Practical, no-fluff guides from our Somerville crew on sweeping, inspections, crown and flashing repair, relining, and getting a fireplace to draft right.
The "once a year or else" line is marketing, not code. Here is the honest answer for Somerville fireplace owners, based on how much and what you burn.
Read more →Water staining near the chimney almost never means the flue is the problem. Here is what is actually letting water into Somerville homes — and how to tell.
Read more →Buying or selling a Somerville home, or just had a chimney fire? Here is exactly what a Level 2 inspection covers and why the camera matters.
Read more →The crown is the most overlooked part of a chimney. Here is how to tell whether yours can be sealed or needs to come off and be rebuilt.
Read more →If your Somerville flue needs relining, you have options. Here is the honest breakdown of stainless steel vs. cast-in-place, and when each makes sense.
Read more →A fireplace that puffs smoke into the living room has a draft problem — and there are several common causes. Here is how to diagnose it.
Read more →From the first sweep to a full crown rebuild, you get one Somerville crew, one honest assessment, and photos of every job — not a sales pitch.