What Is Organic Growth on Your Chimney — and Why Is It Important to Remove?

September 16, 2025 | Chimney Maintenance

As the weather changes and moisture levels rise, you may begin to notice green, black, or mossy patches forming on your chimney. While this might seem like a harmless or natural occurrence, this organic growth can lead to serious issues if not addressed properly.At Chimney Champions, we believe in educating homeowners about potential risks to their chimney systems. Here’s what you need to know about organic growth and why it’s important to have it professionally removed.What Is Organic Growth?Organic growth on a chimney typically includes:MossAlgaeMildewMoldThese organisms thrive in damp, shaded environments—conditions often found on the north-facing sides of chimneys or in areas with poor ventilation. While it might initially appear to be a cosmetic concern, the underlying impact can be much more significant.Why Is Organic Growth a Problem?1. Moisture RetentionOrganic growth traps moisture against the brick and mortar. This ongoing exposure can weaken masonry over time, causing issues like brick … 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

How to Remove Fireplace Ash Without Making a Mess

January 19, 2025 | Chimney Cleaning

Nothing beats the warm and inviting glow of your fireplace on a chilly winter evening—until it’s time to clean up. The leftover ash can seem like a messy nightmare, but don’t worry! Chimney Champions is here to show you how to remove fireplace ash without turning your living room into a dusty disaster. With these tips from our chimney sweeps, you’ll keep your fireplace tidy and enjoy it season after season.

Why Your Chimney Needs Swept this Winter

December 21, 2024 | Chimney Basics

If you’re a homeowner in Jacksonville, FL, you know that winters can be surprisingly chilly, with cooler days and even cooler nights. And what’s better than snuggling up by the fireplace on a cold winter night? But before you light that first fire of the season, have you thought about when was the last time your chimney was swept? As much as we love cozy nights by the fire, it’s important to make sure our chimneys are well-maintained and safe. That’s why we at Chimney Champions are here to help you determine when to get your chimney swept.

3 Ways to Improve Chimney Airflow

November 21, 2024 | Chimney Basics

Ensuring your chimney is in top-notch condition is a high priority for every homeowner. A well-performing chimney not only keeps your home warm but also guarantees safety by efficiently directing smoke and gases out. At Chimney Champions, we understand the significance of optimal chimney airflow. So, we’re here with some tips on how you can improve chimney airflow in your home.

3 Facts About Chimney Liners

January 11, 2021 | Chimney Basics

Our number one goal here at Chimney Champions is to keep your home and family safe. Our team of trained and licensed professionals works hard to ensure everything about your fireplace and chimney work properly. Chimney liners are a crucial safety feature of your chimney, and a damaged liner can cause major headaches. Luckily, liner replacements are a common repair for us. So, here are some facts you should know about this feature of your chimney.

Why You Should Have Your Chimney Cleaned Regularly

February 10, 2020 | Chimney Basics

Your fireplace provided you with numerous cozy fires during the chilly winter nights. Now, the the weather is getting nicer and it’s time to clear out all the ash and soot in your chimney. Many homeowners think they can just burn a self-cleaning log and move on, but that’s just not the case. The best way to clean your chimney is to call in the professionals. Luckily, Chimney Champions makes chimney cleaning easy and hassle-free, clearing your stack of all the fire hazards that you could face the next time you light a log.

Sneak Peek at a Level II Chimney Inspection

February 25, 2019 | Information

People contact Chimney Champions® every day looking for a service to their fireplace/chimney. But not everybody realizes that there are different levels of service that we offer! To help provide a better understanding of what takes place during some of our services, we’re going to provide you with an inside look at a Level II Inspection and Sweep.During our inspections, our CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweeps® perform a visual assessment of every safely accessible area of your chimney system (in your attic, crawlspace, roof, etc). In the first picture (below), you can see lead technician Michael Wood assessing the chimney flue for ‘clearance to combustibles’ – very important for fire-prevention! When accessible, we also look for proper installation and clearances around the firestop in the attic – an area that is often overlooked, but can be a serious hazard. The flue liner often comes with a label that can be found on the outer flue … Continued

Lower Temps, Higher Risk!

January 22, 2019 | Information

When it’s chilly outside, it’s nice to make your home warm inside. This is the time of year when everyone looks to use their fireplaces for quick warmth and relaxing ambience. Unfortunately, however, this is also the most common time of year for house fires caused by dirty fireplaces. Just this past weekend, Savannah Fire Rescue had to cut holes in a Tatem Street home to put out a chimney fire. The fireplace was dirty, and long overdue for a professional cleaning and inspection; however, it was used anyway.Firefighters everywhere see this sort of problem more than you may realize – even in Florida!This is a common danger that can be easily prevented by having your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected by a CSIA-Certified Chimney Sweep, and making sure it is safe BEFORE using it. Call Chimney Champions® at 904-268-7200, or book online to schedule your service today!