Q: My house was built in 1954. So was my neighbor’s. My neighbor has always kept his fireplace damper closed to conserve heat; I have left mine open, first because it was stuck, then because I had ...

Q: After my roof was redone, the roofer suggested covering the chimney flues with a chimney cap. How can I tell how many flues I have, and how can they be covered with a cap? A: It's a matter of ...

There are best practices when it comes to chimney caps or crowns. Unfortunately, most roofers, masons and chimney sweeps are either unaware of them or don’t use them. I estimate that fewer than 1 in ...

Nick is a writer with nearly a decade of experience in the home improvement industry. Now one of Forbes Home’s in-house writers, he previously wrote for Forbes Home as a freelance writer. He has ...

What sits quietly on top of a chimney yet carries a big job in keeping a home safe, dry, and comfortable? A small metal guard called a chimney cap works harder than it looks. When that little ...

Our house has an unusual chimney made with irregular stones. The existing cap is in poor shape and I’m worried about damage. Each contractor I talk with has a different solution and none of them are ...