Chimney Anatomy 101
Knowing a little about your chimney’s components can go a long way in helping you notice when something’s not as it should be - these sturdy workhorses are probably more complex than you think. Simple diligence and a good maintenance schedule can help guard your...
Do I Need Inspections if I Rarely Use My Fireplace?
When it comes to home maintenance, many homeowners focus on areas they use most often - and this means often overlooking the chimney. It might seem logical that if you don’t use your chimney often, you don’t need to have it inspected annually...but that logic is...
Common Myths & Misconceptions: Wood Stove Edition
Wood stoves were once a staple of home heating...but rather than decline and become obsolete, wood stoves have actually seen a resurgence in popularity. Why? People are seeking alternative or supplemental - and often more sustainable - ways to heat their homes....
How Can I Get My Fireplace Ready for Fall?
Now is the best time to get your fireplace ready for fall - it’s just around the corner! A well-maintained and functional fireplace not only enhances your home’s warmth, but also adds to its charm and comfort - making it a place you truly want to be as the colder days...
How To Use a Fire Extinguisher
If anyone knows how much comfort and joy a fireplace can bring to a home, it’s us! We’ve made fireplaces and chimneys our business, and not only are all our lead technicians certified not only by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), but we’re also...
My Power’s Out! What Are Alternate Heating/Lighting Options?
You’re going about business as usual, when you suddenly find yourself in the dark. The hum of the fridge and other electronic noise is silenced. As you fumble for your flashlight, you’re probably wondering how long you’ll be deprived of the modern conveniences you...
Why Do We Like To Stare at Fires?
Fire can be mesmerizing. Gazing at a fire is a relaxing activity that can be almost hypnotic, and it’s fascinated humans for millennia. Now, we recognize that fire can be harnessed as a tool for heating, cooking food, or producing light...or embraced in cultural...
The Strange (But True) History of the Chimney Sweep
It’s that time of year again – it’s annual chimney inspection time! As you watch a chimney technician from Owens Chimney Systems break out a cleaning brush and ascend the ladder to scope your chimney, the thought hits you: How did chimney sweeping even start? Chimney...
How Many Smoke Detectors Do You Need? Where Should You Install Them?
Few experiences are more jarring than being abruptly woken in the night by the sharp, incessant beeping of a smoke detector. But, do you know what’s definitely worse? The alternative: waking to the smell of smoke signaling a fire ablaze in your home. That’s why...
Should I Be Worried About Ice on My Chimney Cap?
Chimneys often bear the brunt of winter's fury, but it's too easy to get caught up in the cold season's beauty and look past crucial red flags. Although the thought of ice covering your chimney cap may seem like a picture-perfect snapshot at first, it could be a...