Our Company Blog

Spring Is the Perfect Time for Cleaning Your Chimney

As we say goodbye to winter, the first thing on many homeowners’ minds is preparing a spring cleaning plan. Atlas Chimney would like to remind you to include your chimney on the list of home maintenance tasks. We want to share with you why it is so important to schedule your annual professional chimney sweeping and inspection appointment with us in the spring as well as what you can expect from our maintenance services.

Why is it so important to have my chimney cleaned in the spring?

After a season of heavy usage, your chimney may have sizable amounts of creosote accumulated on its inner walls. A natural compound that develops during combustion, creosote is problematic because it leads to unpleasant odors invading your home. It also creates a dangerous fire hazard in your chimney. Creosote is so flammable that the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) names it as a leading cause of chimney fires. It is equally as important to have your chimney professionally inspected in the spring to make sure there are no water leaks that could lead to masonry damage. You want to protect your chimney from water penetration to prevent the deterioration of the bricks and mortar joints.

What can I expect from a professional chimney maintenance appointment with Atlas Chimney?

Our chimney sweeps are trained and certified by the CSIA, which means you can trust them to be skilled, honest, and professional when they visit your home. We begin this maintenance service by laying down drop cloths around your hearth area to protect the flooring. We use specialized tools, including a high-powered vacuum and rotating brushes, to ensure we remove all creosote and soot. During this sweeping, we will also remove any blockages in the flue to allow the chimney to exhaust safely. After your chimney sweeping, we examine the outside of your chimney to see if there is any masonry damage or deterioration. We also provide you with photographs of any damage and a written estimate of the necessary repairs.

Be sure to include your chimney in your home spring cleaning plan. Contact us today at Atlas Chimney to schedule your appointment for your annual professional chimney maintenance services with our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps.

Enjoy the Fireplace with These Holiday Drinks

During the holiday season, the fireplace is a traditional gathering spot for many families. While sitting around a warm and cozy fire while you catch up with visiting family and friends can be a perfect way to celebrate this time of the year, it can be even more festive when you serve special holiday drinks to your guests. You may already know that Atlas Chimney is the top chimney company in the Austin area. However, not only does our staff have the trusted knowledge and experience in professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services, but we also consider ourselves experts on the best holiday beverages to enjoy by the fireplace. We would like to share with you some suggestions of what to serve during your fireside holiday moments this year, along with a few fireplace safety reminders.

HOT HOLIDAY COCKTAILS

If you are hosting a holiday party at your home this year, you may be looking for the perfect cocktail to add even more cheer to the festivities. In Country Living’s “40+ Winter Drinks to Sip Around the Fireplace This Christmas,” you will find a nice variety of holiday-themed cocktails that will keep your guests warm and happy. Those who love the traditional eggnog drink will enjoy the Eggnog and Bailey’s, Cinnamon White Russian, S’mores Martini, and the Spiked Coconut Vanilla Steamer. If you would like to serve a more fruity type of cocktail, check out the recipes for the Vanilla Cranberry Mimosa and the Blood Orange Moscow Mule.

HOT HOLIDAY-THEMED DRINKS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

For family celebrations, Country Living also features a great deal of non-alcoholic holiday beverage suggestions that both the children and the adults will enjoy drinking by the fireplace. You will find several festive variations on hot chocolate, including Spiced Mexican, Nutella, Gingerbread, Mint White Chocolate, and Grinch. A favorite of our staff, the Peppermint Oreo Milkshake is the perfect addition to any holiday gathering. If you are looking for a new punch recipe for your holiday parties, the Christmas Day Punch not only tastes delicious; it also looks colorful and cheerful and will add to any seasonal party decor.

To be able to fully relax around the fireplace with your guests during the holiday season, you should follow a few fire safety tips. Have your chimney professionally swept and inspected before the holiday season begins. Make sure all of your holiday decorations, including your tree, stockings, and greenery accents, are placed at least three feet away from the fireplace. Place a screen in front of the hearth to protect children and pets from getting too close to the fire. Considering these fire safety practices can prevent an accidental fire from ruining your holiday celebrations.

Atlas Chimney would like to wish you and your family a very happy holiday. Contact us for any of your professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation needs you may have this winter.