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Chimney Academy
Plain-language guides for New Jersey homeowners. Learn how a chimney works, what the signs of trouble mean and what to ask before you decide on any work.
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New to chimneys? Read these three in order.
Parts of a chimney explained
Every part from the cap to the hearth, what it does and what can go wrong.
Read the guideChimney inspection levels 1, 2 and 3
What each level covers and when a Level 2 or Level 3 is called for.
Read the guideWhy is my chimney leaking?
The common ways water gets in, and what to do and not do about it.
Read the guideUnderstand the parts
How a chimney is built and what each part does.
Solve a symptom
Leaks, smoke and smells: what you are noticing and what it may mean.
Chimney Flashing Repair and Roof Leaks Around the Chimney
How chimney flashing works, signs it is failing, how leaks are traced, and how flashing differs from crown or masonry damage. Call
Read the guideChimney Smoke Problems and Poor Draft
Why smoke enters the room or the chimney drafts poorly, possible causes, and how an inspection finds them. No one-size-fits-all fix promised.
Read the guideWhy Does My Chimney Smell?
Possible causes of chimney odor: moisture, creosote deposits, and airflow. Why a smell alone cannot diagnose your home, and what to check.
Read the guideRead an inspection
What inspections cover, what the levels mean and what a camera shows.
Chimney Camera Inspections: What They Show and What They Do Not
What a chimney camera can reveal inside a flue, what it cannot show, and how a camera scan fits into a full chimney inspection.
Read the guideChimney Inspection When Buying or Selling a Home
How a chimney inspection differs from a general home inspection, what to ask for as a buyer or seller, and what the report may say.
Read the guidePlan a repair
Repair or rebuild, liners, dampers and smoke chambers.
Chimney Damper Repair and Replacement
Throat dampers vs. top-sealing dampers, common damper problems, repair or replace, and compatibility. Call AM Chimney Sweep at
Read the guideChimney Repair vs. Partial or Full Rebuilding
How to tell when repair is enough and when a partial or full rebuild is a question. Decision factors and questions for your contractor.
Read the guideFlue Liner Repair, Replacement, and HeatShield Options
Flue repair options: in-place repair, resurfacing, new liners, and HeatShield. Compatibility, repair vs. replace, and questions to ask.
Read the guideSmoke Chamber Repair and Parging Explained
What the smoke chamber does, common defects, how parging repair is assessed, and a real Morristown example. Homeowner guide.
Read the guideMaintain your chimney
Cleaning, seasonal care and keeping water out.
Chimney Waterproofing and Water-Damaged Masonry
How water gets into chimney masonry, what water-repellent treatment can and cannot do, and why entry points come first. A homeowner guide.
Read the guideCreosote Buildup and Chimney Cleaning
Soot vs. creosote vs. hardened glazed deposits, what affects buildup, and how cleaning is assessed. A plain-language homeowner guide.
Read the guideSeasonal Chimney Maintenance for New Jersey Homeowners
A practical seasonal checklist for New Jersey homeowners: before, during, and after burning season, plus storm and winter checks.
Read the guideStill have a question?
Call or send a request and we will help you work out what your chimney needs.