Chimney Champions Explains Chimney Inspection for Real Estate in Jacksonville

July 31, 2025 | *Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA-certified technicians and credentialed through the National Chimney Sweep Guild and IAC2. Chimney Champions provides inspections, cleaning, and repairs for residential properties throughout the Jacksonville area. Buying or selling a home in Jacksonville involves many inspections, but the chimney is one component that standard home inspections often do not cover in full detail. A chimney inspection for real estate protects both buyers and sellers by revealing defects before a transaction closes. Why does a chimney matter during a home sale? A chimney in poor condition can create safety hazards, reduce property value, and become a source of dispute after closing. Problems such as cracked flue liners, creosote buildup, and water intrusion are not visible from a basic walkthrough. A dedicated chimney inspection surfaces these issues while there is still time to negotiate repairs or credits. What can a chimney … Continued

3 Facts About Efflorescence

June 16, 2021 | Chimney Basics

Are you starting to see a white powder form on the exterior of your chimney? This residue is called efflorescence, and it’s not uncommon for homeowners to think that this is just a sign of an aging chimney. However, it’s a sign that your chimney needs an inspection, and the professionals at Chimney Champions want you to know that efflorescence should not be ignored. In fact, it could be a sign of a larger issue with your chimney, and definitely should be inspected. Here are several facts you need to know about this white, powdery substance appearing on your stack.

Chimney Champions Explains the Top 3 Causes of Chimney Odors in Jacksonville

February 12, 2021 | Chimney Basics

Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA certified technicians and a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Chimney Champions serves homeowners throughout the Jacksonville area who need chimney sweeping, inspections, and repairs. Foul smells from a fireplace are one of the most common complaints those homeowners report, and most of those odors have identifiable causes. What are the most common causes of chimney odors in Jacksonville? The three most common sources of chimney odors in Jacksonville homes are creosote buildup, moisture intrusion, and animals entering the flue. Each source produces a distinct smell and requires a different fix. Understanding which cause applies helps homeowners decide what service to request. 1. Why does creosote buildup cause a chimney to smell? Creosote buildup produces a sharp smell similar to asphalt or burned barbecue because creosote is a tar-like byproduct of wood combustion that concentrates inside the … Continued

3 Signs of a Chimney Fire

November 10, 2020 | Chimney Inspections

On average, there are roughly 25,000 chimney fires every year, causing more than $125 million in damage. Still, many homeowners don’t realize that they need to have chimney inspections performed regularly. It’s very likely that you’ve had a chimney fire and haven’t even noticed. That’s where the team at Chimney Champions comes in. We can inspect the entire structure of your chimney and tell you whether or not you’ve experienced a fire in your chimney.

3 FAQs About Chimney Sweeps

August 15, 2020 | *Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

At Chimney Champions, we get a lot of questions about fireplaces, chimneys, and chimney sweeps. While safety is our number one priority, so is providing additional education and resources. If you have a fireplace in your home, educating yourself on features and safety precautions is essential. Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we receive as trusted chimney sweeps.

A Spring Cleaning Checklist for Your Chimney

March 17, 2020 | Chimney Basics

There’s no better time to get your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional chimney sweep than right now. Spring is here, which means more rain, more pests, and probably some much needed deep cleaning. So, why not have your chimney cleaned and inspected as well? Although doing a complete spring clean is a lot of work, it can end up being a great payoff. With the help from the team at Chimney Champions, you can rest easily, knowing your flue and stack are moisture damage free and sealed up tightly for the hot summer months ahead.

Chimney Care – Masonry Smoke Chambers

March 25, 2019 | Technically Speaking

Just above the visible area of your fireplace is a smoke chamber that aids in efficiently removing smoke from your home. While newer homes typically have smooth (parged) smoke chambers which are much more efficient, older fireplaces have a stair step pattern and are more likely to build up creosote. This informational video from HeatShield explains the differences and how they impact the performance of your fireplace and chimney system: If you need to have your smoke chamber parged, be sure to contact a CSIA Certified Chimney Professional to ensure proper repairs. Parging your smoke chamber is a simple fix and will not only produce a more efficient system, but will also bring your fireplace up to current IRC and NFPA211 standards.

Chimney Champions Explains the Stages of Wood Combustion in Jacksonville

February 19, 2019 | Technically Speaking

Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA-certified technicians and a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Chimney Champions technicians train annually through CSIA, CVC Coaching, and All Star Relining and operate in compliance with NFPA 211. This page explains the four stages every piece of wood passes through when it burns. How many stages does wood combustion go through? Wood combustion in a fireplace passes through four distinct stages: moisture evaporation, vaporization of hydrocarbon compounds, gas vapor ignition and combustion, and char burning. Each stage follows the one before it, and different logs in the same fire can be in different stages at the same time. Understanding each stage helps Jacksonville homeowners burn wood more safely and efficiently. What is Stage 1 of wood combustion? In Stage 1, heat is absorbed rather than produced because the fire must first drive water out of the … Continued

Chimney Champions Explains Fireplace Ash Removal in Jacksonville

January 21, 2019 | Training and tips

Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA certified technicians and a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. The company serves homeowners who use wood-burning fireplaces and need guidance on fireplace ash management and seasonal maintenance. How Often Should You Remove Ash From Your Fireplace? Removing fireplace ash after every fire is not recommended during the active burning season. A one-inch layer of ash on the firebox floor actually helps the fire perform better. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), that ash layer works with hot coals to generate more heat and supports a cleaner burn. How Much Ash Is Too Much? Ash that builds beyond roughly one inch can create problems in the firebox. Excess ash can trap hot coals between the fireplace grate and the ash bed, which causes the grate to deteriorate faster than it should. What Should You … Continued

The daily battle for a chimney sweep, staying clean

January 20, 2019 | A Day in the Life

Daily and Long-Term Hazards Staying safe is a constant concern for a chimney sweep. Not only are we on roofs, in attics, and crawl spaces, we also have to worry about the hazardous long-term effects of creosote to our bodies and prevent inhalation and interaction as much as possible. Creosote is a natural byproduct of combustion but it comes with a nasty side effect for humans with long-term exposure to it, cancer. Skin cancer, lung cancer, and testicular cancer are the most common for a chimney Sweep to content with. Skin cancer from constant cleaning and repairing systems covered in creosote and let’s not forget clothing. Lung cancer from inhaling creosote while sweeping a system or even after the service with soot floating around in the work vehicle. Testicular cancer you would think would be the strange one but take into consideration the amount of creosote that can get trapped … Continued

Your privacy choices