Brick fireplaces may be cozy and charming, but they also blacken easily. Smoke and ash penetrate the brick during every fire and leave behind dark stains. Cleaning brick can be very challenging ...

Who doesn't love a warm, cozy fire? But the maintenance and clean-up that goes with hit? Not so much. And while chimney cleaning needs to be contracted out to certified professional (more on that ...

It’s the time of year when folks start migrating towards their fireplace in the evening, if they’re lucky enough to have one. There is something deep in us that finds warmth and comfort, not just in ...

Fall and winter mean a lot of cozy fires - and a lot of mess. But with a little TLC, your brick fireplace can stay clean and inviting all season long.

Q: I plan to set up a gas stove in a fireplace built in 1800. But the floor of the fireplace has an ugly black area, I think from creosote that washed down the chimney when it rained. How do I remove ...

With cooler weather, thoughts turn toward cozy evenings indoors around a crackling fire. But first, thoughts should turn to cleaning that fireplace’s chimney. That’s because creosote buildup, missing ...

Your fireplace will look better than ever just in time for long winter nights Clean brick fireplaces with a vinegar-and-water mix, avoiding harsh chemicals that can damage porous brick. Vacuum, scrub ...

Q. I used my masonry fireplace as often as possible during winter to cut my utility bills. What should I do to minimize the amount of creosote buildup and what chimney problems should I look for now?