JOE WELLS-Professional Masonry & Chimney Care

06/02/2026

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

Each year you put off a chimney inspection or sweep, the danger doesn’t stay the same — it compounds.

Creosote builds up. Moisture gets deeper. Small cracks spread. Hidden blockages can form. Flashing leaks can reach the framing.

By the time most homeowners notice a problem, the chimney system may already have years of damage stacked inside it.

If you plan on using your fireplace this fall, now is the time to make the call.

JOE WELLS-Professional Masonry & Chimney Care L.L.C.
(606) 794-3507

05/24/2026

Three Important Reasons to Hire a Certified Chimney Professional:

1. FIRE AND CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY

A certified chimney professional is trained to identify hidden fire hazards, cracked flue liners, improper clearances to combustible materials, venting defects, and potential carbon monoxide dangers — not merely to clean the chimney. An individual without proper certification may remove soot while overlooking serious safety concerns within the system.

2. CODE COMPLIANCE AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Certified chimney professionals receive training based on nationally recognized standards, including NFPA 211, venting requirements, fireplace and chimney construction standards, appliance clearances, and drafting principles. Chimney systems require specialized knowledge and precision. Incorrect recommendations or improper repairs can result in significant safety risks and liability concerns.

3. EXPERIENCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Certification reflects ongoing education, professional testing, industry involvement, and adherence to established standards of practice. While anyone may purchase chimney-cleaning tools and offer services, certification demonstrates the qualifications necessary to properly inspect, diagnose, and service fireplace and chimney systems safely and effectively.

When you hire a certified chimney professional, you are investing in more than a routine chimney cleaning.
You are investing in professional education, technical training, fire-safety expertise, accurate diagnostics, and the protection of your home and family.

JOE WELLS – Professional Masonry & Chimney Care L.L.C.

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep — Chimney Safety Institute of America — Badge ID #12083

NCSG Certified Chimney Professional — National Chimney Sweep Guild — Badge ID #7058

Certified F.I.R.E. Technician — F.I.R.E. Fireplace Investigation Research & Education Service — Badge ID #387

🔥 2nd Gen Master Mason
⭐ 7+ Year 5-Star Reputation
🏆 3-Time Best In The Mountains Winner (2024 • 2025 • 2026)
✅ A+ BBB Rating

05/22/2026

Below are pictures from my jobs that I had to fix showing what happens when rainwater and melting snow pe*****te past the chimney flashing and into the roof sheathing — and how quickly serious damage can begin if the problem is left unattended.

Most homeowners do not realize how fast a chimney leak can begin destroying the roof system around their chimney.

What starts as a “small leak” can quickly turn into:
• Wet roof sheathing
• Swollen and deteriorated decking
• Mold and fungal growth
• Rotten wood
• Structural deterioration
• Interior ceiling damage

The reason this happens so often is because many chimneys were never properly counter flashed to begin with, or the flashing was installed with shortcuts instead of being installed step-by-step to proper code principles and water-shedding design.

I take chimney flashing extremely serious because the roof-to-chimney intersection is one of the most vulnerable leak areas on a home.

That is why I install chimney counter flashing using a code-driven, step-by-step approach designed around:
• Proper water shedding
• Proper overlaps
• Proper masonry engagement
• Proper roof coverage
• Proper sealing methods
• Proper mechanical fastening
• Long-term moisture protection

I do not believe in shortcuts, smearing tar everywhere, or doing “temporary-looking” repairs that fail later.

When I install chimney flashing, my goal is simple:
Install it correctly so rainwater has no path to pe*****te the system.

That is why I study building codes, manufacturer standards, masonry principles, flashing design, and real-world leak behavior. Water always follows the weakest detail — and chimney flashing has to be installed correctly from the beginning if you expect it to stay watertight long term.

