Our Company Blog

How to Build the Best Fires

You may be a pro at building fires. You build the best campfires, have a roaring fire pit in the back yard, and even have a reputation for the best steaks on the charcoal grill. When it comes to building a fire in a hearth, insert, or stove, however, many homeowners find themselves struggling. You don’t have to. We want our customers to have the best experience every winter when it’s time to light the fire and that’s why we offer the best tips and services to help you build the best fire possible.

fireProper Fuel

First thing’s first. If you’re trying to light the wrong type of fuel, your fire will not light. This doesn’t just mean making sure you only use wood in your fireplace. Burning the right fuel means to only burn properly seasoned firewood in your wood-burning fireplace, insert, or stove. Wood that has been freshly cut is considered wet or “green” and will be more difficult to light, burn, and will produce more creosote and smoke than seasoned firewood. In order to ensure your wood is ready to burn in your fire unit make sure it has been cut to length and stored for 3 to 6 months (more for hardwoods). When the wood is ready to burn it will begin to crack, will dull in color, and feel light. The bark will pull away from the wood, and two pieces of wood hit together will produce a hollow sound. When you’re sure your firewood is good for burning you’re ready to build your best fire.

Clean Chimney System

If your chimney hasn’t been cleaned or inspected in the last 12 months, it may not be safe for a fire. Not only that, but a dirty chimney will prevent proper ventilation of the fire which causes venting issues and fire failure. If your fireplace is difficult to light, maintain, and push smoke into your home, there is likely a problem with the chimney that needs to be diagnosed by a professional.

Prime the Flue

During this last part of winter, you may experience extremely low temperatures. Many homeowners don’t use their fireplace all the time, though, and the chimney may be very cold when you attempt to light your fire. When you’re lighting a fire with a cold chimney it can be nearly impossible. What’s more, a newly lit fire will not produce enough heat to properly vent up the chimney, resulting in a smoky house and a weak flame. Before you light a fire with a cold chimney, first light a roll of newspaper and hold it at the flue opening until it burns completely. This little flame will burn well, slowly warming the flue so that your new fire will vent properly.

Building the Fire

We all learned to build a fire upside-down. Don’t believe it? Pay attention here: the typical fire is built with the tinder and kindling on the bottom followed by larger wood on top of that, and then the largest logs go on the top of the pile. The reason why this method is a little “upside-down” is that the tinder and kindling often get smothered before lighting the rest of the pile. This method also forces the flame to rise up while the embers fall down. Professionals see this flaw in the science of the fire and recommend a better way.
For the best fire, we recommend our customers master the top-down burn. When you build a top-down fire your smoke will rise up out and out instead of smothering out your fire. Your embers will fall and ignite the rest of the fire, and the fuel burns more completely, producing less ash and smoke.

To build your top-down burn your wood should be cut to length and ready to burn. The first layer of wood is your largest logs. They should be lying side by side and laying back to front. Don’t press the ends of your logs completely against the back of your fireplace or appliance. Your fire needs airflow to burn properly. The second layer will be smaller logs than the first and laying opposite the first, crossing the first layer. Don’t cramp your wood in too tightly. Continue this in layers upward until you reach ½ the fireplace height. It should be 4 to 5 layers with kindling and tinder at the top. This method should allow you to light the tinder (wood shavings, lint, etc.) and then the fire burns on its own.

If it sounds too good to be true, you’ll have to try it for yourself! Our customers that have tried the top-down burn were not disappointed and experience a more complete burn and healthy fire than ever. The placement of the wood and the layers allow for great airflow in and around the fuel and improved efficiency.

Now that your chimney is properly maintained and your fire is built, make sure you practice fire safety precautions to keep your family safe and warm this winter.

Still having trouble with your fire? Residents of Suffolk County depend on Chief Chimney Services for comprehensive chimney care and you can too. Schedule an appointment online today.

By John Pilger on February 10th, 2020 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on How to Build the Best Fires

Checking Your Heating & Venting System Before the Cold Season

Summer is coming to an end, and fall is just around the corner. With the start of a new school year and new season, people can find themselves staying fairly busy. Fall is busy season for our chimney professionals too. It’s important to schedule heating and venting services now to avoid the fall rush, as our chimney professionals are busy with installations, repairs, and emergency calls.

