Dr. Sweeper Chimney Academy
Plain-language guides to how chimneys and fireplaces work, what goes wrong and what to do next. Written to help you ask better questions, whether or not you ever call us.
Start with what you are seeing
- Smoke coming into the house
- Water coming in
- White stains on brick
- Flaking bricks
- Cracked crown
- Fireplace smell
- Damper stuck
- Noise or animals
- Leaning or cracking
- Buying or selling
Chimney basics
How a chimney works
Draft, flue and firebox in plain language.
Parts of a chimney, from firebox to cap
What each part does and what tends to wear.
Flue vs. liner: what is the difference?
Two words that get mixed up.
Sweeping and maintenance
How often should a chimney be swept?
What the yearly inspection guidance really says.
What is creosote?
How it forms and why its form matters.
Signs your chimney needs cleaning
What to notice before the next fire.
A seasonal fireplace checklist
Before, during and after the season.
Choosing and storing firewood
Seasoned wood and why it matters.
Chimney inspections
Level 1, 2 and 3 chimney inspections
What each level is and when it applies.
Chimney inspection when buying or selling a home
Why a general home inspection may not be enough.
After a chimney fire: what happens next
Signs of a past fire and what to do.
Water and moisture
Why is water coming into my chimney?
Where it enters and how to trace it.
What causes white stains on chimney brick?
Efflorescence explained.
Why are chimney bricks flaking apart?
Spalling and freeze and thaw.
Chimney flashing and crickets
How the roof joint keeps water out.
Do chimneys need a water repellent?
What it can and cannot do.
Masonry
Repointing or rebuilding a chimney?
How to think about the choice.
Why is my chimney crown cracked?
Causes, and repair versus rebuild.
Cracks in a stucco chimney
What they mean and how repair works.
Is my chimney leaning or cracking?
Telling cosmetic cracks from movement.
Liners and flues
Do you need a chimney liner?
When a liner makes sense.
Clay tile vs. stainless steel liners
How the two compare.
Wood stove or insert: why the liner matters
What changes when an appliance is added.
Chimney liner sizing basics
Why bigger is not better.
Fireplace and smoke problems
Why is smoke coming into my house?
A checklist from simplest cause to hardest.
Why does my fireplace smell?
Matching the odor to the cause.
Why is my damper not working?
Stuck dampers and top-sealing dampers.
The smoke chamber, explained
The part above the firebox most people never see.
Gas fireplaces: what upkeep do they need?
No creosote, but not maintenance-free.
Cracks in the firebox: when do they matter?
Reading firebox damage.
Closing off a fireplace you do not use
Options and what to keep in mind.
Chimney-top parts
Chimney cap vs. chase cover
Two parts that protect the top.
Animals in the chimney
Signs, safe steps and prevention.
These guides are general information. Every chimney is different, and only an inspection of yours can say what it needs.
Have a question about your chimney?
Call or book online. We will contact you to confirm scheduling.