Does your chimney have gaps between the bricks? Eroding and decaying mortar are common problems for masonry chimneys in Alleghany County and western PA. Years of exposure to snowy, icy winters and wet, humid summers Read more

It’s the first day of spring, and as I walk around the waterfront on a cool, sunny afternoon in Pittsburgh, I notice several chimney tops bearing the scars of a brutal winter. As masonry chimneys Read more

Southwestern Pennsylvania experiences all four seasons, from humid summers with temperatures reaching into the 80s and 90s to cold, snowy winters that dip below freezing. The region’s climate stresses homes and their components, including chimneys. Read more

Ooh, what’s that smell? As your chimney works to vent smoke and pollutants from your warm and cozy fireplace, it can also become a motel for unwanted guests and decaying organic matter. A broken or Read more

From summer’s sweltering heat and humidity to the bone-chilling cold and snow of winter, Pittsburgh chimneys face a constant battle against Mother Nature. Guarding the chimney from atop, caps, crowns, and covers is a full-time Read more

Pennsylvanians know that winter weather can be harsh, especially for homes with a chimney. The heavy snowfall, icy conditions, and frigid temperatures can wreak havoc on the masonry, and one particularly vulnerable area is the Read more

Spending a warm and cozy evening enjoying hand-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries with your favorite beverage beside a fireplace with your Valentine is a romantic experience. But before you fall under the spell of the mesmerizing flames, Read more

Did you know a 15-foot-tall masonry chimney can contain as many as 1,000 bricks? In addition to the bricks and mortar, over a dozen components make up the structure, from the chimney cap down to Read more

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and you are enjoying the warm glow of a traditional wood-burning fireplace. In the company of friends, a sweet scent of maple wood fills the air while guests sip eggnog Read more

The fireplace has been a timeless symbol of warmth and gathering for centuries, with a history as rich and diverse as the cultures that have embraced it. From its humble beginnings as a simple open Read more