Routine Maintenance

Checking Your Heating & Venting System Before the Cold Season - Suffolk NY - Chief Chimney ServicesRoutine maintenance is preventative maintenance. Having your heating and venting system inspected and cleaned regularly prevents damage, waste, and health risk. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) agree that routine chimney sweeps and annual inspections keep your chimney system working safely and efficiently.

You should get your chimney serviced regularly to prolongs its life. A clean and properly-functioning chimney is easier to light, the flame is easier to control, and less heat is wasted. A clean chimney does not stink of soot and creosote when the fireplace isn’t in use. Keeping your chimney regularly cleaned and inspected also means less drafting issues, leaks, and other hazards! Hiring a chimney professional for your comprehensive chimney care ensure the optimal health of your chimney.

Chief Chimney is here for you!

It’s our goal at Chief Chimney Services to ensure all of our customers and friends in the Suffolk County area are safe and comfortable this winter season. As members of CSIA, the National Chimney Sweep Guild, and the New York State Chimney Sweep Guild, our goal is to decrease the occurrence of residential chimney fires.

By continuously educating ourselves on new techniques and technologies to improve chimney function, we strive to serve you with the best chimney tips and care. The best way to prevent chimney malfunctions and hazards is to schedule preventive maintenance. If you haven’t had a chimney inspection in the last 12 months, then it’s time to schedule one now. Call Chief Chimney Services today at 631-863-2460.

By John Pilger on August 17th, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Checking Your Heating & Venting System Before the Cold Season

Schedule an Early Chimney Cleaning

Spring is the perfect time for your annual chimney sweep because the system has been working for you all winter! Therefore, it is full of creosote, soot, grime, and ashes. As humidity rises, the moisture in the air will mingle with the soot and creosote in the chimney system, and the result is not pleasant. You may be enjoying some family time in your living room or game night with friends, and suddenly the aroma of barbecue is overwhelming. It’s not a barbecue grill in the living room. It’s your fireplace!The Importance of Dryer Vent Cleaning - Suffolk NY - Chief Chimney

The same moisture that causes these foul odors when a chimney is dirty will also corrode your chimney flue. Moisture mixed with soot and creosote creates a corrosive material that must be cleaned away.

Other Reasons to Sweep the Chimney

Preventative Care – Scheduling routine chimney sweeps and annual chimney inspections is the best way to have the safest and most efficient chimney system, according to both the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Preparation – Once your chimney sweep is completed, you can rest assured that your system is ready for this fall. Your chimney sweep includes a level one chimney inspection which includes an examination of the readily accessible portions of the chimney system. If your chimney professional sees an issue with your system, you’ll have time to schedule a more thorough assessment and have necessary repairs before fall.

Animal Removal – Schedule a chimney sweep if you have had an animal in your flue this spring. We will remove nesting materials, droppings, and fur or feathers from the system. These things are flammable and will lead to a flue fire. Once the chimney system is cleaned, ask your sweep about a cap to keep out critters, birds, and water.

Chief Chimney Services Cleans Chimneys

At Chief Chimney Services, we clean chimneys year-round. We can sweep your wood-burning appliance and chimney, as well as oil and gas appliances and chimneys. The two differ slightly, but our techs are certified, trained, and experienced sweeping all types of chimneys.

Don’t waste another moment. Scheduling your chimney sweep now will give you time for necessary repairs before burn season. It also gets your chimney taken care of before the “fall rush”–the time between October and January in which chimney professionals are busy with emergency calls, installations, and repairs.

Call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460 or contact us online!

By John Pilger on May 29th, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Schedule an Early Chimney Cleaning

Chimney Masonry Damage and Repair

Your chimney may be the most important system in your home or business. While the fireplace creates a welcoming ambiance to family, guests, and customers, it is the job of the chimney to keep the building safe, the air unpolluted, and allowing the fire to burn effectively. Your chimney is not only a working system, but it can also be a great cosmetic asset to your property. A long winter can bring lots of damages to the masonry, which will affect the working condition of the chimney and how it looks! If you have masonry damage, it’s time to schedule repairs.Chimney Masonry Damage & Repair - Smithtown NY - Chief Chimney Services, Inc.

Common Masonry Damage

At Chief Chimney Services, we’ve spent the last three decades serving a large area of Suffolk County, Long Island, and New York. Our customers endure long, harsh winters – mineral corrosion due to proximity to the ocean and more. When spring arrives, we receive multitudes of calls about chimney inspections and visual damages that need to be addressed. We always make these repairs promptly, because a small amount of damage today can develop into a devastating structural damage rather quickly.