JOE WELLS-Professional Masonry & Chimney Care L.L.C.
Code-Driven Chimney Leak Diagnostics & Corrective Repair

🏆 Best in the Mountains Winner — 2024 • 2025 • 2026
⭐ 5-Star Reputation for 7+ Years
✔️ A+ BBB Rated & Accredited

(606) 794-3507

05/17/2026

Most chimney-related roof leaks are not caused by “old age” or the excuses that many contractors and handymen often point to when trying to explain why a chimney continues to leak.

They are caused by improper design, improper flashing methods, code violations, failed water-management systems, and contractors who never truly understood chimney water intrusion in the first place.

A chimney-related roof leak is not solved by smearing on more caulk, roof cement, tar, silicone, coatings, or patchwork repairs.

Those are temporary concealment methods — “bandaids” — not corrective solutions.

For instance, if a flashing system is improperly designed, improperly terminated, improperly overlapped, cut short at the roofline, dependent primarily on sealants, or incapable of mechanically shedding water, it WILL FAIL!

That is exactly why so many homeowners continue paying contractor after contractor, yet still fight the same chimney leak year after year after year.

The problem is that most contractors do not truly understand:
• Counter flashing geometry
• Roof-to-chimney water transitions
• Reglet engagement principles
• Mechanical water-shedding methods
• Masonry saturation and moisture migration
• Expansion and contraction movement
• Long-term flashing failure points
• Code-driven chimney system design

That is where I separate myself and come into the picture!

I specialize in:
• Specialized Chimney Leak Investigation
• Corrective Water-Intrusion Repair
• Counter Flashing Corrections
• Roof-to-Chimney Transition Failures
• Masonry Moisture Diagnostics
• Long-Term Corrective Leak Solutions

My work is built around studying and applying real industry standards, building-code principles, and nationally recognized authority references related to chimney systems, flashing integration, venting systems, masonry restoration, and water-intrusion control.

That includes principles associated with:
• IRC (International Residential Code)
• NFPA 211
• ICC (International Code Council)
• MIA/IMI (Masonry Institute of America / International Masonry Institute)
• MCAA (Masonry Contractors Association of America)
• CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America)
• NCSG (National Chimney Sweep Guild)
• NRCA roofing principles and flashing standards

I also hold the only “Chimney Flashing” certificate in the U.S. through InterNACHI-International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the largest in the U.S. along with other industry certifications & speciality certificates!

That matters because chimney flashing is not simply “roof work.”

It is a specialized roof-to-masonry transition system that requires understanding:
• Roofing systems
• Masonry systems
• Moisture migration
• Thermal movement
• Mechanical flashing integration
• Long-term water-shedding principles
• Building-code requirements
• Chimney system performance

Very few contractors possess certifications and advanced training in BOTH masonry/chimney systems AND flashing diagnostics.

That combination is exactly what separates true chimney leak specialists from general repair contractors.

JOE WELLS-Professional Masonry & Chimney Care L.L.C. has become known throughout the region for solving difficult chimney leak and water-intrusion problems that many just could not properly diagnose, understand, or correct long term!

I am a 2nd Generation Professional Masonry & Chimney Specialist with more than 25 years of experience specializing in fireplaces, chimneys, venting systems, masonry restoration, chimney leak diagnostics, and corrective counter flashing systems.

Nationally Certified
Code-Driven
Field-Proven
Detail-Oriented

2024 • 2025 • 2026 BEST IN THE MOUNTAINS
A+ BBB Rating
7+ Years of 5-Star Reviews

Don’t patch the symptom.
Diagnose the failure. Correct the cause.

For more information call:
(606) 794-3507

05/15/2026

A chimney is not just a pipe that carries smoke. It is a complete venting and fire-safety system tied directly to combustion, heat transfer, structural integrity, carbon monoxide safety, draft performance, clearance requirements, masonry integrity, moisture intrusion, and fire prevention. A chimney can appear normal to a homeowner while hiding serious hazards inside the flue system, smoke chamber, crown, attic areas, or concealed combustible spaces.

A professionally trained and nationally certified chimney professional understands how to properly inspect, diagnose, clean, document, and identify those hazards before they become dangerous or destructive.

