In Englewood’s older houses, brick chimneys and masonry liners demand regular attention. You can check for cracks, clear the firebox, or test your damper, but never attempt roof climbing, scraping creosote, or fixing structural issues. When unsure, Cheetah Chimney Co offers licensed inspections and repairs.
3 Safe DIY Checks for Englewood Homeowners (And How to Do Them Right)
Englewood’s brick chimneys often hide problems behind their sturdy masonry. Here’s what you can safely handle without tools or training: 1. Visual Inspection of the Firebox and Damper. Once a month, use a flashlight to check for soot buildup, rust, or gaps in the damper. If your damper sticks or shows signs of warping, that’s a red flag, stop using the fireplace and call a pro. 2. Cleaning the Firebox. After each burn, remove ash with a metal bucket and brush. Never use a vacuum, ash can ignite. For gas fireplaces, simply wipe the glass with a damp cloth. 3. Checking for Cracks in the Chimney Crown. From the ground (never the roof), look for hairline cracks in the brick crown. If they’re wider than 1/8 inch or crumbling, moisture will seep in and weaken the masonry. Read more about crown repairs in our Englewood-specific guide. Pro Tip: Englewood’s humidity accelerates brick deterioration. If you spot efflorescence (white powdery residue), that’s a sign of moisture damage, call Cheetah Chimney Co before it worsens.
What Most Englewood Homeowners Get Wrong About DIY Chimney Work (And Why It’s Risky)
Myth: ‘I can scrape off creosote with a wire brush.’ Reality: Creosote is flammable tar that hardens into layers. Scraping creosote can ignite a fire or crack your liner. Englewood’s older homes often have clay liners that crack under improper cleaning, leading to carbon monoxide leaks. Learn the dangers of DIY creosote removal. Myth: ‘A stiff brush and vacuum will clean my chimney.’ Reality: Creosote clings to chimney walls, and a vacuum can’t reach it. DIY tools often miss 70% of buildup, leaving your chimney a fire hazard. Plus, if you’re not trained, you might dislodge bricks or damage the flue. Myth: ‘I can patch small cracks with mortar.’ Reality: Masonry cracks in Englewood’s brick chimneys often signal deeper structural issues. Poorly applied mortar traps moisture, causing bricks to spall (flake off). See why DIY repairs fail on older chimneys, and how to spot when it’s time to call a pro.
Warning Signs You’ve Gone Too Far with DIY (Stop and Call a Pro)
If you’ve attempted any chimney work and notice these, stop using your fireplace immediately and contact Cheetah Chimney Co: - Burning smells or smoke in the house after cleaning or repairing the damper. This means gases aren’t venting properly, likely due to a damaged liner or blocked flue. - Orange or yellow flames instead of blue. This signals incomplete combustion, often caused by a clogged chimney or poor draft. - Water spots or mold appearing on ceilings or walls near the fireplace. This means moisture is leaking through cracks or a failed crown repair. - A strong, acrid odor after lighting the fire. This could be creosote burning off or, worse, a gas leak if you have a gas fireplace. Englewood’s older homes hide these problems behind thick brick. Don’t wait, book an inspection before small issues become emergencies.
The 5 Things You Should Never DIY (And Why Pros Like Cheetah Chimney Co Handle Them)
These tasks require training, specialized tools, and safety certifications. Attempting them risks fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, or voiding your home’s warranty: 1. Climbing onto the roof to inspect or repair the chimney. Englewood’s brick chimneys are heavy and unstable. Falls from roofs cause serious injuries, and most homeowners’ insurance won’t cover DIY roof work. 2. Removing creosote or soot buildup. Creosote is highly flammable. Scraping it can ignite it mid-chimney, causing a chimney fire. See why pros use rotary brushes and vacuums to safely remove it. 3. Installing or repairing a chimney liner. Liners direct gases safely out of your home. A poorly installed liner can leak carbon monoxide or fail under heat. Many Englewood’s older homes need stainless steel liners to prevent dangerous wear. 4. Repointing mortar between bricks. DIY mortar jobs often crack within a year, trapping moisture and accelerating brick decay. Learn the right way to repoint in our Englewood guide. 5. Fixing a blocked or collapsed flue. Debris, animal nests, or structural damage can block airflow. A blocked flue fills your home with deadly carbon monoxide. This is an emergency, call us 24/7.
Your 1920s brick home’s chimney isn’t just ‘smoking’, it’s whispering. Here’s when to listen and how we make it easy.
If your chimney is older than 20 years (common in Englewood’s historic neighborhoods), or you’ve noticed any of the warning signs above, schedule a professional inspection. Here’s how we help Englewood homeowners: - Licensed Inspections: We use video cameras to check for hidden damage in your flue or masonry, something you can’t see from the ground. - Creosote Removal: Our rotary brushes and industrial vacuums safely remove all stages of creosote, reducing fire risk. - Masonry Repairs: We specialize in brick chimneys, from repointing to crown repairs, using mortar that lasts in Englewood’s climate. - Liner Installations: If your chimney lacks a liner (or yours is damaged), we install stainless steel liners that meet modern safety codes. Book your inspection today, we serve Englewood and nearby areas like Littleton and Highlands Ranch. See our pricing for transparency, or ask us about seasonal maintenance plans to keep your chimney safe year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
My chimney bricks look crumbly near the top. Is this just weathering, or should I worry?
That’s spalling, a sign of moisture damage. Englewood’s freeze-thaw cycles worsen it, bricks absorb water, expand, and flake when they freeze. If the damage is deeper than 1/4 inch, call Cheetah Chimney Co. We’ll assess if it’s a simple repointing job or if the chimney needs structural reinforcement. Learn more about brick chimney repairs.
Why does my gas fireplace sometimes smell like rotten eggs, even when it’s off?
That’s rotten egg odor, a sign of sulfur buildup in your chimney or a failing venting system. In Englewood’s older homes, this often means your flue isn’t drawing properly, possibly due to a blocked liner or poor installation. Never ignore this, it could mean carbon monoxide buildup. Schedule an inspection before your next burn.
I found a small animal nest in my chimney. Should I try removing it myself?
No, never reach into a chimney by hand. Animal nests (especially from birds or squirrels) can hide sharp debris or even live creatures. Pulling it out risks tearing your liner or dislodging bricks. Call Cheetah Chimney Co, we remove nests safely and check for damage. Plus, we’ll ensure no pests return with a chimney cap installation.