by Joe Shear | Jun 7, 2015 | annual chimney inspection, fire prevention, Safety
If you’re in the home buying market, we’re sure you’ve heard of the need for a thorough home inspection. Back before the market changed, many potential buyers would omit a home inspection from their offer to make it more appealing to the sellers, as fewer...
by Joe Shear | Feb 6, 2015 | annual chimney inspection, Chimney Maintenance, Chimney Repair
Fact: even slight seismic activity can cause chimney damage. And it doesn’t take the proverbial Big One to send them tumbling onto roofs, cars, decks and/or people. Chimney collapse and damage historically has been one of the most common forms of damage in earthquakes...
by Joe Shear | Oct 16, 2014 | annual chimney inspection, Carbon Monoxide, Safety
Sometimes the things you can’t see are the scariest of all. This would be a very fitting description for carbon monoxide (CO), a gas that could very easily be present in your home without you or anyone ever being aware of its presence; this is what makes it so easy...
by Joe Shear | Aug 28, 2014 | annual chimney inspection, Chimney Maintenance
Mark Twain was a phenomenal writer; his writings should serve as guiding principles for us all. One of my high school English teachers browbeat us with this little biased “tidbit of wisdom” (her words, not mine). My life since Mrs. Smith’s class has been shaped by...
by Joe Shear | Jun 18, 2014 | annual chimney inspection, Chimney Maintenance, Fire Safety
Fireplaces are designed to safely contain a wood-fueled fire, while, at the same time, heating your home. Chimneys are designed to expel the substances—smoke, water vapor, gases, etc.—produced from your wood fire. As these substances are ushered up and out of your...
by Joe Shear | May 27, 2014 | annual chimney inspection, Chimney Maintenance
The Basics We all know about oxygen. Growing up it’s one of the first things we learn in science class. We know that it is what enables us to breathe and survive on earth, it’s what every living creature even plants and animals need to thrive and grow. Yet not much is...
