Our Company Blog

Let the Chief Tell You Why Your Chimney Needs a Cap!

Whether you have a brick-and-mortar chimney, a new or aging insert, or a simple stove pipe, you may wonder about a chimney cap. A lot of home owners may have a policy of “out of sight, out of mind”, but although the chimney stack is outside, it can cause major issues inside without a proper cap.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) describes the chimney cap as “an important chimney safety and damage prevention component.”

Keep the Outside Out

Although chimney caps can be found at your local home improvement stores at an affordable price, some home owners don’t find them important. Although we at Chief Chimney Services are happy to service all chimneys, we recommend the use of a chimney cap for safety as well as prevention.

Wood-burning furnaces are designed to heat the inside of the home, the chimney designed to release gases and equalize pressure in the home, and the chimney cap designed to keep certain things outside the home.

Weather

Chief Chimney Services will clean, maintain, and inspect chimneys to make sure the path is clear for gases to escape, but rain, snow, and ice can cause flue obstructions if allowed into the chimney. We recommend using chimney caps to keep the path clear!

Since chimneys have to allow large amounts of pressure and gas to escape, there are sometimes multiple openings at the top, called flues. If moisture is allowed into the openings it can run directly into the chimney itself, causing minor problems like bothersome odors in the home, and more serious damage like rusted damper assemblies, deteriorated firebox assemblies, rot, clogged heating and clean-out systems, stained chimneys, decayed mortar, cracked or damaged flue lining, collapsed hearth support, and tilted or collapsed chimney structure.

Wildlife

If a chimney cap is damaged, improperly installed, or nonexistent you essentially have a hole in your roof that animals can access. Any animal that can climb onto your roof can also climb into your home. A chimney is a warm and safe place for animals to shelter their own families, so if they have the opportunity, expect them to take advantage!

If an animal finds a way into you chimney it can definitely cause obstruction, and could even suffocate, causing a foul odor in the home, and need removal.

Keeping the Inside Out

At Chief Chimney Services, we recommend chimney caps to prevent sparks from escaping the chimney. A hot fire has the power to push hot sparks up the chimney along with the smoke and gases. These hot sparks can damage the roof around the chimney, and can cause accidental environmental fires.

It’s our responsibility as home and business owners to be responsible for our homes and buildings. We strive to give our customers the best opportunity for success, and we are readily available to help you with your chimney.

When to Call a Professional

If you are ready to install a chimney cap, or have concerns there is a problem with your existing chimney cap, notice a smoke or draft problem in your fireplace, furnace, or chimney system call a Chief Chimney Services professional today, or click here to schedule an appointment online.

How to handle a chimney fire

Homeowners hope they never have to deal with a fire, but it’s something every homeowner should be prepared for. If your home has a fireplace or heating stove, you also should be prepared to deal with a chimney fire.

Recognizing the signs of a chimney fire

First, you should know the signs of a chimney fire. Oftentimes, chimney fires are extremely dramatic and obvious. Flames and sparks shoots out the top of the chimney, dense smoke billows out, and people inside the home hear a roaring noise like a low-flying plane. Other times, however, chimney fires are far more subtle. Some smoke may begin entering the house, or there may be a popping or “raining” sound from inside the chimney.

Responding to a chimney fire

If you believe you are experiencing a chimney fire, your first priority should be to get everyone out of the home safely. While most metal chimney are made to withstand a chimney fire, there is a risk that the fire could escape and ignite your home’s structure. Because of that risk, you should immediately call the fire department. If you feel safe doing so, you can close the doors to the fireplace, and turn off any fans or blowers. Once outside, you can spray water on your roof to prevent any sparks coming from the chimney from igniting your roof.

Following a chimney fire, your chimney should be inspected by a certified chimney sweep before you attempt to burn another fire. A sweep will clean the chimney and inspect the structure. While metal flues can withstand temperatures up to 2,000 degree, they still may be damaged by a fire. The extreme temperatures of a chimney fire can cause major damage to a masonry chimney. Mortar can melt and bricks can crack, compromising the chimney structure.

Preventing a chimney fire

As the saying goes, “Clean chimneys don’t catch fire.” The majority of chimney fires are caused by a buildup of creosote, which is extremely flammable. The best way to protect your home from a chimney fire is to have your chimney swept by a certified chimney sweep at least once a year, and potentially more frequently if you rely on a woodstove as a main source of heat. Your chimney sweep will remove all creosote buildup from your flue, and will look for any signs of chimney damage or weakness.

