Why Does My Chimney and Fireplace Smell After It Rains?

When your chimney or fireplace starts giving off a musty, smoky, or damp odor after it rains, it’s usually a sign that moisture is entering the system where it shouldn’t. This smell may seem harmless at first, but it often points to underlying issues such as water intrusion, creosote saturation, or failing components that need attention. 

Chimney and Fireplace Safety Tips For The Holidays

Holiday traditions naturally bring people together around the fireplace, which means longer burn times, more frequent fires, and added décor around the mantel and hearth. These chimney and fireplace safety tips for the holidays focus on reducing risks, improving performance, and ensuring your system is ready for heavier winter use. 

6 Reasons Why Every Chimney Should Have a Cap

When your chimney is left uncovered, it becomes an open gateway for all sorts of problems. Rainwater, animals, leaves, sparks, and even strong downdrafts can all enter freely through the top, causing damage to the chimney itself and disruptions inside your home. Over time, this exposure leads to expensive repairs, poor fireplace performance, and even potential fire hazards.

Why Creosote Buildup Is More Dangerous Than You Think

When most people think of chimney maintenance, they picture sweeping away a little soot before lighting the season’s first fire. But the real issue lurking inside many chimneys is creosote. This sticky, tar-like substance doesn’t just make a fireplace dirty – it can create costly and dangerous problems if left unchecked.

The Benefits of a Clean Pizza Oven & How To Keep Yours Clean

A pizza oven is a serious backyard cooking tool designed to deliver incredible flavors and restaurant-quality results right at home. Just like a chimney or fireplace, your pizza oven requires regular maintenance to perform at its best. A clean pizza oven doesn’t just make cooking easier; it enhances taste, improves efficiency, and extends the life of your investment. Below, we’ll explore the benefits of a clean pizza oven and then walk through practical steps on how to clean a pizza oven and keep it in top shape.

How Chimney Leaks Can Lead To Serious Damage

A chimney leak is more than just an inconvenience – it’s a hidden threat that can cause long-term structural issues, health hazards, and expensive repairs. Water is one of the most damaging elements your chimney can face, and because chimneys sit above the roofline, they’re constantly exposed to heavy rain, humidity, and storms. Once moisture finds its way inside, it doesn’t take long for problems to spread throughout the chimney system.

How Summer Storms Can Damage Your Chimney

Summer in Georgia and across the Southeast brings more than just heat and humidity; it’s also prime time for intense thunderstorms, heavy rains, and even the occasional tropical storm or hurricane. While most homeowners think about protecting their roofs, windows, and siding during severe weather, chimneys are another part of the home that often takes the brunt of storm damage. Over time, exposure to strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning can compromise your chimney’s performance, efficiency, and lifespan.

How Does Humidity Affect Your Chimney

Humidity is the amount of water vapor present in the air, and here in Atlanta, it’s something we deal with for much of the year. While a bit of humidity might feel harmless, over time, it can wreak havoc on your home, especially your chimney. Constant exposure to moisture in the air can lead to serious issues that impact your chimney’s performance, efficiency, and lifespan.

Why Every Dryer Vent Needs an Annual Inspection

Dryer vents are often out of sight and out of mind, but that doesn’t make cleaning and inspecting them any less important. Over time, lint, dust, and debris accumulate inside the vent duct, restricting airflow and increasing the risk of fire, system failure, or reduced efficiency. That’s why every dryer vent should be inspected by a professional at least once a year. Annual inspections help identify issues early, prevent hazardous buildup, and ensure the dryer operates as efficiently and safely as possible.

5 Common Gas Supply Mistakes in Fire Pit Installations & How To Avoid Them

Adding an outdoor gas fire pit is a great way to enhance your backyard with warmth, ambiance, and an inviting space for gathering. However, even the most impressive fire feature can fail to perform or become dangerous if the gas supply system isn’t designed and installed correctly. At The Mad Hatter, we’ve seen it all, and we know how easy it is for simple mistakes to cause significant issues. Below, we break down five of the most common gas supply mistakes made during fire pit installations and guide you on how to avoid them by working with qualified professionals.