Superior Chimney Services, Corp.

05/16/2026

Rain is coming again... Are you ready to hear that dripping sound again? Let's talk about it, and take care of it.

What You Need to Know About Chimney Water Leaks

Water leaks are one of the worse problems to have. That’s because finding the source of the leak can be difficult to almost impossible to find. Even a chimney water leak! It can appear on the inside of your home in a room that is not even remotely close to where the fireplace is at. Water has its own mind and is very resourceful to find places to travel. One of the places to check is your chimney. Now, you probably need help with this one, and getting a certified technician from Superior Chimney can be the answer as they are well versed in leak finding. But before you make that call, let’s first learn more about chimney water leaks.

Water Is Your Chimney’s Worst Enemy

Chimney water leaks cause more damage to masonry chimneys than fire. That’s not a typo. Water wins. And the sources of water leaks are numerous: no chimney cap, crown cracks, deteriorated mortar joints, cracked masonry, worn or missing flashing, foundation cracking, or flue gas condensation from an improperly sized liner. Any one of these can let water in. It can even be a few of them at one time!

Here’s what makes it worse. Every other part of your home sits under the protection of your roof and eaves. Your chimney doesn’t. It stands fully exposed above the roof taking rain, snow, wind, and the punishing freeze-thaw cycles of winter every year.

How the Damage Happens

Masonry is porous. During winter, that absorbed water freezes. It expands. Then it thaws and contracts. Then it freezes again. This cycle repeats over and over again. Each time, stress builds and cracks form. Over time, the gaps in the cracks widen. Chimney water leaks grow more serious if it is not fixed.

The real danger? The process is slow and subtle. You may not notice a chimney water leak until it’s already done significant damage. By then, the repair costs have increased. What starts as a minor crack can quietly become a structural problem. (This is why the CSIA recommends at least a yearly inspection.)

Where Do Chimney Water Leaks Come From?

Here’s an obvious one. No chimney cap means rain falls directly into your chimney flue. A damaged chimney crown allows water to gather and slowly make its way into the masonry below. Deteriorated mortar joints or gaps between bricks, give water an opening. Flashing failures is where your chimney meets the roofline. If it’s not secure and sealed, water will enter.

Each time it finds a new entry point, the problem builds. As a homeowner making an investment in your house, you don’t want damages to happen.

How to Protect Your Chimney

The good news: chimney water leaks are preventable. Here’s what needs to happen:

Install a professional-grade chimney cap. It’s the first line of defense against water intrusion. Repair or replace a damaged chimney crown. Fix deteriorated brick and mortar joints through proper chimney tuckpointing. Fix any leaky chimney flashing immediately. And waterproof your chimney with Superior Chimney’s Chimney Saver.

That last one gets overlooked too often. Professional chimney waterproofing treats the masonry itself, allowing moisture v***r to escape while blocking water from penetrating. It’s not a cosmetic fix. It’s structural protection.

Don’t Wait, Call Today! Chimney water leaks don’t resolve on their own. Superior Chimney handles every aspect of chimney water leak repair and prevention. One call addresses it all, so call today at 877-244-6349.

Chimney Water Leaks appear in fireplace and needs chimney repairs to keep the water, debris and animals out by superior chimney, IL

05/14/2026

The Chimney Cap is Your Chimney’s Best Friend

We all would like a best friend. Someone that’s got your back, watching out for your best interests. It gives us a chance to relax and not always be on guard. That’s the same thing with a chimney cap. It’s got the back of your chimney so nothing bad happens to it and ultimately your home. So, what does this little piece of steel do? Let’s take a look.

Advantages of Chimney Caps

Let’s start with the basics. A chimney cap does four things really well. It keeps out rain and snow. It blocks animals. It stops sparks. And it fights wind downdrafts. The Chimney cap does all of this? Yes, absolutely. Each reason listed matters more than you might think. Every chimney needs a cap for the same reasons every home needs a roof!