Creosote forms when smoke cools near the top of your flue, causing condensation. Burning properly seasoned hardwood that is the right size for your fireplace can slow the buildup of creosote in your fireplace. Also, make sure you always burn fires with your damper fully open, and if you have an open-hearth fireplace, never close the fireplace doors when a fire is burning. Having a partially closed damper or closed fireplace doors interrupts the draft of smoke out of your chimney, causing smoke to linger longer and encouraging creosote buildup.

If you’re overdue for a chimney sweeping, or if you’re concerned that your chimney has experienced a fire, call the experts at Chief Chimney Services. We can help keep your home and family safe from the risk of a chimney fire.

Is Your Chimney Ready for Winter?

As winter weather sets in, we all start to look longingly toward our fireplaces for warmth and light. But before you light that fire, make sure your home, fireplace, and chimney are ready and safe. Here’s a checklist to start with:

Install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.

Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of your home, and should be checked often.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas produced when certain fuels are burned that has the potential to kill if left undetected. Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on each level of the home, especially near sleeping areas.

Stock up on seasoned firewood.

Only use firewood that was cut and split at least six months ago, and has been stored in a high and dry place protected from rain and dampness. Green and/or wet wood produces more creosote, which could lead to chimney fires.

Reverse your ceiling fans.

During the summer months we use our ceiling fans to move cool air around, but in the winter months the fan blades should rotate the opposite way to make sure the warm air that has risen to the ceiling is pushed back down to the ground where you can enjoy it.

Have a CSIA-certified chimney technician visit.

Chimney Safety Institute of America-certified technicians have gone through extensive training and education to ensure that they can identify and treat fireplace and chimney damage or problem areas. You should have a CSIA-certified technician inspect your chimney at least once a year. The tech should inspect your chimney and fireplace and will alert you to any structural issues like cracked linings, missing or broken masonry, and mortar joint issues.
If necessary (the technician will tell you), have them sweep your chimney to remove any potentially flammable creosote left over from last year’s fires.
Consider having the technician install a chimney cap. People aren’t the only things that get cold in the winter! Birds, bats, and other small animals like to escape the cold, and your chimney seems nice and cozy. A chimney cap will keep these little guys out, making your life much easier.

Before you light that fire, call Chief Chimney Services serving the Suffolk, NY area. Our CSIA-certified technicians can talk to you about inspection options, sweeping, and chimney accessories to keep your home warm and your fires safe.

Chimney Liner Repair

When most people think about damage to their chimney they think about crumbling mortar and chipped bricks on the exterior of the chimney structure caused by age and weather erosion. While this is something to be concerned about the most common (and the most dangerous) chimney damage happens inside the flue where it cannot be seen without a proper inspection. Cracked and damaged chimney liners are more common than people realize and can put your home and family at great risk if not properly repaired.

How Can I Tell If My Chimney Liner Is Damaged?

The best, most effective way to tell if you have a damaged chimney liner is a proper inspection by a CSIA certified chimney technician [https://chiefchimney.com/]. A certified tech will run a camera up your chimney so that they can see exactly what state your entire chimney liner is in. If you have a clay tile liner (the most common among older chimneys) the tech will be looking for cracked, broken, or missing tiles.

When you burn a fire the chimney heats up and cools down rapidly causing stress on the clay tiles. Over time these tiles will fracture and break and can even fall off completely. When this happens it leaves a gap in the liner exposing the masonry structure to the heat and combustible byproducts of a wood burning fire. This can cause major structural issues for your chimney and can create a potentially hazardous situation for you and your family.

If My Liner Is Damaged What Are My Options?

If your chimney liner is cracked or damaged your chimney sweep will know what to do next. Depending on the severity of the damage a relining job [https://chiefchimney.com/chimney-repairs/chimneys-relined/] might be necessary. In many cases this is the best option regardless. If your chimney liner is starting to show signs of wear and tear it will eventually have to be replaced. It is better to have that done at the first sign of an issue otherwise you are simply prolonging the inevitable and spending money on small repairs in the process. Your specific chimney system will dictate what type of liner to have installed but in most cases HeatShield is the way to go.

