How Florida Weather Wears Down Your Chimney (And Why Maintenance Matters)

October 1, 2025 | Chimney Basics

Florida’s climate is uniquely tough on chimneys and fireplaces — whether you have a traditional masonry chimney or a factory-built (prefabricated) system. Even if you rarely use your fireplace, the environment alone can cause wear and tear that leads to costly problems if not addressed.Think of your chimney like your car: even if it spends most of its time parked, it still needs routine maintenance. You wouldn’t skip oil changes and expect your car to last forever, right? The same goes for your chimney or fireplace system.Below, we’ll explore how Florida weather impacts both masonry and factory-built chimneys — and the steps that help protect them for the long run.High Humidity = Hidden DamageMasonry Chimneys: Florida’s constant humidity seeps into bricks and mortar. Over time, this weakens the structure, causes cracks, and can create musty odors.Factory-Built Fireplaces: Excess moisture encourages rust and corrosion on metal fireboxes, dampers, and liners, shortening … Continued

Breathe New Life Into Your Fireplace: Electric Options from Chimney Champions

September 9, 2025 | Chimney Repairs

For many homeowners, a wood-burning fireplace is the heart of the home — offering warmth, charm, and the nostalgic crackle of a real fire. At Chimney Champions, we deeply value the beauty and tradition of wood-burning fireplaces. However, over time, age and wear can take their toll, making continued use unsafe or impractical.When your wood-burning fireplace is no longer suitable for operation due to deterioration, damage, or code restrictions, converting to an electric insert or log set can be a smart, safe, and stylish solution.When Is It Time to Consider a Conversion?Some common reasons homeowners explore electric conversions include:Deteriorated or damaged chimney structureUnsafe or inoperable flue systemsHigh repair costs to bring a fireplace up to current codeMoving away from solid fuel due to lifestyle or health reasonsIf your wood-burning fireplace is no longer functional, that doesn’t mean the end of ambiance and comfort — it’s just time for a new … Continued

Chimney Crown – Chimney Cap – Chimney Cover… What do they all mean?

September 1, 2018 | Information

You may have already seen the recent Chimney Champions® blog posts discussing the differences between a CHIMNEY CAP and a CHIMNEY CHASE COVER. But what about a CHIMNEY CROWN?…Despite what its name may lead you to believe, crowns are not just for fancy chimney systems! A chimney crown is a concrete or masonry slab, and its purpose is to seal off the top of a chimney. While crowns do provide great protection to the systems when present and in good condition, a Chimney Cap is still a very necessary component.It is important to know that not all systems are the same. Different chimneys will have different styles and sizes of caps and other parts. And not all chimneys have chimney crowns.One size definitely does not fit all when it comes to a proper-functioning chimney and fireplace. To make sure YOUR system is in the best possible condition, click here to contact … Continued

What is a Chimney Chase Cover and Why Do You Need One?

August 1, 2018 | Inspections

You may already know what a chimney cap is and why it’s so important to have one that is functioning properly…But what what about the chase cover? The chase cover — or “chase pan,” as some people call it — is the square or rectangular piece of metal that is fitted to sit securely on top of your chimney chase, helping to keep water and other environmental elements out. These parts are exposed to the sun, wind, and all kinds of weather year-round, and it is extremely important that they be checked regularly to make sure they are still doing their job.Be careful who you hire! You should only allow your chimney to be worked on by a knowledgeable CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep who can provide you with the proper service and suitable parts for your system.Not all chase covers are created equal! For instance, “cross-breaks” create a dome effect, allowing rain, debris, etc. to … Continued