Dangers Faced as a Property Manager: Chimney & Fireplace Risks in Multifamily Homes

March 20, 2026 | Chimney Basics

Managing multifamily properties comes with a long list of responsibilities—but one of the most overlooked (and potentially dangerous) areas is the chimney and fireplace; especially here in Florida. While these features add comfort and value for residents, they can also pose serious safety, liability, and financial risks if not properly maintained.We at Chimney Champions help property managers in Jacksonville, St Augustine, and surrounding areas to stay ahead of these risks with routine inspections, cleanings, and repairs designed specifically for multifamily communities.Why Chimney Maintenance Matters in Multifamily PropertiesUnlike single-family homes, multifamily properties often have multiple units shared within the same chase, meaning one issue can quickly impact several residents. Fireplaces and chimneys that are neglected can lead to:Fire hazardsCarbon monoxide exposureStructural damageCostly emergency repairsIncreased liability for property managersRegular maintenance isn’t just recommended—it’s essential.Top Chimney & Fireplace Hazards Property Managers Face1. Creosote Buildup and Fire RiskOne of the leading causes of chimney … Continued

How to Get the Smell of Smoke Out of Your Home

Chimney Champions Explains Masonry vs Prefab Fireplace: What Jacksonville Homeowners Need to Know

February 17, 2026 | Chimney Basics

Chimney Champions is a Jacksonville, FL chimney service company staffed by CSIA certified technicians and a National Chimney Sweep Guild member, serving residential customers who own wood-burning fireplaces. One of the most common issues Chimney Champions technicians see in Jacksonville homes is damage caused by burning the wrong fuel in the wrong system. Not all fireplaces are built the same. Understanding whether your fireplace is a masonry or a prefabricated system determines which burning practices keep it safe and functional. What Is a Masonry Fireplace? A masonry fireplace is built on-site from brick, stone and mortar, with a firebox, smoke chamber and flue constructed as part of the home’s structure. Masonry fireplaces are designed to handle sustained high heat and are generally more tolerant of radiant temperature than factory-built units. What Wood Works Best in a Masonry Fireplace? Seasoned hardwoods produce the cleanest, most efficient burn in a masonry fireplace. … Continued

Behind the Scenes of a Dryer Vent Cleaning: Why It Matters More Than You Think

September 5, 2025 | Dangers!

Dryer vent cleaning is one of the most overlooked yet essential maintenance tasks in any home or business. While it may seem like a minor chore, neglecting your dryer vent can lead to serious safety risks, higher utility costs, and reduced appliance efficiency.In this article, we’ll take you behind the scenes of a dryer vent cleaning—what it involves, how fires can start, and why regular maintenance is critical for protecting your property.What’s Hiding in Your Dryer Vent?Each time you dry a load of laundry, small fibers—known as lint—are released from your clothing. While your lint trap catches some of this material, a significant amount passes through and begins accumulating inside your dryer’s exhaust vent.Over time, this buildup can include:Lint and fabric fibersDust and pet hairDebris from outside (leaves, dirt, insects)Bird or rodent nests near exterior vent openingsThis debris not only restricts airflow but also creates a highly flammable environment behind … Continued

Ropes Training – Raising the Standard of Safety

July 7, 2019 | A Day in the Life

Long time, no updates! We have made it a top priority this year to attend as many hands on training classes as possible to stay at the top of the industry. One of the most important classes we have attended so far this Summer is ropes training and safety. Jim Brewer is a legend in the chimney sweep industry and our team recently made the visit to train with him at the Fire Service & Codes Enforcement Academy in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. The two day class went over basic safety precautions, proper ways to protect a clients roof while using ropes, knots, and most importantly hands on training at the Academy. The reality of our industry is that most sweeps are inspecting a home or performing a repair alone. Using the old style OSHA safety harness, if you fall off a roof alone you have no way to self rescue … Continued

Inspection of the Week – Rainy Season Water Intrusion

April 8, 2019 | A Day in the Life

April showers might bring May flowers but it also can bring water into your home. In one of my recent inspections I found a large amount of water entering a chimney chase from just a small area right next to the flashing. First, take a look at what the area looked like from the exterior: First thought, not much to see right? Now let us take a look inside of the chimney chase.. This chimney inspection potentially saved the client thousands of dollars in potential repairs. Know what and where to look is part of a chimney sweep’s profession so always hire a CSIA Certified Sweep whenever you purchase a home.

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.

The Disappearing Chimney Sweep

March 17, 2019 | A Day in the Life

Here is an interesting read from the New York Times about the lack of chimney sweeps in Paris. This is a common concern not only in the US, but throughout the world. If you are interested in becoming a chimney sweep, feel free to reach out and I can help steer you in the right direction. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/18/lens/the-disappearing-chimney-sweeps-of-paris.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Ethanol Fireplaces

February 28, 2019 | Chimney Basics

What are Ethanol Fireplaces? Ethanol fireplaces are a ventless decorative fireplace that use bioethanol as the fuel source. Bioethanol is made from fermenting the sugar and starch components of organic matter so it is a eco-friendly. When using this style decorative fireplace, the UL listing of the product indicates that they are safe for use without a flue or chimney. Ethanol Pros and Cons Pros – When using most ethanol fireplaces, they do not produce soot or smoke so the system and your home remain clean after use. Ethanol fireplaces can be used in homes that were not originally designed with a fireplace. With the addition of an ethanol fireplace, you can have the ambiance but will not have to design a flue system. Also, the lack of venting system allows for unique designs such as the system below. Cons – While ethanol is considered a cleaner burn than typical … Continued

Remodeling Dangers – Potential Issues With Factory Built Fireplaces

February 23, 2019 | Chimney Basics

Avoiding Issues with Combustibles When remodeling a home with a fireplace, certain safety issues arise if proper care is not taken during the process. Factory built (prefabricated) fireplaces all come with very specific instructions as to where combustibles can and can’t be placed. This is where having or obtaining the manufacturers installation instructions is key. Fireplace Remodeling Step one Step one should always be finding the installation manual specific to your fireplace. The easiest way to find your installation guide is looking inside of the fireplace firebox for the data plate. Your data plate will provide you with the manufacturer and model of the fireplace and then you can typically find the manual online. If the data plate is no longer visible, painted over, or not found, contact your local chimney professional and they may be able to help. Fireplace Remodeling Step Two Now that you have your manual, make … Continued

The Rumford Fireplace

January 23, 2019 | Chimney Basics

The Rumford Fireplace – An Early Modern Fireplace Design The Rumford Fireplace, invented in the late 18th century, was one of the most important innovations in fireplace technology at the time. Learn more about its history and how it works now! The History Of The Rumford Fireplace The Rumford Fireplace was first prototyped by Sir Benjamin Thompson, also known as the Count of Rumford. He was an American-born British physicist, who was very interested in studying heat and convection. He created this fireplace in the 1790s, by creating a shallow, small fireplace with widely-angled sides to reflect heat into the room more efficiently. The fireplace quickly became a sensation in London and spread throughout the world. How It Works Beyond its angled sides, the principal innovation of the Rumford Fireplace was the idea of restricting the chimney opening using bricks. This, in turn, resulted … Continued

Your privacy choices