What is HeatShield?

HeatShield [http://cecurechimney.com/heatshield-system.html] is a Cerfractory Flue Sealant product that is used to either repair or completely replace your chimney liner. It is one of the most trusted products in the chimney industry and comes with a 20 year material warranty. There are 2 methods of using HeatShield to repair a damaged chimney liner.

Resurfacing – If the damage to a chimney liner is not too extensive the chimney sweep may recommend using the HeatShield resurfacing system. This process is performed in several steps. The first step involves a “tie-coat” that cleans the interior of the chimney liner of dust and debris and acts as a primer for the final HeatShield application. Once this primer has dried the HeatShield material is applied into the flue at ¼ inch thickness. After this is all finished a camera is run up the length of the chimney to ensure that there are no gaps left in the liner.

CeCure Sleeve Relining – If the chimney liner is extensively damaged or missing all together your chimney sweep may recommend completely relining your chimney. This is where the CeCure Sleeve Relining system comes in. When installing a CeCure Sleeve Relining system the first step is to coat the interior of the chimney with a coating of HeatShield Cerfractory Flue Sealant and a drying accelerator. Next a custom fitted CeCure Sleeve is lowered into your chimney and secured to the top of your system. This sleeve provides ceramic insulation and is reinforced with stainless steel fabric. Once this is in place another coating of the Flue Sealant is applied and another camera is run to ensure that everything is in place properly.

How Do I Schedule A Chimney Inspection?

If you have a fireplace and chimney you should have a chimney inspection performed annually by a CSIA certified chimney technician. Call Chief Chimney Services today to schedule your appointment or visit us online at chiefchimney.com.

Starting a cold fireplace

As the cold weather approaches, Chief Chimney Services in Long Island, New York wants to make sure that you are using your fireplace in an efficient and safe manner. We know there is nothing better than the sound, ambiance, and warmth from a crackling fire in your fireplace. And, there is nothing worse than a house full of smoke and toxic fumes caused by improperly starting a cold fireplace.

There are very specific considerations you need to know and specific techniques to successfully light a fire in a cold fireplace:

Before the cold weather approaches, a thorough inspection and cleaning by a CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified chimney technician is a must to ensure your chimney, fireplace, and their components are fully operational and clean. If you avoid this step, you are putting your house and family at risk for a fire, explosion, and toxic gas poisoning. CSIA, in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), urges homeowners to have a yearly inspection and cleaning of their fireplaces and chimneys before using the fireplace for the first time each season. Your skilled CSIA certified chimney technician will identify and repair any potential hazards and remove any blockages from debris or critters so you will be ready for that first fire of the year.

Once you have done your due diligence and had the cleaning and inspection performed and repaired any problems then it’s time to prepare to light your first fire of the season. The first thing to do (and many times overlooked) is OPEN THE DAMPER. The setting for many romantic and utilitarian fires have been ruined as the room filled up with smoke because the damper was not opened before the wood was lit.

The next step is to prime the flue. Here’s why that is so important. Consider that your chimney is located on the outside of your home and surrounded by the cold fall or winter temperatures. Remember, hot air rises and cold air sinks. So when you open the damper, cold air from outside is drawn down your chimney. The cold air forms a barrier as the warm air from inside your home begins to rise. This is called “air sink”. When air sink occurs and the smoke cannot escape out the chimney your house fills up with smoke. The way to avoid air sink is to prime the flue by lighting a rolled up newspaper or piece of seasoned wood and holding it to the damper for 3-4 minutes. You will actually be able to feel the warm and cold air exchange. Once that happens you can proceed to the next step in lighting your fire.

Place your wood atop a bed a couple inches thick of ashes.The ash bed will provide additional insulation to keep your fire burning hotter. Remember the hotter the fire, the more safe and efficient it is.

As the final step is to build what is known as an “upside down” fire:

Stack large or split logs next to one another tightly to form your bottom layer. Place slightly smaller logs/split logs perpendicular to the bottom layer to form the 2nd layer.
Repeat this process using smaller and smaller pieces to a reasonable height – usually 2-5 layers depending on:

• The size of your fireplace
• How much wood you have on hand
• How long you want the fire to burn

At the top add strips or crumpled newspaper and dry kindling.
Light the newspaper/kindling at the top and watch that baby burn itself down.