Rain & Snow Protection

We just went through plenty of snow in the Chicagoland area. Let’s begin with the interior of the chimney. Your chimney’s interior is made from porous materials. Firebrick, fire clay tiles, high-temperature mortar, steel, cast iron… all of it absorbs moisture. Without a chimney cap, rainwater goes straight down into those materials. What happens next?

Saturation.

Frost.

Ice formation.

Deterioration at a faster rate.

Water is a chimney’s worst enemy, and a cap is the simplest and most effective defense you have.

Keeping Animals Out

Birds, raccoons, squirrels, even bats (which I have in my yard, great for managing mosquitos), they all think of your chimney as prime real estate. Warm, enclosed and protected from the weather elements. Perfect for nesting and raising young. Here’s the problem. Nesting debris and animal f***s block exhaust flow. The smoke can’t get out of your home. Neither can carbon monoxide. That’s dangerous. Baby animals often can’t climb out and die inside the flue. What follows is grim. Foul odors, maggot infestation and airborne disease. And nesting material? Highly flammable. A chimney fire can become a real possibility. A quality chimney cap from Superior Chimney stops all of this before it has a chance to start.

Spark Arrestor Function

Sparks from a fire will leave your chimney. That’s just the physics of it. But where they land is the issue. Trees, dry leaves, roof shingles, nearby brush — one stray spark can ignite any of it. The spark arrestor built into a professional chimney cap intercepts those sparks before they become a problem. It’s a simple feature with serious consequences if it is missing.

Wind Downdraft Control

Ever had smoke blow back into your living room? Annoying, disgusting and potentially hazardous. Wind pushing down your chimney is usually the culprit. A chimney cap minimizes those downdrafts, keeping your fire burning cleanly and your indoor air clear.

What NOT to Do

There are homeowners out there that try to fix the problem on their own. Chicken wire, loose netting laid flat across the flue opening or even a crate from the grocery store creates new problems. Snow accumulates and ice forms. Suddenly your exhaust is blocked. Carbon monoxide and smoke have nowhere to go. That’s not a solution, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Also, let’s not forget that an improperly sized chimney cap can also cause problems. Think of it like a hose with a closed nozzle. Where does the air go?

What To Do Next?

A chimney cap is the most cost-effective preventive measure available for chimney protection. Superior Chimney’s professional-grade caps are engineered as a complete termination assembly for snow, rain, animals, spark arrestor, and wind blocker all in one unit. Superior Chimney certified technicians will ensure that your chimney cap is properly sized and installed. Don’t wait for damage to occur, contact us today at 877-244-6349.

Chimney Cap is Your Chimney's Best Friend keeping rain, snow, animals, debris protecting the chimney by superior chimney, IL

03/28/2026

Have Your Chimney Checked Before Storm Season Begins!

You know it's coming! This past winter was no picnic with the snow and cold, now the strong storms begin.

By the time spring (really) arrives, your chimney has put up with months of freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and the constant freeze-thaw cycle that quietly does damage you can’t always see from the outside. That’s why a spring chimney inspection isn’t just a good idea, it’s essential to have your chimney checked before storm season begins. Here’s why:

Water Is Your Chimney’s Worst Enemy

Here’s something that most homeowners don’t know: chimney leaks cause more damage to masonry chimneys than fire does. Think about that a moment. While everyone worries about creosote and chimney fires — and rightfully so — water is silently doing just as much, if not more, damage.

Unlike the rest of your home, which is sheltered by your roof and eaves, your chimney stands fully exposed above the roofline. It takes on rain, wind, snow, and every freeze-thaw cycle winter throws at it, all while absorbing moisture into its porous masonry materials. That water expands and contracts, causing cracks, structural stress, and integrity loss that accumulates over time. The worst part? Chimney leaks are often subtle and slow-moving. By the time you notice water damage inside your home, the problem has usually become more serious, and expensive.

What a Spring Inspection Actually Catches

A professional spring chimney inspection, such as Superior Chimney’s, goes well beyond a quick visual check. A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep technician will evaluate your entire system — inside and out — looking for the most common sources of chimney leaks and damage, including cracked chimney crowns, deteriorated brick and mortar joints, damaged or missing chimney caps, faulty chimney flashing and roof leaks, chimney slab gaps, and flue gas condensation from improperly sized chimney liners.

