News & guides
The Colorado chimney & fireplace blog.
Straight-talking guides on cost, safety, repairs and code, written by the crew that does the work.
When Your Chimney Smoke Bothers the Neighbors (or Theirs Bothers You)
Why chimney smoke lands on a neighbor along the Front Range: short flues, downwash, inversion nights, wet wood. Fixes, etiquette, and how the rules work.
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Fireplace Ash Dump and Cleanout Door: How the Ash Pit Works
How a fireplace ash dump and basement cleanout door work, how to empty the ash pit safely, and the draft, odor and pest problems a bad cleanout causes.
Wood Stove in a Garage or Workshop: Code and Safety Rules
What a wood stove in a garage or workshop must do: ignition height, clearances on concrete, Class A chimney, combustion air, sawdust and solvent safety.
Range Hood Duct Cleaning: The Grease Flue Most Homes Never Service
What builds up in a range hood duct, the warning signs, what you can clean yourself, and how often the full run needs service. From a Denver chimney crew.
Mobile Home Wood Stove and Fireplace Rules: Why They Differ
Why wood stoves in manufactured homes follow different rules: HUD listing, outside air, anchoring, Class A venting, common violations, and a checklist.
Clay Chimney Pots: Draft, Freeze-Thaw Failure, and Repair in Colorado
What a chimney pot does, when it helps draft, how clay pots crack in Colorado freeze-thaw, cap sizing, repair vs replacement, and a ground inspection list.
Outside Air Kits and Makeup Air for Fireplaces in Tight Homes
Fireplace smokes when the range hood runs? Learn how outside air kits and makeup air fix starved fires in tight Colorado homes, and when they will not.
Wood Stove Home Insurance in Colorado: What Insurers Ask
What Colorado insurers ask about wood stoves and fireplaces, the photos and questionnaire to have ready, and how an inspection report keeps you insurable.
Gas Fireplace Log Placement: Embers, Media and Resetting Logs
Why gas fireplace log placement is a safety setting, how to reset logs and embers step by step, and the soot and odor signs that a log has shifted.
Solar Panels Near a Chimney: Clearance, Soot, Shading and Access
Putting rooftop solar near a chimney in Colorado? Learn about heat and ember clearance, soot on panels, shading, snow shed, and keeping sweep access open.
Wood Stove Door Gasket Replacement and Owner Maintenance Guide
How to test and replace a wood stove door gasket, inspect glass, baffle, firebrick and catalyst, and know when a Colorado stove needs a technician.
Lightning Strike Chimney Damage in Colorado: What to Check
Why chimneys take lightning hits, what the damage looks like inside and out, the safety steps after a strike, and how insurance and repairs usually go.
Fireplace Grates, Firebacks and Hearth Accessories Explained
A Denver chimney crew explains fireplace grates, sizing, materials, firebacks, andirons, screens, tools, and the accessories that crack fireboxes.
Stovepipe vs Class A Chimney Pipe: What Goes Where and Why
Stovepipe vs Class A chimney pipe explained: where each is allowed, clearance to combustibles, assembly order, and the mistakes we find in Colorado homes.
Basement Fireplace Smoke: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
Why basement fireplaces smoke while the upstairs one draws fine, how to test for negative pressure with incense, and the fixes ranked by effort.
Chimney Clearance to Combustibles: Inside the Chase and Attic
What chimney clearance to combustibles means in the chase and attic, the violations we find on camera in Denver homes, and how to check yours safely.
Gas Fireplace High Altitude Adjustment in Colorado
Why a gas fireplace set up for sea level runs rich in Denver and the mountains, what the derate means, and what the altitude conversion involves.
Fireplace Not Used in Years? How to Bring It Back Safely
A fireplace not used in years is not safe by default. What dormant Denver chimneys hide, the pre-use checklist, and when a reline must come first.
Wood vs Pellet vs Gas Stove: Which Freestanding Stove Fits Colorado
Wood stove vs pellet stove vs gas stove for Colorado homes and cabins: fuel cost, venting, clearances, outages, altitude and the lifestyle test.
