer, and what you can do about it. Why Your Fireplace...
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Common Safety Issues Found in Old Chimneys | Apex Chimneys
June 25, 2019
If you own, or are about to own, an older house, you’ll want to take a good look at the chimney. While newer homes are likely to be built in compliance with modern codes and material requirements, older homes were probably built to older standards and tend to have more...
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The Strange History of Chimney Sweeping | Nexus Chimney Services
June 18, 2019
These days, most peoples’ idea of a chimney sweep probably comes from the Mary Poppins movie, wherein a sweep named Bert sings cheerfully about the lucky life he leads. Sadly, though, the true history of chimney sweeping is far different than the Disney portrayal. For centuries, chimney sweeping was not...
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What is a Chimney Liner, and Why Does it Need an Inspection?
June 11, 2019
The chimney liner is arguably one of the most important safety components of a chimney. Today, our Apex chimney contractor explains the different types of chimney liners and why it is so critical to have them regularly inspected. Clay Chimney Liners Clay tiles are by far the most popular chimney lining...
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There’s a Squirrel in my Chimney! What to Do
June 4, 2019
Ah, spring. The birds are chirping, the bees are buzzing, and the squirrels…are hopefully in the trees, and not in your chimney. Unfortunately, ‘tis the season to find something small and fluffy (or feathery) hanging out in your chimney flue, and the season where we spend the most time fishing...
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Why Spring Is the Best Time to Have Your Chimney Repaired
May 25, 2019
Every year at Nexus Chimney Services, the same thing happens. As soon as the first cold day of fall comes, our phones start blowing up with calls from people who need their chimneys cleaned so they can safely use their fireplaces. We wind up with so much business, we barely...
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Why It’s Important to Close Your Damper in The Summer
May 18, 2019
Now that it’s springtime, there’s one important thing to remember to do to close off your fireplace for summer: close your damper. Leaving your chimney damper open during the summer can have a number of consequences, which we will discuss below. Need more fireplace or chimney help? Call our chimney...
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How to Check Chimneys for Winter Damage from Nexus Chimney Repair
May 11, 2019
Now that it’s spring, it’s a great time to check your chimney to see how the snow, wind, cold, and rain have impacted it, not to mention all the use you got out of it. Before you put your fireplace to bed for the summer, check for creosote build-up and...
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Weirdest Things That Have Been Found in Chimneys
May 4, 2019
The most common things found in chimneys are generally creosote, soot, and birds, but every so often something winds up in a chimney that you just wouldn’t expect. Since we’re a chimney company, we thought it would be fun to focus today’s blog on the many strange and unusual things...
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Wilmington Man Accused of Making Dangerous Chimney Repairs
April 30, 2019
This week, NC officials have accused a Wilmington man of performing dangerous chimney repairs that may be putting people’s lives at risk, according to WECT. The local chimney contractor, Ronnie Larocca, has posted dozens of videos of his repairs on social media, demonstrating work which chimney industry experts have claimed...
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How to Prevent Chimney Fires with Nexus Chimney Services
April 16, 2019
Every year, there are more than 25,000 chimney fires in the U.S., incurring more than $125 million in property damage. In the most severe cases, chimney fires can destroy entire homes and put lives at risk. Sadly, most of these tragedies are preventable, often resulting from a failure to regularly...
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