Any one of these issues left without a proper inspection, heads into spring storm season is an open invitation for water damage. And as Superior Chimney has discussed, masonry water damage is a progressive problem — the longer it goes unrepaired, the costlier the fix becomes.

What You Can Do Right Now

The good news is that most chimney water damage is preventable. The key steps are:

have a professional-grade chimney cap installed if you don’t already have one
repair or replace a damaged chimney crown
address any deteriorated brick and mortar
fix leaky flashing and
consider having your chimney professionally waterproofed. Waterproofing alone can save you significantly on future repair costs.
What’s Next?

Superior Chimney always includes a free 14-Point Certified Written Inspection with photo documentation via email with every chimney sweep. This helps you to know exactly what condition your chimney is in and what, if anything, needs attention.

Don’t wait, have your chimney checked before storm season begins to reveal a problem that’s been building all winter. Schedule your inspection today at 877-244-6349.

https://www.superiorchimney.net/2026/03/28/have-your-chimney-checked-before-storm-season-begins/

Have your chimney checked before storm season begins with a chimney inspection by Superior Chimney, IL

03/14/2026

We’ve had enough of Winter. Even thought we're getting another storm, this should be the final storm of the Season.

So... are you ready for some Spring temperatures? Spring is the wake-up call to nature. The grass begins to show hints of green, daffodils growth peek from the ground and chimneys show their cracks. All of these things will begin to happen regardless if the days are warmer and the nights are ice cold. Chimneys are unlike nature, it reacts to the temperature swings with expansion and contraction of the chimney masonry materials. How does it work and what can be done about it? Let’s take a closer look.

https://www.superiorchimney.net/2026/03/13/spring-expansion-and-contraction-cracks-chimney-masonry/

02/17/2026

An important article to review, especially when our temperatures are about to plunge again this weekend.

Why is Snow Melting on My Chimney?

We all get a bit excited when the predictions call for warmer temperatures. It’s a welcome relief from the layers of sweaters, thick socks and gloves that we need to wear to protect from the cold. When that warmth hits, it is amazing. But, are chimney’s ‘happy’ in their own way when the temperatures are rising? Homeowners sometimes take notice of the changes going on outside and call us to ask, why is snow melting on my chimney?

Why is Snow Melting on My Chimney?

It sounds like a silly question to ask, but there is a reason for it. Once you understand what causes it, you will then know if your chimney is starting to have a problem or not. Let’s take a look at a few of the causes for melting slow.

Transfer of Heat: Let’s get the most obvious out of the way. When you use your fireplace, the firebox heats up and as we all know, heat rises. Meaning, it will go through the chimney and out through the top. As the heat continues, the snow around the chimney begins to melt and turn into water.

Attic Insulation: Warm air from the room your fireplace resides, rises and can get into the attic. The warm air settles around the roof deck causing it to warm up around the chimney. It will melt the snow around the chimney.

Condensation: It is true when the warm air meets cold air, condensation, or a wet moisture forms. When the warm air makes it way up to the chimney top and it meets the cold outside air, condensation forms. The only problem with this cycle is that it can be concerning when it forms ice and can be dangerous.
What Can Be Done?

Now’s the time to schedule a chimney inspection. As the snow melts quickly with the warmer temperatures, you want to watch for water leaks. However, if you ‘see’ the results from a water leak, you’re too late, damage is done. This is where a chimney inspection can catch the water leak before it begins or before it can do any real damage.

Superior Chimney will conduct a 14 point inspection. The 14-point inspection is for you to gain a better understanding of the thorough check that we do each and every time, inside and outside of the home. This is critical as water leaks loom when the chimney is not functioning at its fullest capacity. A certified chimney technician has been fully trained to identify chimney leaks, or when creosote buildup can be dangerous to the safety of the home.

Contact us today to get your chimney cleaned and checked.