When an uncertified or inexperienced person attempts to inspect or sweep a chimney, they often:

* Miss cracked flue liners
* Miss hidden chimney fire damage
* Miss improper clearances to combustibles
* Miss severe creosote accumulation
* Miss smoke chamber defects
* Miss drafting problems
* Miss carbon monoxide hazards
* Miss water intrusion and structural deterioration
* Fail to properly document code violations and safety concerns

A chimney sweeping brush alone does not make someone a chimney professional any more than owning a stethoscope makes someone a doctor.

A nationally certified chimney professional has invested in:

* Specialized education
* National testing
* Industry standards training
* Building-code knowledge
* Fire-safety knowledge
* Continuing education
* Inspection protocols
* Specialized tools and equipment
* Real-world diagnostic experience

That matters because chimney systems involve:

* Fire
* Heat
* Structural loading
* Venting physics
* Combustion air
* Carbon monoxide
* Roof penetrations
* Moisture management
* Masonry science
* Mechanical drafting principles

One overlooked defect can lead to:

* Chimney fires
* House fires
* Structural damage
* Carbon monoxide poisoning
* Water damage
* Mold growth
* Interior damage
* Expensive hidden deterioration

That is why homeowners should place a high value on hiring a nationally certified chimney professional rather than simply hiring “someone with brushes.”

JOE WELLS
JOE WELLS-Professional Masonry & Chimney Care L.L.C.

🏆 BEST IN THE MOUNTAINS — 2024 • 2025 • 2026
⭐ A+ Accredited Rating — Better Business Bureau

National Certifications:

* Certified Chimney Sweep — CSIA-Chimney Safety Institute of America — Badge ID #12083
* Certified Chimney Professional — NCSG-National Chimney Sweep Guild — Badge ID #7058
* Certified F.I.R.E. Technician — F.I.R.E.-Fireplace Investigation Research & Education Service — FCT ID #387
* Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician — CSIA-Chimney Safety Institute of America — C-DET ID #1920
* Certified HVAC Duct Cleaning — DC Residential Duct Cleaning — Badge ID #97161481132640

📞 (606) 794-3507

05/14/2026

A CHIMNEY CAN GO YEARS WITHOUT A FIRE…

BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS SAFE.

When a wood-burning fireplace or stove is used over and over again through multiple winters, the chimney flue slowly begins collecting soot and creosote on the inside walls of the flue liner. That process is normal anytime wood is burned, especially with slow-burning fires, smoldering fires, unseasoned wood, restricted airflow, or improper draft conditions.

At first, the buildup may only be a light layer of black soot. But year after year, if the chimney is not professionally swept and inspected, those deposits continue building thicker and thicker inside the flue system.

That buildup is called CREOSOTE.

Creosote is not simply “dust” or harmless soot. It is a highly combustible fuel residue created from incomplete combustion. Over time it can become:
• Dry
• Thick
• Flaky
• Crunchy
• Tar-like
• Hardened and glazed

As the years go by, the flue system can become heavily coated with combustible creosote deposits. Some chimneys become partially restricted from the buildup itself, causing even worse drafting problems and even more creosote production.

Then one day…

ALL IT TAKES IS:
• One very hot fire
• One load of extremely dry wood
• One strong drafting day
• One gust of wind increasing oxygen flow
• One moment of excessive flue temperature

…and the creosote can ignite.

When that happens, a chimney fire can roar like a jet engine or freight train. Temperatures inside the chimney can rapidly exceed 1,000°F–2,000°F or more.

During a chimney fire:
• Clay flue liners can crack or split
• Mortar joints can fail
• Metal components can warp
• Extreme heat can transfer into nearby framing
• Sparks and flames can exit the top of the chimney
• Fire can spread into the attic, walls, ceilings, and roof system

The dangerous part is that many homeowners believe:
“It’s worked fine for years.”

But the truth is:
A chimney can go year after year without a chimney fire simply because the exact ignition conditions have not lined up yet.