How Long Does a Chimney Last? Lifespan of Every Part
How long a chimney lasts, part by part: masonry, mortar, crown, liners, prefab units, caps and gas parts, plus what shortens or extends each in Colorado.
How to Measure a Fireplace for an Insert, Gas Logs or Doors
The nine measurements that decide whether an insert, gas logs or glass doors will fit your fireplace, where to take each, and the mistakes that kill a fit.
What to Do After a Chimney Fire: A Colorado Homeowner Guide
Had a chimney fire? The step by step response, why small fires leave hidden flue damage, insurance documentation, and repair paths for Colorado homes.
Using Your Fireplace for Heat During a Power Outage in Colorado
Which fireplaces and stoves heat without power, how to run a gas unit on battery backup, the CO rules that matter, and how to keep one room warm.
Chimney Liner Types Compared: Clay, Stainless, Aluminum, Cast
Clay tile, 304 and 316Ti stainless, aluminum, and cast in place chimney liners compared for wood, gas, pellet, and furnace venting in Colorado homes.
The Flue Report: Colorado Chimney News, September 2026
Xcel gas rates rise Oct 6, NOAA calls a possibly historic El Nino, metro burn rules return Nov 1, and new Colorado hail roof grants.
How to Start a Fire in a Fireplace Without Smoke
A Denver chimney crew explains how to start a fire in a fireplace without smoke: prime the flue, build top-down, burn dry wood, and add air at altitude.
Roof Replacement and Your Chimney: What to Check
Getting a new roof after hail? What to check at the chimney: flashing, cricket, cap, crown, and the one-week leak check. From a Denver metro chimney crew.
How to Season and Store Firewood in Colorado
How to season firewood to 20 percent moisture on the Front Range: drying times by species, the right stack, storage mistakes and free dryness tests.
Gas Fireplace Annual Service: What the Tune-Up Includes
What a gas fireplace annual service includes: burner and pilot cleaning, millivolt test, glass and gasket, vent check, CO reading, and altitude orifices.
Fireplace Damper Stuck? Diagnosis and Repair Options for Denver Homes
Why fireplace dampers rust, warp and jam in Colorado, safe checks on a cold fireplace, and how repairs compare from lubrication to a top-sealing cap.
How to Read a Chimney Inspection Report
What the findings, photos and priorities on a chimney inspection report mean, which items are urgent, and how to use it to get a second quote in Denver.
Ice Dams at the Chimney: Snow and Winter Water Damage in Colorado
How an ice dam forms at a chimney, why the up slope side needs a cricket, and what backed up snowmelt does to flashing, crown and brick in Colorado.
Landlord Chimney Responsibility in Colorado Rental Properties
Who handles chimney inspection, sweeping, CO alarms, ashes and repairs in a Colorado rental. Owner, manager and tenant duties, records and lease tips.
New Home Chimney Inspection: Why a New Build Still Needs One
A brand new fireplace is not automatically a correct one. The defects we find on new builds, and why year one of the builder warranty is your window.
Chimney Liner Insulation: The Step People Skip And Regret
Chimney liner insulation keeps a flue warm so it drafts instead of condensing. What it is, why it matters, and how to tell if yours was insulated.
Fireplaces and Indoor Air Quality: What Actually Gets Into Your Air
How fireplaces affect indoor air quality in Colorado homes, why draft and appliance condition matter more than the fuel, and the fixes that actually help.
EPA Certified Wood Stove: What Certification Means in Colorado
What EPA certification measures, how catalytic and non catalytic stoves differ, and why the label decides if you can burn on a Front Range Action Day.
Chimney Flue Size: Matching the Flue to the Appliance
How chimney flue size is matched to a fireplace opening or an appliance in Colorado, what oversized and undersized flues do, and how a liner fixes it.
Outdoor Fireplace and Fire Pit Guide for Colorado Backyards
Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits in Colorado: the four options compared on cost, permits, wind, freeze thaw damage, fire bans, clearances and winterizing.
Soot vs Creosote: What the Difference Means for Your Chimney
Soot and creosote are not the same substance. What each one is, which fuels make them, why soot on a gas fireplace is a warning, and how to clean it.
