The first cold night sneaks up in September. A chimney that sat unused all summer needs a quick check before your first fire — here is how to be ready.

Just moved into a home with a fireplace? Before you light your first fire, run through this simple chimney safety checklist to be sure it is safe to use.

A sticking, warped, or rusted damper causes smoky rooms and high energy bills. Here are the common fireplace damper problems and how to fix them.

Most homeowners are surprised how quick and clean a professional chimney sweep is. Here is the typical timeframe and what to expect during the visit.

A standard home inspection barely looks at the chimney. Before buying a home with a fireplace, a dedicated chimney inspection can save you from a hidden expense.

Flaking, pitting, or popping brick faces mean spalling — a sign water has been getting into the masonry. Caught early it is a simple fix.

Those white, chalky stains on your chimney brick are efflorescence — a sign water is moving through the masonry. Here is what they mean and what to do.

Water is the number-one enemy of a masonry chimney. Here is how breathable waterproofing protects it — and when it is worth doing.

Wood stoves and open fireplaces place different demands on your chimney. Here is how their chimney care differs — and what stays the same.

Your firewood is the biggest thing you control about how cleanly your fireplace burns. Here is why seasoned wood beats green wood — and how to tell them apart.