Getting your Fireplace and Chimney ready for the Holidays

The Holidays are quickly approaching.  Anyone who lives in the St Louis area will realize it seems to get cooler every day.  Here are just a few tips to get your fireplace and chimney for the holiday season.

1)       Make Sure your chimney is inspected.  Your chimney inspector may find issues with your chimney that you cannot see.  These issues can be potentially dangerous for you and your family, if not troublesome maintenance issues for you down the road.

2)      Get your chimney cleaned by a professional.  Any buildup from a previous fire(s) in your fireplaces should be removed from this cleaning, giving you a safer fire for the holidays.  Some debris left over from previous fires can potentially be dangerous.

3)      If possible, visually inspect your fireplace andchimney for any damage such as cracks.  This may be better left to a professional.  This will most likely be noticed during your chimney inspection.  (see Tip #1) 

4)      Make sure your chimney cap and fireplace damper are in good working order.  Chimney caps can help keep out the unwanted critters from entering your chimney.  Also, ornamental chimney caps give your home a boost of curb appeal.

5)      Check outside your chimney for any tree limbs.  Tree limbs can be a fire hazard if they are too close to your chimney.  They can also damage your chimney cap and limit the draft.

Having a great fireplace can be a benefit to you and your family.  The importance of using a safe fireplace and chimney can bring peace of mind and will help you enjoy your holiday.

5 Reasons to Tuck-Point Your Home

5 Reasons to Tuckpoint your House

• Tuck pointing Explained: Tuckpointing (also spelled tuck-pointing or pointing) is the process of filling and matching mortar or putty between brick joints to repair bricks or stonework.

• When to Tuckpoint: You notice your bricks deteriorate or brick joints crumble due to moisture or a water leaks.  This is especially the case for Chimneys.

• Why it’s important to tuckpoint: Aesthetic reasons and practical reasons.

•  Aesthetic reasons include: selling your home.  A recently tuck-pointed home looks better to a house buyer.

•  A practical reason would include:  Leaking or moisture caused by brick damage.  Masonry bricks, fireplaces or chimneys that need repair due to moisture or water damage.  Water damage can lead to more damage to the home.  Tuckpointing can actually stop further damage to your house.  A chimney with water damage can become unstable and weak. 

We know a good mason to tuck-point your home if you’re in need.

 Call us today at 314-255-8940