Why Your Chimney Should Be Capped Year-Round—Especially in the Off-Season

April 20, 2026 | Chimney Basics

Most homeowners associate chimney maintenance with the colder months, when fireplaces are in regular use. However, the off-season—spring and summer—is one of the most important times to ensure your chimney is properly protected. Leaving your chimney uncapped during this period exposes it to a range of preventable issues, particularly from wildlife and water intrusion.At Chimney Champions, we frequently encounter damage that could have been avoided with a properly installed chimney cap. With chimney swift season underway and storm activity increasing, an unprotected chimney becomes a direct pathway into your home.Chimney Swift Season: A Critical Time for PreventionChimney swifts begin returning in late March through early April, seeking safe, enclosed spaces to roost and build their nests. Unfortunately, open chimney flues provide an ideal environment.Once chimney swifts enter and begin nesting, removal is not an option, as they are a federally protected species. Homeowners must wait until the birds naturally vacate, … Continued

Chimney Fires: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know

February 23, 2026 | Chimney Basics

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:1b0c9ab1-30ff-47eb-a11b-9bae242dadad-0″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-2″ data-scroll-anchor=”true” data-turn=”assistant” tabindex=”-1″>A chimney fire is one of the most dangerous — and preventable — threats to your home during the heating season. Many homeowners don’t realize a fire can start inside the chimney itself, often without obvious warning. Understanding the risks and how to prevent them can protect your home, your family, and your investment.What Is a Chimney Fire?A chimney fire occurs when built-up creosote inside your chimney ignites. Creosote is a highly flammable byproduct created when wood burns. Over time, it coats the inner walls of your chimney liner. If the buildup becomes thick enough, a single high-temperature fire in your fireplace or wood stove can ignite it.Chimney fires can burn extremely hot — often exceeding 2,000°F — which is hot enough to:Crack or destroy chimney linersDamage masonryWarp metal componentsSpread flames into walls, attics, and roofsEven a small chimney fire can cause serious … Continued

DIY Chimney Sweep – Tips For Cleaning Your Fireplace

October 10, 2018 | Information

You should always hire a CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep® to perform annual services on your fireplace. But what do you do in between those regular services? Some of the reasons to hire a professional: Chimney-cleaning is a obviously a very dirty job, but it’s also a dangerous one! There is great value in hiring a qualified and skilled Chimney Sweep who possesses the proper training and experience, and who uses state-of-the-art tools to ensure this work is done properly. You can avoid the risk of injury or illness (the nasty stuff you can breathe in is no joke!) by contacting Chimney Champions® today!At Chimney Champions®, we want you to always put safety first. THESE ‘DO-IT-YOURSELF’ TIPS SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN PLACE OF PROFESSIONAL SWEEPS, BUT ARE RATHER TO BE USED AS HELPFUL INFORMATION TO REFERENCE FOR IN BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS. If you are going to perform supplemental cleanings to your fireplace … Continued

CHRISTMAS IN JULY???

July 1, 2018 | Inspections

Ho Ho… HOT! You have most likely noticed by now that retailers everywhere are advertising “CHRISTMAS IN JULY” specials. Though it may seem crazy to start thinking about Christmas while it’s still summertime – especially for those of us in hot states like Florida – it is the optimal time to begin prepping for winter holidays! Popular gift items are abundant in quantity… prices haven’t yet been inflated… and you still have the luxury of time on your side.That’s why consumers everywhere are choosing to use their time wisely by getting their seasonal tasks out of the way! Chimney Champions® wants to help you check one more item off of your ‘To-Do’ List so you can relax this holiday season! Be sure that your fireplace is CLEAN, SAFE, and SANTA-READY in time for the holidays this year! When you schedule your Level 1 or Level 2 Inspection and Sweep and mention the … Continued

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