  • Spalling Masonry – When the mortar of a chimney becomes cracked, it gives space for water to enter and damage the masonry from the inside out. Our solution for spalling masonry is a process called tuckpointing or repointing, in which we remove the affected mortar and bricks, replacing them with new mortar of equal strength, consistency, and color as the existing mortar. This will ensure the repaired masonry is strong and long-lasting. And you will end up with not only a safe but a beautiful chimney!
  • Chimney Leaks – Oftentimes, a chimney leak isn’t noticeable until spring when temperatures begin to rise, which causes the water in the chimney to thaw and move through the masonry. A chimney leak can damage more than just the chimney, but it can also cause ruined walls, floors, furniture, and more! At Chief Chimney Services, we are capable of  diagnose your chimney leaks, repair the damage, and stop the leak! Many chimney sweeping companies, general contractors, and handymen will repair the damage, failing to fix the root of the problems. We repair your leak and then waterproof the chimney for good measures.
  • Flue Fire, Animal Intrusion, Liner Damage – You may have liner damage if you’ve had a flue fire, if an animal has occupied your chimney, or if you’ve noticed pieces of clay tile in your fireplace. If your masonry feels hot to the touch, you may also have a problem with the liner. At Chief Chimney Services, we specialize in chimney relining. We can either replace your liner completely or reline the flue with HeatShield Cerfractory Flue Sealant, the most innovative method to restore or repair your chimney flue.

Whether your chimney damage is a result of a fire, a storm, an earthquake, or merely wear-and-tear over time, Chief Chimney Services can get it back into top shape this spring. Scheduling in the spring means you’ll have plenty of time for an inspection and necessary repairs to get it ready to go for fall. Don’t let spring showers or summer humidity do further damage to your masonry – call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460 or make an appointment online!

By John Pilger on April 10th, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Chimney Masonry Damage and Repair

Avoiding Holiday Chimney Fires

During the holidays, homeowners take pride in their homes more than ever. Decorating, hosting parties, and relaxing in a clean, beautiful home is the best way to spend the holidays. If you have a fireplace, you are a step ahead of many who wish they had a crackling fire to open gifts by and to hang stockings above. Your fireplace is a great asset, and a coveted one, so make sure it stays that way and does not become a liability.Avoiding Holiday Chimney Fires - Suffolk NY - Chief Chimney Services

Chimney Fires

A Dirty Chimney

When your fire is burning, byproducts are released that need venting. Your chimney vents smoke, soot, particles, and tar fog up the flue and out of the house. As these materials rise up the chimney, some amount of it is left on the flue walls—this is called creosote. Creosote is not a major issue if your chimney system is cleaned regularly. It’s easily cleaned away, but can become a problem if allowed to buildup into what’s called “glazed creosote”. Creosote consists of mostly tar, making it flammable. When left in the flue it heats and melts, and moisture evaporates out of it leaving behind a concentrated mass of fuel. Glazed creosote is not only highly flammable, but also more difficult to remove than a regular layer of soot and creosote.

What You Can Do

The easiest way to avoid chimney fires, malfunction, and damage in general is to take care of the chimney.

–Schedule Routine Sweeps
During a chimney sweep, the flammable creosote is cleared away before it can ignite. Soot and debris is also cleared away before it can buildup and obstruct airflow. When the flue is dirty, airflow slows and the smoke, hot gases, and sparks can slow down in the flue, raising risk of fire as well as lowering efficiency of the system.

–Schedule Annual Inspections
CSIA inspections may be the only time a professional gets a look at your chimney from top to bottom. Recommended annually and required by many homeowners insurance policies, the inspection is the most important measure you can take to prevent a chimney fire. Most homeowners don’t know what to look for and will not notice damage until it is too late. During an inspection, a chimney expert assesses the entire system, and reports their findings, big or small. When you schedule your annual inspection in the fall, rest assured that your chimney is ready for fires all winter. If you haven’t scheduled yet, there is still time.

–Practice Fire Safety
You should always practice fire safety and teach your family to do likewise. Never burn trash, clothes, or paper in your fireplace. Many man-made materials will burn incompletely, bringing down efficiency and raising fire risk. Even some organic materials are not appropriate for burning. Paper and leaves are so light, they can rise up the flue while ignited! It’s best to only burn properly seasoned firewood in your fireplace for a safe and efficient fire.

For all of your questions about chimney maintenance, fire safety, and preventing chimney damage this winter, call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460!