Why is Snow Melting on My Chimney get a 14 point chimney inspection to control water leaks by superior chimney

02/11/2026

Great New Article: How to Prevent Dripping Water in the Fireplace

This has been a tough winter with the below freezing temperatures, snow and freezing rain that has turned to ice. And we’re not even close to winter being over. But right now, that’s okay. As soon as the temperatures begin to rise this week, and the ice and snow begins to melt, the problem looming ahead is water. Dripping water that finds it way through the smallest of cracks down the chimney and into your home. What can be done to prevent dripping water in the fireplace?

How to Prevent Dripping Water in the Fireplace

The first thing to do is to schedule an appointment now for Spring. With the challenges of winter, many will be calling for emergency help or leaks in the fireplace. You can do that now and call 877-244-6349.

Now that you made the appointment, let’s discuss how to prevent dripping water in the fireplace.

Masonry repair: Masonry repair is critical to stopping water leaks. Water is a tricky thing as it finds any gap that it can enter. This is the beginning of problems both outside and inside the home. Getting this inspected and repaired is critical for a safe home.
Waterproofing the chimney: One way to keep the chimney is great shape is to get it waterproofed. Our Chimney Saver product is a liquid spray that goes onto the bricks, stone and mortar to fill the gaps of the porous materials. This protection lasts for about 10 years.
Chimney cap: A chimney cap does help prevent dripping water in the fireplace. It deflects water away from the hole in the chimney and sends it elsewhere. It also helps to keep debris and critters out of the chimney too! A small intricate of metal with a big job to do.
Annual Chimney Inspection

As we discussed above, now is the time to get your appointments made for a spring chimney inspection. In the inspection, we will check the exterior chimney, the chimney flue and the chimney itself. There’s a lot that goes into a chimney inspection and we have developed a 14-point inspection. Along with the inspection is photo documentation. As we go to places that are not visited by homeowners, we take photos so you can see for yourself the condition various parts of your chimney are in.

Once you have the information necessary, it’s time to make a decision. If it shows that some repairs are needed, you’ll get a price and the knowledge to move forward.

Certified Technicians It’s one thing to get the chimney inspected, but you need to be sure that it is done by a certified chimney technician. It may seem easy to clean the fireplace, but you need to know and fully understand how a chimney operates. If you don’t know what to look for, you could have carbon monoxide build up in your home. from the appliances in your home that use the chimney. Do you know how? Do you know how airflow works in the chimney? This is what we do… every day… all day. Let our education, experience and expertise keep you and your family safe in the home.

Prevent dripping water in the fireplace with masonry repair, waterproof the chimney, chimney cap by superior chimney, lombard, IL

01/26/2026

Did you get snow all day yesterday? I know I did. And what was crazy about it? I didn't hear anything from the weather reports on the news.

It's challenging enough to go outside and dig our way out of the driveway, then slide to get the mail. However, there's a potential problem looming in your fireplace. The melting ice and snow.

Let's keep the elements outside as much as possible. If you hear dripping sounds, contact us by calling 877-244-6349. Be sure to use some of our coupons located on the home page.

https://www.superiorchimney.net/

Chimney Sweeps, Chimney Cleanings, Fireplace Cleanings, Chimney Repairs, Fireplace Repairs, Chimney Cleaners, Chimney Tuckpointing

01/15/2026

Chimney Repairs in the Winter

Is it crazy to think about chimney repairs in the winter? It’s cold and snowy outside and the rooftops are solid white, coated with a layer of ice. A homeowner called us with a concern about her home. She reported that a small stream of water was coming down the chimney and into the firebox. To keep the water from flooding the firebox, the homeowner placed a Tupperware container to collect the water. Not a good look. Can chimney repairs in the winter be done by a certified chimney technician?

Chimney Repairs in the Winter

Chimney repairs can be completed in the winter, although it depends on what type of chimney repair is needed. Let’s take a quick look at the different chimney repairs in our cold winter months.

