Chimney-related fires cause over 25,000 house fires annually in the U.S., most from problems homeowners never knew existed. Even occasional fireplace use produces creosote, a highly flammable residue ...

Spring time is a good time to check any brick structures on your property. With all the rain and snow this winter, you want to check to see if there's any ground erosion that may cause the chimney or ...

My wood-burning fireplace chimney hasn’t been cleaned recently. There are discolored spots on the brick outdoors. What maintenance can I do myself? – Anna J. Dear Anna: It always is best to have the ...

Buying or selling a home? We analyze millions of real estate transactions to compare agents near you. Brick chimneys and walls can last decades, but they can become damaged by moisture and other ...

Ask a homeowner to describe their chimney and the answer is almost always about the part they can see from […] ...

Jeff Somers is a freelancer who has been writing about writing, books, personal finance, and home maintenance since 2012. When not writing, Jeff spends his free time fixing up his old house. He has ...

Q: I used my masonry fireplace as often as possible during winter to cut my utility bills. A: Tens of thousands of chimney fires occur every year due to creosote buildup and other problems with ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Who doesn't love a warm, cozy fire? But the maintenance and clean-up that goes with hit? Not so much. And while chimney cleaning ...

Q: My question concerns the chimney and flue arrangement in my house. The house was built in 1963. It is a one story ranch with no basement. The house originally used electric radiant heat in the ...