By John Pilger on November 23rd, 2017 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Avoiding Holiday Chimney Fires

The Dangers of Creosote and How to Reduce Fire Risk

If you are new to fireplaces and chimneys, the mysterious creosote may be intimidating. The truth is that creosote is bothersome and can be quite dangerous, but it is manageable.the-dangers-of-creosote-and-how-to-reduce-fire-risk-img-suffolk-ny-chief-chimney-service-inc

What is Creosote?

When organic fuel like oil, gas, and wood are burned byproducts are released into the chimney. As vapor and soot is pulled up the chimney, the soot clings to the flue liner and coats it. As this soot builds up, it becomes a substance known as creosote. Through a process of high heat melting the creosote followed by cooling, glazed creosote is created. Glazed creosote is not only highly flammable, but it can obstruct the flue completely if left to build.

How to Reduce Fire Risk

In order to avoid creosote buildup and increased risk of fire, keep these things in mind while enjoying your fire this winter.

  1. Chimney Sweeps and Inspections
    It is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) to schedule regular chimney sweeps and annual chimney inspections to avoid increased risk of fire.
  2. Choosing Proper Wood
    Wood should be properly seasoned, or dried, in order for it to burn completely, and more cleanly, with less byproduct. Choosing the right wood for your appliance or fireplace will make it easier to burn a high-temperature fire, thereby decreasing creosote left behind after burning.
  3. Monitor Your Chimney System
    Monitor your firebox and flue for signs of creosote buildup and schedule a chimney sweep before your creosote becomes a problem. This makes it easier and cheaper to remove, while also lowering fire risk.

Hiring a Professional

There are chemical cleaning products on the market that promise creosote removal, but these products cannot replace regular chimney maintenance by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS). Chief Chimney Services is experienced in glazed creosote removal and can do so using brushes and tools as well as chemicals that are safe for use inside the home and will not affect your family. A Chief Chimney sweep will assess the creosote before forming a removal plan. If the creosote is moist, a chemical will be applied in order to allow the tools and brushes to work. The creosote is removed with the use of tools, brushes, and a high-powered vacuum. A professional knows the importance of safety and comfort. Our services will be as timely as possible, and with as little disruption to your home as possible. Hiring a professional is a necessity, and here at Chief Chimney Services we aim to offer the best services in Suffolk County, Long Island.

If you have questions or concerns about creosote, or want to schedule services for your chimney, call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460 or request an appointment online today.

By John Pilger on September 5th, 2016 | Tagged with: Tags: , | Comments Off on The Dangers of Creosote and How to Reduce Fire Risk

Should You Start a Fire With a Cold Chimney?

The end of the summer is a fantastic time to begin planning for winter weather and the use of your fireplace or stove. It’s also a great time to schedule a fireplace and chimney inspection.

You should never light a fire in your fireplace or appliance unless you have had an annual inspection and cleaning. During the several months of summer animals can crawl into your flue causing obstruction, water can seep into your lining causing damage, and numerous other things can happen in your chimney system. For this reason the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)  recommends regular chimney sweeps, and annual inspections.

Once your fireplace is clean, safe, and you have properly-seasoned wood on hand you are ready to light a fire! However, a roaring fire and a cold chimney do not make a good combination.

Starting a Fire in a Cold Chimney - Smithtown NY - Chief Chimeny Services

The Problem With a Cold Chimney

When lighting your first fire of the season it’s important to remember that the chimney is cold. It’s filled with cold air that will fall into your house as soon as you open the damper. If the chimney isn’t primed before you build the fire, that cold will block the warm air from rising up, causing “air sink”, which will push smoke into your house.

Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can do to warm your chimney before you light that first fire.

  • Open the damper and you will usually feel the cold draft fall into your fireplace or stove. Some people decide to leave the damper open and let the heat in your house warm the chimney. Not only can this take several minutes or hours, if your fireplace is your method of home heating this won’t work for you. Also, if your chimney is on the outside of your house, this method most likely won’t work as the winter temperatures continue to cool the chimney.
  • Roll a newspaper and light it, holding it direction under the damper for three to four minutes. This allows for direct heat to move into the chimney and force it’s way up. If it is very cold, you may need to repeat this method with a second newspaper. During this process you can usually feel the exchange of warm and cold air. Once this happens, your chimney is primed.
    Build a top-down burn in the fireplace or appliance. A top-down burn, sometimes called an upside-down fire, allows for a cleaner burn, and makes the best use of the fireplace, producing less smoke in the process. Instead of placing tinder at the bottom and building on top of the struggling fire, you build in the opposite way: placing large logs at the bottom, then medium logs, then tender and kindling, adding a bit of paper to the top to light. This fire burns from the top, lighting the larger wood as the fire and ash falls. A top-down fire will also burn hotter, ensuring your chimney flue is thoroughly primed.