How to Choose a Chimney Sweep: Vetting a Chimney Company
How to choose a chimney sweep: the questions to ask on the phone, why photos matter, the pressure tactics to spot, and how to read an itemized estimate.
Chimney Removal: Full, Partial, or Just Seal the Flue?
The three chimney removal scopes, the structural and venting questions that come first, and why sealing an unused flue is often the smarter, cheaper fix.
Fireplace Mantel Clearance and Hearth Extension Code in Colorado
How far a mantel must sit above the fireplace opening, how deep a hearth extension has to be, and why a prefab unit follows its own clearance numbers.
Multiple Flues in One Chimney: How a Shared Stack Really Works
One masonry stack, two or three flues. Why every appliance needs its own, how a failed wythe leaks smoke between rooms, and how we test for it.
Chimney Rebuild vs Repair in Denver: How the Call Gets Made
Rebuild or repair? The six findings a mason uses to decide, the three scopes explained, and what really drives chimney rebuild cost in Denver.
Fireplace Glass Doors: Which Type, and What They Really Do
Fireplace glass doors do less for heat than you expect. Ceramic vs tempered glass, prefab rules, measuring, gaskets and draft, from our Aurora crew.
The Chimney Height Rule: 3-2-10 Explained for Colorado Homes
The chimney height rule explained: 3 feet above the roof, 2 feet above anything within 10 feet, why Denver altitude matters, and how to fix a short flue.
How to Dispose of Fireplace Ash Safely in Colorado
Embers survive in an ash bed for days. The safe way to remove, store and dispose of fireplace ash, plus garden limits and Colorado wind risks.
Gas Logs vs Gas Insert vs Built-In Fireplace: Colorado Guide
Gas logs vs gas insert vs built-in fireplace: what each one is, what it does to your chimney and damper, and which fits your Colorado home.
White Stains on Chimney Brick: Efflorescence in Colorado
White stains on chimney brick are efflorescence, salt left behind as water moves through the masonry. How to identify it and fix the leak behind it.
Spring Chimney Maintenance in Colorado: Your March to August Plan
Spring chimney maintenance in Colorado: winter damage to look for, why summer creosote smells, monsoon prep, and a March to August schedule.
Chimney Sweeping Logs: Do They Actually Work?
Chimney sweeping logs alter creosote but remove nothing from your flue. A Colorado sweep on what they do, what they cannot, and when to use one.
Convert a Wood Fireplace to Gas: A Denver Homeowner's Guide
Converting a wood fireplace to gas in Denver: gas logs vs insert vs full replacement, liner sizing, venting types, gas line, permits and sequence.
Smoke Chamber Repair and Parging: The Hidden Half of Your Fireplace
The smoke chamber above your damper is a common failure point. How we inspect it, why corbelled brick kills draft, and what a proper parge coat fixes.
Warning Signs a Dryer Vent Is Clogged: A Colorado Guide
Eight signs your dryer vent needs cleaning, why a clogged duct runs hot and long, and what Colorado homeowners can safely check themselves.
Spark Arrestor Chimney Guide: Colorado Wildfire Ember Safety
What a spark arrestor chimney screen does in both directions, why 3/8 to 1/2 inch mesh is the rule, and how Colorado wildfire and hail change it.
Mounting a TV Above a Fireplace: Heat, Soot and Real Limits
What temperatures really occur above a firebox, how they compare to TV operating limits, and the fixes that work. Colorado chimney pros explain.
Chimney Waterproofing in Colorado: Sealing Brick the Right Way
Why Colorado brick needs a breathable chimney waterproofing sealer, how film forming products cause spalling, plus prep, coverage and reapply timing.
Gas Fireplace Pilot Light Will Not Stay Lit: Causes and Fixes
Why your gas fireplace pilot light will not stay lit: thermocouple and thermopile basics, a symptom to cause table, safe DIY checks, and Colorado altitude.
Spalling Brick Chimney Repair in Denver: Causes and Real Fixes
Spalling brick chimney in Denver? Why brick faces pop off, how to tell spalling from efflorescence, and when repair beats a full chimney rebuild.