By following these recommendations when you initially start your cold fireplace, you will be able to truly appreciate and enjoy romantic and utilitarian fires all season long.

Why Ivy Is Damaging Your Chimney

Rarely does fantasy live up to the facts associated with reality. One of the strongest fantasy verses reality buzz-kills is associated with picturesque ivy covered stone and brick buildings. From an aesthetic point of view, nothing is more quaint and dignified as ivy covered buildings and fences. However, ask property owners who battle this invasive predatory, albeit beautiful, vine and its beauty becomes insignificant. Chief Chimney Services, Inc. in Long Island know that growing ivy is a wakeup call that structural damage is being done.

Ivy spreads quickly and homeowners need to have the ivy removed from your chimneys and other stone and brick structures before its roots and vines can work their way into your masonry and be the catalyst for a whole host of problems. Once the ivy is removed it is important to have a thorough inspection done to find and repair any cracks, crevices, and gaps in the masonry caused by the invading green leafy pest. The roots are so invasive and embedded that damage can even be done to masonry and shingles during the ivy removal process.

Your chimney is built from masonry. Masonry is a naturally porous material and holds water. Bricks are held together with mortar that can become damaged over time due to weather exposure, freezing and thawing, age, and pressure. Once masonry starts leaking, water starts seeping in to your chimney, down your fireplace, between your gutters and roof, and along the foundation of your home. Water damage rots wood, erodes masonry and soil, causes mold, and can be a breeding ground for unwanted germs, insects, animals, birds, and rodents. Introduce a robust and resilient vine like ivy that works its way into the nooks and crannies of masonry and the water and vine damage begins a downward spiral of maintenance and repairs.

It is important that during your annual inspection, your CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified chimney inspector and technician look for the early signs of ivy growth and remove it before it takes root. Ivy growing on one part of your home or in your trees will quickly invade everything around it.

On the website Ask Metafilter.com readers gave their responses to a potential homeowner who asked about the ivy growing on a house he was interested in purchasing:

• Ivy is the devil’s plant. I have spent the summer helping my mom removed it from a neglected house she bought. It was choking out and killing BIG trees. Any vegetation growing against a house will hold moisture and decaying matter (against) the building a (drastically) shorten the lifespan of the exterior of the house if not the whole structure.
• It will destroy chimneys, trim, and woodwork; it will weasel its way into your home through your windows, if you let it; it will vex you by sprouting from every corner of your garden no matter how many sprigs you pull; it will turn neighbor against neighbor. (Truly. Just ask anyone who has lived next to a house with ivy.)

Don’t put yourself and your neighbors through the aggravation of dealing with ivy. Make sure you have a professional immediately eradicate any existing ivy growth and do a complete inspection of your chimney, fire box, and their surrounding area to identify, repair (and prevent any future) damage. There are plenty of ways to improve the curb appeal of your home without ivy…Don’t get tangled in the illusion of its beauty. Be pro-active in your efforts to work closely with a chimney professional to avoid ivy’s potential damage.

Don’t Wait Untill Fall To Have Your Chimney Inspected

Savvy homeowners know that they should have their chimneys cleaned once a year. What you may not realize is the mindset of having your chimney cleaning done in the fall is not always the best practice. The chimney professionals from Chief Chimney Services in Central Suffolk County New York want homeowners to know that summer and spring are two of the best times to set an appointment for your annual inspection and cleaning.

Having a clear view of your chimney structure without regard to weather conditions also enables your chimney professional to block potential entrances for animals, birds, and rodents before they search for a warm place to spend the winter and enter your home via your chimney.

Summertime offers some distinct advantages when having your chimneys inspected and swept. First and perhaps the most obvious is the weather. It’s much easier to navigate on a roof that is not covered with ice and snow. Also, it is much easier to do a thorough inspection of the chimney, masonry, flashing, chimney cap, shingles, etc. when the area is not covered in ice and snow. If repairs are needed, extreme cold can affect the effectiveness of some sealant and masonry products. As the fall weather approaches, homeowners recognize the change of weather means fireplaces will once again be fired up and they need to be prepared, that’s why chimney companies are flooded with calls after Labor Day. Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) explains, “By scheduling (in summertime), you will have time to complete any necessary repairs before the start of the heating season. Not to mention the peace of mind you will get knowing that your fireplace or wood stove is ready to go for those dark days of winter.”

