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Handstands in Lake O

Just look at this beautiful Lake Oswego chimney, first we are prepping the home with plastic chambers to keep the house safe from dust and particles during demo,  we run HEPA filtration systems inside our plastic chambers to keep dust down and out of the home.  After careful preparation we are going to demo the back...

How often should I have my chimney swept?

The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” This is the national safety standard and is the correct way to approach the problem. It takes into...

Built-in Barbecue Pits / Custom Masonry BBQ’s and fireplaces for your outdoor living space

Spring has arrived in the beautiful Portland Metro area, and there is no better time to consider a built in masonry BBQ / smoker. From mild to wild, there is a design to fit every yard. Enjoy these backyard built in’s and find inspiration. Call Portland Fireplace and Chimney for a FREE ESTIMATE on an...

Mortar 101

Typically when using the term mortar in our trade we are discussing a paste used to bind building blocks such as stones, bricks, and concrete masonry units together, fill and seal the irregular gaps between them, and rarely add decorative colors or patterns in masonry walls. In its broadest sense mortar includes pitch, asphalt, and soft mud...

Gresham Rebuild

A roofing contractor had damage this chimney at the roofline flashing transition area. The roofer had taken a grinder and ground through the masonry cells to install flashing. Masonry flashing is to be installed in each horizontal bed joint to limit expansion and contraction and divert water away from the chimney cells. The chimney was broken at...

NW Portland Inspection

This is a great example of the importance of hiring a certified chimney sweep who is trained to properly inspect your fireplace and chimney.  All of our estimates and work comply with the specifications of the National Fire Protection Association code book 211, this is the national standard for chimneys, fireplaces and venting. We are tested on International Building Code 2015 edition...

Sherwood Rebuild

We took this chimney down to the roofline and rebuilt it using new “Old Town Red” brick from our supplier. We built a new crown reusing the existing 12″ x 16″ flue liner. Last but never lease, we  supplied and installed new black masonry counter flashing.  

Chimney Cap 101

A proper Chimney cap is designed to shelter and protect the entire footprint of a masonry crown on the chimney. Moisture absorbs through the masonry crown and will crack and expand causing leaking in extreme cold weather conditions. Freezing Temperatures cause the cracks to expand and contract creating a larger waterways through your chimney. We...