Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service

08/28/2026

Happy Friday Everyone!

08/24/2026

🔥 Thinking about installing a wood stove or buying a home with one already in place? Get it inspected first!

A wood stove is a fantastic, cozy way to heat your home, but an unsafe installation turns a great heat source into a serious fire hazard.

One of the most dangerous, and surprisingly common, mistakes our inspectors find is a wood stove venting improperly into an existing factory-built (pre-fab) fireplace.

Here is why that specific setup is a major red flag:

Incompatible Venting Systems: Factory-built metal fireplaces are engineered, tested, and UL-listed as complete units. Retrofitting a wood stove into one without following strict manufacturer guidelines and local building codes often creates severe overheating hazards.

Creosote and Chimney Fires: Venting a stove directly into an open pre-fab fireplace cavity or an unlined, oversized chimney structure leads to rapid flue gas cooling. This creates heavy creosote buildup, which is the leading cause of dangerous chimney fires.

Drafting and Carbon Monoxide Risks: Improper flue connections ruin the stove's draft performance, pushing smoke and deadly carbon monoxide back into your living space instead of out the house.

Voided Warranties and Insurance Issues: Uncertified or improper installations can void your home insurance coverage in the event of a house fire.

How to Stay Safe:

1. Hire a CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep: Have a professional conduct a thorough Level 2 inspection before burning your first log.

2. Verify the Liner: All stove-into-fireplace conversions require a full, continuous stainless-steel liner running all the way from the stove collar to the top of the chimney.

3. Check Clearances: Ensure combustible materials (like your wooden mantle or surrounding trim) meet the stove's required clearances to combustibles.

Don't gamble with your family's safety or your home. A quick inspection gives you complete peace of mind before you light that winter fire! 🪵🔥🏠

08/07/2026

Water is one of the biggest threats to the longevity of a chimney. While brick and mortar are built to withstand the elements, they are naturally porous and can absorb moisture over time.

Waterproofing your chimney is a proactive investment that helps protect your home by:

~Preventing cracks caused by freeze-thaw cycles.
~Reducing deterioration of brick, mortar, and masonry.
~Helping prevent mold, mildew, and interior water damage.
~Extending the life of your chimney and reducing costly repairs.
~Preserving the structural integrity and appearance of your chimney.

A professionally applied, breathable waterproofing treatment allows moisture inside the masonry to escape while preventing rainwater from penetrating the surface. This is an important part of routine chimney maintenance and can save homeowners thousands of dollars in future repair costs.

If you haven’t had your chimney inspected or waterproofed recently, now is a great time to make sure it’s protected before small issues become major problems.

07/17/2026

✨ Give Your Fireplace a Fresh New Look! ✨

An outdated gas fireplace doesn’t have to stay that way. We recently completed an updated gas fireplace installation that not only enhances the appearance of the space but also improves comfort and efficiency.

Whether you’re looking to modernize your existing fireplace, upgrade your gas logs, or completely transform your fireplace, our team is here to help bring your vision to life.

📞 Contact us today at 919-747-1859 to schedule your consultation and see how we can update your fireplace with quality craftsmanship and professional service.

07/14/2026

07/02/2026

We're also known for climbing to great heights for our clients!

06/26/2026

Demo and Gas Fireplace install (Finish Work Yet to Come)

06/19/2026

Just Skipping our way into the weekend! Hope everyone has a great Father's Day weekend.

06/17/2026

Safety Is Our Top Priority

At our company, the safety of our employees is more than a policy—it’s a commitment. We believe that every team member deserves to return home safely at the end of each day.

That’s why we conduct weekly safety debriefings and training discussions to review procedures, identify potential hazards, and reinforce best practices. These meetings help ensure our team stays informed, prepared, and focused on maintaining the highest safety standards on every job site.

By investing in safety, we’re investing in our people, our customers, and the quality of service we provide.

Thank you for trusting a company that puts safety first—every day, on every job.