News & Updates

When installing or converting a fireplace for your home, the decision often boils down to a gas fireplace or wood-burning fireplace. Both options have their unique charm, making it essential to consider your lifestyle and personal preferences. In this post, we'll explore the pros of gas and wood fireplaces to help you decide which one is the best fit for you. The Charm of Wood Fireplaces Ambiance: Nothing beats the traditional ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace. The crackling sound, the flickering flames, and the aroma of burning wood create a cozy and nostalgic...

Sunshine and rising temperatures have it finally feeling like Summer here on the Wisconsin-Illinois border! The last thing homeowners expect this time of year is a waft of unpleasant odor drifting through your home from the fireplace and chimney. The arrival of Summer brings an unexpected challenge: smelly fireplaces. It's a perplexing situation. After all, the fireplace hasn't been used in months, so why the sudden assault on your senses? We'll unravel the mysteries behind these odors, explore the common culprits lurking within your chimney, and arm you with practical...

Spring is here! This means we are busy helping homeowners battle Leaking Chimneys and the damage they cause. What generally starts as a minor inconvenience, if left undetected, can develop into a much larger issue, leading to costly repairs. As a homeowner, it is important to equip yourself with the knowledge to safeguard your home, and keep your chimney watertight! At Pratt’s Chimney, we pride ourselves in our ability to inspect, diagnose, and educate homeowners whether they are dealing with a leaky chimney, or if they want to prevent future water intrusion...

You’ve taken the first step as a responsible fireplace/chimney owner by scheduling a cleaning and inspection with one of our certified techs! Now what? To help, we have put together a step by step guide to help walk you through how to prepare and what to expect during your cleaning. Before Your Appointment: We ask that, 24 hours prior to your chimney cleaning and inspection, you do NOT have a fire in your fireplace. This lets the chimney cool to a temperature that allows our technicians to clean properly without risking their safety or the integrity of their tools. It...

Spring is just around the corner, and with the warmer weather comes some possible unforeseen fireplace and chimney maintenance needs! From critters to leaks, it’s important to have the upper hand to avoid larger problems down the road. Often, homeowners don’t even begin to think about having their fireplace and chimney cleaned or inspected until the colder weather decides to show face in the fall. However, there are several reasons that spring is the better choice for a chimney/fireplace inspection and/or cleaning! During the fall, our wait times for a chimney cleaning...

There is nothing more enjoyable than cuddling up in front of your fireplace and enjoying the holiday season. Unfortunately, for most of us, the last thought are the dangers that lurk in our fireplace and chimney. If proper maintenance and care are not a forethought, the enjoyment can be short lived. This is why annual chimney cleanings and/or inspections are so important! When a flue has a buildup of creosote and hasn’t been properly maintained, it opens up the chance for a chimney fire to occur. Although the term “chimney fire” sounds as if the fire is contained to...

With the spring warm up in the not too distant future, leaks are an ever looming problem for homeowners. Often, homeowners will contact their local roof repair company in hopes to stop a leak, but don’t be surprised when they refer you out to your local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep! Water intrusion is one of your chimney’s worst enemies, and here in north eastern Illinois and south eastern Wisconsin, between the rain and snow, we see a lot of it! Maintaining proper preventative measures, as well as catching any potential leaks early, help to prolong the life of your...