What Does a Chimney Sweep Do? A Walkthrough of the Visit
What a chimney sweep actually does on a Denver home visit: containment, sweeping methods, what gets cleaned, the camera scan, and the written findings.
Old House Chimney Repair in Denver: A Historic Home Guide
Old house chimney repair in Denver: why mortar must stay softer than historic brick, options for unlined flues, and how to prioritize a tight budget.
The Flue Report: Colorado Chimney News, August 17, 2026
Metro Denver ozone alert, NOAA puts a historic El Nino at 69 percent, the Xcel rate decision landing now, and two CPSC alarm actions before heating season.
Pellet Stoves in Colorado: A Complete Homeowner Guide
Pellet stove Colorado guide: how they work, PFI pellet grades, vent sizing at altitude, Action Day rules, weekly maintenance, and power outage backup.
Chimney Flashing Repair in Denver: Stop the Leak at the Roofline
Chimney flashing repair in Denver done right: counter flashing cut into the mortar joint, crickets, and metals that survive Colorado hail and sun.
Fireplace Safety With Kids and Pets: What Actually Burns Them
Fireplace safety with kids and pets: why hot glass burns more children than flames, which hearth gates work, safe ash handling, and CO alarms.
Furnace and Water Heater Chimney Venting: The Denver Liner Guide
Why furnace chimney liner size matters, how an orphaned water heater wrecks Denver masonry, and when a sized stainless liner is the real fix.
Chimney Storm and Hail Damage: The Colorado Insurance Guide
What hail and wind do to a Colorado chimney, why chimney damage gets missed in a roof claim, and how to document it so the claim holds up.
Prefab Fireplace Repair in Colorado: What Can Be Fixed
Prefab fireplace repair in Colorado: spot a factory-built firebox, know when cracked refractory panels must be replaced, and when the unit is done.
Chimney Inspection When Buying a House in Colorado: The Playbook
What a chimney inspection when buying a house covers in Colorado, why NFPA 211 wants a Level 2 at transfer, and how to use your objection period.
Carbon Monoxide and Your Chimney: A Colorado Safety Guide
How your chimney carries carbon monoxide outside, the venting faults that let it back in, the warning signs, and where CO alarms belong in a Colorado home.
Chimney Chase Cover Replacement in Denver: A Homeowner's Guide
Rusted chase cover leaking into your firebox? How chase cover replacement works in Denver, which metal lasts, and the signs yours is failing.
The Flue Report: Colorado Chimney News, August 2026
Metro Denver’s smoke Action Day, Xcel’s combined gas and electric rate hikes, and NOAA’s still-strong El Nino winter call.
The Flue Report: Colorado Chimney News, July 20, 2026
Ozone Action Day in metro Denver, NOAA now calls a very strong El Nino winter, the Xcel rate case, and HB25-1182 notices hitting mailboxes.
The Complete Chimney & Firebox Dictionary
More than 120 chimney and firebox terms explained in plain English, from ash dump to zero-clearance, with quick-reference tables and Colorado-specific notes.
Colorado Winter Outlook: What It Means for Your Chimney
Colorado chimney news: NOAA strong El Nino winter odds, metro Denver indoor-burn rules returning Nov 1, wildfire insurance law HB25-1182, and heating costs.
The Flue Report: Colorado Chimney News, July 2026
Colorado's new wildfire risk score law, Front Range ozone burn rules, wood stove standards and a mitigation tax credit, explained for homeowners.