Chimney Cap: If your chimney cap comes loose, or if the winter winds knocked it out of place or blew it off completely, our certified chimney technician can go up on the roof and take care of the chimney cap for you with a chimney cap replacement. Our technicians follow the guidelines for safety, especially in the winter months when roofing systems are the slipperiest.

Flashing: Flashing is the connector from the roofing system to the chimney. It is the barrier that protects water from finding its way into your home. However, if the flashing becomes loose or comes away from the roof and chimney, it is open season for the rain to come directly into your home and create chaos.

Chimney Crown: The chimney crown is the slab of cement that sits on top of the chimney and right below the chimney cap. Hairline cracks can form in the chimney crown allowing water, melted snow, to enter. Even the smallest hairline crack can cause the melted snow to find the weak spot on the chimney crown and make its way into your home.

Remember, hairline cracks can and will grow in width and length with the freeze thaw cycles. When the melted snow freezes at night, it expands inside of the crack. If the temperatures cooperate in the daytime, it melts the snow. But remember, it doesn’t necessarily dry out inside of the crack. It can remain moist and freeze again at night.

Chimney Tuckpointing: Tuckpointing the chimney can be done in the winter, but it certainly isn’t an easy process as we’re dealing with wet mortar. Cracks can create an entry point for melted snow to enter, further deteriorating the mortar.

Although it is not optimal to perform chimney repairs in the winter, Superior Chimney takes precautions to ensure a safe and effective repair. Now the homeowner can get rid of the streaming water in the firebox and enjoy the rest of the winter with a warm and dry fireplace.

Be sure to contact us today if you have a water leak in your fireplace. If you would like to have your chimney inspected and checked for water leaks coming this spring, contact us today to schedule it up in March. This way, you’ll be all set and not compete with others in the Spring.

Chimney Repairs in the Winter with chimney cap, flashing, chimney crown, tuckpointing by superior chimney, lombard, IL

01/03/2026

Impact of Temperature Drop on the Chimney

The impact of temperature drop on the chimney can impact the structure and functionality of the chimney. As we have been experiencing in Chicago winters, temperatures have gone from 50 degrees down to 21 degrees during the day, with temperatures falling even further at night. What can you do as a homeowner to watch for, and when to bring in a certified technician from Superior Chimney.

External: Impact of Temperature Drop on the Chimney

Anytime there is a rapid temperature change, it causes the bricks, stones and mortar to expand and contract. These durable materials are still susceptible to thermal shock, especially when it gets wet from ice, rain or melting snow. Because of the drastic change in temperatures, this can cause hairline cracks to begin, and if it goes unnoticed, larger cracks in the masonry will form.

External: Freeze-Thaw Damage

Mortar, bricks and stones are porous materials, meaning that air and water enter the materials. Sometimes, it leaves or dries out, and other times it stays longer. When the temperatures drop below 32 degrees, any of the trapped water freezes and then expands. This can cause small cracks to start, deterioration of the mortar or spalling which is the flaking of the bricks to occur.

External: Ice Build Up on the Chimney Cap or Chimney Crown

When temperatures are 50 degrees and it rains, water accumulates everywhere, including the highest point on your house, the chimney. The chimney cap and chimney crown are always exposed to the harshest elements. When it rains and temperatures drop during the day or night, freezing occurs and can create ice buildup. This can cause the chimney crown to crack or the chimney cap to loosen.

Internal: Chimney Flue Lining

The temperature swing also affects the chimney flue liner. Some chimney flue liners are yet made from clay. These are especially susceptible to crack forming from the swing in temperatures. But what also happens whether you have a gas or wood burning fireplace is the formation of condensation which can occur when there is fast cooling after the fire in the fireplace is put out or turned off.

Bring out the Sun!

Well, yes, the sunshine melts the ice and snow, but when temperatures go down at night, what remains wet, will refreeze again. The repeated process places stress on the masonry, bricks and stone.

Chimney Inspections Work

A chimney inspection can help with both safety and preserving the structure of the chimney. When a chimney technician conducts an inspection, they will search for cracks in the bricks and mortar, any spalling or deterioration from the thermal shock and freeze thaw cycle. These areas will be marked for repairs if it gets any worse and before it becomes too expensive to repair.

