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November is the month everything changes for your fireplace. Through spring and summer, your chimney sits quiet. Through September and October, you are thinking about getting it checked. Then November arrives, the temperature drops for real, and suddenly the fireplace is running every evening. Holiday gatherings. Football Sundays. Cold nights when the furnace alone just…

October is the scariest month for chimney problems in the Chicago suburbs and we are not talking about ghosts. Every year it goes the same way. Summer ends, the weather turns, and homeowners who have been putting off their chimney inspection since spring suddenly realize they need their fireplace and they need it now. By…

That first cool September evening is calling for a fire. Is your chimney ready for it? There is a moment every fall that Chicago area homeowners know well. The temperature finally drops, the leaves start turning, and someone in the house says it “Let’s light a fire tonight!” It is one of the best feelings…

You’re getting the kids ready for school. Don’t forget to get your chimney ready for winter. August is a busy month — school supplies, schedules, and a thousand other things competing for your attention. Chimney maintenance is the last thing on your list. But here’s the reality: every fall, we get a surge of frantic…

Most homeowners know the basics of a chimney. There’s the fireplace. There’s the brick. There’s the part Santa allegedly uses once a year. But sitting at the very top of your chimney is one of the most important protective components of the entire system: the chimney crown. It usually looks like a giant piece of…

There’s something charming about wildlife… when it’s outside. A squirrel leaping through the trees? Adorable. Birds chirping in the morning? Peaceful. Raccoons? Well… debatable. But the moment those furry little tenants decide your chimney is now their new condo, things can go downhill quickly. Animal intrusion is one of the most common chimney issues homeowners…

At Brickhaus Chimney, we believe that inviting a contractor into your home should never feel uncertain or uncomfortable. Too often, homeowners experience situations where work isn’t clearly explained or the job site isn’t properly cleaned. That’s not how we operate. Our mission is simple: provide a complete, transparent, and high-quality experience from start to finish.…

SPRING IS HERE! How to keep the water it brings OUT!    As a community we are transitioning into a very sporadic wet weather season, your chimney may become victim to the harsh rains and wind that come along. As a whole your masonry chimney acts as a large sponge sitting on the side of…

Winter Is Hard on Masonry, Spring Reveals the Damage!   Chicagoland winters are brutal on masonry chimneys. Freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and moisture all take a toll on your masonry chimney, especially systems that are not waterproofed. Once spring arrives, hidden damage starts to show. Cracks appear out of nowhere, bricks are no longer uniform,…

The Hidden Risk When Replacing a Gas Appliance   Upgrading a gas furnace, boiler, or water heater feels like a smart move. With better efficiency, lower energy bills, and improved comfort what is there to lose? But what many homeowners don’t realize is that changing a gas appliance can create serious chimney and venting hazards…