07/08/2026
Why That Fireplace "Refresh" on TikTok Could Cost You
If you've seen the chimney pros going viral for their reactions to home-flipper DIY jobs, you know the cringe is real. Painting over a firebox, caulking with the wrong materials, sealing things that need to breathe, these "quick fixes" can trap heat, hide damage, and turn a cosmetic project into a genuine fire hazard.
Some fireplace maintenance is great to DIY: storing firewood off the ground and covered, keeping the hearth clear, and burning seasoned wood only. But anything involving the firebox, flue, or chimney structure is a job for someone trained to know what's safe.
Not sure if a past project was done right? Midtown Chimney Sweeps will inspect it, tell you straight, and fix what needs fixing. Book your inspection today.
Link - https://www.midtownsweeps.com/book/
With America celebrating 250 years, we think it's high time chimney sweeps had a celebration of our own.
Actually, we chimney sweeps celebrate every day anyway. In this whole wide world, there's no happier bloke.
Now that the ladder of life has been strung,
a chimney sweep's on the bottommost rung.
Though we spend our days in ashes and soot,
my, what a sight and oh, what a lot of fun.
We did have to write up two team members last week.
They got it in their heads that playing golf from house to house, chimney top to chimney top, would be a fun idea.
No way.
We explained once again the need to always stay on the SAME roof when playing a consistent game.
But they didn't listen.
So they got written up.
Here's a picture of what our chimney safety manual clearly indicates as acceptable.
Manual Figure 7B: Approved Same-Roof Golfing Procedure
Not recommended. Merely tolerated by management in cartoon form.