We can’t forget the biggest intruder in the home: water. The chimney technician will also be checking for water leaks from the chimney flashing, the chimney crown, chimney cap or the efflorescence which is the white material that shows up on the chimney or fireplace.

These are just a couple of key areas that a chimney inspection completes. There are numerous other areas, and this can be found on Superior Chimney’s 14-point inspection guide.

Contact us today, and we’ll set you up for a chimney inspection with photo evidence so you have peace of mind with the safety and security of your home.

https://www.superiorchimney.net/2025/12/31/impact-of-temperature-drop-on-the-chimney/

Impact of temperature drop on the chimney by Superior Chimney in Lombard, IL with freeze-thaw cycle, ice build up and chimney flue lining

12/15/2025

What is the Purpose of a Chimney Cap in Winter? Does it Affect Santa’s Deliveries?

A chimney cap has a job to do. But has it ever stopped Santa Claus? According to holiday lore, nothing can stop Santa’s deliveries at holiday time. He simply uses a little Christmas magic to slip past the chimney cap. But what if the chimney cap is tight and secure (which it’s supposed to be…) Santa’s magic can give him access to the door, window, or other workarounds. No worries for you and the family. Your home stays protected year-round, and Santa still makes the delivery. With that very important information about Santa solved, then the question that needs to be answered is, what is the purpose of a chimney cap?

The Purpose of a Chimney Cap

As we all know and can see, the fire belongs in the fireplace whether it be a wood burning fire or gas enabled. The chimney flue, which you don’t see, is located directly above the fireplace so the rising smoke has a place to go and exit your home. However, don’t forget, that the chimney flue serves another purpose. Other appliances from your home can use the same chimney, different flue, to exit as your fireplace. These appliances can include gasses from the furnace, water heater, boiler or other fuel burning appliances.

The Function of the Chimney Cap

Let’s get down to the chimney cap itself. The chimney cap has numerous functions that help to protect your home.

Protect from a downdraft – This is when air comes rushing down the chimney flue and into your home. If it’s winter, it definitely won’t be warm air.
Protect from the weather elements – Rain, snow, and sleet seem to never just come straight down. We’re in the Chicagoland area, so wind always accompany rain, sleet and snow. That means it’s going to hit the chimney and chimney cap from various angles. This is where the elements are going to challenge the chimney cap, trying to find ways to getting past its guard. Keeping a tight and secure chimney cap to the chimney is vitally important for protection.
Visitors such as animals – When the temperatures begin to change and even throughout the winter season, animals are searching for a nice, warm place for themselves and their family. You definitely do not want to start a fire or turn on the gas fireplace when critters are living in the chimney. The screen sides of the chimney cap keep the critters from crawling in – Raccoons, squirrels, birds and bats, to name just a few
Protect from the collection of debris – When the leaves fall, wind blows, you can count on twigs, leaves and other items to blow through the air and land on the chimney. If there’s no chimney cap, magic (not necessarily Santa’s) directs the debris right down the chimney.
Spark Arrestor – When sparks from your fire get carried by draft all the way up to the top of the chimney, just as they get carried pretty high up in the sky when you are at a bonfire, a quality professional chimney cap “arrests” or extinguishes these sparks before they land on your roof and such… Yeah, a big deal!
*Every chimney needs a cap for the same reasons, and more, that every home needs a roof!

Installing a Chimney Cap

Installing a chimney cap is simple, if you know what to do. It’s important to pick the right size and type as it sits directly on the chimney or flue opening. The bolts need to be snug and secure so it doesn’t move. The best way to ensure protection of your chimney flue and home is the have a Superior Chimney certified technician install a chimney cap. Contact us at 877-244-6349. Remember, a chimney cap will not affect Santa, be sure to let the kiddies know. And for you, now you know what the Purpose of a Chimney Cap in Winter is. Happy Holidays!

Purpose of a Chimney Cap in the Chicagoland areas is to keep critters out, debris out, weather elements out by superior chimney IL