Avoid the headache of a smoky house and a struggling fire by following these simple tips before starting a cold fireplace. At Chief Chimney Services we urge you to take all precautions to have a safe and warm winter season.

By John Pilger on February 24th, 2016 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Comments Off on Should You Start a Fire With a Cold Chimney?

All You Need to Know about Glazed Creosote Removal

If you have a wood or oil-burning furnace or fireplace, you may have heard about glazed creosote. Information online, in the hardware store, and from well-meaning friends or loved ones may be confusing.

Chief Chimney Services has all the information you need to keep your home or business safe from glazed creosote.

What is it?

get rid of creosote - Smithtown NY - Chief Chimney Services

Creosote is a highly flammable, tar-like substance created when fuel is burned at high temperatures. This powdery residue can remain on the walls of a smoke box or chimney and compound over time in several layers. A professional will sometimes call this buildup glazed creosote, or level three creosote. At this level of buildup the creosote bubbles and boils when high-temperature fires burn in the furnace, then cools into a solid, very flammable, mass.

This hardened buildup can become a hazard as it begins to obstruct the chimney, causing the heat, smoke, and gases to slow, and begin to heat the flammable substance.

CSIA-Certified Chimney Technicians

At Chief Chimney Services, we are qualified, licensed, and insured to clean and repair damage caused by glazed creosote. Our licensed chimney sweeps are the difference in chimney maintenance. Using the proper tools we can transform the glazed creosote into a more pliable substance to be easily removed.

What We Do

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends regular chimney cleaning and inspections, and urges consumers to not depend only on chemical cleaning products like those found in hardware stores. A licensed and experienced chimney sweep provides fast service, inspections, and offers expert advice.

The way our chimney sweeps remove the creosote will depend on the consistency of the buildup. If it is gummy or moist we may use a chemical designed to transform the creosote to a powdery substance. This allows our sweeps to brush it out. These chemicals are safe for your home or business, and our chimney sweeps are qualified and experienced in their use. If a chemical remover isn’t needed, we use tools and brushes to detach the creosote from the chimney walls. After the creosote is properly removed, the chimney returns to safe function.

What You Can Do

As a home or business owner you can regularly check your firebox and chimney for signs of creosote buildup. Burning a high-temperature fire, with plenty of oxygen to the flames, helps the fuel burn completely. Also, burning proper fuel can help prevent creosote buildup. Proper wood should be cut and set aside to dry. This process could take as little as six months, or up to two years for denser types of wood.

Creosote is caused primarily when wood isn’t completely burned. So using improperly seasoned wood raises the risk of buildup.

In addition to burning proper fuel, home and business owners should not skip an annual cleaning and inspection. A regular cleaning should remove creosote before it reaches level three buildup.

Call or set up an appointment online and let Chief Chimney Services make the difference for your home or business today.

By John Pilger on January 27th, 2016 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , | Comments Off on All You Need to Know about Glazed Creosote Removal

Identifying Chimney Discoloration

What do your fingernails and chimney have in common? A trained professional can gain insight as to your health and that of your chimney by looking at their appearance. Changes in color and texture indicate the need for further attention. Look at your fingernails, if you see any of these symptoms, be sure to consult your physician. When it comes to discoloration of your chimney it may not be so easy to inspect. That’s why homeowners in the Long Island area call chimney professional Chief Chimney Services to look for any chimney discoloration and identify the cause and solution to prevent damage.

You may not be able to see the discoloration on your chimney from the ground and the last thing an untrained homeowner needs to do is start climbing around on their roof. (Ladder accidents are one of the major causes injuries especially from folks who swore they’d be careful. Maintaining your safety and the health of your chimney are two of the reasons you call a chimney professional once a year for a thorough inspection and cleaning.) Simply washing the stains away without tending to the underlying causes puts you and your home at risk.