Repairing Defective Flue Tiles in Denver, CO
Few components are as critical to chimney safety as the flue tiles. Flue tiles are vital in safely directing smoke, gases, and other combustion byproducts…
How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost in Denver? 2026 Price Guide
When homeowners in Denver search for chimney sweep services, the first question they almost always ask is about cost. After 15 years of cleaning chimneys…
Colorado Guide to Chimney Types, Costs, and Leading Brands
Chimneys have been a fundamental part of home design for centuries, evolving from simple smoke outlets in medieval homes to sophisticated systems that…
The cheapest way to reline a chimney
Relining a chimney can be a significant expense, but minimizing costs without compromising safety or efficiency is possible. Below is a detailed…
The Silent Threat in Your Chimney: Understanding and Preventing Creosote Buildup
Creosote is a dark, sticky substance inside your chimney or flue when burning wood or other fuels. While it might seem harmless at first glance, creosote…
Winter Chimney Safety Checklist: Essential Tips for Colorado Homeowners
As the owner of Adam Chimney Sweep, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Denver’s harsh winters can transform a cozy fireplace from a source of comfort into a…
Guide to Chimney Laws and Regulations in Colorado
In Colorado, chimney laws and regulations are crucial for maintaining home safety and environmental compliance. Every city has specific rules governing…
Ultimate Guide to Wood-Burning Stove Inserts Across Colorado
Colorado, with its diverse landscapes and climate, is an ideal location for homeowners to embrace the warmth and charm of wood-burning stove inserts.…
Top 10 Signs Your Colorado Home Needs Chimney Service
Learn the top signs your Colorado chimney needs care. Adam Chimney Sweep ensures safety and efficiency with expert inspections and repairs.
Understanding Your Chimney: A Practical Guide for Colorado Homeowners
A practical guide to your chimney for Colorado homeowners: the key parts, common problems at altitude, maintenance, and when to call a pro.
Gas Fireplace Service and Installation in Colorado
Gas fireplaces have become a popular choice for homeowners across Colorado. They offer the ambiance of a traditional wood-burning fireplace without the…
The Ultimate Guide to Fireplace Fans in Colorado
Colorado’s diverse climate, ranging from the snowy peaks of the Rockies to the arid plains of the eastern counties, means that homeowners across the state…
Enervex chimney solutions for Colorado Counties
Smoky or hard to draft fireplace? Adam Chimney Sweep installs and services Enervex chimney fans across Colorado counties. Call (720) 207-9232.
The Essential Guide to Damper Caps for Colorado
From the bustling streets of Denver County to the scenic mountain retreats of Breckenridge in Summit County, homeowners and businesses across Colorado…
Chimney Remodeling in Colorado: A Homeowner’s Guide to Smart Updates
When I walked into a home in Cherry Creek last winter, the homeowner pointed to their crumbling brick chimney and asked me a question I hear constantly:…
How Often Should You Sweep Your Chimney? A Colorado Guide
How often should you sweep your chimney in Colorado? A clear guide to cleaning frequency by fuel type and use, and what happens if you wait too long.
Chimney Inspection Levels 1, 2 and 3 Explained
Chimney inspection Levels 1, 2 and 3 explained: what each covers, when you need them, and what our techs check. Denver and Colorado chimney experts.
Chimney Fires: Causes, Warning Signs and What to Do
Chimney fires explained: what causes them, the signs one already happened, what to do during one, and how to prevent them. Denver chimney pros.
Why Is My Chimney Leaking? Causes and How to Stop It
Why is your chimney leaking? Common causes (cap, crown, flashing, masonry) and how to stop water damage for good. Waterproofing in Denver, Colorado.
Smoky Fireplace? Why It Will Not Draft and How to Fix It
Smoky fireplace? Why your fireplace will not draft and how to fix it: cold flues, blockages, altitude and pressure. Denver and Front Range experts.
Why Does My Chimney Smell? Odor Causes and Fixes
Why does your chimney smell? Musty, smoky and campfire odors explained, with DIY steps and real fixes from Denver’s Adam Chimney Sweep.
Gas vs. Wood-Burning Fireplace: Which Is Right for Your Colorado Home?
Gas vs. wood-burning fireplace for your Colorado home: an honest comparison of cost, heat, upkeep and air-quality rules to help you choose.
Chimney Cap vs. Crown: The Difference and Why You Need Both
Chimney cap vs. crown: what each does, where it sits, the signs each is failing, and when to repair or replace. Denver chimney experts.
Best Firewood for Colorado: What to Burn and What to Avoid
Best firewood for Colorado: which woods burn cleanest, how to season wood, and what never to burn, so you get more heat and less creosote.
Birds and Animals in Your Chimney: Signs, Risks and Humane Removal
Birds and animals in your chimney: signs of swifts, raccoons and squirrels, the real risks, and humane removal and prevention in Denver, Colorado.
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