While sometimes spring rains impede inspections, the rainy season also allows your chimney professional to check for leaks and seepage and be pro-active with repair measures, that’s why springtime is also a good time for a chimney inspection, weather permitting.

There is also more appointment time flexibility when you schedule your appointment outside the busiest time of the year, which starts Labor Day and carries through until spring.
Having a clear view of your chimney structure without regard to weather conditions also enables your chimney professional to block potential entrances for animals, birds, and rodents before they search for a warm place to spend the winter and enter your home via your chimney.

Most chimney professionals are equipped to do service calls all year long and only the most extreme weather conditions prevent them from doing their work. The important thing to remember is to have a safety inspection and cleaning performed by a CSIA professional before using your fireplace for the first time each year.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 211 also states that, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”

When you follow the recommendations of the chimney experts you know you will be saving on utility costs by ensuring your heating mechanisms are operating at maximum efficiency, and your family is safe for fire and toxic gas hazards.

Don’t wait, contact your local chimney professional today, and if you live in Suffolk County, call Chief Chimney Services.

What Is Creosote?

What Is Creosote? The term creosote in relation to fireplaces and chimney occurs when the by-products of wood are not totally burned off and the residue travels in the smoke as a vapor. When it is cooled to a liquid it coats whatever it encounters. The wood-tar substance is a blackish brown sticky gooey oil mixture that builds up on the interior surfaces of your chimney and fireplace. It is extremely combustible. Due to the hazardous nature of creosote and its offensive odor, Chief Chimney Services takes special care to remove it and protect homeowners from fire and toxic gas risks associated with creosote.

The Hearth.com website explains, “Creosote buildup is pretty sneaky. You may not notice it at first but it tends to feed on itself. As it builds up, it restricts the flow in the chimney and/or stove pipes. This slows the smoke on its way out, allowing more time for it to cool and for the creosote to condense and deposit on itself thus further restricting the flow.”.

The fire hazard occurs when it is ignited by a hot fire. Pieces of the built up creosote can also become loose and flake and travel upwards to your roof, or down your chimney into your fireplace and into your home. No matter the direction, the result of burning creosote is no good. A traveling piece of burning creosote can bring on a dangerous and expansive fire.

The inspectapedia website lists these considerations about creosote build up:

• The temperature of the chimney. Consider long low smoldering fires make more creosote that hotter roaring fires
• The wood to sap ratio of the wood you burn, the greener the wood the more moisture and the more creosote
• The moisture content of the wood, wet wood burns more slowly and produces more creosote
• The chimney size, height, location, and construction materials also influence the buildup of creosote.

There are important things for homeowners to understand about creosote that you need to know if you are even considering to attempt to remove creosote buildup yourself. First, without the professional equipment and cameras a chimney professional uses, you are not able to view the entire length of your chimney and therefore you may not be aware of the buildup that occurs out of sight which still puts you at risk. There are two other considerations as well as access. Dislodging the creosote is extremely dangerous for several reasons. First, as you chip away at the creosote you may do damage to the underlying chimney structure. Worse you will be breathing the extremely toxic materials even if you wear a mask. Worst yet, if you dislodge the creosote it may travel in the smoke and downdrafts of future fires and ignite whatever it lands upon.

Creosote inspection and removal is critical to the safety and security of your home and best done by a technician certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. CSIA certified technicians know the proper methods, cleaning agent, and tools to keep your chimney unblocked. Chief Chimney Services, Inc.wants to be your chimney professional. Contact us today!

Have Your Heating System Inspected After Cold Weather

Spring has sprung in Suffolk County! While you are busy breaking out your shorts and sandals and prepping your home for outdoor entertaining with family and friends, make sure your spring cleaning checklist includes having your chimney and heating system inspected. We had a long, cold winter this year and the type of weather we endured can take its toll on your chimney. At Chief Chimney Services we are happy to come to your home and do a thorough chimney inspection.

Why Have Your Chimney Inspected After Winter?

During winter a lot of things are happening outside that can affect what happens to your chimney on the inside. For example, when the weather freezes and thaws, this can cause the mortar in your chimney to expand and contract. The result of expanding mortar is often cracked and broken bricks inside your chimney.

