08/07/2026
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.
