With peak holiday season just a few weeks away, we’re in the thick of fireplace season now! One of the last things you and your loved ones should have to worry about this time of year is dealing with chimney related complications. With that in mind, let’s jump into a quick true or false series [...]

Inspections are a required part of the homebuying process. But what if the previous owner never used their fireplace? Are you in the clear to skip the chimney inspection portion and save your client some money? The Short Answer The short answer is that you cannot skip the chimney inspection regardless of its prior usage. [...]

With the weather getting colder and winter right on the horizon, it’s safe to say that fireplace season is here. Before you enjoy your first autumn fire, however, there’s some steps you should take to make sure your chimney is 100% safe and ready for use. Have a Professional Sweep Your Chimney Having your chimney [...]

Sometimes the sale of a home can hinge on the outcome of a home inspection. No buyer wants to hear that the inspection of their prospective home went poorly. As a real estate agent, you should always emphasize the importance of proactive chimney inspections to prevent any hiccups in the home buying process. It’s the [...]

As a homeowner, you want to take excellent care of your home and keep all of your family members safe. Chimney sweeps are an integral part of that goal, as they help to remove flammable material and obstacles from the chimney and ensure the structure of the chimney is sound. When do you know that [...]

As a real estate agent, you are one of the first places that your home sellers or buyers will go when an inspection returns with issues noted. It’s a great idea to familiarize yourself with some of the most common surprises that pop up during pre-listing chimney inspections and how to solve them. Masonry Problems: The [...]

Whether your home has had a fireplace for decades or you just purchased a home with a brand new fireplace tucked inside, knowing how to safely use it is essential. Fireplaces, when used and maintained properly, are very safe. However, when you don’t maintain them or pay close attention, they can lead to serious hazards [...]

Real estate professionals are expected to have a great deal of knowledge about not only selling homes but also different parts of the home. Chimneys have specialized vocabulary to describe different elements of the chimney, and understanding different vocabulary terms will help you to help your clients throughout the chimney inspection and home buying or selling [...]

If you’re a homeowner, there is a good chance that you have heard how valuable a chimney cap is to the short-term and long-term integrity of your chimney. Even though your chimney might seem strong and able to endure years of harsh weather and wildlife activity, installing a chimney cap can fortify it even more. [...]

As a real estate agent, you encounter hundreds of houses every year. While all of them might not have a chimney, many of them probably do. In many Maryland homes, chimneys can help residents to stay warm in the coldest months of the year. The issues can arise when working with a buyer or seller [...]