A lot of simple masonry damage can remedied with some tuckpointing once the weather breaks. A professional chimney company can come to your home and tuckpoint, or force fresh mortar into the joints of your bricks in order to preserve the integrity of the chimney and prevent further breakage.

Another way winter weather can take its toll on your chimney is by water damage. If your chimney has not been properly capped, or if your chimney cap is broken then you may notice some water damage inside your chimney. Water can cause creosote build-up and can cause your fireplace or woodstove to work ineffectively. Having your chimney inspected after the long winter months can make sure any water damage is not extensive and can also remedy the problem before it becomes too serious.

During winter months, critters like birds and squirrels look for any place warm and dry to call home. Your chimney may have become home to these types of pests when the cold weather was here, and a professional chimney inspection and sweeping can remove these critters so they don’t wreak havoc on your chimney.

Hiring A Certified Chimney Sweep

The best way to prevent chimney damage is to have a professional, certified chimney sweeping company come to your home and take a look at your chimney. CSIA certified chimney sweeps are held to the highest educational standards in order to offer premium chimney sweeping services. Our certified chimney sweeps will come to your home and provide a thorough inspection and sweeping of your chimney just in time for the warm weather. Some things our technicians look for include:

• Rusting components such as dampers and flues
• Sticks, leaves and other debris
• Bird and squirrel nests
• Brick and mortar damage
• Shifting chimney structures

Contact Chief Chimney Services in Suffolk County today for more information about how we can inspect your chimney and fireplace as part of your spring cleaning. Tackling chimney care as part of your home maintenance can keep the integrity of your chimney intact, which can make starting fires in your wood-burning heating appliance that much easier next winter. Call the professionals and have your chimney inspected and swept by the best in the business today.

Troubleshooting Fireplace Draft Problems

When you need your heating appliances, you expect them to work and it can be frustrating when things aren’t operating properly. If you notice your fireplace is drafty, it could be a simple fix, or it could mean you need to make some repairs. Troubleshooting fireplace draft problems involves understanding how your fireplace and chimney work, and how to prevent your warm air from escaping. No matter what the issue may be, it is best to start with a professional chimney sweeping and inspection.

Has Your Fireplace Been Swept?

Make sure your chimney has been properly swept and inspected. A certified and reputable chimney sweeping company like Chief Chimney Services, Inc in Suffolk can help make sure your chimney is cleaned and inspected before troubleshooting additional problems. Once your chimney has been properly inspected and swept you can move on to troubleshooting additional causes for a draft.

A thorough chimney cleaning can also remove excess build-up of creosote, which can coat the flue. When the flue can’t open and close effectively, it can lead to a draft in your fireplace. Again, a regular sweeping of your chimney and fireplace can remove creosote and other debris to make sure all the moving parts of your chimney are working.

Using Your Fireplace Correctly

Many fireplace issues are corrected with some simple knowledge on how to operate your wood-burning appliance. Make sure your damper is closed when not in use to prevent cold air from pushing down your chimney. During the colder winter months, it may be necessary to prime the flue by lighting some newspaper and holding it up to the damper to warm it up before you start your fire. In other cases, you may need to clean and replace any connectors that go from the fireplace or woodstove to the chimney. Once you seal all the leaks, you can move on to other possible causes of your chimney draft.

Preventing Downdrafting

During colder weather, the most common cause of a drafty fireplace is a downdraft. A downdraft occurs when cold air blows across your chimney and eventually down your chimney and through your fireplace. Counteract the downdraft by replacing your chimney cap and making sure it is installed properly. Similarly, a chimney cap and proper damper use can prevent The Stack Effect, when the warm air from inside your home battles with the cold external air, which can cause a draft.

A professional chimney inspection company will help determine other causes of drafts including whether or not your chimney is leaky, which may mean you need some masonry repair. Your certified chimney inspection company can also inspect your damper and any stovepipe connectors that may need to be replaced. Many newer homes are built airtight, which makes fixing a drafty fireplace as easy as installing a chimney cap or closing the damper. However, in older homes masonry repair may be required. In either case, hiring a professional chimney inspector can alleviate your worries and fix your draft problem in on easy step. Contact Chief Chimney Services to fix your drafty fireplace today.