That is not proof of safety.
That is luck!

Many neglected chimneys appear to function normally right up until the day they become a serious fire hazard.

That is why annual chimney inspections and professional chimney sweeping are so important. Most dangerous creosote accumulation cannot be seen from the fireplace opening because much of it is hidden farther up inside the flue system.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE FIRE STARTS!!!

JOE WELLS
JOE WELLS-Professional Masonry & Chimney Care L.L.C.

🏆 BEST IN THE MOUNTAINS WINNER
2024 • 2025 • 2026

⭐ A+ Accredited Rating — Better Business Bureau

📞 (606) 794-3507

NATIONALLY CERTIFIED:
• Certified Chimney Sweep — CSIA-Chimney Safety Institute of America — Badge ID #12083
• Certified Chimney Professional — NCSG-National Chimney Sweep Guild — Badge ID #7058
• Certified F.I.R.E. Technician — F.I.R.E.-Fireplace Investigation Research & Education Service — FCT ID #387
• Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician — CSIA-Chimney Safety Institute of America — C-DET ID #1920
• Certified HVAC Duct Cleaning — DC Residential Duct Cleaning — Badge ID #97161481132640

MEMBER OF:
NFPA • NFI • ICC • NADCA • InterNACHI • ASTM • MCAA • NCSG • BBB

“Protect your home, your family, and your investment through proper inspection, sweeping, maintenance, and code-driven chimney safety.”

05/11/2026

Yes, I’ve been certified 5 times by 4 of the top industry organizations in America, plus I hold several specialty certificates directly related to the fireplace, chimney, venting, masonry, moisture intrusion and restoration industries but there’s more!

Most homeowners never realize how important industry memberships really are when choosing someone to work on their home.

Being a member of organizations like NFPA, NFI, HPBA, ICC, NADCA, InterNACHI, MCAA, ASTM, NCSG, CSIA, Micro Mold Inspection & Remediation and the BBB is not just about having logos to display. These organizations are tied directly to safety standards, building codes, inspections, education, restoration methods, fire prevention, masonry standards, chimney science, ventilation systems and ongoing professional development.

Membership means you stay connected to:
• Current building-code updates
• National safety standards
• Technical training
• Industry changes
• Inspection procedures
• Moisture & mold information
• Masonry and chimney best practices
• Professional accountability

The average homeowner may only see a chimney or fireplace. But behind the scenes, there are building codes, fire standards, venting requirements, flashing details, masonry standards, water-intrusion principles and safety requirements that all work together to protect the home and family.

That is why I believe continuing education and industry involvement matters.

I don’t just “do chimney work.”

I study the systems, the codes, the standards, the failures and the proper corrective methods behind them.

When you hire JOE WELLS – Professional Masonry & Chimney Care, you are hiring someone who believes professionalism starts long before the work begins.

Education. Standards. Safety. Experience. Accountability.

That matters.

05/08/2026

Your chimney is being damaged if rainwater is entering through the flue system, crown, masonry shell, flashing, or all of these areas at the same time.

But the real danger is the damage you cannot see.

A leaking chimney can soak the roof sheathing, framing, joists, trusses, insulation, attic flooring, and surrounding materials. In many cases, the ceiling and walls inside the home do not show damage right away because the attic insulation absorbs the water first.

That usually does not last.

After insulation has been wet and dried over and over, it loses its ability to protect the living space. Then the leak begins showing up on ceilings and walls, making the repair even more expensive. And that does not even include the possibility of mold.

Now is the time to get your chimney corrected and brought up to code.

As a Certified Chimney Professional, CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, and the only contractor in Eastern Kentucky with the InterNACHI Masonry Chimney Flashing Certificate, I can repair your leaking chimney and make it code-compliant like the one shown above.

Professional Masonry & Chimney Care L.L.C.
A+ BBB Rating
7+ Years of 5-Star Reviews
Best In The Mountains 2024, 2025 & 2026
(606) 794-3507