From the moment a chimney is built, it battles the elements. The numbing sub-zero temperatures, heavy snow, and ice define our winters. The often-humid summers and the abundant rainfall we experience year-round are also a Read more

Wood-burning stoves are experiencing a renaissance, with Pennsylvania leading the charge. Pittsburgh homeowners, who were at the forefront of the American Industrial Revolution, have long embraced wood-burning fireplaces and stoves for home heating. Although modern Read more

As summer arrives in western Pennsylvania, many homeowners plan family vacations, weekend barbecues, and tidying the house for Aunt Martha’s annual surprise visit. However, waterproofing the chimney is typically not on many Pittsburgh homeowners’ to-do Read more

Do you know how to use your damper properly? This misunderstood device is vital to your fireplace’s safety and efficiency. While most Pittsburgh homeowners understand the necessity of opening the damper before lighting a fire, Read more

It’s raining, it’s pouring, my bricks are crumbling. Bricks are made from porous materials. While they may seem resilient to even the harshest climates, they are actually more susceptible to water damage than many people Read more

A chimney without a cap is like walking around Market Square in the rain without an umbrella or rain hat—you get soaked! Just like getting wet can make people sick, water can also harm the Read more

Known for its three rivers and rich industrial history, Pittsburgh holds the title of the eighth-rainiest city in the U.S., with over 38 inches of precipitation each year. With all that rainfall, it’s no wonder Read more

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