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Small evening fire burning low behind a screen in a brick hearth

FeaturedNational

How often should you clean a chimney?

The NFPA 211 answer, what actually speeds up creosote, and why counting fires is the wrong way to decide.

Updated Jul 2026 · Reviewed before publishing · 6 min read

Every guide· 24

National
National
Chimney Sweep Kid: The True History of the Climbing Boys (And What Changed)
The chimney sweep kid was real: ages, dates, the 1875 law, and the American side nobody writes about. VIO matches you with independent local chimney pros.
Oct 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Chimney Pulling Away From House: How to Tell What You Are Actually Looking At
A chimney pulling away from house walls is often a settled footing, not a failing foundation. VIO matches you with local chimney pros who inspect it.
Oct 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Metal Chimney Cover: Which One You Have, and What It Is Telling You
A metal chimney cover is either a cap or a chase cover, and which one you have changes everything. VIO matches you with a local chimney company.
Oct 2026 · 15 min
National
National
Chimney Sweep CT: What the Visit Covers and How to Check Who You Hire
Hiring a chimney sweep CT homeowners can actually verify: what the visit covers, the NFPA 211 levels, and Connecticut's own rules. VIO matches you locally.
Oct 2026 · 13 min
National
National
What Is the Bottom of a Fireplace Called? The Hearth, and the Three Parts People Confuse With It
What is the bottom of a fireplace called? The hearth, plus the firebox floor, hearth extension and ash dump. VIO matches you with a local chimney pro.
Oct 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Chimney Cap Installer: How to Hire One and What Good Work Looks Like
Hiring a chimney cap installer? Single-flue vs multi-flue mounting, the code mesh rules, and four questions to ask. VIO matches you with a local company.
Sep 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Gas Fireplace Shuts Off After 30 Minutes: What the Timing Is Telling You
If your gas fireplace shuts off after 30 minutes, the timing narrows the cause. Millivolt tests, limit switches, vents, and VIO matches you with a pro.
Sep 2026 · 15 min
National
National
Gas Fireplace Smells: What Each Odor Means and When to Worry
Gas fireplace smells explained odor by odor: which mean leave the house now, which burn off on their own. VIO matches you with a local gas fireplace pro.
Sep 2026 · 16 min
National
National
What the Inside of a Chimney Looks Like: A Guided Trip Up the Flue
See what the inside of a chimney really looks like, from firebox to crown, sound vs failed. VIO matches you with an independent local chimney company.
Sep 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Raccoon in Chimney: How to Get It Out Safely and Keep It From Coming Back
Heard scratching above the damper? Here is what a raccoon in chimney really means, what not to do, and how VIO matches you with a local chimney pro.
Sep 2026 · 16 min
National
National
Chimney Sweep Roswell: What the Visit Includes and How to Vet One
Chimney Sweep Roswell guide: what the visit includes, what NFPA 211 requires, and how to vet a sweep. VIO matches you with an independent local company.
Sep 2026 · 16 min
National
National
Smoke Smell From Fireplace When Not in Use: Why It Happens and How to Stop It
A smoke smell from fireplace when not in use comes from creosote plus house air pressure. Find which is yours; VIO matches you with a local pro.
Sep 2026 · 16 min
National
National
Chimney Smell in House: Why It Happens and How to Stop It
A chimney smell in house is about reversed airflow, not a dirty flue. Match the smell to its cause, then let VIO match you with a local chimney company.
Sep 2026 · 16 min
National
National
Chimney Inspection CT: Which Level You Need and What Happens on the Visit
Chimney inspection CT: which NFPA level you need, what happens on the visit, how to read the report. VIO matches you with a local company.
Sep 2026 · 16 min
National
National
Northeastern Masonry & Chimney Repair: What Winter Does to a Brick Stack
What freeze-thaw winters do to a northeastern masonry & chimney, how to tell masonry from flue trouble, and how VIO matches you with a local company.
Sep 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Concrete Chimney Crown: How to Tell If Yours Can Be Saved
What a correct concrete chimney crown looks like, how to check yours from the ground, and where repair ends and rebuilding starts. VIO matches you with local pros.
Sep 2026 · 13 min
National
National
What Is a Chimney Crown? The Part You Cannot See From the Ground
What is a chimney crown, how to check yours from the ground, and when it needs replacing. VIO matches you with independent local chimney companies.
Sep 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Furnace Chimney Cleaning: What the Visit Covers and How to Tell If You Need It
Furnace chimney cleaning is not fireplace sweeping. See what the visit covers and spot your venting setup. VIO matches you with a local chimney company.
Sep 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Chimney Repair CT: How to Tell What Your Chimney Actually Needs
Chimney repair CT guide: match what you see to the right repair, verify HIC registration, and let VIO match you with independent local companies.
Sep 2026 · 15 min
National
National
Damper Repair: How to Tell What Broke, and What It Takes to Fix It
Damper repair, explained: how to tell whether your fireplace damper needs a fix or a replacement, and how VIO matches you with a local chimney company.
Sep 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Chimney Parging: What It Is, When You Actually Need It, and When You Don't
Chimney parging means two different jobs: the smoke chamber coat and the exterior stack. Learn which you need. VIO connects you with local pros.
Sep 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Gas Chimney Cleaning: What Actually Needs Cleaning (and When It Doesn't)
Gas chimney cleaning is not about soot, it is about acidic condensate in the flue. See what it covers, and let VIO match you with local chimney companies.
Sep 2026 · 14 min
National
National
Do Gas Fireplaces Have a Flue? How to Tell What Yours Has
Do gas fireplaces have a flue? Two of three venting types do. Learn to tell which one you have, then let VIO connect you with a local chimney company.
Sep 2026 · 15 min
National
National
Chimney Dampers: Identify Yours Before You Compare Types
Chimney dampers come in two types. Learn which one you have, how to tell if it has failed, and when to stop. VIO matches you with local chimney companies.
Sep 2026 · 13 min

Reading gets you close. A look inside settles it.

No article can see your flue. A local pro can, and will put what it needs in writing before doing any of it.

Get my chimney looked at Call (513) 655-6702