 

Discoloration on chimneys can be white, black, brown, green, or red depending on the cause.masonry chimney

White stains are caused by evaporated water. When you see the white powder or crystals it is an alert that further investigation is needed. The white substance, efflorescence, can be just simple evaporation from rain, snow, and ice. However, efflorescence can also be a sign that water is running inside your chimney or flue and you have a problem. The website InspectAPedia cautions, “Although efflorescence is not mold, it often indicates wet conditions that cause problem mold growth elsewhere in the same building. You’ll need to identify the sources of moisture or leaks and correct them, and depending on other building air quality complaints or health concerns it may be appropriate to inspect and screen the building for problem mold or other moisture or water-related problems. Efflorescence is always a cause for professional attention.”

Green, blueish, and black stains send out a loud SOS to have your chimney professional check for algae growth and or mold. Both thrive on moisture and cause serious health and infestation issues which are expensive to correct. It is imperative that water leaks are caught early, identified, and cured to prevent mold.

Rust colored stains are also the result of water leaks and the source must be identified and corrected.

Black and brown stains can appear on your chimney, roof, and on sides of your home; dark stains have a variety of root causes. These stains can be caused by clogged gutters, leaks and cracks in your masonry or actual chimney flue, or a missing, dislodged or no rain cap. None of which can be diagnosed from a ground level inspection. Black and brown stains can also mean you have a very serious health and safety issue that require immediate attention if the dark stains are the result of creosote and soot. Creosote and soot are highly combustible and may be the result of malfunctioning heating appliances. Dark stains can also indicate a fire occurred that you weren’t aware happened.

Take Away: No matter what color they are, stains on your home are not simply a cosmetic issue. Stains send a message that something needs the attention of a trained chimney professional before you jeopardize your health, safety, the integrity of your structure. Like most things in life, the longer the problem is left unattended, the more complicated and costly the cure becomes. If you live in Long Island, call Chief Chimney Services for help. If not, be sure you contact a chimney professional with strong credentials ASAP.

By John Pilger on October 14th, 2015 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Identifying Chimney Discoloration

We Serve Suffolk County

There is no better place in the county for us to provide comprehensive chimney services than in Suffolk County, New York. Chief Chimney Services has been part of the Suffolk Country business community for over 30 years. Over that time we have seen a lot of changes to our area; however, nothing can offset the rich history and the spirit of past and current residents.

serving-suffolk-county-ny-suffolk-county-ny-chief-chimney-services

For those who have never been to Suffolk County, let us introduce you. Long Island is in Suffolk County. The peninsula extends into the Atlantic Ocean. The world renowned Hamptons is also part of Suffolk County. The area is characterized by its beaches, wharfs, farmlands, seaside villages, rolling hills, and farmlands. Long Island was named one of the Top Ten Wine Regions in the World by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Dr. Beach, a noted, beach expert, named Main Beach in East Hampton the Best Beach in America.

The first inhabitants of Long Island were the Algonquin Indians. The Algonquins and others who came to settle in the area were attracted by the waterways, local game, rich farmland, and native nuts, berries, and grains. Those interested in the development and chronological history of Suffolk County can click here.

There are almost 300 places in Suffolk County currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places which preserve the area’s rich history. Click here for a complete list.

The Vanderbilt name is synonymous with Suffolk County. Visitors and residents enjoy visiting the mansion, museum, and planetarium on the Vanderbilt estate. For more information click here.

It’s the local nuances of an area that gives it its character. Here are a few bits of information to enlighten and amuse you.

  • You can never get really lost on Long Island.All you have to do is drive until you come to water and then turn around, “re-routing re-routing”.Suffolk County is described as an “epicurean’s dream”.
  • “The word “fresh” takes on a different meaning. Here, the menu’s ‘catch of the day’ was likely hauled in that morning from the waters off our Island shores, prepared and served with vegetables – picked from a nearby farm – seasoned with herbs from the garden then paired with a Pinot Grigio from a vineyard just down the road.” Click here for more information on great dining experiences.

Suffolk County has several aviation museums and places to explore science, mathematics, history, energy, astronomy, and technology. To learn more click here.

Those interested in live entertainment will not be disappointed. The theatres and auditoriums in the North Shore area have performances for all entertainment genres and audiences. Click here for more information.

New York City is close enough to visit when you want to participate in all that one of the world’s most dynamic cities offer, yet far enough away not to interfere with the tranquility and charm and quaintness this historic county offers.

Quality of life is important to residents visiting in Suffolk County. Chief Chimney Services is proud to maintain chimneys and fireplaces and offer comprehensive and related service to new residents of Suffolk County as well as those whose ancestors are part of the area’s history.